One of the more overlooked advantages of your generic mouse trap--which has, unfortunately, been much maligned in the media of late, is the traditional trap itself. We live in the Chemical Age. The trap is for Neanderthals and the French. Why crush its neck when we can poison it and our children? Why torment the sensibilities of our wives and women with images of crushed necks and bodies?

I'll tell you why. To prevent the damn mice from a skulking retreat to the summer home under your kitchen sink to decay in poisoned peace. That's why.

Proponents of the Traditional Trap understand this. And they now have a new--very penitent--follower. One who would much rather trash a dead mouse once than smell its decaying body somewhere in the wall under the sink.