Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1892 — Rats That Catch Eggs. [ARTICLE]

Rats That Catch Eggs.

“Do you want to see something funny?” said a drug clerk to a reporter last evening. Of course the reporter was not averse to seeing something in the humorous line, and po informed the mixer of pills atgl powders. “Well, if no one comes in for a moment I’ll show it to you,” said he, placing a basket Of eggs, used in making egg phosphates, from the top of the soda fountain to the counter. “Now stand here and watch the rats,” and the newsman stood where he could get a view. It took but a moment’s silence, and then out popped a hoary old rat, soon followed by three more. They seemed to .understand their part, and climbed nimbly up a box about a foot high, used in covering pipes, and from that to the tray under tie counter where the glasses ere washed. Up on top of another box they went, and then to the top of the counter. They looked around, and began to scamper down. The first descended to the floor, the seeond remained on the box, the third in the tray, and the fourth on the high box. Seeing they were all there, the old rat on top walked to the eggs and picked up one, carrying it with his front legs, walking on hi* hind feet like a squirrel. He dropped it over and it was caught by the rat beneath, who in turn gave it to the one beneath him. This rat jumped down and rolled the egg under the soda fountain. In this manner they carried down six eggs in exactly one minute, when, thinking the fun was expensive, the clerk drove them away. “They will steal them by the dozen if I’ll let them,” said the clerk, “and we have to keep them on top of the fountain.”—[Washington Post.

Sponge Pudding. —Two cups of flour; one tablespoonful of melted butter; one cup of powdered sugar; six eggs, whites only, whipped stiff ; two cups of milk; one teaspoonful of rose water or other preferred colorless extract; two teaspoonfuls baking powder. Rub butter and sugar to a cream, stir in gradually the milk, then the frothed whites, lastly, and very lightly, the flour, which has been sifted twice with the baking powder. Bake in cups or a moV* and eat with liquid sauce.