Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-10-02

-1nns oA1 AluQC ECl dSSIut nCul y
and prompt.
They meant to be married in April; in
no less time could the modest array of
clothing and house linen be made ready,
for chiefly it must be sewed by Manny's
deft hands; and sewed it was, with no
intervention of machinery. and almo t
ready, when how shall I tell it, one
pleasant February day Peter trailed into
the house with a bleeding ear. blinking
eye, and one leg so hurt that he could
not even limp on it. This was the eli
max. Nanny had winked at Tige's enor-
miniti.s all tina. winter for Mrs. Parker's
sake lmeaning Joe'sl; she had only once
hurled a basia Of dishwater over him,
three times chased him with broom
handle, and not thrown more than a
dozen stones at him-which didn't count,
for women never hit anything they throw
at, or at least men say so.
But now Manny's patience gave great
gasp and died. She few out of the door
intent to main or slay, but Tige's black
tail Just wisked ont of the gate: she
could not fellow him. so she did the
next thing, which was to wash Peters
wounds. put him to bed in the cellar,
fetch him dry catnip and warm milk, and
leave him to that solitude that the
wounded animal seeks, and the wounded
man shuns.
1t was tea-time then. and when Joe
came in at his hour for visitation he
iound Nanny no longer tender. arch, or
sentimental; the hazel eyes had a redder
spark in them than he had ever seen, the
cheeks famel, and the red lips were
puckered into lovely severity instead of
wreathed with smiles.
'tJoe, she began, rushing at once into
the fray, ''you will have to xii Tiger. l
can't standjt. He has chawed UP Peter
till he's most dead"
MY dead girl" said Joe, in dis
mayed tone, mother sets by Tiger SO. :"
Il can't help it; he's horrid. dread
full cat, and he'll murder Feter, and he's
gotto be killed.
but, Nanny, think of mother; she's
goin' to be alone, and she thinks every
thing of Tiger. Why. she never would
forgive me if killed him
''Well, if you like her better'n you do
me, all hight. shall kill him, unless
pa will; so there"
Now Joe was not used to girls and
their ways. He thought Mary Ann
meant every word she said. He was
really frightened.
But, Nanny, Just think. What will
mother say!'
81 don't care a cent what anybody
says. will not stand by and see my
dear sweet old cat killed by dreadful
beast like that, and not defend him. I'll
p'i.on it"
''Oh. Marr Ann cried Joe.
"Then kill him yourself, she retorted.
81 cannot. said Joe, steadily.
Well he knew how his silent mother
loved Tiger; like many another woman.
she bestowed on her pet all the de
monstrative affection she was too shy
and too reserved to lavish on Joe. The
cat slept on her he'd, followed her about
the house and garden, sprung up into
her lap and purred there as she sat alone
in the evenings, and however fierce a
fighter of his kind, was devoted and
loving to his mistress. More than ever
did she cling to him now, in her word.
less jealousy of Joc's new love; for well
she knew that
Ny sons NV son till he gets him wife,
and deeply she felt. as most mothers
feel. that her rule and her JOY we're over.
Joe looked at Nanny with his heart in
his eyes. but that young persons wilful
soul had got the better of her sense and
her affection both: she had given Joe
her final test; she would find out now
whether he loved her or his mother best.
Poor Joe.
'You won't." she asked, setting he.
lips in firm red line
mo. " said Joe. with equal iirmness.
The situation had come to dead
lock.
Just then a wild scream was heard. and
a scurrying of feet. Mrs. Parker. with
face of fright. drew herself up on the
picket-fence, aad called for Joe.
.'Come quickr she cried. ''Tige has
tumbled into the cistern."
Joe ran as fast as he could. He knew
the cistern was two-thirds full, and its
sides slippery. but he had not an idea
what to do; he lost his wlts-and Mary
Ann found them.
She overlook him at the door of his
Hulutf ) hll-ucu- IlClC. uCiC. ouC
said, breathlessly; ''here's pas scoop
net; it's real strong. You can't get him
out any other way" And yet five
minutes before she had made it a vital
issue with Joe that he would not kill
this very cat. Girls are queer.
So Tige, resisting TO the last, was
fished out Of the water-butt and handed
over to his delighted mistress, who rolled
him in her apron and took him in for re-
pairs, flinging over her shoulder to
Nanny a curt: '1 don't know how to
thank We enough"
"Mannyi" said Joe, holding out his
arms in the moonlight.
Mary Ann rushed into them, and
sobbed out: II did act like all possessed
1 never should have liked you a mite
again if you'd killed Tigel" oh, wo-
mani womanl
So they were married, and lived happy
ever after, and had cat Of their OWL
handsome- than Peter, better thai Tige
and as peaceable as 9 Quaker. --ltoe
Terry Cooke, IN Boar.
Two '-ChestButs."
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