Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-12-09
THE BLUE CAT.

There was, once upon u IlinS, lH un
islsnd of the East, an Incompatible
Princess, gifted with all the perfections
Of heart and mind. Her graces were
celebrated a hundred leagues round; /;
her kingdom was hourishing, her sub
iects respectful, her ministers capable.
She lived IN the time of the fairies.
More than a thousand suitors, all kings
Or sons of kings, aspired to her hand;
but the Ailla showed no favor to any of
them. the only preference she had ever
exhibited having been concentrated on
white Yelvetpaw, her favorite cat.
Velvetpaw was charming little
playful animal, with large irised eyes,
tufts at the ends of its shspely ears, and
coat so soft, silky, and abundant that
the Princess's hands disappeared when
she caressed it.
E1n imitation of the sovereign, all the
great people in the kingdom possessed
st least one favorite cat, which they
petted and nursed necessarily. They
were seen with Jewels in their ears.
bracelets on their paws, or with collars
ilconcelvably magnificent, they slept
op down and SATIN, ate out of golden
or silver dishes, and had servants to
themselves.
Those Of the middle class had to con-
tent themselves with silver jewelry,
and with eating out of porcelain
dishes but, more philosophic than men,
they ate with NO less appetite. This
island was, at that time, truly the par
sdlse OF cats; their lives, protected by
special laws, had nothing TO fear, either
from traps or from the river, which,
amongst US, makes so many victims.
They increased and multiplied at lei
sure, and their wishes were carefully
fespeesed. So it was that no country
bad ever cats so beautiful or SO numer
ous
When the shades of evening closed
il, the inhabitants went forth into theii
streets, without lanterns, their path
illuminated by thousands of flaming
eyes, beamipg from the house-tops tc
the -gratings, sparkling from the
shadows of every bush, from the tree
brauches above their heads, from the
hol,ows between the stones at theil
feet, climbing, crossing through space,
Ike flight of disordered stars.
Then it was a strange concert, dis.
eordant symphony, in which the new
Ina Of all ages and conditions mingled
Without confounding each other; at
first, mere confused rumor, which
beedlly grew into tumuit, filing the
Shades of night with alarms, augment
Ing, kissing, growing, to burst into 6
deepening fracas, in which the affrighted
ear might imagine it was listening, II
the midst of 1nhumsn roaring, to the
ignozIng cries of a child being put to
death.
But, with the coming of day
flames and battling dispersed, order
Returned, and the rnutineers o.
the night once again became
peaceful citizens, resumed the lnsignll
Of their dignities, their mild and lnof
iensive demeanour, and all the airs o
honest people incapable of committing
the smallest peccadiilo.
Ailla was living happily in this way
and all her people with her, when, one
fine night, she took it upon herself tc
dream of blue cat with topaz-colorec
eyes having upon its neck a collar oi
diamonds, the most sparkling In th'
world. Could a poor princess, VINO
has nothing to desire, dream OF any
thing else? So there would have beer
no great harm done, but for the inter
7enuon of IN enchanter one hundred
and twelve years old, VIII =, twice be-
fore, had explained to the Princess
what had troubled her sleep.
This magician lived not far from th'
royal palace in an old ruined towel
haunted by spirits, place Thoroughly
ntted, If there ever was one, Tor carry
Ing on of mysterious operations.
Allla went there, the very morning
after she had that dream, ATTENDED
by one slave only; for neither for evl
spirits nor women would the magician
put himself in the least out of the way
at the first sound of approa ching foot
steps, the owls, the DAVIS, and the raw
ems, who inhabited the sinister olf
tower, took wing with frighttUi ciat
Ter, and from under the shudderlns
grass yipers and serpeats glided, hiss
ing now softly, now angrily.
At the entrance to a large room
draped with enormous spiders webs,
great toad croaked three times
Though the sun had been for some timt
nsen, a dim light. like that of the
moon, alone entered this awe-inspirinG
dwelling, which was almost filled will
darkness.
In the Obscurest corner of the room
sat the magician, or, rather. he lay
MALT buried an immense wheeled
am haIr, in which lie censelessly, ant
with prodigicus activity, moved about
he was, besides, so we'll wrapped up II
asred and black robe garnished witt
toells, and his hat, three feet high, anc
upped with the eye of a lynx, wa.
pressed down S, ight'y on his head
mat 1t was with difficulty that his face
angular and polished as ivory, could bt
distinguished. Not content with be-
ing legless, he was one-eyed, hi