The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-31
FOR TIE YOUNG FOLKS.
FACTS AND FANCIES LIKELY TO
PLEASE THEM.

Redeeming Traits ofthe Cat-some Unique
school Escuses-Oniy Little '""p-
ChIldren's Need Of sympathy-sugges-
tion for the Elders.
4 certain household in a london suburb
were without a cat, and the nice gre"
thick. very beautiful tabby was gwen
70 them. But 10 and behold she proved 10
be a sdd thief, and stole all from the pantry
that she could get her claws on. she was
given away and sent away, but she came
back. Besides this she proved TO DE very
much belle of the neighborhood, ana the
garden of her. owners was full OF the most
lawful concerts each night. Finally she
was drowned. The weather was too cold
to dig her grave at once, and while waiting
for sunshine. as IL was freezing outside, the
body Of the sinner was laid in an old
arbor. The next day, a. one of the family
was walking toward the arbor, what
did he see but strange cat, dark IN
color. squatted down beside the dead taDOy.
The coming of the person disturbed
him, and he ran away. The next day ne
was seen in the same position, ana the next
II was the cat Of a neighbor tnat had Deen
fond of playing with the deceased. third
dav Of freezing cold came, and 10, the stran-
ger was discovered to be again beside his
plavmate-but dead. He had been frozen
10 death while mourning for his friend. Inc
family buried them III the same grave in the
Garden. like lovers in old ballads.
Cats are not only grateful. but generous.
Here is a very remarkable story, but quite a
true one. as 10 that. \ well-knOwn mem
Der of the British Geological Society owned
a very large and solemn-lo0king eat, very
digniiied and wcll-bred. He was allowed
10 come to the family dinner-table-0nly
two or three persons being in the household
and sat up on a char, and wore napkin
round his neck, and always enjoyed piece
of fish. The fish he ate 10y taking 1t rom
the plate with his paws in the pieces into
which his master cut it; but he behaved
beautifully, and usually had second sup
ply from his masters plate. one day he
did not come 20 the dnner-table at the Sc
cOnd sound of the bell. just as the family
were eating the third course. In lie rushed.
He sprang up next to his master, ana II was
seen. TO the general dismay of all. that he
had two mice in his mouth. One he dropped
into his masters plate, and the other mo
his own, and looked up with the greatest
pride and plcasurc.-E. !. :. IN liarpeTs
Young People.
Some Unique Excuses.
once taught school IN the backwOods,
and. as was the custom then, required a
written excuse when a pupil was absent
one or more DAYS. Some Of those excuses !
have kept, and they afford me deal OF
amusement after all the years that nave
come and gone.
Here is an excuse brought one day by a
tall, red-haired boy of seventeen:
"Dere Cir: Pleze TO eggcuce Henry for
absents Yesterday. We made s0urkrout
and he had to tromp it down. Also he had
to Help bucher 2pigs. Respectful yuers'
His PAP"
"Did your father write this excuse him.
self" asked.
"No. sir" replied Henry; 81 writ it for
| him. cause he cans spell very good
am clad 10 add that Henry's spelling I'M
proved while | had him in charge. Another
| boy brought me this excuse;
"KIND TEACHER: Alb could not come
Yesterday on account of taring his pants
very bad lust before starting, so 1t took me
most all day TO mend them up
4 bOV of about ten years who had been
absent two weeks brought me the follow
| ing:
John Henry had a soar tow, also soar
throte aud a soar finger. Please egcuse.
\ girl of about fourteen, whose mother
affected a degree Of culture and great men,
tai superiority over her neighbors, Drought
me the following note:
"DFAR SIR: / trust YOU will pardon Al
clones wholly unavoidable absence yester-
| day. Circumstances are not always con-
rOllable by our finite minds. as you are no
| dOubtc aware. We are all subject 10 lmnu-
! table laws and are constantly doing what
we would nOt-alas. Therefore AlciOne' :
unavoidable failure TO attend yesterdays
session. / trust | may not soon have to in
| dite similar unexpected circumstance.
| Believe me TO be
"YOurs truly and respectfully.
ANAsTAsIA {. IL
simpler and more directly to the point
was the excuse brought me by tOw-headed
little cir! of about eight years, whose mother
wrote:
"Phnbe could not be there or she would
of went. think she ct too much sossage
for breakfast. She sha'n't do il agen.
Please excuse her.
4 bov of sixteen who came very irfegu-
larlv always brought this excuse iro2 his
! father:
"Excooze Bill"
That was all there was of II, but as
| I
coOzed Bill" accOrdingly.-J, J.. Harbour
in September Wide-Awake.
"OnIy Little Chap"
Il know" said the conductor, as he tim
shed counting up and lighted a cigar
..that most people consider us a hard
hearted lot. but we've got to be, or at least
must appear to be. \ railroad company
| has little 10 do with sentiment and great
deal 10 do with business. llcan't afford Il
| let people ride at my expense, and so what
am to dO:'
No remedy being suggested, he smoked
away in silence for two tOr three minutes
and then continued:
| Il didn't use to have so much heart about
#. always eXcusing myself on the plea Of
duty: but one night about three years agC
something happened which has kept my
heart pretty soft ever since. 1t was on the
run out OF Buffalo, and when ! came tC
take up the fares | came across woman
and child. She was pale-faced and poorly
clad. and she had a world OF trouble in hel
face. | saw that in general way. but II
was not my business 10 pity her. The chil(
with her, boy of seven or eight, was WINS
| back on the seat, with her old shawl for 1
pillow. She offered me one full-fdre ticket
TO a point about forty miles below. but
demanded one for the boy.
"'Please. SIR she said, we are very
psor. and he's only little chap, and In
! taking him home TO die
"There was no excuse, and plainly t0l(
her that she must pay for him or he'd have
TO get off, | thought she was trying 10 bea
his way, but in this was mistaken. 1t wa
a dark and rainy night, and she'd neve
have got ready 10 leave the train at the mex
| stop if she'd had money to pay for the boy
felt bit ashamed when | saw her making
ready. and it hurt me 10 see her lean owe
him and both cry together, but one of on
men had been discharged only week beior
for overlooking a one-legged soldier VIII
ONLY wanted lift for ten miles"
And no one offered TO pay the boys fare 2
"For a wonder, no. There was full
crowd in the car. but all seemed 10 Loo
upon the pair with suspicion. | hated Z
put them of. and ! was hoping the woma
would make one more appeal and gave m
a show 10 back water, when the train ra
into -, and she made ready 10 get of
The least | could do was TO help her wit
the boy. picked him up and started L
follow her out, but had scarcely take
notice of his white face and tear-wet cheek
when he uttered a shrek of fear. straighter
ed out in my arms, and next instant kne'
| 1 hold a cornse Yes sir, the life went GU