The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-09-27
Jerry.

Jerry.
The cat and the kitten were sitting
side by side, washing their faces with
their soft paws and enjoying little af-
ter-dinner gossip. They had finished
delicious meal which their fond young
mistress, Sue, had brought them-some
tender morsels of cold steak, marrow
bone, piece of bread dipped in turkey
gravy, and nice drink of milk for des-
sert. No wonder that they were in
good humor! By-and-by the converse
ton turned upon new member of the
Gray family-a small yellow dog, with
large, soft brown eyes, a white face and
the blacklist little nose in the world
Toward this dog the cat showed the
strongest dislike. Said the kitten:
my dear mother, why can't we and
the dog be friends? I've done just as
you told me to ever since he came. 1
haven't been near enough for a civil
good-morning once; but he seems
very kind to the hens, who declare
there never was such nice dog, and
our mistress thinks the world of him; :"
and the kitten scratched her ear impa-
tiently.
Listen, my child returned the cat
For many, many years, indeed as long
as they have existed, cats and dogs have
been, so to speak, ut war. This terrible
dislike toward each other is born and
bred in the two races; there has never
been any peace between us, and there
never will be. Strange to say, when
this dog arrived 1 was struck by his
pleasant face, and, for the first time in
my life, found myself kindly disposed
toward one of his race; but see the re-
suit The day after his arrival, was
sitting quietly upon the outside mat at
the back door, deeply engaged in
thought. Presently the wicked animal
trotted around the corner of the house,
with a short, hideous bark, and l had to
seek safety in flight. Closely pursued,
1 at last reached the top of that pile of
boards in neighbor Simms' garden,
where the dreadful beast could not reach
me. have not yet recovered from the
fright and exertion, which, at my age,
are very dangerous. / fear that your
mother is in danger of heart disease; if
catnip does not restore her soon / shall
certainly be obliged to send for physi-
cian." Here the kitten shed tears, beg
ging to be allowed to go at once for the
doctor; but she said she would first try
"A nap, hoping to feel better on awaken
ing; so, having kissed her daughter, she
closed her beautiful yellow eyes" ha-
eel" neighbor Simms Tom called them,
and was soon fast asleep.
The kitten, left to herself, stole softly
into the kitchen, and, having nothing
else to do, thought over all that her
mother had told her: still she could not
give up the idea of being on friendly
terms with the dog. The door which
opened on the side veranda CHANGED to
be aiar, and through the opening she
caught sight of the dog, stretched out
in the sunlight, with his back toward
her. Pushing the door back with her
paw, she stepped ont. Down by the
grapevine there was hole leading to
safe shelter under the wood-shed, and
through which her enemy would be too
large to follow her; in case of attack
she could escape. The kitten deter
mined to speak to the dog. Placing
herself upon the end of the veranda
nearest the grapevine, she coughed
timidly to attract his attention.
"Ahem" The dog did not move.
Ahemw Qouder); no movement
Good-afternoon, dog" much louder;
then he turned so suddenly that the
kitten fed to the grapevine.
"Good afternoon, kitten" he replied
gravely, but with twinkle in his brown
eyes.
I'm afraid I've disturbed your nap"
faltered the kitten; "but it doesn't seem
at all sociable to live whole week in
the same house and never once speak to
each other"
my own feeling exactly. I've often
wanted to speak to you, but you have
always run away the moment L have
come near you"
Sir" returned the kitten. II have
acted as my mother directed, and she is
considered very wise cat i am dis
obeying her now-wicked child that /
am-by talking with you. BY the way,
what did you run after her for the other
day, when she was sitting quietly at the
back door, and"
was tnat your mOtner! interrupted
the dog. How unfortunate / ami Upon
my honor, supposed she was an awfully
disagreeable cat whom used to know,
and once nearly put out my eyes with
her fearful claws"
I'm so glad the horrid creature didn't
put them out" answered the kitten,
walking boldly up the steps of the We
randa, and sitting easily down by the
side of the dog; "for they are about the
handsomest / ever saw"
"Tut, tut" her new friend answered
with pleased look and gallant whisk