Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-06-21


where he could enjoy the fruits OF MS
poaching in security.
One day he stole some food that naa
been mixed with wine for sick fowl
that wanted picking up" Presently
the Kaffir cook, hearing sounds she
could not understand, ran out to see
what was the matter. There lag Bobby
on his back idiotically drunk. his little
black feet kicking aimlessly in the air,
and his wide open bill emitting the
most extraordinary noises that had
ever been heard from his volub!e and
versatile vocal chords. This episode
created decided taste for stimulants.
From that time Bobby haunted the
store-room with even more than his
former inquisitive pertinacity. sitting
on top of the cask when the wine was
being drawn for meals. bending down
and twisting his neck to reach the
stream as it flowed into the jug; grad
ually he learned to turn the tap and
help himself, so that great caution
was necessary that he should not re-
main alone in the store. as he never
learned to turn the tap back again.
Unfortunately Bobby reveled in mis-
chief, not for the sake of any good
which it brought him, but from some
Unborn cussedness" He was never
SO happy as when busily engaged in
some work of destruction, and when
discovered he would retreat to safe
distance, and if pursued would always
manage to keep just out of reach,
though not too far for one to see the
triumph Of enjoyment in his wicked
old eye, and to hear his defiant croak
rs he strutted ahead, looking back
triumphantly over his shoulder. 1t
was most provoking on going to the
garden to find that the few rows of
peas or French beans which had been
raised with much trouble were all
rooted up to make play for Bobby.
The culprit himself would probably be
out of sight, for his gardening opera
tons were usually carried on in the
early morning; but once he was
caught so deeply engrosscd in putting
the finishing touches to a row of beans
which he had pulled up and laid in
their places with even more than his
usual neatness, that he only looked up
in time to see his angry master a few
yards off picking up large stone. In
an instant the imp's mind was made
up. Instead of attempting flight and
probably getting hit by the stone. he
impulsively threw himself on his own
er's generosity. perched on his
shoulder, kissing him rapturously. and
at oAce winning the pardon he SO lit
tie deserved.
Another piece of mischief was carry
ing off any thing bright, such as
spoons or forks. and one day razor,
and dropping them into the well. For
this he had to be forbidden the house,
and Toto, the collie, learned to turn
him out at the instant he appeared in
side the doors. Bobby became very
jealous of Toto and the other pets.
which. less mischievous than himself,
were allowed indoors, and he especial
ly delighted in teasing the little SURF
cate. He would come up noiselessly
behind. and catching the tip of Ming's
tail in his bill, would lift the little fell
low of his legs. take him few feet
into the air and drop him suddenly.
Then, after waiting few minutes I'M
til Ming was again off his guard, he
would repeat the performance. The
suricate-a plucky. independent little
person-resented the insult deeply,
chattering and scolding vehemently,
showing his rows of sharp teeth as he
hung helplessly by the tail; but he was
powerless against his prosecutor, and
had to submit to be whisked up unex-
pectedly as often as his tormentor, by
right of superior strength. chose to in
dulge in this practical joke.
At last, for his numerous offenses,
Bobby was sentenced to be tied up; a
bangle OF twisted wire was fastened
around one leg. and attached to long
piece of wire outside the window;
and there, so long rs there were little
chickens about the house or tender
vegetables in the garden, he had to
remain. At first we feared that, with
his keen appreciation of freedom and
love of independence Bobby would
pine in captivity; but he was some
what of a philosopher. and resigned
himself to circumstances, making the
best of his fate He harbored no re-
sentiment; but, with his sweet temper
quiet unimpaired by reverse of fort
une. he would give us just as warm
and joyful greeting and caress as
lovingly as in brighter days. He had
a variety of resources at his command
to Lcguile the time. and when not en-
gagged in tearing the plaster off the
house or picking the putty out of the
windOw-frames would be found work.
ing perseveringly to get free of his
bonds. Then. when he had succeeded,
as he did several times. devastation in
the garden, empty egg shells in the
hen nests and sad gaps among the
rising generation of fowls. showed the