The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-12-06
was never anything to be captured but a
dirty piece of cord.

Miss Wing rose from her couch, pre-
pared her solitary breakfast, and called
the cat to get hers. For the first time in
eight years Tabby failed to answer.
She opened the wood-house door in fear
and trembling. There, suspended from
beam by one of Miss Wings own
apron strings, WAS poor Tabby, stone
dead
Pinned in the string was dirty scrap
of paper, on which was written "Cat-
erpilers compelmunts."
For the first time ia many years Miss
Wing sat down in low chair, threw her
apron over her head, and wept Wiling
ly now would she have held out the
white flag if it would only bring back
poor puss.
Strange to say, from that very day
there was a cessation of hostilities
Whether it was because they were ex-
hausted and needed rest to think of
something new, or whether there was
really nothing left for them to do, Miss
Wing could not tell. AS days passed
on and no fresh mischief was done, she
gradually gave up looking for it, and
possessed her soul in euietness. And
now as she sat grim and solitary by her
kitchen fire. except for O vague feeling
of bitterness as she looked at Tabby's
empty corner, she had almost forgotten
Caterpillar. 1t was quite shock to her
nerves, therefore, when her door bell
was rung with a violent jerk.
"That imp is at his mischief again, -
she exclaimed. The ring was repeated,
but she paid no attention to it, and
finally a shuff1ing, irresolute step was
heard On the side stoop, followed by a
knock on the Kitchen door
"Corne in" said Miss Wing, in most
uninviting manner. The door was
opened slowly, and a colored man ap-
peared.
"Is you Miss Wing9" he asked.
"I be-"
"There's poor little mig up in tie
settlement, say he want to see you.
Folks call him Caterpillar. Don know
he name?"
"What does the little scamp want of
me?"
"He mos gone, miss. He done got
gallopin' consumption.
PITY he hadn't galloped off some
where before he killed my cat. I'd like
to trounce him." said she.
The man looked at her moment, and
then said solemnly: Missy, dat chile
done got sonefn on he mind. He axes
fur you de whole Dressed time; and, if
you's a Christian woman, you'll go dar.
Good night, Missy"
Miss Wing shut the door, and sat
down again with her knitting. But
somehow the room was not as pleasant rs
before. The FIRE didn't burn as clearly,
and her chair seemed very uncomforta-
BILE. She couldn't compose her mind.
Several very uncomfortable verses of
scripture would force themselves upon
her. In the little church over the way
che could hus1r theia pIuUtiUing their I'LL
thems for the morrow Clearly and dis
tinctly out On the frosty air their voices
rang. Over and over she heard them
sing:
Peace on earth, goodwill to men.
She knew very well that she felt
neither peace nor goodwill. "I wish
they'd stop their noise" she said, as she
fdgeted from her chair to the window
and back again to the stove Still they
sang on, louder and clearer, stirring Miss
Wing up in an unaccountable manner.
Her better nature was having terrible
struggle with the other, and, being much
smaller, was in great danger of defeat
At last she started from her chair,
snatched her hood and blanket shawl,
and started towards the door. Little
better nature had conquered. Miss Wing
hardly knew herself as bhe stepped out
into the frosty night. 1t was many
years since she had visited the sick or
gone out upon an erraxd of mercy. Such
charity as she had given had been like
throwing bone to a dog. When she
reached the tumble-down house where
Caterpillar's mother lived and knocked
at the door, she heard shrin voice
pipe up.
"Dar she am, mamma mos know
dat's her." There was a hurrying over
the floor, and noise as if stray articles
were being hastily shuffled into their
places. Then the door opened and Miss
Wing walked in.
"Bless us and save US p said she Boil
stored up on a narrow cot was pitiful
little heap of skin and bones, all that
was left of the mischievous Caterpillar
He smiled feebly when he saw Miss
Wing, and held out skinny little hand.
"Mos' awful sorry done kill your cat.
Pears like I couldn't die out I tole
you"
time had come. What ails you, any
how? Be you hungry?"
He shook his head.
"Nebber any MORE" he said "g got
past dat.
There was tugging at Miss Selina's
rusty old heart strings, and suspicious
hide these unaccustomed emotions, she
turned fiercely to the mother and de-
manded
&c 'Hain't you got no better bed nor pill
low for that sick child ?"
The woman began long story which
Miss Wing cut short by marching out of
the door.
"There, she's mad p exclaimed she.
"Nebber mind, NANNY" sighed Cat
erpillar, turning YEARLY on his pillow,
/" I feels better"
But Miss Wing was far from being
angry as she hurried down the street,
and SO Caterpillar's mother soon discov-
cred, as the door opened again, and a
man carrying soft, single bed entered,
closely followed by Miss Wing, herself
heavily laden
"Sit down and take that child IN your
lap" said she, in a peremptory manner.
The woman meekly obeyed, and seated
herself, with the wondering boy in her
arms. I don't think Afilly Thofne
would have believed her eyes if she
could have seen her cousin Selma them
She flew around the room with marvel
ous celerity, beating up the bed, spread
ing over lavender-scenteds sheets and soft
blankets, and finishing off with plump
pillow, and white spread quilted by
her own hands. Caterpi4lar's delight
was unbounded when, after being clad
in a flannel night-sown he was placed
In the soft, fragrant bed.
Like oranges, bub?" asked Miss
Wing, as she plunged her hand into her
pOcket. Now Caterpillar and oranges