LIFE OF THE KAT-CATCHER. 61 



a few hens sitting. They don't consider that 

 when the hens have hatched the eggs the 

 Eats will take the chickens. Whenever a 

 farmer has refused to let me ferret at his farm 

 I have passed that farm ever afterwards. To 

 show you the different dispositions of farmers. 

 I have met, I may mention that when once 

 ferreting at a farm, we caught nine rats and 

 lost the ferret, and two days afterwards the 

 ferret was found on the farm, and I sent for it, 

 but the farmer demanded two shillings of me 

 for the ferret's keep. This same man I may 

 add farmed about two hundred acres. 



Of course, there are other farmers just the 

 opposite, who will not only pay you for your 

 trouble, but take great interest in helping you 

 to catch the Eats. I relate these facts and 

 incidents to show you the contrast in the 

 disposition of different people one meets in 

 this business. 



I don't think the Eat-catcher's life is one of 

 the worst if he looks well after his business, 

 for he has a few advantages over other 

 occupations. In the first place, he is his own 

 master, and need only doff his coat when he 

 chooses, there being for him no such summons 

 to work as a factory bell. And if he fancies a 

 day's outing in the country he can always 

 take his dog and ferrets with him, and make a 



