A RAT CATCHER STORY.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 38, 28 August 1900, Page 4

A RAT CATCHER STORY.

A theatrical celebrity had a i repute for economy and shrewdness, iliis house being infested with rats, ' a certain rat-catcher was sent for, who, having done his business, sought his employer to raaka known the fact . and claim the recompense, for which a hard bargain, as usual, had been driven. He had a bag over shouMer containing the results of his labour. The celebrity chanced to be in the • drawing room, v/here, hearing his voice, the sturdy rat-catcher sought him and his pay. " You'va left no rats behind ?" sternly asked the employer, slOwly taking out his purse. " Noa, sir, answered the rat-catcher surlily, for he did not consider the pay liberal or even fair, and was, consequently, not too amicably inclined. And what are you going to do with all those rats in your bag ?" " Well, aw mun rnak' a livin' tha knows, eny boo, soa aw sells 'em," replied the man moodily. " Sell them," echoed the other quickly, the" light of » brilliantly new idea irradiating his countenance. " Sell my ratsi What right have you to sell my. property, sir? I agreed to pay you to catch my rats ; I did not say you were to have rtfy rats when they were caught. No look here my man. I'll pay you at once. ; but, first hoff much are you going to allow me for my rats. The rat-satcher'J,, pafcience was exhausted. He strode from the door towards Mr , and, m abrupt reply to that able' manager's anxious inquiry, with an angry oath, threw ihe bag upon the carpet's velvet pile, and, catching up the lower end of it, with one voilent shake scattered the rats pell-mell one over the other at his employer's feet, crying, to the midst of the squealing, scratch* ing, scrambling of the frightened animals which ensued ; " IXt&i then, tak' tha blowed owd rats and twist them raan tha neck 1"