Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-08-06

A Cat-Tale.
He was the champion cat OF the village
Many well-fought battle had established
that fact beyond dispute and earned fol
him the sobriquet OF the colonel.
| Such terror did he inspire that mere
glimpse of his athletic figure caught
through the protecting glass Of window
would cause any other cat in the neigh
borhood to retire promptly to the darkest
and most secluded corner in the house
and there remain until the tension of its
nervous system was sufficiently relaxed to
allow the fur to fall back in normal po-
sition.
Though he made himself respected, the
colonel was far from popular, and only the
most supreme contempt for public opin-
ion, combined with great adroitness in
avoiding unpleasant encounters when he
wished, could have rendered him invul-
nerable to the bootjacks and language
hurled so recklessly at him.
AS he was something of a ventriloquist,
but little Of the cord wood lavished upon
him dark nights ever really came his way,
staccato break in some of his high notes
and for day or two give him vivid con-
seriousness OF possessing some particular
portion OF his anatomy.
The family with whom the colonel made
his headquarters lived in shadow of dis
grace for harboring such reprobate.
Though outwardly mortified at his wild
and dissolute ways, they were, neverthe-
less, secretly proud OF his military genius;
and when in the gathering twilight, q
sudden splitting and yawling preceded
rush through somebody's posy bed, they
studiously concealed grins Of satisfaction
at noting that though the colonel might
be taking an active part, he was never the
leading cat in the procession.
At length, when to countenance him
longer seemed likely to breed dissension
in the neighborhood, it was regretfully
decided to put an end to his victorious ca
reer Chloroforming was voted an honor
able as well as merciful death for the war
riOr, and the head OF the family was de-
tailed to carry the sentence into effect.
Twice did the victim escape from the
hands, which bore evidence
to the fighting trim Of the colonel's claws,
that refugee hiding himself once in suf-
locating haymow, where he proved as
hard to find as the proverbial needle, and
once in dark and cobwebby hole be-
meath the barn.
But at last he was captured and intro
duced under large box overturned on
No ohCu AOOl, anu bdi0 UoA WOuiu oOoh
have been moved into another county had
not the man with the chloroform sat down
upon it and the proceedings at the same
time. A bit Of rag was wet In the fluid
and pushed under the box with knife
blade, and after time quiet reigned.
Then the box was showed, but no move or
sound was made.
Believing that the right moment had ar
rived, the gentleman uncOrked the bottle,
and poured enough chloroform to Supply
4 horse upon q cloth aud his own cloth
ing, and lifting corner of the box threw
The cloth inside. As he did so, his back
being turned toward the narrowing end
Of the slit,a shadow seemed to slip through
that opening and out Of the shed door.
The box was dropped again to the floor, and
with sigh Of relief the man sank back up
On 1t and held handkerchief to his nose to
prevent utter stupefaction from the fumes
)f his clothing. When he finally felt
himself losing consciousness, he arose and |
staggered into the house, saying that the
colonel must be dead by that time, and II
he family would wait little he thought |
! moment more would find him ready for
burial also.
But Lo! upon the box being carefully
aised from the shed floor, it was discov-
red that when the colonels spirit took |
ts flight, his agile furry body went with |
t, and both reappeared few days. later,
United and in full chase after one Of the
neighbours cats.