THE OPEN WINDOW 



window; flashing on the light I saw such a surprising 

 object flopping over the floor, dragging the trap with 

 him that I called for help. 



"Oh! do come and see what I've got," I cried; for 

 this was a new animal to me and a remarkably lively 

 one; the head suggested a rat but his flat furry tail, 

 brown lined with white, contradicted that idea. My 

 request that he be drowned brought a protest which 

 I speedily overruled. 



"Now that small beast has been disturbing my rest 

 for two or three nights and I want him killed," was 

 my demand, made emphatic as much by fear of let- 

 ting my sympathies prevail as by loss of sleep. 



So the Constant Improver gingerly wrapped a towel 

 about the little rascal and dumped trap and all into 

 the filled bowl. This was too much for the beastie 

 and with a final wriggle he freed himself from the 

 trap. At this the tender heart of the strong man 

 carried the day; quickly he opened the door of the 

 porch and shook the half-drowned animal out to a 

 barely won freedom. 



123 



