The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1894-01-19
RATS.
Curious Stories About the Long
tailed Rascals.


SlR,-You may not believe it, but
rats are very intelligent little cussos.
In my shanty have a number Of
these visitors, and, II they would
only confne their attentions within
reasonable limits, I should not mind
them at all; but now and again they
don't play fair, as witness, for in
stance, my only pair OF boots which
are now out at toes as we'll as heel,
owing to their inquisitive natures.
Sometimes get mad, and employ
means Of q forcible nature to reduce
their numbers. I don't like to poi
son the poor little beggars, as, many
time when I've been lonely, and
down in my luck, they and 1 hold
quite conversation together, and
we divide the tucker, when there's
enough to divided, into two parts,
which I may tell you conGdentially,
is not always the case. Welt to
proceed. A few nights ago I was
hipped, and wanted to get level
with something or other; Just as
you do, Mr.. Editor, when the Herald
tickles you up between the short
ribs, (tbis en PEASANT as the Ancient
Romans say and no offence sir to
you. As | said before Tor meant to
say which is all the same) I felt wolf
ish, and, batting my little simple,
but very effective, wire spring trap,
/ set II i'm q convenient corner,
and sat down to watch proceed
ings. Before long a deput alton OF
rodents waited on me to inquire
into the bona .fdes OF my act, and,
when from my impressive coun.
tensnce they could apparently CLEAN
nothing, they began to investigate
the trap, and more particularly the
tempting morsel conspicuously dis.
played so easily within their reach.
The old rats appeared to be a bit
shy, but half-grown fellow, appar.
emily Just released from bis mot theirs
apron strings, was more venture.
some, and evidently as / could see
in opposition to the advice Of his el.
ders) made snap at the bait. Down
came the spring as . natural conse.
quence, and, as luck would have Il
caught my gentleman half way up
his tail. In a twinkling his father
mother, cousins, and aunts, scooted
away out Of sight, and left their
juvenile. and foolish, young relative
squeaking his darndest. For a time
the victim Of misplaced confdenc,
wriggled, and twisted, this way, and
that, vainly endeavoring to release
himself. (Or shall We say herself
curiosity being q feature OF the fem
mime nindD finding that this wa
impossible to accomplish, he pullet
himself together for tho purpose
evidently, OF considering the sit,
alton, and apparently having mad,
up his heroic little mind, he pro
ceeded 10 nibble his tail apart, whor'
the wire had broken the bone. In
twinkling tho little beggar was free
, and scooting through the neares
hole he disappeared, and such
squeaking rs ] heard for some fey
minutes, 1 cant describe. Well,
SGT tho trap again, after smoking !
we'll with q bit Of burning paper
and resumed my meditations. Fo
half an hour nothing occurred
after which, FIRST one, then an
other Of my fourfooted compan
ions came again upon the scene
! II was amusing to watch then
going round and round tn
trap, smelling At the bait, whicI
they tried To reach without gsttinI
ON the platform; why l cant SAY
r but supposed the matter had bee
reasoned ont among them. Find
ing IL impossible to effect thei
, object in the way they evidently dt
sired, ono foolish fellow, after wha
appeared to be long confcrcnc
with the others, approached tn
front Of the trap, and, in mos
gingerly manner, crept on the plat
form, aud, putting his nose close I
J the bait, took q good sniff at 4
} whilst his companions silently watch
ed proceedings. Suddenly, givin
way to temptation, the bait wa
seized, and, as natural consequence,
down came the spring fairly acroi
; the middle OF my gentleman, VIII
Z made a terrible to do, whilst hi
friends scampered away on all side
Soon the victims struggles ceaset
and no lay motionless. BY this tim
, his companions had again Assem-
bled, and huddled together, six
all, they remained perfectly still
except that they were twitterin
, away no end as the Samoan rats wi
) do at times. In few moments the
had apparently made up their mind
and advancing to the trap, the
froze on to their deceased conrad
and tried by main force to pu
him out OF his prison. In 81
] deayoring to do this the trap W,
pulled more than six feet aero
the floor. One old grey beggar W,
boss Of the proceedings, for he, ever
now and then, seemed to issue b
orders, and, whenever he squeake
, in a particular way, the others a.
u peared to lay themselves down
their work with great vigor. At la
the old chap evidently saw that
must adopt new tactics, SO, Will
four OF the party held on in iron
:. he and another hung on behin
D Don't laugh boss, for the teet
~ rl,o hn .nn,, - onr Alma