The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-02-16
And Even the Cat Knew
BY Charles S. Hathaway

DEITY, the cat, held her post by pre-
ID emption, upon the hassock at Aunt
Lucy's feet; her purr was louder than
usual and the narrow, sharp and per-
pendicular lenses set hard in the green
ish yellow eyes were interrogation
points Strengthened out. but full of
character
At least such was the analysis made
by the sweet faced woman, who. gently
rocking her chair, tapped an open let
ter with her glasses as she rocked and
smiled answers to the cats question:
ings.
Then Betty arose and placing her
four paws closely together INDUCED in
n pretentious comfortable yawn in
which the semi-circular arch of her
back was the predominating feature.
1t was exactly as thou, h she had ad-
yised her mistress to retain the secret
she had been so quietly coddling for
several minutes-a secret too, which
could not possibly be of any interest TO
IN outsider
OF course no cat in such state OF
mind could purr, and so. when Aunt
Lucy realized that her most intimate
companion was rebeliiOuS she laid aside
spectacles and letter. and smoothing
out her gown invited Betty TO come up
and she would tell her all bout il.
II just couldn't put il off any longer"
said Aunt Lucy as she was helping her
furry friend 10 secure a comfortable
coil in the ample Jap. because James is
getting along in years anditiscertainly
time for him 10 think seriously of mar
riage. 1t would be different If he had Il
mother, or sisters. or kin of some de-
gree, then he might rely upon them;
but he is absolutely alone he is 30 years
old and positively, | do not believe the
thought of taking wife ever entered
his head"
The cats opinion of the revelation
made was Indicated by closed eyes and
an aggravatingly comfortable condi-
ton, threfore Aunt Lucy continues:
And so, while James is the only son of
my old schoolmate and while | am in
uo sense beholden to him, | couldn't
rid myself of the conviction that |
ought to do what | could wish. under
reversed conditions, a dear friend to do
for my boy, if had one"
Betty-she was a wonderful cat
showed that she understood the value
of the period that had been reached, by
"a renewal of her purring, so that Aunt
Lucy felt safe in resuming: You just
wait and see when my little girl Julia"
laS = ha
proper age, if | permit her to go stu
pidly. thoughtlessly and alone toward
an old age of solitude and helplessness
No, sir, I'll do by her just as propose
doing by James. I'll show that I'm
a business woman by presenting a busi-
ness proposition" Then stroking Bet
ty's fur with one hand as she reached
to the table for the letter she unused:
II told James | desired him to call to
listen to A matter of business, he has
sent me word that he would gladly ac-
ceGe to my request, and"
At this juncture Betty arose and
jumped to the floor quickly, running to
the door just in time to meet the Tit
lie girl Julia Munroe. Aunt Lucy's
youngest daughter and a bewitching
maiden still on the safe side of 20 years,
The newcomer. with no little show of
impatience. told her mother that she
had just seen that old bachelor friend
Of yours lin Duncan. coming up the
walk, so I'll vanish"
Then as Betty and her younger mis-
tress disappeared through one door
there came through another door, Jim
Duncan and personality full ofhearty
good will. grace and self-reliance. Aunt
Lucy's greeting was cordial. confident
and wholly free from pretense, so that
the two close friends were at once easy
and natural, and within a very short
time Duncan asked: What is your
business proposition? I'm fairly daft
With curiosity"
Indeed" answered Aunt Lucy. then
Ill keep the doors closed bit and en-
Joy myself. An old bachelor who is GU
rious is unique and worth witnessing.
l know good investment when | see it
and usually profit by ii when
That's a fact" interpolated Duncan,
your standing in business way is
only excelled by your social value"
Aunt Lucy was not a little fiattered
by this direct compliment TO the great
est element in the list Of her personal
vanitieS. so that she nearly rendered
Ter visitor speechless by responding
bluGtly: Jim Duncan. l want you to
get married, and the sooner he better.
and make the proposition on purely
business basis. Don't interrupt me-"
she warned, as Duncan attempted to
speak, until L have made my argu-
ment. You are 81 years old, good look
Ing. your record socially and financial
ly will bear the.elosest inspection. there