The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-08-12
RAT CATCHING.
HOW A NEW YORK PROFESSIONAL
CAPTURES THE RODENTS.

Help Their Master-Night the 6es'
Time to Hunt Rats.
If there is any one in New York ell,
tiled to pose as an authority upon
matters relating to that comparatively
unknown but interesting little animal.
the ferret, the person is "Sure Pop
Isaacsen. Having been engaged fol
thirty years in the business OF rat ex,
termination, Mr.. Isaacsen has had
plenty of opportunity to study the
wavs of ferrets, for those sharp-eyed,
active, snaky little creatures are moth
ing if not rat exterminators. That Ia
their natural occupation and their
:hief pleasure in life.
When approached on the subject OF
ferrets Mr.. Isaacsen is very willing to
talk, but he impressss the inquirer at
the outset with the magnitude OF the
undertaking. After "Sure Pop" has
explained how far he has raised his
profession above that of the ordinary
pretender to rat determination, and
how much he has learned about 1t IN
thirty years, the seeker after know.
ledge begins to feel small and ignor-
ant, and to put all his subsequent
questions in the most humble posi-
BILE form.
"It is profession which you can
not study in university" said Mr..
Isaacsen, with deprecatory wave OF
his hand. cit requires years OF prac'
teal experience such as l have given
to it. Ferrets are only tools With
which we work, but they are most
valuable tools, and to put them to
the proper use we must understand
them thoroughly. 1 will show you one
of our best hunting ferrets; she is past
her prime now, but she is still very
valuable. Joe, bring the old Lady! ;"
A powerful good-natured-looklne
Young man, whom Mr.. Isaacsen re.
ferred to as thoroughly practical
rat-catcher," at once appeared in an.
swer to the call. In his arms reclined
"The Old Lady" white ferret,
whose snappy little eyes, starting In
quisitively about her, seemed to in
dictate that even at the advanced age
of seven years she was still taking al
active interest in life. The only par
ticular in which she appeared to differ
from two or three younger ferrets
near by was in the condition of hei
coat. This was rough and rather
scanty, while the hair of the Others
was thick, smooth and glistening
"The Old Lady" was perfectly tame
and evidently enjoyed being fondled
Her master stroked her proudly, but
the visitor, prejudiced by the undeni
able resemblance in form which the
ferret bears to the snake family, could
not be pei suaded to handle the limp
squirming body.
"When the ratcatcher goes to work,
said "Sure Pop" she has a good dog
with him besides the ferret. But
there are places where dog cannot
go, and the ferret, ON account of its
slender head and flexible body, can
squeeze itself in wherever rat can.
So when the rat has run into one hole
the ferret is put in after him, and the
dog is stationed at the hole which
forms the other outlet of the rats do.
main. The ferret works quickly, and
in moment or two the rat rushes out
of the second hole, only to be bounced
upon by the waiting dog"
"But doesn't the ferret ever catcE
the rat in the hole? And what happens
them" asked the reporter with in.
terest.
Mr.. Isaacsen half closed his eyes
and then began slowly: SIN Russia,
you know, the laws are very strict
He paused. The reporter stared and
made desperate effort to see the con-
nection and follow the thread Of the
discourse. 1t appeared presently,
however, that Mr.. Isaacsen was mere
ly indulging in one of the SMILES with
which he is fond of ornamenting his
conversation.
eyes, and the punishments of the
law are severe" he continued, "but
before the penalty can be inflicted the
criminal must first be caught. That
is not always easy. So it is with the
ferret and the rat. The latter has the
start, and you know the proyerb about
stern chase being long chase.
Well-there is the answer to your
question. But if the ferret should
catch his victim!" (Mr. Isaacsen be-
came dramatic. "He seizes the rat
by the back of the neck, gives tia
dead bite until his sharp teeth meet
with crunch in the rodents spine,
and then begins to suck the blood.
If sufficient time is given to him, the
ferret will eat theentire carcass of the
rat, and not leave particle to dis
tress the soul of the neatest house
keeper"
While on the subject of rat hunt
ing, it may be said that the ferrets
work much more successfully in the
night than at any other time, because
they are able to see better in the dark.
1t is advisable to let them have free
range of the house little while
before their actual work begins, SO
that they may familiarize themselves
with their surroundings. They hunt
downward, and if they are put on one