The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-10-29

could not cabin, crib or confine Tiger
himself-a circumstance that vexed
her much. And when Peter came
home to Mary Ann after the first duel
dripping like a drowned rat, she, too,
was indignant; but what could she
do? Battle set in, howis by night,
skirmishes by day; q piece was soon
bitten out OF Peters lovely waving
tail and Tiger lost half an ear. Man
ny made ~individuous remarks about
Mrs. Parker's cat every day other life,
and Mrs. Parker made Joe's meals
bitter to his soul with evil speaking of
Peter and Peters family-meaningthe
Mays. Yet they we're friendly enough
except on the cat question. Mrs. May
taught Mrs. Parker how to knit new
heels into Joe's yarn stockings, and
Mrs. Parker showed Manny's mother
the last pattern of crochet edging;
they exchanged samples of cake, talk
ed skillfully OF pickles and preserves;
in fact, had a liking and respect for
each other-an but the cats.
Before the last pleasant autumn
days we're gone Joe had gathered cour-
age to ask Mary Ann to marry him,
and she had prettily consented; they
were "keepin' company" now, and the
old folks looked on well pleased to
think that neither of their children
would stray far from home, though
Joe insisted on having q small horae
OF his own, If only @ tenement in
the village, properly remarking:
1--WE won't mix folks, Manny-lt don't
succeed; beside, / want you all to my
self.-a peremptory sort OF logic that
pleased Miss Mary Ann and made her
assent hearty and prompt.
They meant to be married in April;
innoless time could the modest array OF
clothingaHd house linen be made ready,
for chiefly it must be sewed byManny's
def hands; and seWed it was with no
Intervention of machinery, and al
most ready, when-how shall 1 tell
it!-one pleasant February day Peter
trailed into the house with a bleed
ing ear, a blinking eye, and one leg
SO hurt that he could not even limp
on it. This was the climax. Nanny
had winked at Tige's enormities
oil that winter for Mrs. Parker's
sake meaning Joe's); she had only
once hurled a basin Of dishwater over
him, three times chased him with a
broom handle, and not thrown more
than q dozen stones at him which
didn't count, for women never hit any
thing they throw at, or at least men
say so.
But now Manny's patience gave a
great gasp and died. She flew out of
the door intent to main or slay, but
Tige's black tail just whisked out of
the gate; she could not follow him, so
she did the next best 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
found Nanny no lenger tender, arch,
sentimental; the hazel eyes had a red
seen, the cheeks famed, and the red
lips were puckered into aloyely severi-
ty instead of wreathed with smiles.
"Joe," she began, rushing at once
into the fray, you will have to kill
Tiger. 81 can't stand it. He's chew.
ed up Peter till he's most dead"
"My dear girl" said Joe, in a dis
mayed tone, mother sets by Tiger
so.n
~ can't help it; he's q horrid dread
ful cat, and he'll murder Peter, and
he's got to be killed" 6
"But, Nanny, think of mother;
she's goin' to be alone, and she thinks
everything of Tiger. Why, she eve
would forgive me if / killed him."
"Well, if you like her better'n you
do me, ell right. Ishall kill him; un-
less pa will; SO theref'
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?"
"Idon't care a cent what anybody
says. will not stand by and see my
dear, sweet, old cat killed by q dread
full beast like that, and not defend
him. I'll p'ison it.
"Oh, Mary Ami" cried Joe.
"Then kill him yourself" she retort.
ed.
81 cannot" said Joe, steadily.
Well he knew how his silent mother
loved Tiger; like many another wom-
an, she bestowed on her pet all the de-
monstrative affection she was toe shy
and two reserved to lavish on Joe.
The cat slept on her bed, 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 q fighter of his kind,
was devoted and loving to his mis-
tress. More than ever did she cling
to him now, in her wordless jealousy.
Of Joe's new love; for well she knew
that
my sons my son till he gets him a