The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-15
INGENIOUS CHICAGO RMS.
How They Got q Basket OF Grapes
Through IA Hole In tho Wall.

Fom The Cticngo Drtiy Tribune.
Pretty well down on the South side there
lives a man who has a reputation for being
quiet, veracious, and sober. but lie tells a story
about n colony OF rats in his house which goes
far ahead of any epg-stealinE performance ever
before accredited to the clever rodents.
This truthful man lives in Bowen avenue in a
house which is in the middle of Il red brick
block. For some time he had suspected the
presence Of n rat or two about the premises, bat
HAD never been able TO get a glimpse of the willy
little creatures. One night last week, however.
his wish was g%ratihed. 1t fell out as follows:
On the night in question this sober ana vera
clous man took up to his bed Dom Win HIM n
large hnsket OF luscious grapes. ii" had deter
mined to follow out his usual custom OF read
ing himself 70 sI.ep. but rs it was early be
thought he wuHid fret try tho favor OF his
grapes, Some time after midul sht lie began 10
grow 20 sleepy that he decided 10 give up his
dual recreation. He was still awake enough. he
states, to reflect that IL he LEFT the basket OF
grapes on tie edge OF the bed, where II was re-
posing. the chances were good tlnt il would be
overturned before morning. 20 his lust act be-
fore sinking inin n drralniCss slUmhcr was to
Int down the basket OF grapes to the Moor. Tho
basket Sill weighed -four or i've pounds. The
man wa, started safely on his nights reposc.
Then the rats came into the story.
II was III The first gray dawn a: the morning
mat 4" truthful man awokc. u" had a vague
Idea that something unusual lsd aroused him,
by the sound uf something suurryiuY acrO-, The
floor of his room, accompanied lay "a series OF
y E"'''t - w 'NN lN''''Nl'h TX lIhll ne lhlilDttl
door. Then lie became wide awake at once, ana
by the most careful ~manmuYres saw the follow
Ing performance gong on:
On its side lay the basket Of grapes. 1t was
emptied except Tor the presence" of n bunch or
hardy believe his eyes. mutil n large rat
which hurriod out from the bathroom nLd
seed a bunch showed ann The cause. Willis
he still stared in ,as.outsGincnt the rat dragged
tho fruit mo thu bathroom and returned Tor !
aq@tier load, repeating the same performance.
Al along, the floor was II trail Of single grapes
dropped from the stems and neglected N Tho
press OF business.
On seeing his last bunch Of cranes disappear.
ing, the vrracious man c%ontriyod with minute
truuhl" to move 10 the root OF hi, bed, where no
c"l'd view INC proceedings IN the bathroom.
, In front of a rough Irregular hole under the
bathtuo stood the lalher OF al rals win II gralo !
~ ms mouth. JUST AS the truthful man locked. |
TINS iirst OF the rodent tribe gave "a curious Iitile
sgurnl, and win Il quick motion Of his head
tossed the grape into the nui,. Shortly after
warl wa heard %anolhcr similar squeak INSIDE.
followed by another mud another, as the gragG
travelled INTO the interior of tho walls. rut
without waiting for tho following signals,
ont Of II group on the floor. Which IN undeil
sized animal was r]nipping If nom the hnnrRrs
a. tast n- they came IN, and reprAiel The per
the .aa} iuann6f Of " grnnc t" arl rir3p'' in " st lion
from the basket. was separated INTO its cumpo-
paruutly judging FROM the series uf spuranA-
libcn hnN %! goods down u liuc ot purtrrs IuiOa
warrhoa,", and ending ~ com" hidden rendcz-
1t was too much Tor the trui0ml man. Gath
ertng ms startled faculties together, he mndca
prnr"I wan a to;Vnoi i"rr'ned s]pNeaks. leaving
II few grapes and u lUi" in the Wull. Tho man
went buck 10 bod determined 70 do his best to
kcru hi reason.
Neyt morning tho truthful man made a care
fnl "N0mlnat'on OF tine ,proHi cs. TLrIe were
tine basko', the scattered grapes, aud he hole.
10 satisfy h.uIsrlt the yeraciuls ind iviauaI tore
on q .nard from under Tho bath tub aud exam
iI"t %" u,lcc inside, There was II gap of luur
or i've itrhra between the edge uf me hole and
The Nearest ."am, then beyond u second beam
aud a. asstEe'a y down the inside OF the wall
t. ihu ."ur below,
Iar iIuthful man scratched his head, rubbed
MS eyes. aud looked again. lie took measure,
lnruf-. iuiiugnmpu'atiyns. and then won't back
aad t'H"i 20 all uycr nEoin. Then he went out
and lui his irlendn Nanut the occurrence.
FACTS ARE TAUr-.