St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-05-14

himself from their attacks with cane
and he has lately had as a constant COM
paniOn a dog, which has succeeded i'll
keeping the rodents at distance.
The noise of their scampering over
the floor and their Squeals have been
heard from the street, and in the morn
Ing sometimes two or three have been
found dead in the halls from the at
taczs Of their companions. A trap was
set in one of the halls recently by the
Waterman, and it was baited with
piece of meat. The trap was attached
to the wall with a piece of clOtheslipe,
but the rats gnaWed the line to bits,
and after eating the bait took break
fast off the carcass of their unlucky
companion which was caught In the
trap. The trap was dragged into an
other hall with the body of the dead rat
fin it. during the struggles Of the others
to gain possession of the body.
Yesterday afternoon something oc-
Cured in the capitol which has aroused
the greatest excitement among the state
officials. 1t was desired to keep the
matter from the public in view of the
strangenesS of the occurrence, but the
GLOBE sees no necessity for preventing
in the case.
In the southwest corner of the build
Ing, where the governor has his offices,
there are a number of holes which have
been gnaWed III the WainscOting Of the
building and leading to the basement.
Some of the holes lead into other rooms
and between the floors. On mornings
after there had been food in the COVER
nor's room. other than food for thought,
the floor has been found Uttered with
gnaWed paper and particles OF clothing.
A few DAYS since the governor opened a
private closet in which he had placed
some clothing and hats, and found that
there was a nest of the rodents in new
silk hat and another nest in an oyercoat
pocket. The articles were ruined by
the holes which had been gnaWed Ill
them by the rats.
Yesterday morning, knowing that
there was heavy days work on hand,
the governor brought his dinner to the
capitol in tin pail. as is his custom
when he expects to be very busy and
will not have the time 70 go 10 q re5tau
rant. When the whistle blew for the
noon hour he opened his pail, heated
the coffee OH the radiator which was
steamed up for the purpose, and ate
everything with the exception of the
pie and a couple of doughnuts. After
finishing he closed the pail again, but
carelessly left cheese sandwich on his
desk He placed paperWeight on the
sandwich for Safekeeping and then sat
down to rest. Soon he rose and went
into the Office of the state auditor for
the purpose of having consultation in
regard to some matter of state.
The governor had been absent for
about fifteen minutes before he remem-
bered the sandwich.
Have you dined?" he asked the au
ditor.
"No-I have rot yet satiated my cray
ing for food" was the reply of the
functionary addressed.
Inc governor then said that he had
some OF his dinner left in the pail, and
asked the auditor to join him in a
lunch. The latter readily accepted the
invitation, and the two Strolled into the
rooms of the governor.
The walked through the anti-rooms,
and the governor opened the door of his
office to allow the auditor to enter.
There was noise of rushing feet, the
the floor and Squeeks of anger from the
countless number of rats which
swarmed in the room; on the govern
or's desk and in his very chair. They
squeaked in anger at this interruption
to their meal. and one big gray fellow
vino sat on the desk seemed to be the
leader.
Scat" shouted the executive, with
q commanding stamp of-the foot and an
imperious wave of the hand.
RATS" TREMENDOUSLY exclaimed the
auditor, as he looked around for a
weapon.
Then the governor became angry. He
entered the room with naughty GEES
ture and commenced:
'In the name Of tue state and the
people of Minnesota--1n the name OF
the state and7--1n the name of the