The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-12-01
THE CATS PARTY.

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way in which old Mrs. Bobtail wa,
treated. She had seen better days,
and there was time when the haughties
of the Marsden-street cats were grateful
for bow from her; but sometime before
the period of my story her fortune ha6
sadly changed and left her dependent
upon charity. While going from house
to house with invitations, one of the
committee met Mrs. Bobtail and stopped
to say, condescendingly
" We are going to have a party next
week up on our street; of course you
can't expect to be invited, but we shall
see that you have some of the leavings
from the feast"
Not word did the old lady say in re-
ply to this shameful speech, but simply
passed by with such whitening glance
of scorn as that member of the commit
tee will not soon forget.
AT last came the night set for the party,
a very fine moonlight night, warm and
still. The guests gathered promptly, and
by quarter of twelve were all assembled
on the green sward, every cat that was
asked having come, with the exception
OF motherly pussy, who had stayed at
home with a sick kitten, threatened with
Group.
They are very charming and genteel
company, indeed; let US look at them.
Here are all those whose acquaintance
we made at the meeting a week ago,
making themselves generally agreeable
to their guests. Capt. Black, looking
his very best, Is again giggling and chat
ting with Mrs. Tortoiseshells dainty
daughter, while Miss Maltese looks en-
viously on. DR.. Slim is tenderly tying
some striped grass around the neck of a
matronly black and white pussy, who
has come in spite of a very sore throat.
Two gallant and frisky young fellows
are playing hide andseek behind small
cedar bush with the venerable Presi-
dents daughters; and there is the Presi-
dent himself, continually settling his
spectacles, looking wisely round and
then dropping off into doze; Mother
Gray, from Lake street, sits near by and
checks the young kits when their glee
becomes too noisy, while back and forth
PAGES Miss Tabby Spot, hanging her
head and smiling shyly at the remarks
OF tRge sXH stlifPY5sSye66e gamiJern who lWaeES
glance at all the guests; so-but who are
those, seen dimlyi in the distance, perched
upon the roof of the woodhouse?
Why, if you'll believe me, they are
some of the unlimited cats who have no
more dignity than to come and look on,
at a safe distance; and there they sit,
laughing obviously and making fun OF
the scene going on below.
The greedy, yellow cat kept prowling
around in discontinued manner, asking
if it wasn't time for supper; therefore,
to get rid of him, and because they were
pretty hungry themselves, the committee
announced refreshments little after
twelve, and marshaled the company
around to the south side of the Norway
spruce tree, where the feast was spread.
Everybody had brought something, as
requested, and the supper was truly
royal How the mouths of the peeping
cats on the roof watered, as they peered
around at it!
There was one piece of raw steak there
so large that the strength of two cats
was necessary to carry it; then there
were large quantities of bread and
crackers, and fish-heads; great variety
of cheese-rinds, delicious chicken bones;
many bits of cold roast meat of different
kinds; one huge rat, splendid creature,
caught in a recent battle on Marsden
street by the venerable President; the
best Judges declared, after frequent
tastes, that the flavor of that rat could
not be surpassed; there were also thir-
teen delicate mice, besides many other
very nice articles which have not time
to tell about.
After supper they all marched back to
the green sward.
The music for the evening was fur
nished by the celebrated Mr.. Timothy
Spry; and no sooner did he begin to tune
his fiddle than the company began to
call for songs. Finally, pretty Kitty
Drap was induced to sing her popular
song; "On the housetop," which was
rendered in her most charming style
Then Capt. Black and Miss Ma9tese sang
little ditty together, to the great de
light of the latter, and were loudly
cheered, as they deserved to be.
After many other songs had been sung
dancing was proposed. Timothy Spry
SJdTIeu llNely tuue, anu you OuSuI "
have seen them scramble for partners
There is -yes-there is old Father White
leading out fat Mother Gray, and yer.
stately couple they make, too; and 81
well has the company been arranged
that not single forlorn "wall flower" i
left Dance follows dance. How rapid
ly they balance, and swing, and change
| and whirl! The peeping cats on tn
, woodhouse grow giddy as they watch
and have to hold their heads. Tn
. music goes faster and faster! Around
; around, aroundl Whirl, whirl, whirl
, Father White loses his spectacles; Dr
r Slim drops his eyeglasses, and pape
: powders and pill.boxes fly out of hi
2 medicine case; the necktie of MIR. Jones
r cat becomes united, and floats gayly gu
r over his back; the sleek coats of tn
ladies become roughened, and the pei
+ spiration drips from their crimsone
e noses. Capt. Black fans Mrs. Tortois,
S shells daughter violently with plantai
II leaf, as they waltz; and Dolly Drab