The Van Buren press., 1895-01-05

l
mistaken. knew it was the same
cat, and, while his intentions might
have been the same as the other ami
mnl, felt grateful to him for saving
my child. But for his Repeatedly
barring the others way, which pre-
vented his getting out Of the yard be-
foiS I came, both would have gone.
and we'd never have known the fate
| of our babe. The thing looked SO bad
felt sorry for him and tossed a bone
out Of the window. He went for it
and was gone in minute, and the
next morning he came back for an
other bone, which gave him, with
scraps from the kitchen.
"He came without fail every morn
ing about the same time, ate the small
pieces of bread and meat, and carried
the bone away with him. He came SO
regularly that ] prepared his break
fast early, put 1t in a plate and set it
| near the fence where he came in, and
| then I'd watch for him. His morning
calls lasted for about two weeks, when
one morning, to my surprise, l saw
him come out OF the hollow tree in the
corner of our yard. His impudence
frightened me little and amused me
also. He came out, ate his breakfast,
or part of it, and then made several
trips back to the tree, taking some-
thing In his mouth each time. Most
of the day I watched to see what he
was sharing his meals with, but did
not see or hear anything. That night,
however, after we had gone to our
room, Sam looked ont through the
window and saw the old cat and two
young ones playing in the moonlight.
"She had liked the place so well she
had moved her family there. Sam
laughed, and said we had three board
| ers. He felt toward the old cat as
did, and we concluded to let her stay
awhile II they behaved This they
did. Not once did they do anything
to cause us the least alarm. They be-
camo more gentle every day, and
played over the yard like house cats.
In year the young ones were as
large as their mother, and the three
were glossy and fat. They would run
up and down the gallery for an hour
at time, and never pay the least at
tention to the baby, who was then
toddling around.
mot 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 ill-health we had man
aged to put by only a little for n rainy
day. had no relatives to 70 to; be-
sides l couldn't leave our home. l
came here as bride, our baby was
born here, good many years Of hap
piness. 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 / can't ever leave
them.
II had been very successful with
raising chickens and turkeys, for
which there's always ready market
That field was open to me as means
of livelihood, and concluded to try it,
my only fear being thieves, both
kinds, the two and four legged. But
do you know that now never coon,
'possum, mink, stray cat or anything,
man or beast, enters this yard at any
time.
1.-THE wildcats, this old one I've had
so long and her two children, keep
them oil away. They are better by
far than the best watch dogs to be
found. Before tney took up their
residence here and became our pets,
something could be heard prowling
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 in the
yard. And Christmas week every year
bring home from market small for
tune from the sale Of my turkeys,
chickens and ducks, a number of which,
besides eggs, dispose Of readily all
during the year.
"Once in awhile chicken-hnwk
swoops down upon some unsuspecting
fowl, but that isn't often, and is the only
thing that ever gets ahead of the oats.
I was surprised a week ago by seeing
my old pet cat had an addition to her
family 1t had been SO long since her
babies were born did not think she'd
have any more. But there they are,
two fine little fellows, as you see.
Well, three were enough, but shall not
complain or interfere with her keep
ing the other two. don't know what
should do without them. There's
one thing sure, l couldn't live here
alone nor meet with any success with
fowl-raising. They are unequaled as
a guard"
When I left l was escorted to the
gate by Mrs. Benson and two Of the
cats, who walked along slowly at her
feet, their tails under them and as
meek and docile as any dog ever saw.
The old cat stayed on the gallery, still
eying me uneasily, as she had done
all along. But the moment was out
OF the yard she was relieved, and gave
expression thereto by leaping off the
gallery and tearing like mad over the
yard, her two babies after her. A
wilder romp never saw than these
five cnts-for tho others joined them a
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 has lived for nearly five
years miles from a living person, sup
ported herself nicely, and her protect
ors wildcats. = Peterson tLa.) Corre-