The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-08-16

One, two verses she sang, then, sud
denly sat down, for the motion within
the muff was becoming very decided
Before the congregation had finished
the third verse, the movement had be-
come a commotion, and the child with
a red and anxious face was trying to
check her prisoners attempts to escape.
The singing was over at last, and
there was pause in which the faintest
sound could be heard. 1t was then :.
that there came distinct angry new.
Poor polly hid her face as much as
possible. 1t seemed TO her that every
body near and far was frowning, and.
looking straight through the muff to
the kitten that was SO tired Of her
close quarters. She grasped the pris-
oner still more firmly. The result
was another louder new.
Her mother turned to her:
Take that kitten away directly
she commanded, sternly, land walk
about outside until we come"
At any time Polly would not have
liked to go down the long aisle during
service, but, now, when she had that
great muff she had begun to hate, the
struggling kitten inside of it, with first
her head and then her tail at its OPP
posite ends, and when all the people
were looking at her, it was dreadful
But she got up. She could not hold
the ends of the muff quite so well
standing; kitty took advantage of this
in moment, and was on the floor be-
side her little mistress. Mrs. Batch
ley stopped quietly; but kitty slipped
past her The next moment Mr..
Blatchley made the same attempt and
succeeded in touching kitty's tail, as
she slipped along to the entrance of the
pew. Polly glided after, hoping to
clutch her favOrite.
But kitty was sprite sometimes.
When she didn't want to be caught no
body could catch her. All ready tor
frolic, she cooked her head and watched
the child coming up to her. Polly
moved very cautiously; she was deter
mined to get hold of kitty. The little
creature stood still as if to let her do it.
Polly bent down, her hand touched the
little furry back; it was all right now.
Was it, thought
In an instant kitty whisked off into
the broad aisle. Then, seeing her play
male didn't follow, she arched her back,
waved her tail like aplume, and in the
drollest way pranced almost up to her
| again.
Poor Polly! She tried second time
to seize this pet who was coaxing to bs
played with. Kitty ran farther up the
! aisle, looking back in way that showed
it was quite useless to follow. Polly's
mother signed to her to take her seat.
The kitten walked up and down the
aisle examining the different pews, and
sometimes darting into one in q way
that set Polly, who WIS responsible for
it all. in an agony. One lady was sit
ting alone listening attentively to the
minister. She moved her arm and kit
ty made dart at the swinging fringe
of her shawl, and sprang into her lap.
Polly longed to call out: "Catch her."
but before the astonished lady could
move, kitty was off again
The sexton tiptoed along, hoping to
catch the little intruder, but she frisked
away good deal faster than he could
tptoe, and all the children enjoyed the
| fun so much, to say nothing of the
grown people, that no soon gave up try
ing.
After while the kitten was seen
walking slowly up the pulpit stairs.
| Poor little Polly's face grew crimson,
and she began to cry quietly.
Kitty liked the soft carpet; she
worked her little paws into it, and soon
curled herself down. Then she jumped
up again, and after turning around
several times settled herself for nap.
"Oh,' thought Polly, IF she'll only
stay asleep"
At last the service was over. The
child was sure it had been three times
as long as ever before.
Nearly everybody had gone. She
walked softly up to the stairs. Kitty,
Weakened by the general movement, was
sitting looking about her. just as
Polly stretched out her hand she heard
laugh behind her. 1t was the sexton.
That cat $ q real imp, little girl"
he said 81 just saw it shut up one eye
and wink at you in the cutest way. 1t
knows the tuss its been making, can
tell you"
Polly" said Mr.. Blatchley as they
drove home, what punishment do you
think you ought to have for doing such
a naughty thing as this?''
Il thought l could keep her very
still, papa, and, you know, mamma
said just now, it was great mortitica-
ton to me. Think the modification is
all l need. Don't you, papa?" Wide
Aaodke.