The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
'But that settled Cows is only COWS
anyhow said Miss Liddy to herself.

''But that's settled Cows is only COWS
anyhow said Miss Liddy to herself.
Prince was the only thing left to be cared
for. The big Maltese seemed to feel that
change was approaching which might inter
fere with his comfort, and set himself to
work to make the most of present oppor-
tunties. If his mistress sat down mo-
ment to rest from the labor of preparation.
he immediately ensconced himself III her
lap; and at night, absolutely refusing to
sleep in his basket. he stretched himself,
purring heap of warm fur, on the foot OF
her bed. Miss Liddy went over in her
mind the condition of every family IN the
neighborhood in her efforts to decide on a
home for Prince. One neighbor had kind,
ly offered to take him, but she had SINAI!
boys, and Miss Liddy knew they would pull
his tail and otherwise torment him.
"prince hates the sight of boys she said
to herself. land I've got no right to put HIM
among EN-
Another woman, who had no boys, was
willing to feed the big cat and give him a
home, only he must sleep IN tho wood
shed. Prince sleep in the wood-shed, in
deed 10 Miss lIiddy's mind a queens
boudoir was none too good for the bedroom
of his royal catship. sf
The two weeks were long past, November
was drawing near, and Clover still chewed
| her cud peacefully in her warm stall. Prince
| was still lord of the cottage, and MISS Llddy
| opened her eyes every morning upon the
| same old elm tree.
..Its nv opinion she's throwin' up what
| she calls the chance of her life just for the
sake of that old Malty." said Mrs. Ditson,
whose contempt for cats was second only to
her contempt for ''travellin'."
This was in large measure true. Miss
Liddy could not bring herself to desert
Prince: The more she Thought OF II, Inc
| more impossible it seemed. 1t she were
away, be might be shut ont-of7do on a
snowy night; he even might have no turkey
for Christmas. 1t made Miss Llddy shud-
der to think of it. There were other things
too, that troubled her. Visions OF tne
her throat haunted her dreams, and 1t sud
denly occurred to her that tramps-worse
than all the moths and dust IN the worlo-
might break into the barn, perhaps the cot
tage itself. and hold riot among her cher
ished household lares and penates; tneN
might even set fire to the buildings, and sh'
would return to a heap of blackened rub
: | bish.
One morning Mrs. Ditson, coming TO
her daily chat, found Miss Liddy hard n
work undoing the wrapping from the par
lor furniture, and hnmming an old tune a
she stepped briskly about the room. Prince
perched upon the centre table, was watch
ing her with evident satisfaction.
l "Why, Liddy! what's the matter! AIN
/ YOU goin'?'' exclaimed Mrs. Ditson..
II don't know as be, and don't knoS
t but be. l4isbeth's comm home, repiie
Q Miss Liddy. giving vigorous whisk 70 he
t feather duster. 20
/ "Wel,. / never! When's she comm? Any
Q thin the matter with her?" asked Mrs. Dl'
), son, eager for q new bit of gossip. :,
v mo, she's well enough. guess, SAL
Q Miss Liddy, without stopping her wofl
y 1T seems she and Hiram came to port las
n week, and he's goin' off this time witnou
J. her She writes she's tired out sailln' a
10 and down, and she wants to come here VII
S. the children a1ld rest speck. She calkel
q lates to get here day before Christmas; say
i she hasn't eat New England Christine
d dinner for years, poor thing.
g Them turkeys IL come in handy ats
ID all. Liddy,' said Mrs. Ditson. with girl
Or Eyes. they'll taste appetizin' to Lisbetl
1t And I've got apples and vegetables IN :!
l. cellar, lots of 'em. 1t seems kinder like II
Is work of Providence that l didn't sell e
le off afore now. don't it? replied Miss Lidd
I'd too happy at the.turn of affairs to pay attel
n tion to the mischievous amusement of h
er neighbor.
Il should think you might go away ea'
Of now Lisbeth's coming" said Mrs. Ditso
Mt IF she's goin' to stay here she can tai
W care of everythin and keep it just as q
After Christmas you can start and go rig
I'D out west as You was intendin'."
he "Now, MIS- Ditson. when haven't SCI
he Lisbeth for years do you s'pose I'd GO rig
by off aud leave her like thatr' said Miss Ii
dy, her eyes swapping as she stopped
". work and faced her guest. And then Ii
to beth never was good at managln. IT
lily house would be a pretty-lookin' place aft
CIV she'd had it awhile. And then there's
children. They're all girls. thank the Lol