The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-04-15

removes. If | was you, Mis- Judd, I'd
steep a little of that catnip right off
and give her some-'twon't hurt any, if
she is better"
"Oh! Why, was going to give it
to her raw!" said Mrs. Judd, Il guess
| was rather green"
Il guess the catnip wouldve befn
raw" laughed Pete's mother, plafs-
antly, giving the little woman pat on
her back. How good the little pat felt
to Mrs. Judd's lonesome back! The
warm spot was growing bigger.
But [ never heard of giving q cat
catnip tea" she thought, as she set
the fragrant herb brewing out in the
kitchen. 81 thought they liked TO roll
in it and nibbIe the dry leaves; but
1 wouldn't hurt that dear old llady's
feelings for anything!'
When she went back there were two
other women there, and the baby was
trotting about among them. Cleric,
too, purred against their petticoats
cozily. How pleasant the little room
looked! They were all talking and
smiling.
well, I guess you'll have catnip
enough. Mis- judd" Pete's mother
cried, delightedly. Here's Mis- Dea-
con Blinn and Kate Pettingill brought
you lot l let 'em in, SOS not to dis
turb you till you got the tea stewin'.
Mis- Blinn, this is Mis- judd"
"Oh, [ know Mrs. Blinn!" Mrs. Judd
/ % nh ba L
hands and tiickers of pretty color on
her cheeks. Il feel as if | knew you
ali now. I'm so glad to see you! You'll
let me bring you in a cup of tea, won't
you?-just to be social"
"Catnip tea?" asked Hope Stebbins,
laughing, and then they all laughed
YES, catnip tea, if you prefer it.
viii you take it weak or strong, Miss
Hope?"
Pete's mother sat by the window. II
do declare, there's Pete drivin' up with
another mess of it," she suddenly ex-
claimed. Il suppose he got some at
Hiram's." Hiram's catnip was added
to the heap of bundles on the table.
I he room was full of their woodsy,
penetrating smell. Cherie wandered
about, eagerly shifting the legs of the
table, but restraining, with dignity,
her desire to jump up to the catnip.
How good that kitty is not to jump
onto the table," the deacon's wife whis-
pered to Hope Stebbins. La mine
would have been up there long ago,
rolling in it,"
Hope got down by Cherie and stroked
her beautiful fur admiringly. We've
got seven CATS she laughed, "and
they'd all have been up there by this
time. But you know too much, don't
you, kitty? You know it wouldn't be
polite-nice kitty" And Cherries hun
CRY soul was comforted.
The callers stayed quite a long time,
enjoying themselves and loath to go.
Mrs. Judd kept coaXing them to stay.
The baby had fallen asleep in Petcs
mothers big, comfortable arms, and
lay with sweet, upturned little face.
The women stopped and kissed it as
they went out. Little dcar!" they
murmured.
Then had all gone when Hilary came
toiling up the path to the front door,
warm and unwontedIy cross-looking.
Mrs. Judd tiptoed to the door, for fear
of waking the baby. She held her fin
ger on her lip. Ssh" she said softly
twinkle of merriment il; her eyes.
She was looking speculatively at Hila-
rvs pockets. for his hands were empty.
But Hilare. said, grut1ly: Couldn't get
any catnip anywheres, an I'm dreadful
hungry. Been traipsin' all over"
You poor boy, and not thing to
eat! You come right in and I'll get
you something nice. Sh! step just as
easy as you can-the baby's asleep"
At the door Mrs. Judd's wrinkles bub-
bled over into subdued little laugh.
See" she said, pointing at the heap
of bulgy paper bags on it; ''see, you got
me all that catnip. I'm more obliged
to you than l can begin to tell"
But Hilary was looking hungrily at
little vista of full pantry shelves
through the partly opened door; and
presently he was making generous
meal from their contents.
Il guess that little Chcrry'l sleep
well tonight, if catnip teas got any
sleepin' virtue in it," Pete's mother
was saying to Pete, across the lamp
! lighted table at home. eve left whole
stacks of it there. Mis- Judd's a nice
little woman. | feel real drawn to her,
and | mean to run over there a good
deal oftener. She wanted me to-
Hope Stebbins and her mother, over
Hopes unfinished sewing, were talking
of the same thing.
She's nice. l like her." Hope said.
and the baby's just the sweetest little
thing, mother Cherry, her name is;
isn't that cunning name for baby?
And they've got the loveliest cat you
ever saw"
We'll, l never saw a lovely cat-not
yet" Mrs. Stebbins remarked, between
bites of her thread.
Cant we have them over here to
spend the day, mother? Why can't
we?"
Well" her mother said, Il guess
maybe we will, Hope"
Little Mrs. Judd put away the catnip
before she went to bed. She cleaned
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