The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-08-01
md they drew


her into the light
What Is the matters" cried her
mother.
AT first Cassie could not utter word.
THE cat has terrified her." said her
father. He probably had q fit There,
Cassie. don't scream So"
What is it-what Is FTP" she at
length burst out, wringing her hands.
Nothing but pussy-pussy in IT. !"
''Oh, no, 1t was something dreadful
hiding in the closet"
.'HOw came you In the closct?"
asked her mother. How did it hap
pen that you and pussy were shut in
there together?"
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 commotion.
Hush" said her mother. with some
sternness. .Quiet yourself. It 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 pussy?"
sobbed Cassie. ;.
'Only pussy. Tell me now how
this all happened.
Cassie felt she might as we'll out
with 1t. II came up to bed first.
jamie is always asking-about the
closet thought 1t would be - fun
-to-to-" She sobbed anew.
Yes, to brighten jamie a little?"
''To-cure her of being SO silly"
"Yes?"
''And when l stepped in the closet
to hide, my foot -"
"Your foot and pussy's paws or
tail must have come together said
her father, not able to repress smile.
II guess SO" said Cassie. able now
to laugh Historically through her
tears.
You thought to brighten jamie a
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"
MO-
Poor, poor CASTER said janis. with
fearful pity.
Yes, poor Cassie!" said their mother
-''poor Cassie, because she finds her
amusement in doing unto others ex-
actly as she would not like them to do
unto her."
Il think Tll--never do II again"
I'm inclined to think this was
direct punishment upon you. Cassie,
since your mothers wishes had SO little
weight with you. Something more
seemed to be necessary to make you
remember. Perhaps this will do it."
After Cassic's nervous sobs were
hushed, and the sorrowful tears from
little JAMES eyes had been dried, their
father went in search OF pussy. He
was found in his favorite easy chair in
the sitting-room, his usual lazy seren-
ity much disturbed. He responded to
JAMES caress with plaintive NEW.
On examination it was found that the
tip OF his tail had been broken. He
had doubtless been watching in the
dark for mouse when Cassie made
her stealthy entrance, and the heel Of
her shoe had come down upon his tail
with force enough to separate one
of its slender joints. The pain had
made him momentarily frantic.
Il didn't know it was so dreadful TO
be frightened, !" confessed Cassie. when
it was all over. "And poor, innocent
pussy had his share. too"
Always after that Pumpkin Pussy
carried the point OF his tail at a curious
angle. That wry joint was a source
OF remorse to Cassie every time she
saw it.
''Oh, do straighten it. kitty" she
would say. II can't bear to SEQ II"
OF course Cassie was not Immediate
" cured of her disposition to .'have
fun ut the expense Of others. But this
experience went far toward making
her more thoughtful and considerable.
ut was q most natural and fitting
result" her mother said. And, much
as she disliked to admit il, Cassie
thought SO too Mrs. Clara
Bafes. in Chicago Advance.