The Portland daily press., 1894-11-24

taking Something in his mouth each time.
| Most of the d.y watched to see what
! he was sharing his meals with, but did no
\ see or hear ANYTHING, That night, howeve, j.,
| after we had gone in our room, Sam looAe@
| through tho window and saw the old cat
| and two young ones playing in the moon
| light.
''she had liked the place so We'll she had
moved her family there. Sam laughed. and
said we had tb,ee poarders. lie felt to-
wards the old CAT as I did. and we con-
cluded to let them stay awhile II they be-
haved. This thew did. Not once did they
do anything to cause us the least harm.
They became more gentle every day, and
played over the ward like house cats. In
year the young ones were as large as their
mother, and the three were glossy and fat.
They would run M and down the gallery
for an hour at time, and never Fay the
least attention TO the baby, who was then
toddling around.
Not long after this my husband died,
and in less than six months later our boy
joined his papa. / was almost in despair as
to what should do. On account OF his i'll
health We had managed to put by only a
little for rainy day, l had no relatives
to go to- besides couldn't leave our home.
l came here as a bride, our babe was born
here, good many years of happiness were
spent under the roof of this little cabin.
In spite of the dark shadow, | felt drawn
to the place. They are both buried out
there under those trees, and l can't ever
leave them.
81 had been very successful raising chick
ems and turkeys, for which there's always
q hot fiald to
me as a means of livelihood, and l con-
cluded to try it, my only fear being thieves,
both kinds. the two and four-legged. But
do you know that now never coon. pos
sum. mink. stray cat or anything. man or
beast. ever enter this yard at any time.
1.-THE wild cats, this old one I've had SO
long. and her two children keep all away.
They are better by far than the best watch
dog to be found. Before they took up their
residence here and became our pets some
thing could be beard proving around every
night. And not only that, but making off
with duck or chicken in his mouth. Now
nothing OF the kind ever happens. They
may come around. but are met or
frightened away before they ever get into
the yard. And Christmas week every year
bring home from market small fortune
IfOu Lue sale OIL my turkeys CuiChcuS anu
ducks. number of which, besides eggs,
dispose of readily all during the year.
'sOnce in while chicken hawk swoops
upon some unsuspecting fowl, but that isn't
often, and is the only thing that gets ahead
of the cats. l was surprised week ago by
seeing my old pet had an addition to her
family. 1t Lad been so long since her
babies were born, did not think she'd
have anymore. But there they are, two
fine little fellows, as yOu see. Well.. there
were enough, but shall not complain or in
rerfere with her keeping the other two. l
don't know what should do without them.
There's one thing sure, couldn't 1--we here
alone. nor meet with any success with
fowl-raising. They are uneQualed as a guard.
When left / was csc orted 10 the gate w
Mrs. Benso and two Of the cats. VINO
walked along slowly at her feet. their tails
under them and as meek and docile as any
dog lever saw. I he old cat staid on the
gallery. still cycling me uneasily as she had
done all along. But the moment was our
of the yard she was relieved, and gave ex-
preston thereto by leaping off the gallery
and tearing like mad over the yard. her
two babies after her. A wilder romp l
never saw than these five cats-for the
others Joined them moment later-enjOyed.
AS | pushed the skiff out and picked up the
oars | glanced back at the small cabin and
smiled with admiration at the little widow,
who had lived tor nearly five years, miles
from Il living person. supported herself nice
ly, and her protectors wildcats.