The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-07-23
THE RIFT WITHIN THE Lutte.
AY HAnnrrr PRESCOTT srorroaD.


Az HARRiEr PRESCOTT sPoFFoRD.
Such a picture of peace as the pretty
parlor was. with the sunshine pouring in
through the window Of flowers, with the
IRE upon the hearth, the pale rose and
buff Of the chintz draperies and lounges,
the books, the prints, the great lemon
tree in its carved tub, and, reposing on
the rug before the FIRE, two Of the most
superb cats that ever arched baek-a
great gray and black tigrine, with eyes
Ike periods, and a tortoise-shell whose
beatty was apparent as he lay at his full
full length, with his head reposing on
the luxurious cushion he had made of
Grimalkin. On one side of the fire sat
woman Of some forty or fifty summers,
with paper spread open on her lap into
which she was shreddinga remainder of
the bouquet Of catnip which the pussies
had recently enjoyed. She looked like
! one Of those people whom instinct has to
take things easily, the system aware Of
its want Of power to endure great nerv
Gus irritation without explosion, a good
nstured little woman who must needs be
happy herself, and TO that end must have
every one about her happy
The person standing in the window
was very much the opposite Of Miss Flor
~, tail, spare, dark and sour. In her
early life she lost her lover, and she still
regretted him in Grape, and had way Of
making people who were not in Grape re-
gret him, also. There was some reason
for the want Of resemblance between the
two FOR although they passed as sisters,
they bore really not the least relation to
each other-the old Judge having twice
married a widow with a daughter, and
having made the two daughters his own
and left them his property, they contin-
uing in the home that fate and fortune
had given them, bearing and forebearing
with each other and tolerably happy
until the day cat appeared to make
third
Yes, the parlor looked ike little cor
ner Of Eden walled in and furnished, |
especially with those flowers where Miss
Panelope's fingers twinklel, and with the
bird singing in the distance. You would /
not have dreamed that, instead, it was
the very borderland Of strife. Still, four
years ago, when those cats had been kit
tens, Miss Florry and Miss Penelope had
been on comfortable terms, and one day
had been going by like another in the
house with monotony that was peace
itself.
There was the morning paper, and
breakfast and the mail, and shopping,
and charities and dinner, and a nap and
a drive, and callers and tea, and the
evening paper and the evening mail, and
and game Of zanken, and
sleep.
And no question agitated them Of more
weight than whether Amelia Grey's dress
was new or made over, or whether the
stranger walking with Anna White was
engaged 10 her, or whether they should
have junket or custard for desert. And
now
Pet, the tiger cat, was an interesting
little being when he came, so scrawny
and preternaturally old in theexpression
Of his countenance that he was given the
title Of Grimalkin at once, without wait
ing to earn it, so hungry that Miss Flor
~ could not appease him, and 50 wild /
that no precious shelf was safe from his
scrambles.
81 like a cat that I can hold" said
Miss Penelope.
And l like Grimalkin," said Miss
Florry.
And l mean TO get cat that | can
hold,v said Miss Penelope.
hope Grimalkin viii like him,
then" said Miss Florry. And somehow
the little dialogue left bad taste in the
mouth of each of them.
Accordingly, it was not long before a
tat, little downy ball of kitten, born for
warmth and pleasure and ease appeared
upon the scene, curled himself up in eve
~ comfortable corner from Miss Florry's
work basket to Miss Penelope's soup
plate, made a cushion Of Grimalkin, and
a slave of Miss Penelope.
You're not going to call him Spot ?'
said Miss Florry. 4" Doesn't it argue a
great pauci;y Of invention And isn't it
a dogs name ?"
~It's cats name now, said Miss PEN
elope, rather sharply
spot Spot Spot y called Miss Flor
ry, trying it on and coaxing the pretty
mite with her fingers Well, it's as
good as Tabby. He is tabby cat.'
Then tabby cat is pretty cat, and
the sponsor took him of for nap by
her side
a Now look here, Forry," said Miss
few weeks later, and when
she had acquired sense Of possession in
the new pet, / shant have Grimalkin
Spot in the way he does"
Why, Pen, should think it WAS
Spot worrying Grimalkin-stretched out
at full length on him"
"0h. now. But an hour ago Grimal-
kin wouldn't let him rest. teasing him
into regular fight"
q Oh, guess Grimalkin can take care
Of himself. He's more than twick Spots
age"
That's Just like you, Florry. You
always did take the side of the strong
sr."
@well. even the strong have rights"
aid Miss Florry, resuming her crochet
ing.
And I'ye no doubt that Spot will be
.wice Grimalkln's size, presently, not to
be diverted from the main issue Of not
having her cat imposed on.