The Red Cloud chief., 1896-11-13

The fields arc wide, the barn IL large,
the micc are plenty and the birds and
squirrels, in spite Of such a picket
guard, are well content to abide in TITS
pleasant spot.
Two or three original cats were the
foundation of this settlement. The
farmer, u very kind-hcartcd man. said
of each new brood. There's room
CROUCH and game enough for 'om all
around here" SO the tribe grew Aud
ilourishcd. until at night, when II was
time for the cows 10 offer up their
evening oblatior, Il long train of cats
and kittens followed, like an eastern
caravan, In the wake of the milk pail.
AZ soon NJ Il kitten arrived ut the
period of walking steadily upon all
fours and looking out upon the world
with wldc-opcn eyes, II was watched,
for all the family were Interested. antil
some trait was developed that might
suggest u name. and a popularity. Of
distinctive quality was claimed to ap-
pear.
There was Sisnor. lcrty~and high
stepping; Nancy. more ommOu In her
astc5; Popp'ns and pewoc. who never
Gained her normal growth: GiblinS,
fond Of turkey. known TO sulk away
and eat nothing unless Il portion was
saved for her; two little brothers, 80
intimate that they were called Jimmy
Blue and Jimmy Black: Dexter and
Motley Ann; II stray Maltese, who
seemed to have been uuadvisodly left
by the roadside. He came mcwing to
the door on a dark night. was taken In
and called Doptcd. but OF account of
his amiabillty the name was changed
to Doddy Dear. There were Richard
and Thomas; Tony, so distinguished
because she was disposed to stray off
by herself and attend strictly to her
own game: Sandy Dandy. for his light
colored coat and his vanity; Pop and
Poser, whose playful spirits extended
to old age There was dear old Kitty
dillo, a great pet In the family, and u
lean member named ~Scroggin. There
was Sallna, Duffy. Princess and Signib.
Skippy Jim was q notorious runner.
Bounce and Betty were always good
natured, jeremiah walled with Il loud.
harsh voice: Solomon was considered
handsome and fascinating; Isaac and
Rebecca were fond of tapping water
from n dish by the well. Among such
n host 1t would not be strange II the
gender OF their names was not always
strictly accurate. For instance, the
mother OF an interesting family was
called Amos, while a noble-loOking
tomcat answered to the name of Susan.
A kitten was distinguished as her until
a visitor suggested that him would be
more appropriate, whercupon It was
christened Himmie on the spot.
Wild Grey, Tame Grey, and Barney
Grey were brought to light in n singu-
lar fashion. One night, while the farm
or was milking-a stormy night. too
IL literally began to rain cats. One
soft bunch hit him on the head, an
other came very near lodging in the
pail. while a third glanced of from the
cows back. The owner picked up all
three, assembled to the scaifoll and
found the wild-eycd mother pceriag
down from an opening In the boards
through which her children had
slipped. Barney Grey, the youngest of
this trio, could never be coaxcd into
the house during the whole term OF her
life, and she never really liked to go
outside the barn. For years her din
ner OF meat was regularly carried out.
The others took their solid rations in
the shed. Wild Grey Inherited from
some rowing ancestor n terror Of all hui
man beings and was never even
stroked by a friendly hand. Tame
Grey, on the other hand, never seemed
really contented unless she was safe in
the kitchen and children were her lie
light. Tidy was a neat little creature,
careful to keep her white paws and face
spotleesly clean. She became blind and
Sadie, another favorite, took charge Of
her helplessncss. brought her mice and
kept by her side at milking lime. II
Tidy started Off by herself up the lane
Sadie was on the watch and sure 10
follow. Miriam, n tiger cat. lost her
whole family during "A rain-storm, but
succeeded In snatching one from a rela-
tive and bringing 1t up az her own.
In vain the mistress Of the farm pro-
ties, ed against being oyerrun with such
numbers. II will not have so many
cats around. Some OF them must be
drowned" Still the colony grew and
nourished. The pan OF soup was daily
mixed, and to see the flock hurrying in
from the four quarters of the farm at
the sound OF the dinner bell was worth
a ticket to the circus. 1t was surpris,
ing how respectful they were to each
others rights. as il they realized that
their number was large and that some
se.f-denlal was due.
Not all the tribe was allowed in the
house. But there was usually a rush
for tho sltting-room when the screen
door was opened. Three or four pre-
ferred their masters armchair. II
they gained possession he never Or
dered them out, but took another seat,