Show RAT IS FRIEND OF MINERS MINER S workers warned of coming catastrophe when the rodents leave tunnel are fed by men investigators investigators 2 of mining conditions and the peculiar dangers to which miners are subjected recently have taken much interest in the practice of western gold miners to make pets of 0 the rats which commonly ly infest mines on the mother lode of california it lias has been found that the miners invariably feed the rats and toe take care of them bel bellying leIng that the rodents sire a source of protection against adust accident says our dumb animals this Is due the men say to the instinct 0 of the rats which warns them when a tunnel Is unsafe and when the rats leave it a tunnel it Is almost impossible poss able to get the miners to work there this recalls the bellet belief among sailors that rats will leave a doomed ship the miners also have found that rats are much more susceptible than humans to the dangerous gases that so often cause loss of life in the mines long before tho the miners themselves are affected by these ailiese gases the rats become sick and show symptoms of distress so 80 the men keep close watch of the rats good health |