The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-05-15
A Strange Cat.

a Strange Cat.
Pat Maloney, better known by the
name OF Father Pat, OH returning from
work one evening, was met at the gate
by Biddy, his better half in high state
of excitomcnt.
Pat" says she, "thcre'sa a strange
cat in the cabin"
Cast her out thon; don't be bothorln'
me about tho bastc."
"Faix an I've been strivin' to do that
tor the matter Of ten minnits past, but
she is beyant me reach, behind tho big
red clnst id tho corner. Will yez be
alter hclpin me drive her out, Pat?"
"To be sure will bad luck to the
consato sho has for me house. Show
her to nc, Biddy, till L tachc her tho
respect that due to n man in his own
housc--to be takin' possession without
SO much as by yer lavc-the tha(c o
the world
Now Pat had u strange anLipathy to
cats, and never lot pass all opportunity
10 Kill one. This lie resolved to do in
the present case, and instantly formed a
plan for the purpose. Pcrcciviny but
one way Of egrcss for the animal he says
TO BidLy:
HAY vcz iycr maio bag in the
house, mo darint
"Divil a one is there, Pat. Ycz took
it to the mill wild ycz, to bring home
chips, this mornin'"
"Faix an did,, and there is yet,
thin. An have yc nothin at al, in tho
house that will tic up like bag, Bid
dy 2"
"Troth ar I have, Pat. There's mo
Sunday petticoat-ye can draw Tho
strings close at the top, an sure it will
DO better for lcttin' that cat LAWN
ye."
"Biddy, dar'int ye'ro jewel; Just
be alter bringin' it to mo wanst."
Biddy brought tho garment, and
sure enough it made good substitute
for bag.
Fat declared at q glance that it was
''iilegant."
| So holdina it close against The edge
OF the Ghost, he took Il look behind and
saw pair Of eyes glaring at him.
AN is it there ye are, yc divil?-
Be out O that now, bad luck to yez, We
thav'n vagabone. Bcdad an ye won't
lave at all with pcrlile axin'-ycrsclr
vii! bate the pigs entirely. Biddy have
yc any hot wather?"
Sure pvc the full O tay kettle all
a bilin', Part"
"Be after caslin' The mattcra quart
tmn behind the chest, and we see
how the bastc minds the like o that"
"llowld close thin, here goes tho steam.
in hot wa,her."
So saying, dash went the water, and
out came the animal into Pats trap.
"Arrah, be the holy poker, have
him now, Bldy. 1t Is nine lives yc
have, yc bastc. We'll, now be akin,
me pardon for all the thavin yc'vc bin
dom IN my house, or its nine lives will
not save yc. Bi!dy, SAFE howld O.
the poker, and whilst | shoulder The bag
Just whack The daylights oal O the hay,
thin divil intirey.
Pat threw the bundle over his should.
or and B,ddv struck about three blows
to the tune Of st. Patr;ck's day ia tho
morning, when she suddenly stop
ped.
"What smells SO QUAR-, Pat ? Sure
It's takin' away my breath wld the pow.
erof it, Oh, murthcr, Pat! it's :hc
divil ye have in tho sackr
"Batc INN, thin-bate the horns
OFF,
"I'm faintn'-cast him of ye Patw
"Och, murthcr! murthcr! Biddy
Maloncy, what have we done 2 Ye've
went and mistaken horrible pole cat
ior harrumlcss tame cat!"
"Pat, for the lave O me, if yc're con.
vcnient to the door unclose it, for I'ni
pcrlsht intirely. Oh, B.ddy Maloney,
that iver ye should leave ould Ireland
to be smotllercd and murdered in this
way!"
"Faix the little villain bates the lvil
himself he's ruined me housn and kilt
Biddy, and put me out O consatc with
me own self. Oh murthcrin bastc!"
by dint Of washing and securing and
airing and tho burial Of Biddys best
pctticoat under the ground for space
Of time, things were at length set to
rights again.
But not a little recrimination took
place between them OH the occasion,
and neither ever forgot tho expulsion
from tho cabin, Of Biddy's strange
cat"