A STRANGE tale which unfolded on the train between Worcester and Malvern was reported in the Malvern News 100 years ago.

A passenger, described as a "pilgrim of the night", was accompanied by a cage full of rats and another one containing a monkey.

"By some mischance, the rats escaped during the journey and began to play high jinks. They ran over the seats, under the seats and along the rack above the seats.

"Presently the nimble rodents gave an exhibition of Rugby tactics, after the style of the New Zealanders. They ran, dodged and evaded all attempts at collaring on the part of their exasperated owners.

"The monkey would have liked to join in the fun, but he could not get out, and had to content himself with making grimaces.

"The excitement was intense when the train reached Malvern, The rats had scored 50 points to nil, and the monkey, who was a keen sportsman, was rubbing his hairy paws together in an ecstasy of delight.

"Then some railway officials appeared, and the venue of play was changed from the stuffy compartment to the platform and thence to the metals.

"The man with the cages was now desirous of liberating the monkey, having a vague idea that monkeys were good rat-catchers.

"The railway porters, however inclined to the opinion that if he were liberated, somebody would have to be found to catch him after he caught the rats.

"Unaided by the monkey, the porters ran the rats to earth long before they had reached the tunnel that goes under the hill."

The "pilgrim" thanked them for their assistance, tucked the cages under his arms and vanished into the night.