The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-05-26
4 sTGRY= F0R THE -LIFFLE FoLKS.-
Castor's adventures IN Egypt.

the cat purred at one corner of the
tire place, and tiny poodle, with two
young kittens for company, laid asleep
at one,ends of the old fashioned sofa.
They were all family pets, but not
one enjoyed such universal favor as
Castor.
And very remarkable fellow old
Castor was, as he had long been his
masters companion, and had followed
him In untOld-of rambles in strange
and foreign lands
The children had been reading that
thrilling story of Joseph and his
brethren, and of all those wondrous
miracles wrought by the all-powerful |
God. to secure his people from bond
age and misery; and so strong had
their interest become In Egypt and its
fate, that Aunt Whimple had brought |
home a most admirable book upon the |
subject, which Sister Grace, the |
family preceptress, was reading aloud. |
Ptsist!" spit Tip, the cat as be-
tween her maps she caught now and |
then a few words. Ptsistl what a,
mess of monsensel / wish they would
keep still and not disturb me so!'
"Pussie pussie what's the mattery
said little Kate, softly slipping down
from her chair to stroke her old
friend. sPussie, wake upl Are you
dreaming about fighting? 10y ~
Perhaps if Kate had fully under
stood Tips speech she would have
sympathized with her fully, for she
herself had not comprehended enough
to interest her, and would have been
very glad to stop the reading and get
a chance for a romp with some one or
other of the pets but Tips obser-
vations were all made In her own
language; which, according to Hans
Christian Andersen, the little girl was
too old to understand. That.excellent
authority states that there is a time
In life of every human being when
they understand the language of all
beasts and birds, but it is. when they
are too young to speak or understand
their own; and Kate was past that.
But Castor had comprehended itall,
and vexed at having. his own enjoy
ment in listening interrupted by Tbs
sleepy grumbling, he started to his
launches, and with most defiant
thump of his tail upon the floor,
growled at her for an ignorant and
stupid old creature. How was she to
know whether it was sense or nom
sense? She who had never be farther
from home In her life than the foot of
the Doctors garden, two doors off
What did she know of foreign Gus
toms and manners? And to show her
that she was not competent to pro-
nounce an opinion on the subject, he
would just take the liberty of saying
that all he had heard thus far was
quite true. The only fault he had to
find was, that some OF the mostextra-
ordinary things in that land had not
been mentioned, though it might be
that they had not yet come to them.
During the latter part of Castor S
speech, the company had been in
creased by the entrance of a fine
young Newfoundland dog, a recent
present to the household. He was of
course profoundly ignorant of the
cause of his superiors excitement,
and he at once began am earnest en-
treaty that he might be favored with
some of Castor's adventures,
I'm half crazy, said he, with a
Juvenile bound, Ito go across the
water, with our master, and he has
spoken of taking me some OF these
DAYS, but he thinks me too young yet
Do tell me how it is over therel
heard master telling the Doctor, nc
longer ago than yesterday that you
were the most intelligent dog he evei
knew!"
This delicate bit of fattery produced
the desired effect, though Castor
would not, for the world have shown
it; but with a very decided expression
on his fine face. and whisk of his
tail, he remarked to, Nep that " he
was a,silly pup, who must he, sup
posed, be hunOred.9 sra-ft
If the children had understood the
language of their four-footed. friends
no doubt some Of them. at least, would
have abandoned the book for Castor
for theyfwere puzzled by many hare
word. event.in the most, fascinating
parts: but as it was, Sister Grace re
tanned her audience, while the Others
gave their attention to what the,
could better understand.
g We were talking of a country call
ed Egypt, Nep, + said Castor. s. =
country after your own heart, Tor it i
under water for month at least, ever.
wear; and when it is not, it is scanned
with bitches from one end to the other
besides the great river that run
is it big demanded Neptune.
NO" replied Castor, " 1t is prett
long, butJrather narrow, and, as I.sai
before, divided from top to bottom
right down the middle by the mos
wonderful river in the world, Wher
it comes FROM nobody ever knew unit
the other day, though they have bee
trying to find out these'hundred year
Whatever it is, however there mu
60 NJ !. n y. Ii ca. Tho .i1rnr