An old lady, wealthy and hospitable, lived in a large house, with
several servants to attend on her. Although no terrific murder or other
dark deed was ever known to have been perpetrated in the house, report
said it was haunted. Undoubtedly, noises were heard in the lower part
of the mansion. Night after night unearthly sounds arose after the
domestics had retired to their chambers. At last the old lady,
determined to resist this invasion of her domestic peace, told her
servants to arm themselves with such weapons as they could obtain, she
herself sitting up with a brace of loaded pistols before her. This
proceeding had the desired effect. The ghostly visitants, if such they
were, ceased from their nocturnal revels. All remained silent till
cock-crow. Night after night the brave old dame heroically watched, but
no ghosts came.
To celebrate her victory, she invited a number of guests, and determined
to broach a cask of long-hoarded Madeira. With keys in hand, attended
by the butler, she entered the cellar; the spill was pulled out from the
cask, the cock duly inserted, but no wine came. The butler tapped; a
hollow sound was the return. On applying a light, teeth-marks were
visible at the very lowest part of the staves.
By rats alone could such marks have been made. What a band of thirsty
topers must have been employed in the nefarious burglary! No doubt it
was the rats, inebriated by such unusual potations, which had caused the
mysterious uproar. Be that as it may, the lady lost her wine; and the
cask was placed in the museum of Mr Buckland, who tells the tale, and
there it stands to corroborate its truth.
It is said that rats will insert their tails into oil-flasks, and allow
each other in turn to suck off the liquid thus obtained.