The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-08-07


little song as she assembled.
As Cassie slipped behind the closet
door her foot trod upon something soft
Instantly there was snarling, Kissing
sound, q frenzied rushing back and
forth in the closet, a scratching, wild
yowl. Cassie had shut the door, and
whatever it was rushed against her
ankles and tore at the sides OF the
room. 1t seemed as there were half
a dozen things trying to get out, or
trying to rend her into pieces. A cold
shiver, as if icy water had been dashed
upon her ran up and down her back.
Her heart seemed to have stopped en-
tirely. Then she shrieked-- mot once,
but over and over again, while the hor.
rible thing in the little dark room with
her kept up its dashing back and
forth, its desperate splitting and claw
ing.
Cassie's screams brought her father
and mother at once to the spot. They
flung open the closet door, and out
rushed Pumpkin Pussy, with eyes glar.
ing, tail as big as boa, and every
hair upon his back bristling straight
out. He fed out of the room and down
the stairs. Cassie continued to scream.
The gas was turned up and they drew
her into the light.
what is the matterp" cried her
mother.
At first Cassie could not utter word.
1.-The cat has terrified herr said her
father. He probably had a fit There,
Cassie, don't scream So"
What is it--what is it?" she at
length burst out, wringing her hands.
Nothing but pussy--pussy in a fit. !"
"Oh, no, it was something dreadful
hiding in the closet"
"How came you in the closetp"
asked her mother. "How did it hap
pen that you and pussy were shut in
there togetherp"
Cassie began to sob violently. Never
in the many times she had frightened
jamie had that little sister ever so ut.
terly lost her presence OF mind or
made such a commotion.
"Hush," said her mother, with some
sternness. "Quiet yourself. 1t is all
over now"
Little jamie was standing by pale as
a ghost, her chin quivering in sym
pathy and her eyes full OF tears.
"Are you sure it was only pussyp''
sobbed Cassie.
"Only pussy. Tell me now how
this all happened.
Cassie felt she might as we'll Out
with it. II came up to bed first.
jamie is always asking-about the
closet l thought it would be - fur
-to-to-" She sobbed anew.
Eyes, to brighten jamie littlep"
"To-cure her Of being so silly"
"Yesp"
"And when l stepped in the closet
to hide, my foot -"
"Your foot and pussy's paws OF
tail must have come together" said
her father. not able to repress smile.
81 guess so," said Cassie, able now
to laugh Historically through her
tears.
you thought to brighten jamie 8
little, and-the tables were turned
You were the frightened one?"
"Yes."
"You found it PLEASANT You would
have liked jamie to do that way BY
youP"
"N-no."
"Poor, poor Cassier' said jamie, will
fearful pity.
Eyes, poor Cassie!" said their mothe
-"poor Cassie, because she finds he
amusement in doing unto others ex
actly as she would not like them to d,
unto her."
81 think rll-never do it again"
"rm inclined to think this was
direct punishment upon you, Cassie
since your mothers wishes had so littl
weight with you. Something NOR
seemed to be necessary to make yo
remember. Perhaps this will do it.
After Cassie's nervous sobs wer
hushed, and the sorrowful tears fror
little Janie's eyes had been dried, thei
father went in search of pussy. H
was found in his favorite easy chair i
the sitting-room, his usual lazy serer
ity much disturbed. He responded
Janie's caress with plaintive new
On examination it was found that tn
tip of his tail had been broken. H
had doubtless been watching in tn
dark for mouse when Cassie mad
her stealthy entrance, and the heel c
her shoe had come down upon his ta
with force enough to separate ON
, of its slender joints. The pain ha
made him momentarily frantic. -
, II didn't know it was so dreadful
|, be frightened" confessed Cassie. whe
, it was all over. "And poor, innocel
, pussy had his share, too"
! Always after that Pumpkin Puss
carried the point Of his tail at a curior
, angle. That wry joint was sourc
OF remorse to Cassie every time sh
saw it.
"Oh. do straighten it. kitty" sh
would say. II can't bear to see it."
OF course Cassie was not immediate
ly cured of her disposition 10 "hav