The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-27
Mr.. Johnson ON the Back Fence.

OOUUSOuy ClOblDR DUOh Wlbu d DduS
and throwing it on the table al wish that
they would keep still for few minutes
and let me study" he added, going to the
window and glazing into the backyard.
"Me-ow-w-w," came in high soprano
from the darkness.
"Scat," shouted Mr.. johnson, closing
the window and resuming his reading.
Meow-ow-wow." "M-ow-ow-wow.ow."
Fff-ssss-ow."
Mr.. johnson threw down his book in
despair. He had been trying all the even
ing to fasten his mind upon the study of
"The Thusness of the Wherefore" by
famous Boston philosopher, and as he was
not especially interested in the subject,
the cat concert troubled him sorely. 1t
was getting late, and Mr.. johnson was
sleepy, and this did not improve his tenn
per, so after taking few turns up and
down his room, he seized cane and NUT
tered:
"Pll just 60 down into the yard and
kill few dozen of those cats, then maybe
1 can read in peace"
With scowl of savage determination
on his face, he tramped down stairs and
made circuit of the yard. Not cat
was to be seen. Mr.. johnson drew his
coat around him and seated himself on
garden bench.
"Now I'll wait till they come back !;
then I'll slaughter them," he murmured.
In order to improve his time, he busted
himself in thinking over what he had
been reading. 1t was not long before he
heard a low call of "Mariar on the fence,
just above his head. He glanced up and
there set his landlady's big maltese, Tom,
the pride of the neigborhood.
Mariar-r," repeated Tom, raising his
voice; "can | come in to your back
yard ?"
A come in soprano voice, from the
other side of the fence, was evidently the
answer Tom wanted, for he disappeared.
Mr.. johnson sat still and listened. The
voices were low at first, but rose as the
speakers became interested, and the first
words that Mr.. johnson caught were,
"Let's sing the tower song"
Then followed something which Mr..
johnson says must be heard to be appre-
ciated. Tom had fine tenor voice, and
he sang with great expression, b" Niece
ow, ow-ow-wow-wowowo,"g giving the ia
nous selection from Trovatore in ex-
act imitation of Campanini the neigh
boris cat came in on the soprano part.
But just as they were giving the final
flourish the window of the house in the
rear opened, and dark object came
hustling through the air, striking the
fence with clatter; scramble ensued,
and Tom jumped over the fence and
alighted almost in Mr.. Johnson's lap.
"That was a pretty close shave" he re-
marked, as he rubbed against Mr.. John
sons leg. That backing brush Just
missed me by about an inch"
"Do you have many such narrow es.
capes ?" queried Mr.. johnson, forgetting
his anger and becoming interested.
Bless you, yes" replied Tom. al
used to have lots of them, but of late
have steadied down and stay at home, ex
cept when l 60 over to practice with
Marian"
81 should think that you would get
killed sometimes" suggested johnson.
"Oh, no." replied Tom, carelessly
Folks are generally sleepy and mad, anc
man in hundred can throw missile sc
as to hit acat ten feet off"
"Do the cats make such a noise as this
all over the city 7" queried MIR. johnson
"This ?" said Tom, in surprise. "Why
Vilo 10 QulcU uclSuDOIuOUQ' dho
walk with me and I'll show you. Their
is a political meeting around in Cranberr,
street ; come down there and you'll hear
noise.'
Tom jumped up on the fence, and Mr.
johnson followed. He says he don't know
exactly when the change took place, bu
when he reached the top of the fence h
found himself cat, and ga very goot
looking cat, too" he adds with some pride
He followed his friend over the fences
passing jovial crowd who were singing
"We won't 60 home till morning." till a
last they reached the shed, on the roof o
which the meeting was to be held. /
large number of cats were assembled, an,
were engaged in discussion when MI
johnson arrived.
"Rsr-r for Moses" screamed one ez
cited politician. This was greeted by
chorus of cheers and Kisses, showing tina
there were two factions in the ward.
"Moses and Refaumm," screamed on
party, led by young and sleek black ca
with high tenor voice.
"Brown and the party" beloved ia
and rather disreputable looking cat i
deep bass.
"That's old Gator, the wheel-horse c
the party" explained Tom. 1.-The othe
fellow in black is Augustus De Smyth'
the president of the Young Catocracy.'
"Mr. Chairman" shouted De Smyth,
"Mr. Chairman" yelled Gator.
g have the roof" snapped De Smyth,
glancing at his opponent.
You lie-e-e," growled Gator; the
followed scene of indescribable conf
sion, during which Mr.. johnson and ToI
beat retreat.
"Now I'll take you over to the singing
school," said Tom, running nimbly alon
the fence, picking his way around the ca
teasers and spikes set up to keep him an
his fellows at home.
They soon arrived at back yard wher
an ancient Grimalkin was putting ha
dozen youngsters through the scales. TIL
teachers body was scanned with many
scar, one eye was permanently closed an
one ear had been shot off.
Teaching singing.school is the mos
dangerous profession there u.s." explaine
Tom. "People don't mind politics
meeting, because it sounds so much like
fight that they lie in bed, hoping that "
will kill each other off. But everybod
objects to singing-school."