The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-03-01

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 l prepared his break
fast early, put it 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, / 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 a part of it, and then made several
trips back to the tree. taking some
thing in his mouth each time. Most
of the day / 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 out 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 if they behaved. This they
did. Not once did they do anything
to cause us the least alarm. They be-
came 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 tie gallery for an hour
at time, and never pay the least at
tentiOn 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 ill-health we had man.
aged to putsby only a little for rainy
day. had no relatives to go 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 l can't ever leave
them.
81 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.
''The wildcats, this old one I've had
SO long and her two children, keep
them all away. They are better by
far than the best watch dogs to be
found. Before they 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 a 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
l bring home from market small for
tune from the sale of my turkeys,
chickens and ducks, a number of which,
besides eggs, l dispose of readily all
during the year
"Once in awhile a chicken-hawlS
swoops down upon some unsuspecting
fowl, but that isn't often, and is the only
thing that ever gets ahead OF the eats
was surprised a week a.tO 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, couldn't live here
alone nor meet with any success with
fowl-raising. They are unequaled as
a guard"
When l left was escorted to the
dCC Ny 4uIo. DCuSOU anu 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 i 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
i've cats-for the others joined them
moment later-enjoyed. AS / pushed
the skif 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 (La.) Core
spondence st. Louis Republic.
FACTS ABOUT SCHNEBELITE.