The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-07
TOPSY'S THANKSGIVING.

Iopsy was WINS kitten. She sat all
bumped up in the cellar-way, watching
the plump speckled hens, which hung
there by strings tied around their vel
low legs. Only yesterday she had chased
these same hens about the yard, and
jumped at them from behind the rose
bushes. Topsy shook her little sable
head. go, naen' said she, and then
gave thanks that she was not fowl.
Just then Wins mother stepped down
on the stairs and took one of the hens.
Topsy followed and saw her lay it on
board and begin to " Dress it. Topsy
thought it more like addressing it
feathers jerked off, legs and head cut
off; and when the sharp knife began to
cut it open Topsy ran away Mortified.
"What dreadful observance Thanks
giving isr' said she.
However, the odor of the various
bakings and stewings was delightful.
Topsy spent the afternoon in the
kitchen rocking-chair. Frequently Win
came in and gave her hug and talked
to her of the good things they would
eat tomorrow. Topsy's views of
Thanksgiving were considerably
changed by evening; but it was evident
the hungriness of the whole family,
think, which caused her to take the step
she did.
Under the stove, where she lay, she
had good view of Wins papa and
mamma. She seized the moment when
the former sneezed his spectacles off,
and the latter dropped the seam stitch
in her knitting-work, to walk across
into the dark corner by the pantry door,
then, with one backward look and
soft leap, she was in.
Under the broad shelf stood the mo-
lasses jug and the vinegar jug, and be-
hind them Topsy snugly hid herself
She was so black that no one could see
her in the dark corner unless they
looked very sharply.
In little while somebody said:
"Well, we will turn the cat out and go
to bed"
And then Topsy heard soft, persua-
sive voice; kitty! kitty! kitty! kittyr'
But she didn't stir.
Kitty, kitty, kittyH'
In vain.
"Well, | thought the cat was in here,
but guess Win turned her out before
he went to bed"
Topsy purred so loudly-it was her
way of laughing-that she was afraid
of being heard. But presently the light
was put out and the house grew still.
She waited until she could hear some
body snore, and then crept out. She
knew where her favorite dishes were,
for she had watched when they were
set away. She sprang up on shelf
and smelt about, daintily, until she
found the platter of roasted chickens.
She tasted the delicately Drowned
wings, the breast, and the tender side
of the last she ate heartily. Then she
partook of the squash and pumpkin
pies, eating out the insides. Then she
nibbled the crusts of the mince and ap-
pie pies, then tested the cake, then
Tapped little cream from the milk
pans.
By this time she was too full to swal-
low another mouthful, and she jumped
down to the floor, and looked around
for nice sleeping place. She found
drawer partly open, and the ironing
sheet in it made a nice nest, and so she
curled down and went to sleep, sure of
her Thanksgiving dinner.
In the morning she was awakened by
some one making the kitchen fire. She
lay still, not daring to crawl out, for
she knew very well what she had done.
While she was thinking about it, Wins
mamma came into the pantry, and, see
ing the open drawer, shut it.
Topsy forgot and was just going to
new to be let out, when she heard
mamma exclaim: "Well, l do de-
clarer'
whats the matter?n said papa
from the kitchen.
"Just look herer'
Papa came, and not only looked here,
but looked there; and then Topsy
heard him say: "Where is the little
brute?"
"In the kitchen, presume" said
mamma.
"Just let me find herr' said papa,
threateningly.
They looked all about, but no black
kitty could be found. When Win came
down they showed him the spoiled pies
and gnawed chickens, and he said he
would thrash that kitty as soon as he
could catch her. When Topsy heard
that she was more than ever afraid to
stir.
By-and-by everybody went to church;
and then Topsy pushed her way to the
front of the drawer, but it was shut
tight. So she crept back again to her
nest and tried to go to sleep, but the
odor of the roasting turkey came
through the crack in the drawer, and
kept her awake; then she heard people
come back from church; and in a little
while she knew by the sound that they
were drawing up to the table. After
that the table was cleared, and she
knew that delicious things were brought
into the pantry.
"If could only get out now!' sighed
Topsy.
In the evening there was a little
party, as Topsy knew by the sound.
She mewed some, but no one heard her;