St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-08-16
MisrHIlaiin.
JoHNNIE's STRANGE ADVENTURE.

01oho anu pIinb uOWH cUdlr ana IL 3
sure to be the biggest and heaviest one
they want. It's wonder they don't
tell me to run up to the moon and bring
down an armlul Of mountains. or else
run down to China and bring up few
dozen laundrymen. Then it's Johnnie,
run and do this, till, l declare, l won
der why they don't change my name
to Johnnie Rum and be done with
it,"
Johnnie threw himself on the lounge by
the side Of Daggers, the cat, sleeping
comfortably in round ball.
I'D much rather be cat. He enjoys
life and has nothing to do but eat, sleep
and play. If he wants anything, all he
has to do is to let out howl, and every
body is ready to run and get whatever
he wants"
Daggers, thinking himself addressed,
rolled over like caterpiler, yawned,
stretched, and began picking affection
ately at Johnnie's coat-slceve, purring
softly and sleeply.
Then there's Mary Ann, always and
forever asking me to fill upthe woodbox.
les the meanest woodbox | ever saw.
Gets empty forty times day, seems So"
1t was a hot day and Johnnie was
tired, and just as he began to feel drow-
sy Daggers rolled over. then sat up and
to his surprise began to speak.
You think a cat has nothing to
trouble him. How would you like to
live among lot of giants who picked
you up by one leg or by the head just as
it happened"
"If you wish to change places with me
for time can arrange matters for you.
have often longed 10 have people know
what some of our troubles are, so that
they would be more gentle with us.
When they don't understand us they
call us uncanny. We like pleasant voices,
and it frightens us and hurts our feelings
when sharply spoken to. We distin-
guish our friends by the tones Of their
voices and their soothing treatment OF
us. Do you still wish to change places
with me ~
Eyes, till have a real jolly, lazy time, "
said Johnnie eagerly.
Then close your eyes tight and I'll go
over to the rug by the chimney and sig
nal to the witchcat. She'll come through
the 6re-board in the CRATE, and then
you'll be and I'll be YOU"
"Well, now, this is comfortable, moth.
ing to do but purr and sleep. ! can hear
Daggers filling up the woodbox this
minute. He will have to run for the
mail pretty soon. Wonder if he can un
lock the post-office box-er-r-r purr-r-r.
"Oh, dearl how Ned startled me
just as l was sleeping SO sweetly too.
wouldn't mind his petting fit wasn't SC
heavy-handed. He acts as if he was pet.
ting an elephant. Such petting shocks
my nervous system, besides making me
cough. Oh. OH the baby has grabbed
both hands full of my fur and it hurts
cruelty. Just scratched back and Ned
boxed my ears. There, Eva has taken
me on her lap. She treats me so kindly
It's a pleasure to purr for her. Her
smoothing is so restful, Purrr-r
What's this! Eva has gone mp stairs
and left me on the floor, standing up
half asleep. I'd like to know if am
ever to get my nap out. | don't like
this Guess I'll howl. There they have
put me out doors. Horrors! There is a
big black dog. He's coming right for
me- What fearful red mouth. If
can only get to that tree-ahl safe at
last, but how my heart beats l haven't
had such fright since fell down cellar
when was a boy. I'm more afraid oil
that dog than used to be of the wild
animals | read about | wonder how
long he is going to stand there and bark,
There comes Eva; she drove the dog
away and is taking me into the house
She is rubbing her cheek on my head and
calling me pretty names. I'll purr just
as soon as l can calm mysel-Purr-r
"There, she has dumped me on the
lounge Guess I'll go into the kitchen
| think | smell fish. never knew raw
fresh fish could smell so good. Yes, there
is large pike on the table, think | can
reach it il l get up in chair. There
Mary Ann just slapped me and called
me a sneak. And all / could answer
back was, me-ow-w. She put big dab
of grease on my nose to keep me Occur
pied, she said, and then stood and
laughed to see me lick it off. How
mean Of her. 1t will take a good hall
hour to get my face properly washed
This is a hard world for cats after all
"There is a nice soft cushion in a chair
in the parlor. I'll dodge in there and
see if can find any peace for my life
All but isn't this comfortable! This is
the eider.down cushion Eva is so choice