Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1866-07-26
MISS TANNERS BLACK CAT.

black cat.
The love Of old maids fer cats has long since
passed into a proverb. Happily married people,
who have somebody that ihey can egitimatey find
fault with snecr at the idea; but a must
have something to love and pick flaws in; and il
she has not a man. why should il not be q ca.l
Miss Tanner had a cat
Ii was a very large specimen OF the feline race,
very fat, and very determined. The pet boast Of
ii, mistress that she had not seen a mouse for
so long that she should not know if il happened
along She had actually forgotten how mice look
ed
Miss Tanner resided in country place called
Durham, on a small farm, which she managed her
self. with great thrift and prudence.
The farm next to hers was for sale. The fines:
place for miles around; but the price demanded
for il was so large that il stood unOccuped for
half dozen years. But at last j, was sold.
Mr.. Richards had become the purchaser, and
abou. the middle of May he took possession.
OF course the prospect OF neishbor en-.
chanting There would be another character to
tear 20 pieces; and the study is always so interest
ing, and so eevaiing, Miss Tanners mohair
head dress received extra brush and fresh bow
of satin ribson, and she afforded TO wear collar
forenoons, so that she might sit BY her paror win
dow and watch the proceedings of the new ncum
bent.
ale cuts US the master capers in that are garden
of his that ever you seed" she remarked to her
confidential friend, the widow Plumb. "I declare
il mikes me scrigge to see him. He's put more
rocks into it than a hired man could dig out in a
month, and he. gotta statoot of Crewpid all ma
ked, that makes me so ashamed that can't help
blu.hng all every time l it. / dom
hardly believe he's what he orter be, or he'd .
had some clothes put onto ii!'
Mr.. Richards kept fowls which were his partic-
slar pride. He was a bachelor, anC the love that
should have gone forth to his children was bestog.
ed on long legged specimens of Shanghai roos,ers
AID tall combed Barking pullets.
Tie first litter ofchickens was an epoch.
All Mr.. Richards intimate friends were called
in TO see the woader. They kept high carnival at
the Richards mansion for three days. The mas.
ter passed the larger part Of his time sitting the
hcn-coop with a dough dish in his hand. He cod
eluck so naturally that the chickens evidently re-
garded him as their paternal progenitor.
About week after they were Matched, Miss
Tanner. from her station at her parlOr window, oh
served an unusual commoton in the poultry yard.
Mr.. Richards was running frantically back and
forth, his head bare. and flourishng a bean pole
TO the right and left, in the greatest excitement
The house-keeper was running after him, armed
with roll Ing pin, and Sam Shocks. the hired man
brough, up the rear with pitchfolk.
Miss Tanner quick as forming conclusions.
She declared at once that Mr.. Richards had been
taken with fl. And, being sort Of d0ctress
she felt il her duty TO to his case at oucs. 1t
was such opening for an acquaintance. and she
had been dying for chance ever since Mr.. Rich
ards advent.
Selling bottle of rhubarb and another Of cas-
tor oil, she rushed across the way aud confronted
her new ReighbOr.
"Ala. il is q fit. thought -. his face is purple.
Here mr dear sir, seat yourself and allow me TO
battle your head in cologne"
Before Mr. Richards could recover sufficiently
to shake her off, she had seated him on beehive,
and was rubbing the bald spot on the top Of his
head with rhubarb.
He kicked and struggled
"Let me up, marm.' cried he. "I'm we'll
enough. confound it, What q smell. It's worse
than rotten cabbage, sam. Sam, l say. come
and take this old woman away"
BE quiet, my dear SIR" said Mi IS Tanner.
soothingly, "the disease has attacked the brain
Your poor head how il aches. Lem il against
my bo-against my shoulder. Don't be afraid. |
will protect thee.
"Deuse take H." cried Mr. Richards, spriaging
TO his feet, "my brains well enough; but some
thing has killed Of nv improv ed celestial ten
toed japan chickens; and I'm madden han hor
net. could knock everything into next week with
pleasure
And, suiting the action to the word, he hit the
beehive a kick that upset il, and instantly about
hundred million winged darning needles rushed
forth and pitched in.
Mis-. Tanner screamed, dropped the rhubarb.
and threw her skirt her head. forgetrul Of the
pee-line for home.
Mr.. Richards sought refuge in the hencoop,
from which he emerged couple of hours after
wards, looking very much like cranberry pud-
ding in the advanced stage Of the measles
Miss Tanner was mad at the treatment she had
received; but after thinking it all over she concu
ded i, would not do to hold il long. Mr.. Richards
was a very nice man; but, like all other people, he
sometimes let his temper get the better OF him. and
il was trying 10 lose one Of bis darling little chick
ems
The very next morning SIMILAR scene was en-
acted in Mr.. Richards poultry yard. The mas
ter was Just "a frantic, and the housekeeper as
much excited As before. And Miss Tanner put
I'D the window Other parlor and sat with her hand
kerchief 20 her eyes. TO let Mr.. Richards know
how much she sJmpathized with him in the
loss of another chicken.
The next morning. and the next, the same oils
turbance occurred, denoting the destruction OF
another chicken.
The fifth morning the grand denoument took
place. Miss Tanner making bread in the
kitchen, but she heard the ouscry and rushed 10
the door. And, OH sublimest OF horrors. she
her black cat just emerging from the deserted
hencoop with the struggling chicken in his mouth.
Mr. Richards dashed out OF the sitting room
window in slippers and dressing gown cudgsl
in one hand, and pistol in another; and the
housekeeper and Sam Snooks we're rushing breath
lessly from the back door,-the one armed with a
stewpan, the other with razor, with which ne d
just been removing the growth OF red wool from
his face.
'.I,'s that internal eat" roared Richards, pur
pie with anger. 81 knew | should find out about
ir sometime. III tear her into fiddle strings in
less than no timer
And away he few in pursuit Of the nmblc ami
E,sl. whe. knowing her superiority in long race
did not even QUICK en- her pace as she heard her
pursuer swearing and putting behind her.
"Oh heavens. my poor Toni" screamed Miss
Tanner. clearing the steps at bound, forgetting
that her false teeth were out. and her curled wig
in its box up stairs, in her anxiety to her ia
yorite.
Mr.. Richards came TO q brush fence, and in try
ing to climb it. his dressing gown caught on pro
jectiDg stake, but there was no time TO spend. He
gave one tug. and the garment parted amidships,
leaving the skirts auttering from the stake like
psnnon-
On went pursued and pursuers. faster and fast
er, over hedges, fences and bitches Mr.. Richards
sweat like rain, and Miss Tanner felt like ferment-
ing curraDtjelly.
They were almost TO the river, and there Rich