The independent-reporter., 1910-08-04
CAT WORKS UNIQUE
SCHEME
Though Old and Claw
less Musters Aid
Rids the House of Mice and Remains
Monarch Of the Household.


you'd get some Rat Biskit or Rough
on Rats when you go to town to-
day. The mice are literally eating
US up They got into all the food
in the eellarway until l put 1t int
that sheet-iron box and now they
are chewing up my aprons and tow
els 30 fast that 1 actually haven't
but one whole apron to my name.
wall. I'll see about the 'pizen.
Lizy," said Ephraim Seavey as he
rose stiffly from the breakfast ta-
BILE. why, hullo, Pompadour, why
hain't you cleaning out those micei
They will eat you next. Never mind
old cat, | know how to sympathize
with you for I'm old and stitf same's 8
you be-"
BE sure and not forget that Rat
Biskit, Eph..' admopished Mrs. Sea-
yey as Ephraim started for the barn
to harness his horse,
Night came, Mrs, Seavey had
placed bits of Rat Biskit In all the
mice holes in the cellar way and in
the kitchen cabinet with the firm
conviction that this time the mice
would make themselves scarce. But
along about daylight Mrs. Seavey
heard noise in the kitchen and tip
toed down, only to see about forty
mice scampering very friskily into
the wood shed while Pompadour sat
dejectedly in the middle Of the room
looking on. There, Pompadour,
1t does seem as II you might catch
some of those mice. You aren't
worth your salt" said Mrs. Seayey,
greatly irritated at finding the Rat
Biskit worthless. But at this out
burst Pompadour only rubbed against
her and meowed most piteously.
AS time went on the number of
mice did not diminish--a few died,
though probably from oveE-eating or
old age while many more came to fill
their vacant places. The Seaveys
were getting discouraged. They had
tried all kinds of traps and pOisons
and had even written the mice Wig
orous letters demanding instant de-
parture. The mice, however, still
stayed with them.
II tell you, Lizy, It's no use. We've
got to get new cat and the sooner
you make up your mind TO 1t the
better" Ephraim had been kept
awake for the last two or three
nights by mice gnawing holes In
cupboard doors and bureau drawers
and his nerves were worn to "fraz-
zle." "Old Pompadour. here,' he
continued, indicating the cat with a
wave of his hand, has been fine
mouser and Of course we'll always
keep him II his claws are all worn
out so that he Is useless. He Is not
to blame for that. But the time has
come, 1t certainly has, Lily, when
we must do something. I'm tired of
being kept awake every night by pes
ky little mice sharpening their teeth
on my cupboard DOORS"
We'll get q cat anytime you say
SO, Ephraim, guess you're right
about 1t. Anyway I've concluded I'd
rather have dozen cats In the
house than to be kept awake every
night and have my clothes all eaten
up in the bargain, same's they are
now"
During this conversation Pompa-
dour kept gazing mournfully from
one to the other, though neither
paid any attention to him. Poor
Pompadour, even II he was old,
didn't want any new cat to push him
out of his place. He felt hurt to
think they even suggested 1t and
moped and moped and refused to
eat. But all the time Pompadour
was determined to find some way to
get rid of those awful mice. He
would do It or die In the attempt but
he Just would not have any other
cat take his place.
For several days Mrs. Seavey no.
ticed that Pompadour wasn't eating
much, 80 she gave him some catnip
and then thought no more about it.
But one day soon after that Pompa-
dour failed to come at all when
called, either at noon or night. Mrs.
Seavey was afraid he might be sick,
and being very much worried about
the cat. sat up until quite late to see
II he would not come to eat some
thing. But no cat came. Finally she
went to bed, having taken the pre-
caution to leave the shed door un-
latched 80 that II Pompadour should
return he could get into the kitchen
where 1t was warm.
About one o'clock she was awaken