The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-19

The Besinnins and Fad Of . Campaign
Against Four-Footed Pests.

There's no use In talking" exclaimed Nehemiah
Bodkin, banker. philanthropist, economist and
prospective candidate for Alderman. the other
morning after breakfast al the same time glonc-
Ing knowingly at his wife. There's no use talk
ing" repeated Bodkin In a patronizing manner,
this house has got 70 DO rid Of the multiplicity
Of perambulatng. little fourleggod cussos. other
wise known a. mice. that lnfest this place from
cellar 70 attic tell you. Mrs. Bodkin. there has
got 70 be stop put 10 this nonsense. or else the
nsEhbofs will accuse us Of running rat incu-
bstor and doing our best 70 infest tho ncighbor-
hood. But madam. this rat problem Ii about to
DO solved and at tho hands Of Nehemiah Bodkin."
Why. my dear interrupted Mrs. Bodkin,
who knew only too we'll the results following her
husbands economical streaks, were you not
aware that there arc men who hire out as pro-
fsssional ratcatchers who could clear our house
Of the pests In q few hours and
"Not another word" broke out Nehemiah. at
tho same time endeavoring 70 Increase his stature
and casting whitening Elanccs at his wife, no
almost roarcd: do you expect me TO pay out
good money TO professional good for nothings
who couldn't catch rat after II had born stricken
with the blind staegers' No, Mrs. Bodkin. I
have decided 10 attend TO this matter myself, and
shall not call In any outsiders either"
With this remark, Bodkin arosc from the table
nc CtucStu 70 VIC OppOsp Nuc Oi anu
opened the door into the ves,ibule Just in time to
$50 tiny mouse dodge through the grating in
the hall reeistet All the Ire in Bodkin was at
once Aroused, and rushing over 10 tho register
he slammed the shutter 10 with such force that
he neany los, his balance. Rcsuming his eaui-
hbrium. Bodkin surveyed tho scene with look
Of evident superiority. He had trapped one OF
the little pests. and he now had chance 10 got
square. and also 10 show Mrs Bodkn that when
Nehemiah Bodkin said he was going 10 nd the
house Of rats there was to he no fooling about it.
Closing all the doors leading into the vestibulc.
Bodkin donned his ovcrcoat and gloves. the former
10 keep out the cold and the latter to protect his
hands fnum gorr. He considered that that pa e
ueulsr mouse would he past history In about The
poker from the kitchen he rcpair nd TO the scene
Of conflict Mrs Bodkin had in the meantime
had heard the Jacket in The ,estibuie and SUI SUI
missed that operations wetc TO be begun at once.
Taking up a position at the head Of a stairway.
Mrs Bodkin had a commanding view of the stu
alton from behind q convenient portere.
with look Of drte 'u,inaton on his counte-
paved 10 dispatch the offender on firs; sight He
removed The grating quickly; out jumped the
mouse and kerwhsck sounded the poker as came
In contact with the hardwood. foo, where tho
mouse had BEEN a shor time ago Isit his mouse
ship hadn't given up The ghost by any means
Of CREASED lightning, finally taking up position
in the shelter Of one OF the massive legs OF the
/ nall stand
| Bodkin finding that he had not knocked the
mouse into smitherccns at the FIRST whnck. be.
| came furious and sworc that the next blow would
| put the finishing touch on that NOUS and no
| mistake. Turning about he espied the mouse
! under the stand the animal being In the act al
winking the other eye, or at least Bodkin thought
! Holding the poker high above his head
| Bodkin prepared for a magnificent finale The
pa ct descended with terrific force. struck one o
the carved legs Of the stand rcboundcd into space
and proceeded 10 knock over the chandelier globes
| Bodkin IN the meanwhile was performing Al
| acrobatic feot On the floor with fleeing nous,
| and Mrs Bodkin az the only witness.
| Bodkin recovered himself in an instant Rraspct
the poker from the mass 81 broken glass and
hurled IL at the fleeing mouse. the only result
| bcing To smash the umbrella holder Now, BOD
! kin was mad in earnest Great beads Of pcrspira
/ ton stood out on his brow and sulphur ader
/ currents Of atmOsnhere were being eGhnled IL
| all directions while the poker was whnckins
here and there, breaking the glass in the hal
stand. hacking the paint and pnsiering and lcav
ing destruction in it, wake just then, however
, tho mouse got in the way Of a piece Of flying de
brts, and IL was all over
Dudkin WAS triumphant and waving the dca,
mouse aloft he called for his wife. who th~reupor
emerged from her position at the rear Of the por
there and came umidy down the stairs.
| Behold what might hath done WAS his sal u
| taton And nov, Nehemiah Bodkin de
part for the once In peace Meanwhile. my dear
| you can send for q man 10 str aig hten out a few
things which I have disturbed. Goodbye