Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-11-14
UNCLE MALACHI'S CAT.

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pronounced ''Sosky" by its inhabitants
1t is nothing but country town, and
like most country towns has its local
character ts'Odd genius. The odd
genius in this case happened to be Ma
lachi Dill, usually called "Uncle Ma
lachi." A good old man was Uncle
Malachi, and eke a Quaker. He was
born in the village, and had lived there
all his life, except a period of about six
months, during which he had paid
visit to some relatives of his who lived
i'll New England-an adventure of which
Uncle Malachi was never tired of talk
ing. His face, scanned and wrinkled by
many year of toll, beamed with benev-
o.ence and goodwill. Good old man,
[ seem to him yet, walking down some
shady lane in "Soslly," smiling and bow
jng to his acquaintance, clad in snuff
colored garments Of ancient cut, with his
white beaver-hat, his large buckled
shoes, and his red bandana flung to the
breeze from its retreat in his coat t-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 fluttered
to meet him, sure of getting their fill of
crumbs and cherries. 1t was pretty
sight to see him taking his stroll of a
sunny afternoon, little children ch1rping
round him, little birds chirping above
him.
Uncle Malachi had three loves-his
cat, Mike, his garden, and his daughter
Dorothy.
This cat was the wonder of the village.
''NIike" was name used only by init
mate friends and near relatives. His
full court title, and that used by the vul-
gar herd, was Ozark Michael Schlem''
"a name given him far back in his early
youth by some unknown benefactor, and
which was peculiarly appropriate, mas
much as it had been once borne by Ger.
tain 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 rather m-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 appear
ance-probably mournful at the absence
of its mate, which had been lost in thu
same unlucky fray in which the tai
/ vanished. Portions of his hide had alst
been denuded of the covering with
which Nature had provided it. Blu
Mikes lofty soul scared above thest
petty vexations. His friends soon for
got his rather dubious physical appear
ance in admiration of his rare intel
4 lectual qualities. There was in hi
every action such an indefnable air o
mystery, of preconceived and elaborat
= design, and mien, withal, of sue
lofty and serene dignity, that no
only was the beholder's wonder an
surprise aroused, but his respect wa
commanded as we'll. No one, prot
ably, was more thoroughly impresse
with the abilities of this remarkabl
animal than Uncle Malachi Some
times, after indulging in several cups {
triple strength tea, which was Uncl
Malachi's sole weakness--if tea of sue
strength can be called wcakness-l
had been known to say, with much en-
pressment: "Michael, thou art q VOL
derful cat;" which remark was plain
understood by Mike, for, though at IL
time mewing in a deprecatiug manne
- as though disclaiming all pretentions
greatness, it was nevertheless observe
that for some hours thereafter his natur
hauteur would be largely increased. I
was not on the best terms with Mi
Dorothy. There was a certain youthf
. giddiness and flippancy about her whi'
did not meet his approval. True,
, always treated her with courtly polit
ness in consideration of her fathers fe,
ings, but nevertheless there was o co
siderable coldness between them.
If he had not, however, been utter
impervious to the attractions of femt
beauty, this GOODNESS could never ha
existed. There surely never was me
charming bit of femininity than M
Dorothy. Her wealth of nut bro,
esh hair, her little snub nose, her gleami
Jail teeth, her she'll tinted ears, her sparklir
dancing eyes, her dainty waist, all ma
up q picture of butterfly beauty as
DIV ightful as it was lovable. But lit
III Miss Dorothy was no shallow>mind
doll. She had heart of sterling pur
he and nobility, and inherited from
/. A father the grave and gentle sweetn
Of disposition which charaoterizes
Quakers.
y Miss Dorothy had that indispensa
q, possession of every truly sensible yol
lady-a lover.
Edward Wadham had not been IN
village for long time. His home
there, but he had been away at collie
and now returned for the first timt
,oo five years He was surprised to find t
wv his former p q?mate and partner in
mud pie businass had grown to |
very charmins and self-possessed Ii
woman He was great, curly-hail
black eyed, rollicking giant, and
first thing he did was to fall in love v
dainty Dorothy Dill, and she retur
ticle the compliment warmly. In very 81
lvlte time, therefore, they were talkin!
con- love in cottage, and devising fnan
plans of surprising acuteness for
economical administration and occ,
7 ton of said cottage.
Miss Dorothy was now walking in
fathers garden awaiting the apprt
of Mr.. Wadham. The garden wa
atzLy good spot for lovers trysting- pl
It was Enclosed on three sides by
stone wall and on the fourth by
house. Shade-trees we're dotted arol
beral and sweet smelling flowers filed
tinu- spaces between the trees. SO complt
was the sky obscured by the foliage
the place seemed to be floral ca
IA rather than garden This little ga
1X was Uncle Malachi's peculiar care