Arizona republican., 1900-11-25

the crowd in a novel way, as the mas ter of ceremonies said:
 'Now. chentlemen, you haf see vot my rats can done, und I iink you will gif dam 1alts someding to fill their stom- achs init. eh? And vat you will gf yocst drow 1l on der ground, and de rats will dake care of it, eh. poys?'
 Some one threw a nickel into the street, and immediately one of l,h rats galloped away and picked it up in his mouth, others of the lot sniffed toward the crowd. their little eyes glitterinS as they watched for a duplicata of th- money throwing performance. It was great sport and for several minutes there was Q generous shower of small coins which the rats took care of as fast as they fell. They brought all the money to the master, who did "impet- ticOse the gratility" after a mannar which was worthy of Touchstone him self.
 Finally everybody seemed to have enough for that time-crowd, rats, master and aH-and the show was over. The ral,s returned to their box, one and all. and wera shut into it; the platform was taken down, the tripod folded up, ar1 each went his way.
 I was always fond of curious shows, and I stood this one through to the end with great satisfaction. When it was all over and the proprietor had folded his traps and was silently stealing away, I followed him for a little dis tance to see wha, he would do next.
 The f1llow went little ways uptown and then turned off on a by-street, where he drew up under the shade of a large tree, set his box on the ground seated himself beside it and began feeding his performers.
 How long have you been in this, sir?'
 And to me he replied: Not so werry long init rats; but always can do vat like init animals of all kinds. I vas a long time init horses und dogs, but apout fife years ago I try rats und l likc it pedder.'
 Where do you get your rats?" asked.
 "Oh ,efery place I go," ha answered. 'I don't keep rat so werry long, so haf to get new ones all de tima.'
 Why can't you keep thcm?' l asked. Do they run away?"
 'Oh, mo-" he replied. My ra*s nefer runs away. But I york my rats buddy hardt. und the box don't beaa so wer- " big. und-o;l. well, holdings don't live so werry long of you took den away from were dey belongs"
 How long will rat live"" sail I.
 Dot depends on we're he is und if he don't get caught. Now, of rat has q goot corn crib to Tiff in unG don't get caught, he Hffs-oh, Yell, fife, sex, tsn years. But its prddy goot rat as lasts me sex mondh."
 How long does it take you to teach them their tricks?'' l enquirad.
 "Oh, we'll, I couldn't tole you lot og- Zackly. It derpends on der rat. Now. if I got a goot bright rat I teach him to do vat he will learn in TWO. tree days. But if I gct rat is a fool (this man is a worldling and he spoke the vernacu- lar) veil, I cculd nefer tlach him nod ing"
 But" I said, eff a rat is bright can you teach him anything you choose?"
 "Oh, mo-" he replied. Some rats will learn some dings, und some udder rats will learn some udder dings. Ind dats a funny ding apoud dat. You can't al- ways tell py der looks Of rat yoost vot he will learn.'' And as he said this he spoke to a rat that was gnawing a bone.
 "Cheneral Grant, come here"
 The rat addressed caught up the bone and dragged it over to whsre the man sat. who then continued as he picke d the rods,r. up and strak..l kim with his hand:
 NOW, call dis rat Thenera! Grant because he shoots der gun. I try mere as. feefty rats before I gifts von vet will shoot a gun. Ind ven I gets dis weller tries to make him valk der rope. De BlOndin vot I got dot time he vas go. h's leg prokc, und I wants a lat to took his place. But I don't could make kim walk a rope von leedle bit. T. vos not in him 10 do someding liIls dot
 Well, den I try him init der gun, und away! He likes it. He will shoot all And he chucked the rat under the chin as it jumped off his hand and returned to its bone again.
 Patti! Patti" he called
 A plump little. fine haired rat re- spoEded to his call, and leaving the group, climbed into his hand. while he said: Dots der rat volt plays der mu- sic box. Und Eh1 likes it too, eh Pat ti?"
 The little creature stood on it's hind legs s he poke, and began moving ons of it's fore paws round and round, as If turning a crank. while her master vert on:
 ''Eh, you s-e, she won't to tole me to gel der music box. No, no, not now, lee ale gal. Go eat your breakfast now,