Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1906 — A Profession for Mice. [ARTICLE]

A Profession for Mice.

Not long ago the children of a wellknow’n reformer had the misfortune to lose some of their white mice by a cruel stroke of death. They found some consolation, however, by arranging a fuqeral, and after the services were over, the mother of the young mourners saw a* gravestone carefully erected at the head of the little mound. On this monument was scrawled In childish letters, “To the memory of our V’blte mice. ‘Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.’ ” “Oh, I hope not!” groaned the mother. “It’s had enough to have them on earth. I never could see what they were made for, anyway.” It hag been difficult to regnrd white mice seriously. One hears of their performing tricks, but that is not a sufficient excuse for their being. Some sing sweetly, but they are rare, and almost any one would prefer a bird. But with modern inventions comes a profession for mice so important that it commands government pay in the English navy. Every submarine vessel carries a ongc of white mice. At the least leakage of gasoline the little creatures fee) uncomfortable, and begin to squeal. This serves as a warning, which is quickly heeded. The mice are regularly enrolled on the books, as the seamen are, and the government allows them one shilling a week for food.