The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-10-02

water, and the astOnished Peter, 'ulVe
10 the skin, fled, while Ms
Parker picked up Tiger and carried him +,
into the kitchen, lamenting over him as |
if he were a hurt child. Now Mrs. Par
ker was a shy and silent woman, but |
very resolute; she at once made up her
mind that the Mays cat should not in
trude on her premises to disturb Tiger. |
She had the garden fence REINFORCED,
and even a strip of wire netting added |
to its height on the Mays side; but she
could not cabin, crib, or contine Tiger
himself-a circumstance that vexed her
much. And when Peter came home to
Mary Ann after that first duel, dripping
like a drowned rat, she too was indig-
nant; but what could she do? Battles
set in, howls 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 Parller'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
meaning the Mays. Yet they were
friendly enough except on the cat que5-
ton. 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 sam
pies of cake, talked skilfully of pickles
and preserves; in fact, had liking
and respect for each Other-all but the
cats. I
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
"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 insist
ed on having a small home of his own,
if only a tenement in the village, prop
erly remarking; eve won't mix folks,
Manny-it don't succeed; besides, |
want you all to myself'-a peremptory
sort of logic that pleased Miss Mary
Ann, and made her assent hearty and
prompt.
no less time could the modest array of
clothing and house linen be made ready,
for chiefly it must be sewed by Nanny s
deft hands; and sewed it was, with no
intervention of machinery, and almost
ready, when-how shall l tell it!-one
pleasant February day Peter trailed into
the house with bleeding ear, a blink
ing eye, and one leg SO hurt that he
could not even limp on it. This was
the climax Nanny had winked al
Tlge's enormlties all that winter fol-
Mrs. Parker's sake (meaning Joe's)
she had only once hurled basin Of
dish-water over him, three times chased
him with a broom hsndle, and not
thrown more than a dozen stones al
him-which didn't count, for women
never hit any thing they throw at, or a
least men say so. But now Manny's
patience gave great gasp and died
She flew out of the door intent to main
or Stay, but Tige's black tail jus
whisked out of the gate; she could no
follow him, so she did the next thing
which was to wash Peters wounds, pu
him to bed in the cellar, fetch him dry
catnIp and warm milk, and leave him t
that solitude that the wounded ANNA
seeks, and the woundedman shuns.
1t was tea-timc then, and when Jo
came in at his hour for visitation h
found Nanny no longer tender, arch, o
sentimental; the hazel eyes had redde
spark IN then. than he had ever seen
the cheeks famed, and the red lips wer
puckered into a lovely severity instea,
of wreathed with smiles.
Joe" she began, rushing at one
into the fray, You will have to kill II
ger. l can't stand it. He has chawe
up Peter till he's most dead"
"NIy dear 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 Peter, and he
got to be killed"
But, Nanny, think of mother; She
! goin' to be alone, and she thinks ever
thing of Tiger. Why, she never woul
forgive me if killed him.
. "Well, if you like her better'n you d
me, all right. shall kill him, unle;
= pa will; so therer
; Now Joe was not used to girls an
their ways. He thought Mary An
meant every word she said. He VIZ
really frightened
6 But, Nanny, just think. What wi
l mother sayP"
/ 81 don care a cent what dnyboC
J says. will not stand by and see n
u dear, sweet old cat killed by a dreadr
j beast like that and not defend him. L
I phson it
n "Oh, Mary Ann" cried Joe.
"Then XII him YOURSELF" she 7
e torted.
u Il can not, > said Joe, steadily.
u Well he knew his silent mother love
u Tiger; Ike many another woman, 81
; bestowed on her pet all the demo
y strative affection she was too shy al
u too reserved to lavish on Joe. The C
o slept on her bed, followed her about Il
q house and garden, sprung up into h
u lap and purred there as she sat alone
u the evenings, and however fierce
q fighter of his kind, was devoted al
= loving to hls mistress. More than ev
% / 4 A 1,n ,lf,,gr g., him, ,,.,,,-