The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-12-16
MUSKRAT IN TOWN.
1t Came In the Night, Fell Into the
Hands OF It's Enemies, and Didn't
Return Home.

1t Came In the Night, Fell Into the
Hands Of It's Enemies, and Didn't
Return Home.
acknowledged skill and ability, and as a
taker OF wild game he beats the worlds
record.
and devotional exercises he cast an eye to
+. the windword, and saw coming up the street
from the Spring, figure which be at first
thought TO be cat. As the object came more
clearly to view beneath the great arc lamp
this time his mind become drawn to the ap:
>-proaching figure more than to bis devotional
exercises. A further change Of position on
the part OF the little animal, and further for.
getting OF his elevations, ha didn't know
what It was He and his clear visioned son,
Lowry, viewed 1t from the piazza. After a
question TO the family dog was unanimously
adopted. which dog, under Instructions, Inn
mediateIy went out to meet and to greet the
strange visitor. Conscious OF the rectitude OF
correctness OF It's intentions, 1t stood to well
come the dog. 1t was only minute until
they we're In the warmest embrace. The dog
soon held the little ~ tba m tbs 3sor
had teeth. He plunged them into the throat
Of the family dog. The dog then let the
world. and Mr.. Beacham In particular, know
that something was hurting him. The dog
being disguised, manifested no further per-
sonai interest in the discussion.
Not 80 with Mr.. Beacham and Lowry.
They Immediately appeared on the scene in
The dog didn't care what became Of the
little animal, and went back into the house
and took q seat By the fire. The little animal
am and Lowry were with him. Lowry at
tempted 10 kick The little animal. The kick
was vigorous, but the little rat had changed
its position after the energy had been placed
:. behind the foot. The rodent had changed bis
position In good time for Lowry To hit the air
q real hard lick.
As the rat had not moved very fast Lowry
ran after it and again kicked the vacant
place in the air where 1t stood at the time
Lowry aimed the drsL blow, but which, like
the first Kick. was not delivered In time to
reach the object Of bis vengeance. Lowry't
foot is still at the lower end OF his leg, and Il
is thought that 1t may not have to be cut of
So II any surgeon was expecting a job on
this account he will be disappointed.
About the time of the last kick which hi
another vacant space in the air, there was an
Immediate and great demand for rocks and
brckbats, as war measure. Although
wagon loads OF these articles were iyinl
around in the neighborhood Mr.. Beacham
failed to dnd anything lighter or more suita
Bile for throwing than a curb stone. Blu
Lowry was more fortunate. He found
rock Of proper SIZE ana OF suitable weight
cediug little animal. The rock was NOR
-, correctly directed than was the first In tha
10 bit the earth 80 near the rat that II threw
dust into its eyes. Encouraged by this degre'
OF success. Lowry threw another rock at tn
little animal, which was as effective as wa
the rock from Goliah's sling. The snima
was wounded, and Lowry's arm was still II
Joint. Lowry then turned the matter owe
In his father, and II was soon dead.
About the time this excitement was at II
highest. religlously and devoutly induce
worshippers came along from church an
stood in wonder and amazement at th
thrilling scene which was being enacted
Wheo the little animal was dead and afte
It's captors had time 10 explain the unusua
incident. these devout christians resume
their Journey homeward and the usue
silence Of the Sunday night again prevailed
No one knows from whence the littl
stranger come and all are equally ignoran
OF its mission in the streets OF a city, wher
It's mortal enemies do most congregate. M
Beacham thinks. and he has as good rigt
to think as body else that the strange
had home near Longs roller mill. and fC
some unk nown reason, had left the cor
bins OF the roller mill 10 hunt the corn ths
was In Mr.. Russell's stables. which was !
the original package and still in the soil
state.