The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-08-03
How JanitOr Donovan Celebrated at
Uncle Sans Expense.
Story of Iron Rats Used
at Post Office.
Birds We're not to BE Frightened
Away by Scarecrows.


his assistant, Night watchman knights,
had celebration all to themselves last
night at the expense Of Uncle Sam.
| Yesterday Postmaster SWEET obtained
permission from Washington to invest one
dollar of the governments funds in fire
crackers and as result Donovan and
Knights spent goad part of last night
firing them Off about the postoffics build.
Ing. But the governments. did not spend
this money to amuse Messrs. Donovan
and Knights and II the truth were known
it 10 doubtful IL these two young men
enjoyed the celebration very much.
The occasion for this outlay in fire
crackers was the attempt of Postmaster
SWEET, who Ia the custodian OF the post
office building, Co get rid of the pigeons
and English sparrows who lodge about
the marble oombings and beneath the
stately porches Of this handsome build
ing. As eyesyons knows, the governments
has recently spent large sum of money
having this handsome building thorough
~ cleaned from top to BOTTOM. 1t took q
largs crew of men many weeks to do this
and 1t was pretty hard work too. With
wire brushes and plenty Of water the
workmen went over the entire building
and thoroughly removed from the marble
the stains and dirt which had accumu-
lated there during the years sincs this
huilding was erectsd. The result of this
labor has been commented upon by all
who have occasion to pass this stately
bulidlng In the course of the day. The
fo Of 10. ola
zen of this CITY and well 1t may he for no
mere beautiful public building Is TO be
found In New England than this. Il has
been the endeavor OF Postmaster SWEET to
keep this structure locking we'll both on
the exterior and interior and this is how
the war against the pigeons was inaugu-
rated.
The pigeons were OF course driven away
when the building was cleaned but no
sooner were the workmen's stages torn
down when they returnd in larger num-
bsrs than before II any thing. II was the
same with the English sparrows- The
Ieorkmen tore down their nests from
under the stately portioos and threw the
bits OF straw and strings of which they
were constructed TO the four winda OF
heaven. The very next day alter the
stages were taken down back came the
English sparrows. With an energy which
work and before night their nests we're
once more In position high under the
roof. Jauitor Donovan asserts that these
birds used the very material which was
torn away by ths workmen when they
cleaned the nests out but at any rate the
spnrrows came back and are stiil there
The pigeons were also driven away for
q time hut quickly came back to rcost on
the government pile as soon as ths work
men had gone and the government
officials were psFpiexed to know just what
to do to get rid of these pests which mar
the appearance Of the white marble build
ing very rapidly.
Whils this matter was under discussion
there came along tho street one day
man named Taylor. Now this MIR. Taylor
is genius In his way and hearing of the
problem of tho government officers he
said that he was prepared to Offer solu-
ton to 1t. He asked permission Of Inspec-
tor Condor to try his scheme. go
remedy works dare say you win make
good thing out Of your invention for the
government would give much to know
Just how to keep the sparrows and pigeons
away from its buildings"
Tie next day Taylor returned and
brought SIX iron rats. They were as near
the real thing as mould could mike them.
Their appearance was fsrocious In the
extreme and their wire whiskers bristled
with all the savagery OF the widest
rodent. Mr.. Taylor with the assistance
of the janitor soon put these iron rats In
place. Two were placed over each door
| as far as they went where the sparrows
ana pigeons are accustomed to roost
dur the day and night The inspe ctor,
the janitor and others who were Interested
IN the scheme then gathered on the side.
walk across the street to see how 1t
worked. OF course the pigeons and spar
rows had been frightened away when the
rats were being put in position bnt they
soon came ciroling back with all Of the
cooling and ehattering OF birds rightly in
dignant at being disturbed. But when
these knowing birds spied Mr.. Taylor's
iron rats there was o flutter of wings,
renewed chattering of frightened sparrows
and pigeons and they few across the
street to hold consultation. Where this
iron rats were, there the birds would not
go but the other door eombings were
covered with them as Of old.
81 reckon you have struck the remedy
Mt last" said the inspector. and Mr.. Tny-
Tor gIeefuiiy rubbed his bands and said be
knew his plan would work. But the
sparrow is a cunning bird and was not
20 easily driven swny FROM his favorite