The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-04
AMERICAN MOUSE CLUB.
A THRIVING INSTITUTION WHERE
THE LONG PERsECUTED HO-
DENT Is CHERISHED.


as Fifteen DOIIars-Their Chief
Charm is said TO Lie in Their su-
pcrior Intelligence.
New York, Feb. At is quite
a turning of the tables when the tiny
little quadruped that every mans hand
and every womans voice has been against
for centuries. is elevated to the rank OF
a pet, becomes a feature at shows, and
has large clubs formed in its interests.
But it is an actual fact that for the last
ten years mice have been reckoned among
the most popular pets in England, and IN
1895 a Mouse Club was formed there con-
sisting of eighty-fve members. America
followed the mother country's example
and in 1896 some extra fine breeds found
their way across the Atlantic. Now there
are a dozen or more exhibitors here and
the latest addition to the club element is
the American Mouse. Club" which num-
bers its best members from all over the
country. So, instead of having to imperil
his life to gain little corner in the cup
board, master mouse is now given dainty
little hutch and fed on the fat Of the land.
That is to say. some mice. for class dis
quite as firm a character as those exist
ing among human beings.
Amongst the most interesting of these
types are the Chinese mice, very much
smaller than the common mouse, and of
very beautiful and delicate colOrs then
there are the japanese mice also called
the waltzing mice, because they seem new
er quite SO happy when dancing. Point
ing their little sharp noses to the ground,
they whrl round and round on their tiny
four feet as though life were an unmin-
gled joy; nor do they seem alone in their
opinion, for there are also the singing
mice" with their clear, soft whistle,
which they themselves seem to consider
very pleasing, as their concerts are nu-
merous. Perhaps, however, the rarest of
| all, are the Egyptian mice. a kind of
miniature pOrcupine; al least all up and
down their back are tiny little quilts,
which at every movement of their 1.-The
bodies stand up quite erect and lightly
culver. There are very few of those in
this country, and unfortunat ely quite a
little family of them that We're on their
way to the new world We're stranded off
Newfoundland only last month
Valued for Color.
In raising these new little pets. a great
point is made OF developing color There
are the standard and broken colors. OF
the former the most valuable are the lus-
trous black fellows, with feet and tail to
match; then there are the little rodents
with soft fur bright eyes and a gentle
and playful disposition that are the es-
pocial faVOrites of children: those with
the pink eyes are not considered so high
bred as those with deep blue or black
eyes; clear cut chocolate markings also
add to their distinction. Solid chocolate
ana fawn with feet and tails to match
are other members of the -four hundred"
Tie fad of the moment are, however. the
cream ana pale yellow of the latter
having recently been sold for SIS. An
other very pretty specimen might be call
ed a symphony in grey since it's body
is of grey with light silver markings and
its ears and nose of a delicate pink.
OF the broken colors there are the black
and white. white and fawn, and yellow
and while-the value Of the mouse de-
! pending upon the evenness OF the mark
ings The thoroughbred should have by
rights dark patch over each eye and one
, at the tail. and if he can boast a saddle
, in the center Of the back hanging lower
: on one side than on the other, like the
! fox terrier, his social position may be
, considered supreme
, The chief C arm in having mice for pets
, lies in their intelligence, which is said
/ to be of high order. They can be taught
| many tricks. even to climbing a pole to
d q
| great affection for their owners follow
4 | ing them around, coming when called,
| and delighting to climb up their clothes
g to the face or neck, where they nestle
4 | down ana purr with contentment. Then
n they are very playfs and become as at
: tached to piece of string as a kitten.
For the rest they are quiet, Clearly, re-
, quiring little care and less room.
n Care of Pet Nice.
a Their homes can be made of almost any
F. box although the demand for the pets
j has so increased that artistic little hutches
= are manufactured in considerable mum.
r. | bers. These are about eighteen inches
y square, with lid tops and tWo false bot
toms which ire covered with enamel and
7 fitted to run like shelves an inch or two
$ over the true bottom of the cage. These
trays should be removed each day, scrub
= bed given sun bath and strewed with
e fresh sawdust. For he exercise of their
n little inmates, these homes are provided
: with a pole running from floor to floor
and standing on a sdouble pivot so as 10
= move easily. Two inches from the ground
= is fastened to it circular shelf, on which
= the mice run and leap, their weight caus-
: ing the pole to revolve
d Mice should be fed oats every day, with
e now and then a variation of bread and
T. milk and fresh vegetables. Cheese should
e never be given them. basin of fresh
= water must be always at hand; after at
II ter eating they spend good deal of time
S at their toilet pushing their sharp little
n noses deep into the water, washing their
e faces, smoothing their ears and cleaning
: their paws.
?, If one starts with good stock and is care
T. ful in their treatment, quite a considera BILE
T. profit may be made keeping mice, as che
price varies from SO for a fairly good spec
linen to 500 for prize winner.
1t is interesting to know that DR. Frank
lin was very much attached to a white