Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1894 — Fighting Moles. [ARTICLE]

Fighting Moles.

If two male moles meet in attendance on the same lady of their choice, they soon pick a quarrel, with the quip gallant or the retort oourteous, ana proceed to fight it out with desperate resolution. Their duel is a outrance. Just at first, to be sure, they carry on the war underground ; but as soon as they have begun to taste blood, they lose all control of themselves, and adjourn for further hostilities to the open meadow. Indeed, it is seldom that you can see them emerge from their subterranean “tud,” except when seriously ill, or engaged in settling these little affairs of honor. Once arrived upon the battlefield, they go at it literally tooth and nail, and never cease till one or the other has disabled his adversary. Then comes the most painful scene of all, which only regard for historical accuraoy induces me to chronicle. As a faithful historian, however, I oannot conceal the fact that the victor male falls bodily in his triumph upon his fallen antagonist, tears him open on the spot, and drinks his warm blood as some consolation to his wounded feelings. The sense of chivalry and of the decencies of war has been denied to these brave and otherwise respectable insectivores.— [The Million.