Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-03-04
S5irgiuia free grrss.
Written for THE VIRGINIA FREE PREss.l
MY FRIEND, THE CAT.
BY SHANNON DoRE.

B1 SnANNON i'DlNA-s
1t was three in the morning and bitter
cold. The streets were covered with a
heavy coating of snow. | had not met a
living creature in my walk from the Av-
enue up to my rooms,-a full halfmile.
| had been drinking and the fumes of
whiskey were heavy in my head. But |
was not drunk, and walked with steady
feet.
While standing on the steps Of the
house in which | roomed, and fumbling
for my keys, l felt something rub against
my legs, and looking down saw large
cat. 1t meowed piteously when | bent
down and stroked it, and rubbed its wet
head very affectionately against my
hand. l opened the door, and taking the
creature in my arms, carried it up to my
room. The night was too cold TO leave
it outside; it would surely perish, l
thought. l put it down on rug near
the CRATE, and, while got ready for bed,
it lay there licking its wet paws and purr-
ing its thanks and contentment.
1t was not a pretty cat. 1t was large
and bony, and its color a dirty yellow.
l had nothing to feed it save few crack
ers which l soaked in water. These it
ate ravenously. Then l placed it back
on the rug near the fire, turned out the
light, and went to bed.
In the morning it was lying where |
had placed it; but no sooner had | got
ten out Of bed than it came purring aud
rubbing against my legs. stopped down
and petted it, and it looked up at me and
meowed as though to thank me. That
morning, when went out for my break
fast, l brought back with me some meat
and a Jar Of milk and thus, for weeks, |
kept it, feeding and petting 1t, until it
grew into a big, sleek creature with bright
eyes and happy ways. 1t was given the
range of the house and the yard at the
back, and left the door OF my room ajar
so that it could enter when it wished.
And it was touching to see the crea-
lures love and gratitude toward me. 1t
never left me when l was in, and soon
learned to time my coming from work in
the afternoon, and would meet me at the
door, when opened it, and bound up the
steps ahead of me, stopping on each land
ing to rub up against me, and purr out q
welcome.
And | do not believe that cat slept a
wink until | came home at night. She
seemed to sit by the fire and wait for me.
Many time l have crept noiselessly up
the carpeted stairs, trying to see if could
not come upon her unawares, but in vain.
She always met me at the top landing,
and ran ahead of me into the room, new
ing with pleasure. And | came in at all
hours, for | was sowing wild oats with a
heavy hand, and the taste for liquor was
growing stronger every day. But | was
never too drunk to stoop down and fondle
her, and say, "Nice kitty-glad to see NE
back, amt you kitty?" And each night
before going to bed, | would bend down
and pet her as she lay Oh the rug aud say
"Good night kitty"
Things went on like this for three
months. Ma had come and the air wa:
warm, and tbo trees we're in first leaf
No longer thc fire burned on the CRATE
but the bear rug still lay Oh the floor, and
on it each night the cat slept and wa
happy.
Then one day a blow, which | deserved
but did not expect, fell upon me. l los
my place,-was discharged. l had re
ceived no warning, and was dazed anC
maddened. The dismissal was made by