The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-02

ready to go to singing school and even-
ing meeting with him, 30 that his true
love ran ominously smooth.
But, alas there was trouble coming
Tige, the Parker cat, hurt himself serious
ly in an attempt to chimp the palings of
his jail yard, for they were old and rick
ETY., and could not bear his weight. His
mistress nursed him in the house for six
weeks with great care, and when he was
quite well again, and stronger than ever
with much feeding, he was allowed to
roam and ravage where he would, and
at once he lit upon Peter.
Dire was the conflict, but Mrs. Parker
hastened to the rescue with pail of wa
ter, and the astonished Peter, quite
drenched to the skin, fed, while Mrs.
Parker picked up Tiger and carried him
into the kitchen, lamenting over him as
if he were hurt child. Now Mrs. Park
er was shy and silent woman, but very
resolute. She at once made up her mind
that the Mays cat should not intrude on
her premises to disturb Tiger. She had
the garden fence reinforced, and even a
strip of wire netting added to it's height
on the Mays side; but she could not cab
in, crib or confine Tiger himself "a cir
cumstance that vexed her much. And
when Peter came home to Mary Ann
after that first duel, dripping like
drowned rat, she, too, was indignant; but
what could she dof Battles set in, bowls
by night, skirmishes by day. A piece was
soon bitten out of Peters lovely waving
tail, and Tiger lost half an ear. Nanny
made invidious remarks about Mrs.
Parker's cat every day of her life, and
Mrs. Parker made Joe's meals bitter to
his soul with evil speaking of Peter and
Peters family the Mays. Yet
they were 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 GRO
Chef edging, they exchanged samples of
cake, talked skilIfully Of pickles and pre-
serves; in fact, had a liking and respect
for each other-all but the cats.
Before the last pleasant autumn days
were gone Joe had gathered courage to
ask Mary Ann to marry him, and she had
prettily consented; they were excepting
company" now, and the old folks looked
on we'll pleased to think that neither of
their children would stray far from home.
though Joe insisted on having small
home of his own, if only tenement
in the village, properly remarking: "We
won't mix folks, Nanny = it don't sue
coed; besides, want you all to myself
a peremptory sort of logic that pleased
Miss Mary Ann and made her assent
hearty 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 in
tervention Of machinery, and almost
ready, when = how shall tell it?- one
pleasant February day Peter trailed into
the house with bleeding ear, a blinking
eye, and one leg SO hurt that he could
not even limp on it. This was the climax.
all that winter for Mrs. Parker's sake
(meaning Joe's); she had only once hurl-
ed a basin 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 a
great gasp and died. She few 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 thing, which was to wash Peters
wounds, put him to bed in the cellar,
give 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, AMI when Joe
came in at his hour for visitation he
found Nanny no longer tender, arch or
sentimental; the hazel eyes had redder
spark in them than he had ever seen, the
cheeks famed, and the red lips were
puckered into a.ovely severity instead of
being wreathed with smiles.
"Joe," she began, rushing at once into
the fray, "you will have to kill Tiger.
can't stand it. He has chawed up Peter
till he's most dead"
"My dear girl" said Joe, in dismayed
tone, another sets by Tiger So"
81 can't help it; he's horrid, dreadful
cat, and he'll murder Peter, and he's got
to be killed."
"But, Nanny, think of mother; she's 60
in to be alone and she thinks everything
of Tiger. Why, she never would forgive
me if 1 killed him."
"Well, if you like her better'n you do
me, all right. shall kill him unless pa
will; SO therep
Now Joe was not used to girls and
their ways. He thought Mary Ann
meant every word she said. He was
really frightened.
Il l. Il