Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-09-06
MUFF AND SULTAN.


bits of ribbon, and it wds pity. when
the fiuttering winds made such pretty
contrast to Muff's white coat, that he
could not be persuaded to jump, except
as Sue jumped him.
Mamma and Will were out on the
veranda, too. Mamma was sewing, and
| Will was watching Sue.
Will was fifteen, almost man in six
year-old Sues eyes, and he only came
home one Saturday in four from the
academy-town, twenty miles away. Sue
was always glad when he came for be-
sides seeing Will, there was sure to be
jelly-cake and plum-sauce for tea.
But Muff would not jump, though he
would catch at the flying ends of ribbon
as Sue held the hoop before him, and
hang with teeth and claws.
Its no use, Sue," laughed Will,
"Muff hasn't any brains.
"He's got as much as any cat"'
flashed Sue
"Not Muff!'' VIII laughed again.
"You ought to see Sultan. Tell you
what, mother, you'd better let Sue go
when John drives me over, Monday
morning. and I'll take her to see Miss
Hepworth's cat"
Away went the hoop trundling down
the walk, and away went Muff after it.
90 mamma! can't I?' cried Sue.
Mamma smiled. That was as good as
yes any time.
So, early Monday morning, Sue was
dressed in her pretty gray suit, with
navy-blue ribbons, and settled on the
back seat of the wagon beside Will; and
John cracked the whip about the horses
ears, and off they went.
Miss Hepworth lived all alone in Il lit
tie white house on a shady street, where
she sold few pins and needles, and a
great many cakes, pies. candies and nuts.
She was. wee little Quaker lady, with
silver-grey hair and eyes, and plain
drab gown, who came to the door when
John pulled up before it, and gave Will
a CHEEKY smile, and Sue a kiss and a
chirrupy 'How do thee do, dear?"
and then led the way into the little
shop, where everything was as neat and
shiny as new pin.
"She came to see Sultan, Miss Hep
WORTH" said Will, with a twinkle, after
he had invested in huge paper of can
DIV which he tucked into Sues hands.
''She's got cat at home that won t
jump"
HAS thee?" smiled Miss Hepworth
at Sue; land does thee want to see my
cate'
If you please" said Sue; and Miss
Hepworth tripped to the door and called
Sultan!''
There was a streak along the little
passage from somewhere, and Sultan
stood on the thresholds great yellow
cat, looking at his mistress with great
green, intelligent eyes.
''Thee may come in," said Miss Hep
worth. "Wipe thy feet"
Sultan obeyed, stepping upon the
trim little mat before the door, and lift
ing his feet, one after another, daintily.
Will threw Sue triumphant glance,
and Miss Hepworth smiled,
"Now, be gentleman, Sultan she
said; and Sultan rose upon his hind feet
and walked around the room, tipping
his ear politely to his mistress and Sue.
"Can thee tell our little friend the
sad story of the butcher horse?" asked
Miss HepwOrth, STOPPING to pat the
broad, yellow head.
Sultan began to limp, walking more
and more slowly and painfully until at
last he fell, rolled over on his side,
quivered, and then lay limp and mo-
tiOnless.
Sues eyes were very big and bright.
"Oh, he isn't dead!' she cried.
"Goosey!'' laughed Will. "Won't
you let him waltz, Miss Hepworth?'
"Ye-es," hesitated Miss Hepworth,
.''but thee must remember that is not of
my teaching. 1t is my roguish neph-
ew's work." she said to Sue. "Thee
may waltz, Sultan"
Up rose Sultan again, whirling across
the floor.
Then he tossed bit of cake from his
nose and caught it rs it fell; he found
Miss Hepworth's thimble, which had
been tucked into Sues pocket; he sat
up, and Tapped milk from tiny dipper
which he held in his paws; he turned
sOmersaults; he sneezed; he went
through SO many performances that Sue
would not have been greatly surprised
to hear him speak.
"Will he jump?' asked Will, soberly.
II think he never tried" smiled Miss
Hepworth. But she held up her yard
stick. ''Over, Sultan" she said, and
Sultan, after an instant's hesitation,
bounded over
'.Ndw we must co. said Will.
THANK you, Miss Hepworth.'
She drew a long breath. "You
couldn't sell him, could you?" she
asked, wistfully.
II fear thee could not keep him, "
said Miss Hepworth, patting her cheek.
But thee must come again to see him,
and thee must not go now until thee
has had a bite to eat.'
So Miss Hepworth brought out little
tray with a tumbler of rich milk and a
plate of sweet cakes, and Sue, when she
had said goodbye to Will for another
four weeks. fed herself and Sultan gen.
erously, before she kissed Miss Hep
worth and Rugged Sultan and went
away.
When she got home she unwound the
hoop.
Il don't think it's any use, mamma"
she said; II guess Muff hasn't any
brains. But" and she cuddled the
little furry bunch in her arms, hes
a good deal the prettiest, amt you,
sfufye''
And Muff said, Meow YOUTHS
Companion.