Varmits in the attic

(1950 February 27)

Well, Skip, the pay off was last night - such a rat wrassle you never heard. It's a wonder I didn't have hysterics. Just awful. Then a little creature sang for about 5 minutes in a high squeak - like a bat, a tree toad, a cicada - a rat! Baby owl? They say flying squirrels bark. If there ever was an indifferent mortal it is your father! I had to turn to someone, so I called Mr. Miller, the county agent, who was simply intrigued and said he would come with a lot of new poisons and traps if I wouldn't laugh at him for catching nothing in case it was a ghost! When he did come it was only with poisoned oats, now in our attic. Not a sound so far tonight. But last night I could hardly get to sleep for the noise.

(1950 March 4)

The poisoned oats has tracks in it and the noises are almost gone too. I hear a faint rustle sometimes which may be bats, but we think others were flying squirrels.