The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-16
A Strange Cat.

Pat Msloney. better known by the name
Of Father Pat on returning from work one
evening, was met at the gate by Biddy, his
better half, in high state Of excitement.
"Pat," says she, "thcrc's q stnnge cat
in the cabin"
"Cast her out, thin, don't be botherin,
me about the bastc.'
"Faix an I've been strivin' to do that
for the matter Of tin minits past, but she Is
beyant my rachc, behind the big rid chist
in the corner. Will yez be after helpin' me
dhrive her out, Patg"
"To be sure will, bad luck to the con-
safe she has for me house; show her to me,
Biddy, till I tachc her the respect that's due
to man in his own house-to bs takin' pos
session without as much as be yer laye-the
thafe of the world! !"
Now, Pat had special antipathy to cats,
and never let pass an opportunity to kill
one. This he resolved to do in the present
case, and instantly formed plan for the
purpose. Perceiving but one mode Of egress
for theanimal, he says to Biddy:
"Have yez iver q male bag in the house,
me darlint?"
"Divil one is there, Pat. Ycz took II
to the mill wild yez, to bring home chips,
this mornln'."
"Faix an did, and there It is yet, thin.
And have ye nothin' at all, at oil in the
house, that will tie up like bag, Biddy"
"Troth an l have, Pat; there's me SUM-
day petticoat-ye can dhraw the strings
close at the top, an sure it'll be better for
not lcttcn the cat lawn yez."
"Biddy, darint, ye'er jewel; just be
after bringing 1t to me at wanst."
Biddy brought the garment, and sure
enough It made a very good substitute for
bag. Pat declared at glance that It was
"illcgant."
So, holding It close against the edge Of
the chest, he took u look behind, and saw n
pair Of eyes glaring at him.
can is it there &c are, ye divil? BE out
o'that, now, bad luck to yez, yc thavni'
mgabonc. Be dad an ye won't leave at
all with pcrlite a1in-yenilf will bate the
pigs intirely. Biddy, hev yez any hot
water?'
Sure I've the full of tay kittlc, all
billin' Pat
BE afther castin' the matter Of quart
thin, behint the chist, an well see how the
baste minds the like o'that.
'Aowld close, thin-hcre goes the steam.
in hot wathcr.
SO saying, dash went the water, and out
camc the animal into Pats trap.
'Arrah, be the howly poker, ! have i'm
now, Biddy,' said Pat. is it nine lives ye
hcv, ye baste? Well, now, be akin me par
don for all the thavin' ye've bin doin' in
me house or 1t the nine lives will not save
you. Biddy, seize hoult o the poker, and
whilst I shoulder the bag, just whack the
daylights out Of tho haythen, divil intirely.'
Pat threw the bundle over his shoulder,
and Biddy struck about three blows to the
tune of St. Patrick's day In the morning,
when she suddenly stopped:
What smills 80 QUAR-, Pat? Sure Its
taken me BIRTH away wild the power Of Il.
Ch, murthcr, Pat, its the divil ye have in
the sack!'
Bate him, thin-batc the horns OFF,
I'm faintin',' said Biddy, cast him Of
yc, Pat
Och, murthcr, murther! Biddy Malon.
ey, what hev yc done? Ys've went and
mistaken horrible polecat for harrumless
tame cat
Pat, for the love o'God, If ye'rc convan'
lent to the door, unclose 1t, for I'm perishi
intircly. o, Biddy Mahoney, that ivcr you
should lave ould Ireland, to be smothered
an murthered in this way'
Faix' the little villain bates the divil him
self, he's ruined me house, and kilt Biddy,
an put me out o'conslte wild me own self
D, the murtherin haste -
BY the dint of hard washing and scour
ing and airing, and the burial Of Blddy''
best petticoat under the ground for spac'
of time things were at length set to right
again. But not 4 little recrimination tool
place between them on the OCCASION, and
neithe ever forgot the expulsion frvm the
cabin of Blddy's strange cat"