Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1886 — A Very Tough Story. [ARTICLE]

A Very Tough Story.

A very tough story which is vouched for, after a fashion, is given for what it is worth by the Clipper. It is related that Mr. 8. M. was sitting in his back yard, talking to some friends, when his attention was called to a lien with a brood of young chickens and a large rat that had emerged from its hole and was regarding the young chickens with the prospect of a meal in view. As the rat came from his hole, the house cat awoke from her afternoon nap and caught sight of the rat. Crouching low she awaited developments, and stood prepared to spring upon his ratship. At the appearance of lus ancient enemy, the cat, a Scotch terrier, which had been sunning itself in the woodshed, pricked up its ears and quietly made for the place where the cat stood. At this moment, a boy came upon the scene. The chickens were not cognizant of being watched by the rat, nor did the rat see the cat, nor the feline the dog, who had not noticed the coming of the boy. A little chick wandered too nigh, and he was seized by the rat, which was in turn pounced upon by the, cat, and the cat was caught in the mouth of the dog. The rat would not cease his hold upon the chicken, and the cat, in spite of the shaking she was getting from the dog did not let go the rat., ( It was fun for the boy, and in high glee he watched the contest and struggle of cash of the victims. It seemed to him that the rat was about to escape after a time, and, getting a stone, he hurled it at the roThe aim was not good, and the stone struck the .dog right between the eyes. The terrier released its grip on the cat' and fell over dead. It had breathed its last before the cat in turn let go the rat and turned over and died. The rat did not long survive the enemy, and beside the already dead chicken he laid himself down and gave up the ghost. The owner of the dog was so ~ angry at his death that he is said to have come near making the story complete by killing the boy that killed the dog that shook the cat that caught the rat that bit the chicken in the yard on Blank street. Explorer Forbes is going to attempt to reach the summit of Mount Owen Stanley, 13,205 feet high, and heretofore untrodden hy the foot of tnan. ' Nearly a half in number Mid twothirds in circulation of the newspapers of the world are printed in English