The Ordway new era., 1910-04-29
A Mouse and
a Problem

| down tn6 avenue. Inc eau HoiheS
were shivering under drenched
blankets and their heads were bent
down as II unable to Withstand the
weight of the rainfall. The sky
seemed to be prepared for an all-day
deluge.
| Tho woman was garbed for the
weather. Her hat seemed to be rain
proof. Her boots were thick-soled
and her rain cloak OF serviceable
material was made with wide folds
running from shoulder to hem. and
the sleeves were generously roomy.
As she looked leisurely over the
rainscape, undetermined as to which
Of the water courses to take, she held
her umbrella with one hand. while the
other was on the catch prepared to
raise 1t as she left the shelter.
Suddenly she put her hand on the
coat sleeve. For an instant she ap-
peared startled. Then she laughed,
She walked briskly into the nearby
store with her hand still on her
sleeve. clerk came forward.
"Will you be kind enough to assist
me? There is mouse in my sleeve
and I need little help in getting it
out" she said.
The clerk stared. He was not en-
ployed to assist women who carried
mice around In their clothing. He,
looked beseechingly at the proprietor.
! This lady wants me to help her get
mouse out OF her sleeve"
The proprietor was busy behind the
counter. He stopped his employment.
What's that?" he asked.
There Ia a mouse In my coat sleeve
and I would like some one to help me
get It out" The woman's face grew
| red as she repeated her request The
proprietor leaned over the counter
and looked down on the floor He saw
| no mouse there. He seemed sus-
picious. "Where is the mouse?" he
asked. as his eyes travelled from the
woman's boots to her hat.
ut Is here in my sleeve"
What are you doing with mouse
in your sleeve?"
'T am holding 1t until some one
helps me of with my coat" she said.
with show of asperity.
The proprietor came from behind
the counter and called to the clerk.
who had gone to the opposite side Of
| Tue hcip 'AV iAoy oh
with her coat" The clerk came up
cautiously. He looked the woman
over first from the front. then from
the rear. Then he asked obviously:
Where is the mouse?"
Here under my hand. am hold.
ing It,"
The clerk ventured around in front
and looked nt the sleeve critically.
"If you will hold the sleeve above
and below my hand" said the woman.
~ can slip my arm out"
Take hold OF the sleeve. there"
commanded theProprietor bravely. as
he stepped brIskly behind the cOun
ter. land hurry up. The lady does
not want to wait all day"
The clerk stood off at arms.length
and reached for the sleeve.
Here boy" he called as the wom
an slipped Off the coat Take this
coat out OF doors and shake it." He
wadded the coat up into n ball and
thrust 1t into the boys arms. The boy
started for the door. but the mouse
had other plans While the boy was
turning the wadded garment over for
a suitable place to shake from, the
mouse dropped to the floor.
Look out. There he goes" cried
the proprietor from behind the coun-
ter.
Get n stick" called out the clerk
who hoped over a chair that was in
the way.
I'll get him." shouted the boy. as
he dropped the coat and grabbed
broom.
The mouse by this time was clip
ping Off n worlds record. the boy
with the broom close after. the broom
falling with resounding whacks.
HE is going around the counter"
warned the clerk.
open the door! Run him OUT"
The proprietor was getting excited
The boy and the broom made n wide
lunge and somehow the mouse was
hit The boy took up the mouse by
the tail and grinned as he started to
the door
The woman walked to where her
cloak lay on the floor. The polite
clerk hastened to assist her in put
ting 1t on. The proprietor came out
from behind the counter. Lucky you
caught It while 1t was still In your
sleeve" he began. In erusivc con-
graduation.
The woman put her coat on and
thanked them for their active inter-
est in the mouse. AS she crossed the
street two men and a boy watched
her as she disappeared around the
corner
Il wonder" said the proprietor,
how the devil a mouse got up her
sleeve"
And he Is wondering yet.
IN IL IL,