Free - with rebate

Modern merchandising methods will ''sell'' anything, it appears. Take kittens. A Rhode Islander we know wished someone would: he had six to give away. ''Free to a good home'' offers yielded neither attention nor takers.

So it was back to the drawing board, literally. The new sign: ''Free - with cash rebate.''

That got attention. Passers-by did a double take, chuckled, and peered at the frisky kittens, who did the rest.

''Sold'' to six delighted ''buyers,'' each of whom took home a cute kitten, a