The Globe-republican., 1899-02-02
Tabby rortures Valentine.

Tabby TOrtures Valentine.
Little Amy had spent a very happy
holiday season, for her favorite aunt
had been with them. Auntie had been
very happy, too, but one thing greatly
troubled her, that the rest were ac-
customed to and thought little of; that
was that ''Tabby Torture" could not
have more freedom and general cat
happiness. What can city cat know
Of the joy of life?" she would ask.
Tabby's real name was "Tabitha
Tortoiseshell," but Amy's careless lit
tie tongue got sadly tangled in that
long name; and gradually every one
had adopted her variation of it, till
now Miss Tabby was even introduced
to strangers as "Tabby Torture"
Auntie so pitied Tabbys sad lot that
she tried to take her to walk in the
park sometimes. She would tell Amy
to lead her. by the long ribbon
around her pretty neck. but Tabby
would either frisk about and tangle
herself in the ribbon, and end by
throwing Amy down; or else she
would sit down on it and refuse to
move. So they had to go back to the
old way of letting her out into the
courtyard, where she seemed con-
tented enough.
But auntie thought her coat grow
fresh air she must have tonic. So
when she babe them good-by and left
for home, her last words were, Il will
remember and soon send Tabby's
tonic"
Auntie always sent Amy valen-
tine; so. as they all sat at breakfast
the morning of Valentines Day, Amy
was not surprised to see among many
other handsome valentine with the
postmark OF R.: but what did surprise
her was to find one from the same
place directed to Miss Tabitha Tor
toiseshell. 49, ST., New York" In
side was fiat package tied with white
ribbon and having strong spicy odor,
and written upon it were the words,
''Tabby's Tonic"
Ally OpCuCu anu
home dried leaves of soft. velvety cat
nip Now Tabby. who was making a
big black-and-yellow ball of herself
before the fire, fast asleep. had never
seen or heard of catnip. but she sud-
denly woke up, leaped into Amy's lap,
and seizing the package. rushed of
under the sofa with it. Papa roared
with laughter, and said. "Tabby would
not have her private correspondence
meddled with" But mamma was fear
full she would eat too much of the cat
min, so they all tried to get it away.
Tabby fought them vigorously with
her hind legs, while she Rugged her
precious valentine to her white breast
with her fore paws; and before they
finally secured il she had eaten at least
half the catnip.
Mamma put the rest of the catnip
safely away, shut up in box. and that
hidden in a deep vase on the parlor
Occasionally as treat, Tabby !
was given {. leaf, and both papa and |
mamma had a way o: stealing in to !
take a sniff of the pungent mint, |
which reminded them of their dear old |
country home.
Alas! Papa went once to often, One
day mamma was not there to see that |
he closed the door. and Tabby caught |,
the scent. Wicked Tabby slyly crept !
in, jumped on the manteI, threw down
and broke the vase. gnawed off the
box cover, and took all her tonic az
one dose.
Auntie was written 10 about her ia
vorite's bad behavior, and what do you
.hink she suggested as punishment?
Why. that Amy and TabDy spend next
summer with her in the country. where
rabby can have all the catnip she
wants. and pick il for herself, So both
Amy and Tabby are looking forward
o next summer with great delight.