Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-11-28
TOPSY'S THANKSGIVING.

Topsy was Wins kitten. She sat all
bumped up In the cellar way, watch.
ing the plump speckled hens, which
hung there by strings tied around their
yellow 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. oh, mel! said she, then
gave thanks that she was not fowl.
Just then Wins mother stepped
down on the stairs and took one one OF
the hens. Topsy followed and Saw her
Law it on board and begin to dress
it. Topsy thought it more like un-
dressing it-feathers j"rked off, legs
and head cut off; and when the sharp
knife began to cut 1t open Topsy ran
away Mortified. What dreadful OBJ
servance Thanksgiving l~!' said she.
However, the odOr OF the various ba>
kings and stewings Was delightful.
Topsy spent the afternoon in the kitch-
en- rocking chair. Frequently Win
came in and gave her hug and talked
of the good things they were going
to eat tomorrow. Topsy's views of
Thanksgiving were considerably
changed by evening; but it was the ev-
ident hungriness of the whole family,
1 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
of, and the latter dropped the seam
stitch in her knitting work, to walk
across into the dark corner by the pan
try door, then, with one backWar
look and soft leap, she was in.
Under the broad shelf stood the mo-
lasses Jug, and behind them Topsy
suugIy hid herself. She was SO black
that no one could see her in the dark
corner unless they looked very sharp
lyi -,
In a little while somebody said,
We'll, we'll turn the cat out and go to
bed.'
And then Topsy heard soft, persus-
sive voice: Kitty! kitty! kitty! kitty!
But she didn't stir.
kitty! kitty! kitty!
In vain.
We'll, l thought the cat was IN here,
but guess Win turned her out before
he vent to bed.'
Topsy purred SO loudly-it was her
way OF laug ching she was afraid
of being heard. But presently the
light was put out and the house grew
still, She waited until she could hear
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 If roasted chick
ems. She tasted the delicately Drowned
wings, the breast, and tender side OF
the last she ate heartily. Then she
partoek 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 lap
ped q little cream from the milk pans.
By this time she was too full to
another mouthful, and she
Jumped down to the floor, and looked |
around for a nice sleeping place. She
found drawer partly open, and the J
ironing sheet In it made nice nest, and |
90 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 pant ,
ry, and seeing the drawer open, shut it. !
Topsy forgot and was just going to |
new TO be let out, when she heard
exclaim, We'll, do declared
Whats the matter?' said papa from
he kitchen.
Just LOOK here!'
Papa came, and not only looked
here, but looked there; and then Topsy J
heard him say, Where is the little |
,rute?'
In the kitchen, 1 presume said
mamma.
Just let me find her, said papa,
They looked all about, but no black /
kitty could be found. When Win
,arne down they showed him the spoil
I'd pies and gDawed chickens, and he
aid he would thrash that kitty as soon
.s he could catch her. When Topsy
heard that she was more than ever
Ifraid to stir.
By-and by everybody went to church;
md then rupsy pushed her way to the