The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-12-24
For Kittens Sake.
IDanburr News.

For Kittens Sake. lDanbury News Everybody in his neighboshood likes Tommy Durang. His face is as good as sunshine to any one wh6 has got the least appreciation of humane influences. Tor- my's hair is as straight as is his walk in in life, and as upright as his purpose In fact 1t sticks up all over his head, and when he is not wearing a hat, which is generally the case, the standing hair and good humored face underneath form pleasant feature of the neighborhood.
 One of the street arabs of Danbury, a boy with reputation of villainous odor, had kitten by string, on Beaver street, near to Tommy's home. Thanksgiving afternoon. He would throw the animal into the snow and drag 1t out by the string, The wretched thing was all draggled and worn, and would occasionally give expression to pitiful cry. This was very amusing to the arab. Tommy seeing the boy from afar. and having some curi- osity 10 know what was going on. went up to him. When he saw the little kit ten. and heard 1t cry. he boldly said to the arab:
 Il wouldn't hurt little kitten like that, if was you
 The young ruffian looked upon Tom my, and when he saw that he was an in- offensive appearing youth, he derisively inquired:
 70, you wouldn't .''
 No, wouldn't" said Tommy.
 What are you going to do about il. Noty yf.tfpJ fsovC.ip,re Sr 5,t, a~.k> looking at rommy's hair.
 Il wasn't going to do anything about it, said Tommy, .'only didn't want to see the kitty hurt
 70, you didn't want to see the kitty hur," mocked the scamp Well. now, can tell you what it Is. you little nut ton-head-if you don't clear out from here I'll punch your snoo, till you're blue. Do you hear that"
 Tommy heard it. but he said nothing. neither did he move. His heart bled for the kitten, but he was no fighter, and his teaching forbade his fighting anyway. Tommy's face was as troubled as his mind
 Now, you. v roughly elacula;ed the arab. tossing the kitten Tn the snow. If you don't scud out of this. and mighty quick, too, I'll serve you like that" i There was such malicious look on the arabs face as he spoke, and the poor kitten looked so wretched it was half starved animal anyway tha, Tommy's hands instinctively olinehed; but he re- ruembered that 1t was wicked to fight. and his fingers strengthened out again.
 At this juncture the arab brought the cat back to the walk with yank of the string. The wretched thing uttered a pitlful cry.
 This was too much for httle Tommy's feelings. He didn't think II would be right to fight, even to defend himself But this seemed -bc-a case wherein something should be done, and speedily He just said to himself. in a sort of gasp:
 Il guess the Lord will forgive me for the kitty's sake
 And then he sailed into the arab. He came against him with such audiences and force that he bore him down into the snow without resistance. He got astraddle of him, and pounded him with his fist. and pushed his head into the snow, and banged him around in a way that was remarkable, indeed, for boy that was brought up to abhor fighting. Let me up" yelled the cowardly brute, as we'll as he could shout for the snow Tn that was in his mouth.
 Will you ever touch that kitty again :" demanded Tommy. You let me up, or I'll show you," growled the brute.
 Il won't lct you up till you promise. cried Tommy through his clenched teeth. and he pushed the ruffian's face farther into the snow.
 Little Susie Wafiles living across the street. ran up.
 70, Tommy, what are you doing!" she demanded. -~-
 Tommy explained as we'll as he could. Susie caught hold the string, which was under the boys, and pulled |, out 50 as 10 release the kitten, which she olutched in her arms. and ran home. Let me up and won't touch the kit ten again" whined the brute.
 "Never: said Tommy, holding him down tight.
 No. 1 won't. tell you"
 Tommy got up and relea sed him. The arab made off at an encouraging rate of speed, vowing to see Tommy later.
 Just then Mrs. Waffles called to him from her s,oop. Tommy went in, and there he saw the kitty tapping milk greed fly out of a saucer by the stove. And on the table were two big bowls of bread and milk, one for Tommy as well as one for Susie. And Mrs. Waffles drew him up to her and kissed him, and told him that she hoped he would always have the courage and the strength to defend the helpless, and to punish brutes.
 4 few minutes later, when the kitty sa, by the fire washing her little face, and Susie said it should always be her kitten, and always live there, Tommy felt way down in his henrt that he had been for given-for the kitty's sake. at any rate.