Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-07-19
PADRE VERDUGO'S CATS.

1dufe MdbeO NeTuuEO was JIle NeueF-
able priest in charge of an Indian mis-
sion near the coast of California. The
mission is now majestic ruin; but 60
years ago Padre Mateo was busy man.
One morning, while the sacristan
slept, Padre Mateo sat outside his door
with big book on his knees.
The padre had almost fallen asleep,
when, hearing the patter of bare feet,
he looked up to see dark skinned boys
carrying litter of kittens toward the
creek.
"Quei Que!" cried the padre, rubbing
his eyes. Would you destroy the poor
kittens?s
Isl, padre, replied one little Indian
"Para que ?"que toned the priest
@They are too many, padre, answered
the little Indian, poking his great toe in
the dust.
But wait! The pretty thingsi They
have mot yet beheld the light of day. Give
them to mel" cried the benignant priest.
They shall not perish. for l will care for
them myself. Are they not pretty, my
worthy Guadaloupes Open thine eyes
for one instant
Had the sacristan foreseen the conse-
quences he would have made remon-
STRANGE before the PADRES passion
but being sleepy and sell
fish, Guadaloupe settled himself for an
other nap.
At the end of the second year Padre Ma
teo's cats were the bane of the sacristan's
life.
Must /" thought he, with rising
spleen, i, who am 20 years old and have
a stitch in my back k-must /, besides
dusting the altar and ringing four heavy
bells and tending the PADRES house
must do obedience to yowling cats?
Es vergonzoso, indeedi"
Had he not feared the PADRES maledic-
ton he would have murdered the Great
ures without compunction. The cats
fourished and the padres fondness in
creased, and Guadaloupe was scolded
more frequently than ever Heart of
stone!" the priest would exclaim, would
you let them starve? am sure you gave
no milk to Carminr's new kittens this
dayi and well you know she has not
enough for them ALL You
shall do penance for your iniquitiesl"
"But, your excellency, the sacristan
would demonstrate with great humility,
Il had no milk left after supplying the
sick babe of the squaw who died last
week. Surely the kittens can wait.
sWait? ?" stormed the padre. "Are
they not wailing from hunger even now?
Their cries pierce my heart. How can
leave them to your charge, and go
away for eight long days-and go
mustl"
At these words hope sprang up anew
in Guadaloupe's perfdious heart
@Art thou going away, reverend
padre2" he asked meekly. "Am /, in
deed, to be left alone for eight days q"
1T is true" replied the priest sadly.
81 must go. am summoned to report
to my superior at San Luis Rey; and the
journey will require eight days. But
how can / go? The Indians can get
along well enough, to be sure. but what,
/ ask you, heart of wood, what will be-
come of my cats?"
Next day, as Padre Mateo trudged
slowly down the road, a sardonic smile
came upon the countenance of the wicked
sacristan.
It was nearing midday. Already Ig-
natius, the oldest and leanest and hun
griest of the cats, had appeared, shifting,
to learn if dinner was being. cooked.
Il viii teach thee-villainl" muttered
the sacristan, fiercely, as he busted him
self building a fire. II will teach thee
to sit and glover at me while work till
my body shakes with wearinessl"
When the meal was ready Guadaloupe
went to the door. Come, Carlotta, dear
estl Come, my Pedrol Come, Carlosl"
he called tenderly. Hasten within, for
thy dinner waitsl Be quick, then; all Of
your
When the cats were seated Guadaloupe,
after tightly closing the doors, hurried TO
the chapel From the altar he selected
the largest crucifix, and, bearing this in
the left hand, and great whip behind
him in his right hand, he returned to
the padres house.
Holding the crucifix before him, the
sacristan entered the room where the
cats were assembled. @Now wretchesi
brutesl villainsl" he shouted-and at
each word came cut from the whip
@fiendsl monstersl ungrateful beastsl
Receive your punishment"
The astonished creatures leaped from
their seats and tore madly about the
little room, but they could not get be-
vond the reach of Guadaloupe's whip. He
lashed right and left, stin holding the
crucifix before him, till at last he could
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