The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-04-29

This story about a tame musllrat comes
from Pittsfeld: The boys of certain q fami-
ly living near stream inhabited by musk
rats had made overtures of friendship by
throwing apples and the like into the waite,
One rat, more venturesome than tho rest
formed the habit of crawling up the bank
and proving about the house for food.
Finding himself unmo Tested his visits be-
came more and more frequeI5 Finally he
dug under a part OF the house where there
was no cellar and gnawed up through into
the living room. From this time on he be-
came the recognized pet of the family His
favorite spot was behind the stove. where
he would lie for hours like cat. He would
take food from the boys hands and allow
them to stroke his fur. He spread his table
d'hote in an obscure corner behind the
family board. This was also his storage
corner. Here he poked snugly together with
his nose the extra pieces of apple and other
choice bits of food. While eating, he
crouched upon his launches and held the
food with his paws. He ehewed rapidly
with sidewise motion of the jaws, like a
rabbit. He occasionally expressed his salts
faction by gruff chattering noise. He is
allowed TO come and go as he pleases. He
frequently raises the family on his return
by vigorously scratching at the door. At
night he is rather troublesome visitor the
master of the house is often obliged to get
up aud let him in to keep him from gnaw
ing new hole through the floor.
Secretary F. R. Partridge, of the Commits
sioners of Pharmacy, has sent out about 100
communications to as many dealers in the
State who are thought TO be selling drugs,
medicines, ETC., without license In the
communications attention is called to the
law on the point requiring the dealers to
register. He has also prepared 1000 circu-
lars, the estimated number of dealers in the
State who do business in the country sec
tions where there are drug stores, and
who will, on application, receive permits to
sell poisons used in agricultural pursuits,
such as Paris green and other bug killers.
Where drug stores are 10 Gated they only will
be permitted to dispense poisons.
Superintendent of Schools Stetson says
that the summer schools promise to be more
largely attended than ever this season. He
has noted growing popularity in regard to
them among teachers in the State. The sea-
son viii commence about July 10 and close
August 2T. There will probably be five
schools this year; there were four in 1896
1t is Mr.. Stetson's plan to have from two
to three weeks session at each school,
They viii be held in York, Lincoln, Aroos-
took, Washington and northern Kennebec
counties
young boy who was out cunning near
Morrison's Corner i'll Benton, Thursday,
succeeded in killing a specimen of game
Which is exceedingly rare for State of Maine
hunters. that of u fine bald eagle. The bird
measured eight feet from tip to tip of wings.
l'iia boy was crossing field with n good
barge Of BIB shot Tic eagle appeared circ-
ing about overhead and after time the
outliful hunter took aim nd fired. and as
nod luck would have it, killed the huge
ird at the first shot. The bird will be sent
70 Clifford, the Skowhegan taxidermist, to
mounted.
The Hainin Rifles, of Bangor, have re-
caivcd orders to return all State property in
fleir possession 10 the State arsenal. This
is regarded by the members as sure indica-
lion. that the company IS to be disbanded.
Is.;s nnderstood that III 0ldtown a company
IS all ready &c be mustered into the service
as soon as vacancy occ urs.