Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-05

Copyright 1885, hy Bache!lcr. Johnson & Bachelor.
If you would find the warmest spot in a
little village, on a cold day, watch the old
dodgers and see where they congregate.
That's what the stray cats do, or per-
haps the cOdgers watch the cats. How
ever that may be, it is safes to follow
either. for both may be depended upon to
find the open door where comfort is. They
would probably lead you to the rear-end
of the village store. the tobacco-stained
drawing room where an old stove dis
perses hospitality in an atmosphere like
unto which. for genial disposition there is
none on earth SO unfailing.
From Noy embar to May the old stove
in the back of Chris. Rowstons store was,
to its deyotees at least. the most popular
hostess in Simpkinsvile. And. be it I'M
derstoCd, her circle was composed of pep
pie in good repute. Even the cats sleeping
at her feet. il personally tramps. were
well connected. being lineal descendants of
known cats belonging to families in good
standing. Many indeed, were natives of
the shop. and had come into this kingdom
of comfort in a certain feline lyinS-in hos
pital. behind the rows of barrels that flank
ed the steve On either side.
1t was the last day of December. The
wind was raw and cold, and of a fitful
Ing into the faces of people going in al
directions various samples from the winter
store house of the sky. now a threat, a
promise or dare, as to how the New
Year should come in.
"Bicst if Do. amt got snow on his
coat. Rainin when 1 come in," said one
of two old men, who drew their seats back
little while the speaker pushed chair
forward with his boot.
Reckon l got both froZe and wet drops
on me twix this an Meredith's," drawled
the newcomer. depositing his saddle bags
beside his chair. wiping the drops from
his sleeves over the stove and spreading
his thin palms for its grateful return of
warm steam.
"Slcetin' out our way" remarked his
neighbor. between pipe puffs. And then he
added:
"Hows Meredith's wife coming on, doc
tor? Reckon she's purity bad off. amt
she?
The doctor was filling his pipe now, and
he did not answer Immediately. But pres
emily he said. as he deliberately reached
forward and seized the tongs and lifted
a live coal to his pipe:
"Meredith's wife don't rightfully belong
In a doctors care. She amt TO say sick.
She's heartbroke. that's what she is. but
of co'se that amt thing L can tell her
OF him. either"
This has been a mighty slow and tire
some year in SimpkinsvIlle, he. adGcd. in
a moment, AN I'm glad to see it DRAWN
to a close. 1t come in with snow an sleet,
an tToubleS, an seems IKE IL Soln out
the same way-jest like the years have
done three years past
Jest look at that cat. what dusty
color she's got between spots. Th'ain't
cat in Simpkinsvllle. hardly. tibet don't
show a trace o. Jim Meredith's maltee-
an I jest nacheIly despise it. cause that's
one of the presents he brought out there
that maltee is
"Maltee is good enough color for a cat
eff it's KEEP true" remarked old Pete lay
Tor. Plenty good enough eff it's KEEP true.
but it's like gray paint; it'll mark up most
anything It's mixed with. and cloud it,"
II reckon Jim Meredith's maltee amt
the only thing o. his thets cast a shade
over Simpkinsville'' said old Mr.. Nc
Morisle. who sat opposite.
That's sou grunted the circle.
That's so-shore ez you're bo.n." echoed
Pete. ''Simpkinsville has turned out some