The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-08-23
POLLY AND HER KITTEN.

Mamma, I'm so glad we're going to
stay in the country all winter: for l
think really the country is so much bet
ter place to bring up kitten inn
! Polly didn't like at all having to leave
kitty so long when she went to church
She could take kitty with her to play,
or she could come in to see her when
ever she liked. She said nothing of
this grievance, for she approved of
going to church, but she thought about
it good deal.
One Sabbath near the end of the
month the little girl who sometimes
had to be waited for was already in the
carriage when Mrs. Blatchley came to
the door.
''You in the back seat, Polly?" she
asked. q thought you always liked
to ride in front"
81 thought I wouldn't to-day,
mamma"
Mrs. Blatchley put her foot on the
step of the carriage, but instead of
taking her place beside Polly, she
stopped in surprise. What is that
great bundle in your lap, child?'
Polly started, and looked down care
fully. That's mutf," she said. II
heard you say Just now, mamma, it was
very winterish."
Its not cold enough for that. child.
And besides, why didn't you ask Nora
to get your own little mutf? What in
the world is that thing?"
"Why, it's grandmamma's muff. l
saw you put it in a big box in the cedar
closet ever so long ago, and | went and
got it this morning"
Mrs. Blatchley took her foot off the
carriage step, and turned round.
''Noran she called.
But Nora had gone away, and Polly
cried pleadingly: "Oh, no, no, mamma;
let me keep this; like it great deal
better"
''What is the matter, Sallie?" said
her husband as Mrs. Blatchley hesitated.
1.-The child can leave it in the carriage
if you don't want her to take it into
church. 1t is better not to wait now;
I'm afraid we shall be late" So Mrs.
Blatchley got into the carriage.
Pollywas very still during that drive.
She didn't twist herself about as usual
to try and see both sides of the road at
once. She did not even talk. Her
mamma smiled, and said the muff over
whelmed her
When they reached the church the
great bell in the steeple was giving out
its last peals. Mrs. Blatchley alighted
hurriedlv and walked in at the great
door. Mr.. Blatchley saw Polly de-
murely following with her arms buried
in the big muff. He did not stop her.
What harm could her childish fancy do?
Besides, he was man fond of 3 Joke,
and he enjoyed his wife's unconscious
air as this droll little figure walked on
behind her But the immense, old
fashioned muff was not the only reason
why people turned their heads and
smiled as she passed up the aisle.
There was something about the muf
even funuier than itself, for pushing
out at one end appeared little head of
fur with bright, round eyes, eyes that
moved, as the children saw, and point
ed, pink-lined ears that moved too, as
| Polly's arm pressed hard against the
alert little nose.
The child's face was very red as she
slipped into her pew. MAY | sit up in
the corner. mammal" she whispered.
Mrs. BIatchley's eyes, too, fell on this
head peeping out of the mutf.
polly" sine whispered, so severely
that the child who was already a good
deal frightened, actually started. But
her only answer was to seat herself as
quickly as possible, and so far as she
was able, stop up the ends of the muff
with her little hands. All was quiet
within, and soon she heard soft pur-
ring sound as she bent her head.
''It's all right, mamma" she whis-
pered, I'm answer for her"
The lady said nothing. She had been
speaking to her husband, and Mr..
Blatchley's face had its broadcast smile,
though as he saw Polly's eyes upon
him. he became suddenly grave.
When the congregation stood up tC
sing, Mrs. Blatchley motioned to Polly
not to rise. But singing was the part OF
the service Polly liked best of all, and
she jumped and peeped over her mann
mas shoulder, to look at the hymn
Up jumped something else, too, in tht
depths OF the muff and began to stir.
"Sh-sh-shn' whispered Polly, sooth
,ingly.
| All was still; and the child SWee
little treble joined in the hymn.
One, two verses she sang, then, sud
denly sat down, for the motion within
the mui' was becoming very decided
Before the congregation had finished
the third verse, the movement had be
come a commotion, and the child with
Ia red and anxious face was trying to
| icheck her prisoners attempts to escape
| The singing was over at last anc
there was pause in which the faintes
sound could be heard. 1t was ther
that there came distinct angry NEW
| Poor polly hid her face as much a
possible. 1t seemed to her that every
body near and far was frowning, and
looking straight through the muff t
the kitten that was so tired of he
close quarters. She grasped the pris