The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-05-05
Spry.

One September afternoon we went
in search of a new kitten. Dora had
had several Maltese cats, which had all
come to grief, one after the other. So
now she wanted to try a change, hoping
to be more fortunate in the future. She
had set her heart on having tiger
striped one. So we drove some distance
into the country, inquiring where such
one could be found. There were
black and white and yellow, all kinds
except the wished-for tiger; but,
finally we drew up before large farm
house where we had heard that they
had some young kittens, and, to our
great delight, our hopes were realized.
The owner was very willing to part
with one of them, the prettiest little
tiger that ever was seen. So, putting
him carefully in basket, we brought
him safely home. The next thing was
to find name for the new pet, and
many were suggested. Finally it was
decided that Spry would be the most
appropriate.
For the first few weeks Spry re-
quired great deal of attention, as he
was in every kind of mischief possible
for "a kitten, among other things chewing
strings and partly swallowing them, SO
that they had to be pulled out of his
mouth, much to his discomfort.
When he grew older he did many
amusing things. He had way, when
particularly pleased, of walking on his
hind legs, with his head cooked on one
side and his forepaws stretched out
often making leap at his mistress
face, if she happened to look too stead.
lily at him. One day Spry came very
near his end. Dora heard loud new
of distress, and hurrying to the con.
servatory, which was connected with
the house, found him in tank filled with
water. Poor Spry! His curiosity had
led him too near the edge and he had
fallen in. Nothing but his nose was
above, and he was struggling with al
his might to save himself. The little
creature was shivering and exhausted
when taken out, but warm blanke
and the heat from the register soon re
vived him. Even this experience die
not affect his love for the water, as he
would go to the tank almost every day
hang over the edge, and with his fore
paws splash the water in every direc
ton. If little happened to be running
from the faucet, he would gracefully
toss the drops with his paw. Some
times he seemed almost angry with thu
water, returning again and again, strik
ing it violently and wetting everything
around. He was quite expert in pull
ing out whatever was in the tank
Once he drew out some pond-lilie
and carried them off in his mouth, play
ing with them as if they were mice.
Every open door, drawer or box was
sure to be explored by the curious kit
ten; and sometimes he was found en-
joying comfortable nap in the crown
of Dora's hat. One day he was miss
ing; and every corner was searched il
vain. Notices were put on the trees il
front of the house and in the village
and reward offered for his return, bu
with no success until after three days
when the coachman happened to thinl
of remote corner in the barn, and, or
lifting the boards, found the forlorl
little object, so weak from want of fooC
that he could not cry and so Tight,
squeezed in that he was unable to move
1t seems that, when the rolling doc
of the barn was closed, there was space
between it and the wall which hi
curiosity had led him to investigate
The door being opened suddenly
pushed him into so small a place thai
he was unable to get out. 1t took Spr,
several days to recover his strength an(
courage, and the barn was avoided fol
| weeks