The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-03-04

her 1eet had ever been sufficient to in
splrc her with the smallest portion of
that self-confdence which usually ami.
mates belle. She was hopeIessiy -shy.
and her conversation was terribly mono.
syllabic-except to her cat.
Alice Mary Gumbleton had a Maltese
cat upon which she lavished the treasures
OF her heart and her intellect, Eyerv
one who ever saw that cat said it waa
the wisest looking animal in the world,
AND 1t ought to have been wise; for
Aiico Mary talked to it by the hour and
gave 1t the choice results of her long pc-
riods OF silence and meditation. The
name OF the cat was Jane. And the cat
was us beautiful as its name. Yet in
spite OF Aliccs devotion to this animal
she was obliged one day to speak to the
Professor, or | should say that it was
because of her devotion.
A few doors away from the home of
the fair Alice dwct hideous youth
whose favorite companion was u large
bulldog. This bulldog was like unto
the rest of his kind. He loved not mau
nor beast. His soul was filed with per-
petual gloom, and hc went about the
world with II depressed Il might say
hang-dog-loo> which BODIED no one
good. One day Alice was aroused from
deep meditation by Il series of heart.
rending shreks followed by dire dis.
cord OF Kissing and splitting, which she
at once recognized rs being the product
CT the energies of Jane. Rushing to tho
window she beheld the dear cat mount
ing tue fence with less dignity than
haste. At the foot Of the fence stool
the obnoxious bulldog, looking very
angry.
"Oh, my beautiful Janew screamed
Miss Alice. She rushed from the house
with broom in her hand prepared to
meet death i'll the defense of her pet. But
when the dog wheeled round and pre-
pared to resist her onslaught, she paused
and changed her tactics.
SEQ away, you nasty beast!" she said.
But the dog failed to catch the idea, and
remained where he was, still keeping
watchiul eye on the cat.
son, dear!' said Alice, "what shall
do"
At that moment the Professor entered
his garden by the front gate, having Just,
ney'Trn"t e.,ftHsu- school. HIS eyes fell
hat 'awoa River near Wrigbrs aHe
ful 'eng'h OF the road will not be NOR. y
upon Alice, Who WAS rotery-br1nre. ~n .ar-l,
despair, rs she stcod gazing atthc Zero.
cious dog and the unhappy cat. The
Professor was spcechlcss with admira.
ton. He stared ut Alice rs he hal never
look ut y woman before. Then his scat
tered senses began to return to him, and
he felt the blood mounting to his fore
head, while his heart was going like
steam fire engine. lie gazcd about him
and finally perceived the cat, but not the
dog,
"Can I-shall THAT isl beg par
don-but-1ut-do you want the cat2"
he stammcrcd.
eyes, sir; if you--if you-p.- please,
sir" was the reply.
The Professor advanced slowly aud
hesitatingly toward the fence. Sud.
denly he heard low growl. He paused
and looked around; but, seeing nothing,
again advanced.
Goa" exclaimed Alice; "take care
there's n h-h-hole in the fence; he can
get throu IN" !" --r--------,-.----.-.--.~-.-
The Professor stopped and pcered be-
tween the pickets. Then he saw the
bulldog. The next moment the Pro- |
lcssor had vanished into the house.
"Ah-h" screamed Alice; 'please to
come back and save Jane"
She had miscaculnted the Professors
gallantry. In auother Iuoment he re.
bearing in his hand huge
navy revolver. :,
"Please go into-the house," he said;
81 might hit you"
But Alice remained transtixed with
brcathless anticipation. The Professor
advanced cautiously toward the fence.
When he had reached position from
which he could see the dog, he pointed
the pistol carefully, turned away his
head, shut his eyes and pulled the
trigger. There was II tremendous report;
splinters flew in every direction and
cloud of smoke obscured the Professors
view. The astonishcd dog laid back his,
cars and fled down the street as il he
thought the end of tue world had come
No sooner had he gone than Alice rlsned.
ro."oru, sofDeu tue unhappy cat,
an !, pressing the animal convulsively to
her bosom, rushed into the house.
When the Professor got the smoke out
of his eyes, and found that girl, cat and
"'o h"u All uiSappcuEcu, lie marVc!eu
greatly at the extent OF his own proves:
and had he not caught a glimpse of
Alice through the window, would Ger.
tainly have gone and surrendered him.
self to the town constable The next day
the Professor rose early and robbed his
landlady. He stole saucer. of milk and
went out to look for--for the gray cat.
of course. lie found Jane baskine in
the sunlight. AS basker in the sun.
light there was no cat that could sur
pass Jane. The Professor stole through
the opening in the fence and set the
saucer of milk under James whiskers.
At that instant window flew open, a |
fair head popped out, and timid voice |
said:
FIhank you" --------------.----ll |
Then the window shut with a bang,
the Professor jumped clear over the fence
and disappeared. When he returned
from school that afternoon he found a !
note on his table. 1t said:
meant thank you" Tor saving Jane, not
for milk
That was all. Day after day the Pro-
fessor iished vainly for au opportunity to