Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-03-04


The poor thing, stunned by the kick had
given her, had awakened, and, in the
strength which so often comes Just in ad-
vance of death, had clambered upon the
bed to lick my hand and die She had
forgiven me, thought. Would to God
l could forgive myself! | stroked the soft
fur and called her "Kitty, nice kitty"
and said I'm sorry, kitty; was drunk
and didn't mean to hurt you. You for
gave me, didn't you, kitty you knew |
was drunk and didn't mean it, kitty; nice
kitty, nice kitty "
For an hour lay there with my tenn
pies throbbing, and my hand stroking the
poor dead head, while | told her over and
over again, that l was sorry, so sorry, and
that she was a nice kitty, even if she
didn't meet me when | came in. And
then 1 rang for the boy. l was choking
with hot thirst. When he came in, he
saw the cat lying beside me on the bed,
and said How is she this morning, sir y
"She's dead, can't you see?" | replied
roughly. "Why, the doctor down on the
first said she'd get all right" Get all
right? What was the matter with her ?"
l asked. "a dog caught her out in the
alley and toed her all up. l heard her
holerin' an went out an got her. The
doctor said she'd get well in week, an
she's dead already That shows how
much them fellows knows, don't it?"
Then | saw it ALL and if ever man felt
himself fend iucarnate and a wretch
without hope Of pardon, | did then. No
wonder she had not met me.-the poor
wounded thing All she could do was to
lift her head and look her welcome when
7 came in. And if had not been so
drunk | should have seen what allied her,
and could have petted her and nursed her
and made her well again.
The boy noted my dark face and said
you'll miss her, won't you sir ?-an' 10
wonder,-she was awful fond of you.-
An after she was hurt, an brought her
up an pat her down easy on the rug, she
got up an tried to 90 out, but couldn't
walk a bit, just fell over an meowed an
looked cut of the door. She was a trying
to 60 down stairs to meet you, for it was
about time for you to come from the of
fee, an she knowed it. But you didn't
come, an she just laid there a lookin' for
you. Was she alive when you come in,
sir ?" Here" | cried, "run down and
bring me a pitcher of water, and hurry
about it, He looked at me wonderingly,
for had never spoken harshly to him
before but went out meekly.
Cod How every word he said tortured
me! The poor, faithful creature beside me-
How could I have murdered her, Why
hadn't known at once that samething
was wrong? She had never failed to meet
me before. What must she have thought
of that savage blow? What did she think
of me- when she awoke that night dying,
and, in her death strength, dragged ber
broken body up on the bed to lie down by
me and to die? She had forgiven me,
knew. Oh, if l had only awakened in
time to stroke her and pet her a little be-
fore she had died, and to tell her how sor-
rv | was The tears came thick in my
eyes, and l put my face down on her cold
body and whispered kitty, nice kitty,
nice kitty"
I jumped up when heard the boy
coming up the steps. l thanked him for
the water and asked him to bury the cat
in the yard, promising him a quarter if
he would do so. had none then to give
him. And l walked to the window and
looked out as he picked the dead creature
up in his arms and carried her from the
room. Then gulped down the water, a
small pitcher full, and brushing my hair
/ left the house. / was ready dressed, hay-
ing slept in my clothes.
had no money for my breakfast, 80
pawued my watch. / was sober now and
my SORROW at the cats death had driven
many Of the harsh feelings Of the night be
fore out OF my heart would look for 9TH
er work; would be sober Bat ! found
none, though | looked all day and that
night the thirst for drink came back upon
me aud squandered half the money had
gotten on my watch in drunken debauch,
The next day I received check for the
balance due me from the bank. in few
days It was gone. was now drunk by day
a. well as night was seen reeling in the
streets. Ny mother heard Of it and came to
town to see me and to plead with me. Ml
father was dead, and my mother lived in the
country with an older brother on a small
arm through which they eked out a meager
living. She came to my rooms. 1t was il
the morning. She sat by me on the bed an'