X%\U\\\VV\\\\\VV\\\\\\V\N N
I RAT CATCHING IN PARIS. |
%W\\\N\\\\\N\N\N\\WN**XS
Standing on a hand's-breadth of foot- ^
path licked by the swiftly gliding c
stream of the great sewarage collector a
of the north, I talked with the rat- ^
catcher of Paris. ^
We were deep down below the city.
Half an hour before. Victor, the rat- 11
catcher's son, had clanged down on us f
the iron manhole far above in the |r
street, shutting out the brilliant sun- "
shine and leaving us in irky darkness. 8
The air was heavy with decay. From
all sides reverberated noisily through ?
the obscurity automatic flushings, J1
sweeping me reiuse oui to me seme. ?
We were alone in this place of black- a
ness, the century-old city of the rata. *
Ever since the rats came to Europe 23
with the Crusades, subterranean Paris *
has afforded them a home. The e
original black rat has been practically
replaced by the huge, fierce brown i
sewer rat, although black rats are s
still found, and a colony of pnre white r
rats has existed for the past twenty- 8
five years in a certain part of the J)
sewers. A fancy-bred white rat was
their founder, and they are fiercer and ^
harder to catch than any other. Only |<
half a dozen or so are caught each year, h
and they find a ready sale as fashionable a
pets. Forty years ago the rats boldly ^
ventured on the boulevards, and there ?
were no fewer than twenty-two pro- j
fessional ratcatchers under the Empire, j
But today, though the rats move in |j
legions from one quarter of the city to w
another, they seldom emerge farther tl
than the cellars.
Though there are a number of pro- J1
fessional ratcatchers in the city today, "
the greatest of them all is Georges *
Menart, who a year ago was appointed ?
official ratcatcher to the city of Paris,
He holds the secret of attracting the y
rats. He never kills them in catching w
them. His only weapons are his h
adroit hands, scarred with rat bites, h
and his feet, quick as lightning, al- 11
though encumbered with huge sewei ^
l. ... ii- ?? . ..- - v
uwm. ne nas caugnt 11Y rata in one Q
hour; last week he captured 282 in ^
three days, and his bag for 1909 waa h
over 20,000. He sells his rata in Paris b
and northern France and Belgium, /
where ratting with dogs is enormously v
popnlar. c
Wading through a foot of water, I ^
followed this lissom, swift-footed man ^
through miles of sewers. On his back 8
was strapped a cage with a funnel- p
mouth, ending in a cloth spout, which f
prevented the captured rats from get- s
ting out once they were in the cage, u
This, his own invention, took him ^
seven years to elaborate. In his hand ?
he carried an acetylene lamp, which he
held shaded close to his body. The ^
sewers run beneath every street and u
every house has its pipe, giving into a s
side channel which leads into the c
sewer. This is where the rats assemble t
to feed on the remnants of food. We ?
descended endless, prepipitous steps a
foot broad, down and down, to a nar
row sewer so low that me had to bend
double to pass. At a crossway the I
ratcatcher seized a sluice lever, and a c
jet of water poured forth down a p
sewer on the left. "Des rats," he t
whispered, and with a bound he dived L|
down the sewer whence echoed shrill
squeakings, mingled with the splash of ^
the water, leaving me in darkness, jj
with scuffling squeaking rats all round, y
I realized that ratcatching has its dis- e
acvantages. When he returned there
was a jostling mass of rats in the cage
swaying on his back.
"No one will ever know how many I'
rats there are down here," he said;
"there are millions of them. And tney .s
are very clever, but no| quite clever ^
enough for me and my little secret, jAh!
how they hate me! I always feel j
as if they liked biting me when I take
them with my hands. But I do not
fear them. When my cage is full?it }
holds fifty-five rats?I put thsm in my 11
shirt next my body. I have often come 3
home with rats all over me, and when C
I have had a good day 1 have a very f
heavy burden to carry. Night is my f
best time to work, for the rats sleep in ^
the day when the sewers are being ^
flooded and scraped out. I come down c
here in the eveningB all alone with my ^
lamp and my cage and my little secret,
and I walk for miles. I have often f
traveled twenty-five miles in one night. 3
I never get lost. I know the Paris
sewers like the palm of my hand. Ah! T
yes, it is dangerous, especially in rainy s
weather. Only a few years ago a Jvisitro,
who was being shown this very a
collecteur where we are standing, ^
slipped in, the sewerman tried to save
him, and fell in likewise, and in a ^
, Q
second they were both swept away by
the current. When we hear the sewer
watchmen, who look out for the rise of
the waters, strike five blows on the
iron manholes?and the sound travels
for iniles down here ?we rush for the
nearest opening. When I set out I
send Victor to wait for me at the manhole
at which I am going to emerge.
He lifts the cover, and when I come
out is waiting for me with my pony- J
cart, for flfty-five rats is a heavy load
*? -- * * -
?u v?nj[. mjf iii.lie secret: it is lear.
The rats, when they see me come,
know they cannot escape me, and the
fear fascinates them, so they just obey
my call."
"And what do you think of when you
walk the sewers at ni^ht?" I asked.
"Rats," replied the ratcatcher.
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
NORTHBOUND.
No. 30 10:38 p. m.
No. 36 8:50 a. m.
No. 28 5:15 p. m. <
SOUTHBOUND. |
No. 29 4:00 ,&. m.
No. 36 6:47|a. m.
No. 27 5:15"p. m. |
MBn ~Tjrir SMKTJHHHRRSVH
^ % V '
lAPOLEON'S LAST THOUGHT I
OF THE ARMY AND~JOSEPHINE I
On May 5, 1821, Napoleon fought
is last battle and death closed the
areer of one of the greatest generis,
if not the greatest, the world
as ever seen. The last tragedy of
is life was enacted on the little isind
of St. Helena. He was buried
1 a valley; a simple slab marked
tie place of his repose; two weeplg
willows waved over it, and an
ron railing encircled the spot of
round.
A few days before his death he
woke one morning, saying: "I have
list seen my good Josephine, but
he would not embrace me. She disppeared
at the moment when I
tas about to take her in my arms,
ihe is not changed. She is still the
ame, full of devotion to me. She
eld me that we were about to see
ach other again, never more to part."
The disease progressed rapidly and
he dying hour drew near. A violent
borm raged with wild fury on that
ocky prison isle as the spirit of the
Teat Napoleon was freeing itself from
s earthly fetters. His few faithful
riends who shared his exile stood
reeping around his couch. In the
olemn silence of that sacred hour his
>ved voice was once more faintly
eard: "France! Army! Head of the
rmy! Josephine!" and the heart of
lapoleon ceased to beat. "Isle of
ilba! Napoleon!" had been the last
rords of the loving and forgiving
osephine. "France! The army!
osephine!" were the last images that '
ngered in the heart, and the last ,
rords which trembled on the lips of j
he dying emperor. I
The heart-melting story of the j
ardships to whicn Napoleon had I
eon subjected during his captivity |
t St. Helena was told over and over j
gain to his beloved France, till the '
ation at last rose as one man to do j
is memory hono^. Just twenty-five J
ears from the time when Napoleon j
ras landed a captive upon the island I
is remains were brought from their I
umble resting place and re-interred I
n the magnificent mausoleum pre- '
tared for them ir? the PliiiroVi nf the In 1
alides, Paris. On the anniversary
f the great victory of Austerlitz
he two funeral frigates entered the
arbor of Cherbourg. All the forts,
'atteries and warships fired a salute,
ill France flocked to the cities and
illages through which the funeral
ortege was to pass.
At 4 o'clock on the afternoon of
he 14th of December, 1S40, the
otilla arrived at Courbevale, a j
mall village four miles from Paris. )
lore the remains were to be trans- j
erred from the steamer to the j
hore. As the funeral barge sailed j
p the Seine a colossal statute of I
osephine, which had been erected j
n the shore, offered an appropriate |
nd fitting welcome.
A Grecian temple 100 feet high j
ad been constructed on the wharf, j
nder which the body was to lie in
tate until transferred to the funeral .
ar. The funeral car was undoubtedly
be most elaborate ever devised. The 1
hurch had been magnificently adorned J
or the solemn ceremony. The coffin
/as borne into the church on the
houlders of Najioleon's Old Guard,
receded by the Prince de Joinville.
lOuis Phillipe stepped forward to reeive
the remains, "Sire," said the
rince, "I present to you the body of
he Emperor Napoleon." "I receive
I," said the king, "in the name of
Vance." Then taking from the hand
f Marshal Soult the sword of
lapoleon and presenting it to Gen.
lertrand, he said: "General, I charge
ou to place this glorious sword of tne
mperor upon his coffin."
Political Turncoats.
lutherfordton Sun.
The Siin^ will be very much
arprisea n Mr. S. 25. McNinch, <
vho has just accepted the Re- <
>ublican nomination for Congress 1
n the Ninth district, realizes his J
(xpectations. There was a time
vhen turncoats in the Democrat- 1
c party were received in glad
irms and crowned in the presence
>f the multitude and there was
ejoicing in the camp of the
aithful. But that trick cannot '
>e turned any more. The chilIren's
bread is not given to
Samaritans?not even the crumbs
hat fall from the table. Instead
>f reception there is resentment
imong the "pure in heart "
Nothing can be said against '
dr. McNinch as a gentleman,
o far as we know, but his vision
las come to him too late. He is '
ind always has been just a bit
oo prominent. He cannot ex- ,
>ect to reap where he has not
own.
_______i
Mullen's
T T /%vv> r% M N<-\4
i iui nci 5 i
Liniment
For Cramp Colic, Cholera
Morbus, Diarrhoea and
Dysentery.
And Oother Bowel Complaints.
Externally,
"As Good as the Best and
Better Than the Rest."
ar-Sold by all Druggists
and Country Merchants.
W. N. MULLEN'S SON,
Proprietor,
No. 313 West Eighth St.,
Charlotte, N. C.
J BEACH-IHRIE'S Q
J Attention, Ladies! ?
S 6
J We want to call your attention m
J to our swell new line of the latest Q
^ in design of
J Long Hat Pins
j Just what you want for that Q
5 large hat. We have them in solid w
f gold for $2.00 up; highest grade j|| [
J gold filled, beauties, at 65c, 75c,
S $1.00, $1.25 up to $4.00; sterling 5
3 silver at 25c, 35c, 50c, $1.00 to Q
J $2.00. g
m Mail orders attended the same ?
(f day received. V
J Beach-Ihrie Jewelry Co., I
g Reliable Jeweler*, JR
J Rock Hill, - - - S. C. g
Reach Baseball Goods
The Reach trademark is a guarantee
af satisfaction and perfection. We are
confident of the quality of these goods :
and will replace any defective Reachmade
article (except baseballs and bats '
costing less than $1) with a new one.
Baseball clubs will find it to their in- j
terest to correspond with us about uniforms.
S. B. McMASTER,
COLUMBIA. S. C.
1765 1910
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
126th Year Begins September 30.
Entrance examinations will be held
in the county court house on Friday,
July 1, at 9 a. m. All candidates for
admission can compete in September
for vacant Boyce scholarships, which
pay $100 a year. One free tuition
scholarship for each county of South
Carolina. Bourd and furnished room i
in dormitory. $12. Tuition, $40. For
catalogue address
Harrison Randolph,
President.
Marble and Granite
Monuments.
A larpre stock at prices from j
$5.00 up.
Call and see the line at.
our storeroom, Boulevard and
Palmer streets. Phone 1618.
Queen City Marble &
Granite Works,
| Charlotte, 1VT. C.
Take Dilworth street cars to
reach our plant
A nnouncer
fir i
we beg to announce that
. occupying our new home.
The public is cordially in'
in at any time and the office
great pleasure in showing ;
building.
Better Prepar
We are better prepared t
take care of old and new cu
we solicit your business witl
ance of safety and fair treat:
If you are not already a c
invite you to become one.
i he Peoples Nation
ROCK HILL, - - SOUTH CARC
SAFE, SUCCESSFUL,
I You Can't Do Business
on Hot Air! f
It requires cash and credit. This bank is a sort of I
incubator that hatches both. Many a man of small
means and large integrity has a bank as a vehicle to |
I promote his fortune.
Use This Bank
for deposits, loans and any business you^may have
with a bank. We will be pleased to serve you.
THE SAVINGS BANK OF FORT MILL, S. C.
W. B. Meacham, Cashier
GALLONS PUT UP DDTTU T !CT OUR MOTTO?
IN JUGS. r^rvIV^Ei LOO 1 Pure Goods. Honest Dealing.
EXPRESS PREPAID.
CORN WHISKEY. 1 Gal 2 Gal 3Gal 4Gal 4QLs6Qts8Qta 12Qt
New Corn $2 10 $3 60 $5 35 $f> 85 $2 35 $3 25 $4 25 $7 00
One-Year-Old Corn 2 35 4 10 5 75 7 35
Two-Year-Old Corn 3 00 5 00 7 00 9 00 3 00 4 50 5 50 9 00
Three-Year-Old Corn 3 2 5 5 25 7 25 9 25
Ai,l o nn a an O cv. o or o -r o ~tr r nr ?
V/IU ifiuui I mil I WI II ... 6 Id *? iTV *1 znj o 6t> 6 Jtl O to t> | ?J> I
Old Private Stock Corn 300 4 25 5 00 9 00
Pocahontas Corn 3 00 4 25 5 50 9 00
Old Process Corn 3 25 4 60 6 00 9 25
Primrose Corn, old and mellow 3 60 4 90 6 25 9 50
RYE WHISKEY.
Gibson 4 50 8 60 12 75 16 00 5 50 7 50 ... 13 50
Old Times 3 75 7 10 10 50 13 00 4 00 6 00 12 00 12 00
Old Prentice (case goods) 5 50 7 50 13 00
Cascade.. 5 00 6 75 12 75
Old Taylor 4 00 7 <-0 11 25 14 00 5 00 6 75 ;..13 25
Mellwood (bottled in bond) 3 75 7 10 10 50 13 00 4 75 6 75 13 25
Overholt . 4 50 6 85 ... 12 50
Jefferson Club 3 75 7 10 10 50 13 00 4 00 5 80 10 00
Old Henry 3 50 6 60 9 50 12 00 4 00 5 75 . 10 00
Savage Mountain Rye 3 50 6 60 9 50 12 00 4 00 5 75 10 00
Old Grand Dad 3 50 6 50 9 50 12 00 ...
I. W. Harper.. 5 00 7 00 12 25
Paul Jones Rye 4 00 5 75 7 50 10 (X)
Rose Valley Rye 4 00 5 75 7 50 10 00
Sherweed Rye 4 50 6 85 8 50 12 00
Excelsior 2 25 1 25 2 25 3 25 4 50 6 50
Hoover's Private Stock Rye 4 00 5 75 7 50 10 00
Mellwood 4 50
Wilson Rye 5 00 7 50 12 75
Green River 4's 5 00 6 75 ... 13 25
Calvert 4 50 6 85 12 50
MALT WHISKIES.
Hoover's Old Malt 3 25 5 90 8 50 11 00 3 75 5 50 7 50 9 50
Rooney's Malt 3 50 6 60 9 50 12 00 4 00 5 75 10 00
Duffy's Malt 4 00 5 75 ?- 11 00
Booth's Old Tom1 N.S'. ---- --- 5 7 ""JnK
Turkey Gin 3 50 6 60 9 50 12 00 4 00 5 75 10 50
Swan Gin 2 50 4 60 6 75 8 50 Holland
Gin 3 00 6 60 8 25 10 00
NO CHARGE FOR JUGS OR PACKING.
W. H. HOOVER & CO., Inc.,
?n
neni. |
I
we are now I
vited to call I
srs will take I
you over the I
ed. I
han ever to I
stomers and I
ti the assur- I
ment. I
customer we I
Lai Bank,
)LINA.
SECURE.
GO CARTS
AND
CARRIAGES.
We can suit you in anything
you may want in the
way of a Cart or Carriage and
it will pay you to get our
prices before you buy.
Only $6.50, delivered.
We will sell 50 of these
up-to-date carts for the remainder
of April at the special
price of $6.50, delivered
anywhere in South Carolina.
Send us your check or
money order and you will
get the cart by the next
express.
W. G. REID & SON
ROCK HILL, S. C.
?bt hit
SUNDAY EDITION
For Sale at PARKS DRUG CO.
9