Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-07

Crosses a Chicago street Every Night
to Get His Lunch.

to Get His Lunch.
From the Chicago Times Herald.
AT precisely 10 o'clock every night in the
year, rain. snow fair weather. per-
Torrance is given i'm Washington street be-
tween La Sale street and 9Th avenue on
d wire stretched high above the street car
tracks. Night after night the daring per-
former can be seen balancing himself on
the little cable, now apparently losing his
balance and only saNsns; himself ny sad
den and desperate twist, now lrOttins mer-
rily along as if he hal not care In the
world. On a clear evening, when the IN
trepid performe" can ;e plainly seen. lie
always attracts many spectators.
The performer is a huge rat, Tiss and
gray with age and the head OF an Interest,"
ing family, seycra! members OF which
sometimes accompany him on his daring
trip across the cable. These trips arg not
taken for the fun of the thing. hu- for the
purpose of obtaining a full meal without
the trouble of workia,r for it. Ever. aight
at 10 o'clock luncn is served in tho news
paper office mo which the south end of the
cable runs, and it is to participate in this
lunch that the rat has learned TO cross AMI
recross on the wire.
The rat made his first trip across the
slender bridge about year ago. Some or
the printers saw him start on mis- voyage,
and considerable money was at once wag-
cred that the animal would not make the
trip in safety. The men who bet against
Mr.. Rat were not wise. for in less than two
minutes, after several narrow escapes from
falling into the street below, nc had crossed
the cable in safety and Was picking UP the
crumbs under tn, lunch tabie. No one mad
the heart to disturb him after the chances
he had run, and SO il cane TO pass thaJ the
rat Toasted royalty on the hes. there vas IN
the house.
For once the printers overcame their an
tipathy for rats and owing To the KIND
ness with which this particular one was
treated he soon became almost az tame as
a kitten. Bolder and holder he became. ana
uow il is no uncommon thing to see MN
trance along the wire carrying in MS mouth
a nicely buttered slice of bread, or, per-
chance the wing of a chicken, handed out
TO kim by one of the Typographical artlsts.
Once in a while, especially in rainy wealth
er Mr. Rat makes a misstep on the WIRE
and then there is fun for a moment. n"
twists and turns like lightning, and, pune
tuating his movements by lew sharp
squeals soon lands safely on the opposit"
side of the street, stu retaining the piece
of food he started with
One evening not long ago the printers
were surprised to see their Old friend APP
pear upon the wire and start Tor the ONCE,
closely followed by four other ratseVidentiy
his wife and three children. The patriarch
walked ahead slowly and carefully, as III to
show the others the proper method or over
coming the swaying of the cable as IL was
struck by the wind. On the little party
came until almost the center of the street
was reached. Then there was sudden d.
version, for a sub printer who mad re-
Gently come to town and knew nothing Oh
the friendship existing between the regu-
lars ami the rat, had thrown piece OF
bread at the approaching animals.
The missile sailed through the air close 10
the heads of the rodents ana the -FOUR new
corners lost their wits for A moment appar-
entity. With sharp squeals of dismay they
turned upon the cable until 1t seemed as II
they must fall. They wrapped their tails
around the wire and with their paws tried
TO drag themselves back again to an up
right position. Here was where the hus-
band and father displayed great Judgment
and heroism. Carefully he retraced ms
steps along the wire until he stood directly
over the struggling members OF his family.
who were in imminent danger of falling
into the street below. For an instant he
paused as if in doubt. Then he erouched
upon his stomach, put out his front paws
and pulled the animals back upon the wire
one after the other.
The printers had watched the proceedings
in breathless silence. but as the five rats
resumed their journey toward the newpa-
per office they were cheered in manner
that would have made the foremost politi-
clan in the land bow in gratitude. On the
arrival of the animals I'm the printing ofnce
they found q hearty meal awaiting them,
for the boys felt that such courage as they
had displayed should be well rewarded.
Each animal returned to its home across
the street, carrying In its mouth a sub
stantial supper. just as IL it had not had
all it could eat before leaving the Office.
The father rat. instead of disappearing on
reaching the building on the north side OF
the street turned around and danced out
upon the cable. where he gave a perform
ance, apparently for the benefit OF the
printers. that was wonderful, all things
considered. He did all but stand on his
head, and when he had finished he-so some
OF the printers declare-arose on his hind
legs and bowed in the most polite manner
imaginable. Returning to the bosom of his
family, he evidently gave the others some
instructions in the art Of wire walking. for
since that time the mother and the three
little ones-they are not SO small. either
have shown remarkable dexterity on the
cable.
All of the rats are sleek. well-fed fellows
who have lost all fear of printers, 30 long
as the latter are in their shirt sleeves. but
at the sight Of q man wearing a coat they
will beat q retreat In the most approved
manner. not even waiting to pick up q
tempting morsel which may lie at their
feet. 1855
Burglars entered the home of James
Gordon Bennett In New York on Saturday
night and plundered IL Of considerable
Il Is said that Mrs. George N. Pullman
has decided to ren0unce her husbands
will and claim her dover. as allowed b.