Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-05-16
NIISCELLANY.
A Strange Cat.

Pat Maloney, better known by the name Of
Father Pat, on returning from work one even
ing, was met at the gate by Biddy. his better
half, in high state of excitement.
"pat," says she there's strange ca. in the
cabin"
Cast her out thin, don't be botherin' me a.
bout the baste."
"Faix an have been strivin' to do that for
the mather of tin minits past, but she is beyond
my reach. behind the big red chist in the cor
ner. VIII yez be after helpin' me dhrive her
out, Pat2"
"To be sure will; bad luck to the consate
she has for my house. Show her TO me Biddy,
till tache her the respect that's due to the man
in his own house-to be takin' possession with
out SO much as by your lave-the thafe o tho
world"
Now, Pat had special antipathy 10 cats
aud never let pass an opportunity to Kill one.
This he resolved to do in the present case, aud
instantly formed for the purpose. Pcrceiving
but one way Of egress for the animal, he says
to Biddy.
"Havo yez liver male bag in the house my
darlint ?"
"Divil one is there, Pat. Yez took it to
the mill with yez, to bring chips this mornin'."
"Faix an / did, and there it is yet. thin
And have ye nothin' at all in the house that
will tie up like bag, Biddy?"
/ "Troth an have, Pat-there's ma Sunday
petticoat-ye can draw the strings close at the
top an sure it will be better for not lettin' tho
cat LAWN ye."
"Biddy, darlint, ye're jewel just DO after
br;ngin' Il TO me wsnst."
Biddy brought the garment, and sure enough
il made good substitute for bag. Pat de-
clared at glance that it was Elegant.
So, holding it close against the edge OF tho
chest, he took look behind and saw pair Of
eyes glaring a. him.
"An' it is there yc are, yo divil? 30 out o
that now, bad luck to yez, ye thavin' vaga-
bone. Bedad an ye won't lave at all with per-
lite a1in'--yerself will bate Che pigs intirely.
Biddy have yez any hot water 2"
"Sure. I've the full Of tay kettle all o bill
lin.' Pat"
:" BE after castin' the matter Of quart thin
behind the chest and well sec how the baste
minds the like o that
How'd close thin--he,e goes the steamin' hot
water. So saying dash went the water, and
out came the animal into Pats trap.
d" Arrab, oc the howly poker, have him
now, Biddy," says Pat. "lt is nine lives ye
have ye taste9 Well, now, be akin pardon for
all the thayin' ycye bin doin' in my house or
It's nine lives will not save ye. Biddy sazo
how'd o the poker. and whilst shoulder tho
bag, just whsck day lights out o the hathin'
divil intirely."
Pat thew the bundle over bis shoulder, and
Biddy struck about three blows to tune Of st.
Patrick's day in the morning when she sudden
ly stopped.
What smells so QUAR-, pat' sureits takin
me breath away wild the power Of IT. och'
murther, Pat it is the divil re have in the
sack y
Bate him, thin--bate the horns of J
"I'm faintin said Biddy; cast him oi ye,
Pat@
"Och nurther nurtberl Biddy Maloney,
what have ye done we've vent and mistaken
horrible pole cat for harmless tame cat :
"Pa.. for the loveo' God, If yere convenient
TO the door unclose it, for I'm persisted intirely.
Oh. Biddy MaloDey that iyer you should have
lef. ould Ireland to be smothered in this way"
"Faix the little villain bates the divil him.
self; he's ruined my house and kilt Biddy, en-
put me out o consste wild me owDself."
BY the diht Of washing and securing and
airing, and tie burial Of Biddy's best petticoat
under tie ground fOr space Of time things
were at length set to right again. But not q
little recrimination took place between them
ON the occasion, and neither ever forgot tie
expulsion from the cabin Of Biddy's strange
cat"