The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-17

il her disposition. which was simply angelic;
DO ugly scratching aud snariinC, no cross
and greedy a. q selfish ways from Dolly
Dut;Cn. Ny teasing brothers lad great
laugh at me for saying once, Win p.aint.ve
content:
she sets the whole family al example,
mamma"
How my father-the most tender and in
dulgent of fatbers-came 10 give Dolly away,
is mystery TO me. ! suppose be did not re-
alize how strong my attachment was l am
sure that ne was annoyed by the number OF
pets that mewed and barked, that sung and
soEealed and cackled, in house and yard.
Perhaps he did not stop 10 think. The fact
remains that when a merchant in the village
asked Lin for a cat TO rid MS store OF mice,
be selected Dolly and her first family, con-
sistiDg of two very fat coal-black kittens,
nearly as big as their mamma. The blow
fell quickly and heavily. Before my child
ISL II ind was able 20 grasp the extent Of the
calamity, Dolly DuttOn was gone!
Contrary 70 my habit my grief was silent
ana controlled, ana therefore failed TO at
tract much attention in the family. ! soon
became IL, however, and could neither eat,
sleep, nor play.
Ia a few days the merchant saw my father,
and said
What in the world do you suppose is the
matter with that cat? Her kittens are
starving. She won't eat anything"
tered my father.
The merchant took him into his store and
up 10 the comfortable, light garnet, where
poor Dolly was found in most forlorn con-
dition. She mewed family when my father
entered, but persistently refused the milk
and meat he offered her, and OF which there
was an abundance close by her bed OF car
petlng.
That day at dinner my father regarded me
thOughtfully, and by-and-by asked If l
would ike 10 go with him 10 see my cat.
His kind tone and the unexpected proposal
were too much for me and burst into pas
sion OF tears, revealing my lOng-hidden woe.
Immediately after dinner l was ready. Ny
cheeks burned and limbs shook as We noun
ted the steep, rough stairs TO the garrett.
The merchant went with us. ! could not
speak when | caught sight of Dolly in her
corner. ! kneeled down beside her, and
shOwered kisses on her head. The little
creature was too weak to stand, put she
purred and mewed and licked nay face for
JOY. The two spectators were touched.
See if she will eat from your hand, dear"
said my father.
offered her the meat and the milk, and
she ate and drank hungary. The kittens
were alive.
Il should like to keep the cat till the
young ones are old enough TO be left" said
the merchant.
And my father willingly consented, add
Lex LLSI SDOGlO come every DAY 10 Ieeu
her. The thought OF her having been given
away seemed to have vanished from the
mind of both.
Well DO remember the day when, leaving
her kittens nicely grown, my pet was brought
back to me. Her delight was unbounded;
she WOULD not stay a moment out of my
arms. 1t was in June, and very warm, and
there were friends dining with US. All the
windows and doors were open; and it seems
TO me as ] write, that / can hear the drowsy
mUrmur Of voices, and can breathe the
heavy perfume of syringas blooming in the
garden.
Dolly Outlived many OF her race, her
Grandmother, mother aud several of her
children dying before her. At the age of
twelve, her own time came; and now she
lies beneath a sweetheart bush, with a little
white stone at her head.