The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1910-03-17

up box to sit on. He had been ready
ten minutes when the rodent appear
ed. Mr.. Bowser hadn't brought pencil
and paper. but he made some mental
notes, as follows:
Some slight hesitation on the part
of the rat, but as l smiled he came
forward. am probably the only hu-
man being that ever smiled at rat
and the only one to observe the I'm
mediate effect.
RAT is now devouring the crumbs.
Seems to have the utmost confidence
In me.
II uttered a cough. and the rat SHE'D
off. | smiled smile, and he returned.
A dog or cat is fool beside rat.
still eating and his confidence grow
ing. He looks at me In way that
says he's willing to be friends If am.
81 can now rise from the chair, and
the rat remains undisturbed. Is there
any other animal whose confidence can
be won so speedily? Works on nat
ural history ought to mention this.
Il have been softly humming the air
of song. Every action of the rat ex-
presses pleasure. | am almost salts
fed that rat could be taught to
warble within few days. II he can,
think what saving Of bird gravel
Il have Just given utterance TO sew
eral profane words, and the rat has
retreated several feet and is looking at
me roachfully-another point not
made in natural history. Clergymen
are at liberty to use this incident from
the pulpit If they wish. 1t should have
an instant effect.
II am humming the air Of a hymn,
and the rat is almost at my foot and
looking up at me as II he felt emotion.
Can rats be influenced to lead better
lives? II this one show motion over
one hymn, what would he show at an
old fashioned camp meeting may
have struck matter that the whole
world will soon be arguing about
II have whistled merry tune at the
rat, and he has become more lively.
Is 1t possible that rats temperaments
are the same as in human beings? Are
there downcast rats and vivaciOus
rats"
Researches Abruptly End.
At this point Mrs. Bowser appeared
at the head of the cellar stairs and
called down to know how the rat ques-
ton progressed. Mr.. Bowser's rodent
fed at once, and he shouted up:
Didn't tell you to keep quiet up
therel Your coming has scared the
rat away. Don't appear again. I'm
getting some pointers that'll knock the
naturalists colder n wedge"
"And lots Of rheumatism she added
as she walked away.
For fifteen minutes Mr.. Bowser hum.
med, whistled and swore, but without
bringing back the rat. We all know
him for man Of patience, however,
and he hung right on. 1t was very
quiet down there, and Mfter a bit he
began to nod. He reused up two or
three times, but the mods finally be-
came doze. Then Of sudden an
awful scream resounded through the
house. Mrs. Bowser started down
stairs and Mr.. Bowser up. They met
in the dining room. Five or six big
rats were cllnging to him, and his face
was CHASTITY white and his eyes hang
ing out
"Out Of the back doorw screamed
Mrs. Bowser as she led the way.
In a minute more Mr. Bowser was
rolling over and over on the grass.
This was more than the rats had bar
gained for, and they cut and ran. He
rose up and galIoped twice around the
yard, and then Mrs. Bowser caught
him and sternly said:
you've gone out Of the rat bust
ness! Come into the house with me!'
And It was all of half an hour later
before he could say to her:
woman, don't think | don't under
stand whose hand is In this business
and that | won't have my revenge at
proper time"