The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-01-15
A BIG STORY.
How Pussy and Her Little Family Re-
turned Home Through the storm.

How Pussy and Her Little Family Re-
turned Home Through, the storm.
It's pretty big story. but its trne.
and the minister will tell you 50. 1t is
about Deborah the minister's eat. She
was fine large tabby. with three white
stockings. two green eyes. and wise
old head.
Once upon time. Deborah had six
little blind kittens. and they and their
mother lay fast asleep in round basket
behind the stove i'm the minister's study.
Deborah was sleeping So hard that
when Mr.. Neal. the milkman. came into
the room she only pricked up her left
ear and then went on snoring. She did
not know that Mr.. Neal had come to
borrow her to kill off the rats in his
house. Indeed. she did not know that
he had any house. or any rats. either.
He lived mile away across the plain.
and she caught her rats nearer home.
But Mr.. Neal knew all about Debo-
rah. lie had not for years sold milk at
the parsonage without hearing what a
famous mouser she was: and he said
now To the minister:
Good evening. Mr.. Fem. I've called
this stormy night to ask if you'll be kind
enough to lend us your cat.
Certainly. answered the minister.
laying aside his pen: only you'll have
to take her family. too
..Of course said Mr. Neal: .'and I'm
glad that She has the kittens: they will
keep her happy"
Mr.. Neal had brought great. strong
bag. and by the help of the minister he
put Deborah into it-basket. kittens
and all. She tried her best to get out.
it firmly while he walked to his wagon.
there he dropped the bag into a box
that stood under the seat. and fastened
down the cover Then he drove away
Poor Deborah cant see where she is
going any more than her blind kittens
can" thought the minister. with little
smile. as he turned from the window
Il hope she won't be homesick. for m
sure she could never find her way home
Why. why the ground is really getting
white with snow
Presently he sat down again to his
sermon. and he wrote. and he wrote. till
every body else in the house was asleep
All ut once he was startled by IA sound
from the porch. 1t was the Hlewing of
u cat. lie threw open the door. and in
ran Deborah. carrying in her mouth Il
kitten.
Dear me. Deborah. can this be you"
he cried. in great surprise. She dropped
the kitten On the rug at his feet and ran
] ont before he could close the door. lie put
! the little wet. cold kitty on a warm
cushion. and went to bed: but he was
Weakened from his first nap by another
mewing upon the porch. Deborah had
come with her second kitten. An hour
| or two later She came with the third.
and by the next noon she had taken
them all home all six of them.
Soon Mr.. Neal followed. bringing the
empty basket.
Il thought must return it quickly or
Deborah would come for it," said he.
laughing. ''Iou may tell her that I've
bought ii rat-trap. and III never disturb
her again 4 puss thatll travel eleven
miles in the snow for the sake of get
ting her family back to it's old corner,
deserves to live in peace"
Now isn't this a pretty big story"
shouldn't have dared to repeat it if the
minister hadn't told it to me himself
Penn Shirley. in Our Little Ones.