Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-11-28
UNCLE MALACEI'S CAT.

UNCLE MALACEI's CAT.
Perhaps the reader has heard of the
town of Soskowigh, Ind, commonly pro-
nounced ''SoSky" by its Inhabitants. 1t
is nothing but 4 country town, and Ike
most country towns has its local 'charac-
tcr'-its odd genius. The odd genius i'll
this case happened to be Malachi Dill,
usually called Uncle Malachi" good
old man was Uncle Malachi, and exc 4
Quaker. lie was born in the village, and
had lived there all his life, except period
of about six months, during which lie had
paid 4 visit to some relatives of his who
lived in New England-an adventure OF
which Uncle Malachi was never tired OF
talking. His face, scanned and wrinhled
by many year of toll, beamed with be-
ncvolcncc and goodwill. Good old man,
seem 20 see him yet, walking down some
shady lane la "SoSky," smiling and bow
ing to his acquaintanceS, clad in Snuh-
colorcd garments of ancient cut, with his
white beaver hat, his large bucllcd shoes,
and his red bandana flung TO the breeze
from its retreat in his COat-tail pocket.
Uncle Malachi had not an enemy. Good
old soul, he had never spoken an unkind
word TO man or beast. The very birds
loved him and tlut.ered to meet him, sure
of getting their fill of crumbs and cher
ricS. 1t was pretty sight to sec Him TAX
ing his stroll of Il sunny afternoon, little
children chirping round him, little birds
clrping above him.
Uncle Malachi had three loycs-his cat,
Mike, his garden, and his daughter
Dorothy.
This cat was the wonder of the village.
"Mike" was name used only by ultimate
friends ana rear relatives. HE full court
title, and that used by the vulgar herd,
was Ozark Michael Schlcm"-a name
given him far back in his early youth by
some unknown benctaCtOr, and which was
peculiarly appropriate, inasmuch as it had
been once borne by Il certain Russian chief
of police remarkable for great sagacity
and penetration. Mike was not attractive
at first sight. 1t was whispered that in
his youth he had been noted for his manly,
or r,thcr tom-catly, grace and beauty.
But the meridian of his charms, so to
speak, had been passed. His tail was gone.
Likewise one eye. His left ear, too, had
forlorn appearance probably mOurnful
ut the absence of its maze, which had been
lost in the same unlucky fray in which
the tail vanished. Portions of his hide
had also been dcnuded of the covering
with which Nature had provided it. But
Mikes lofty soul scared above these petty
veXations. Ills fricnCS soon forgot his
rather dubious physical appearance In adj
miration of his rare intellectual qualities.
There was in his every action such an in
Gclinable air of mystery, Of preconceived
and elaborate design. and mien, withal,
of such lofty and serene dignity, that not
only was the beholder's wonder and sur
prise aroused, but his respect was COM
manded as well. No one, probably, was
more thoroughly impressed with the abil-
tiles of this remarkable animal than Uncle
Malachi. Sometimes, after indulging in
several cups of triplc-strength tea, which
was Uncle Malaclli's sole weakness-if tea
of such strength can be called weakness
lie had been known to say, with much
cmpressmcnt: michael, thou art Il wOn-
derful cat" which remark was plainly
understood by Mike, for, though at the
time mewing in Il deprecating manner, as
though Gisclaiming all pretcHtions to
greatness, it WAS nevertheless observed
that for some hours thereafter his natural
hautcur would be largely increased. lie
was not OH the best of terms with Miss
Dorothy. There was certain youthful
gildincss and fippancy about her which
cid not meet his approval. True, he al
ways treated her with courtly poIi.eness
in considerations of her fathers feelings,
but nevertheless there was a considerable
coldmeSs between them.
1t he udu NOT, ! ONGE%Ei OeeiI "ttciI!
impervinus TO the attractions Of female
beauty, this cofaness could never have
existed. There surely never was more
charming bit of femininity than Miss Do
rothy. Her wealth OF mut-brown hair,
her little snub nose, her cleaning teeth,
her slielI-dnted ears, her sparkling, dane
ing eyes, her dainty waist, all made up 4
picture Of butterfly beanty rs delightful
as it WAS loyable. Bnt little Miss Dorothy
was no shallow minded doll. She had
heart of sterling purity and nobility, and
inherited from her father the grave and
gentle sweetness Of disposition which
charactcrz"s the Quakers.
Miss Dorothy had tilat INDISPENSABLE