Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-07-10
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
SOME GOOD STORIES FOR OUR
 JUNIOR READERS.

"Tabby Tortures Valentine" A Story
 for Our Junior Raaders-AppIyine
 tbs Teaching. shtvering with Cold
 Is, After All, Only Naturs's Remedy.
 TaBby Torturss Valentine.
 Little Amy had spent 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 ae- customed to and thought little of; that was that "Tabhy Torture" could not have more freedom and general cat happiness. What can 8 city eat know of the joy of lIfe?s 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 1t, till now Miss Tabby was even introduced to strangers as "Tabby Torture"
 Auntie so pitied Tabby,s 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 TaDby 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 ing rusty, and that If she couldn't get fresh air she must have a tonic. So when she bade them good-by and left for home. her last words vera. T will remember and soon send Tabby's tonic :"
 Aunte always sent Amy 8, Yaien= tine so. as they all sat at breakfast the morning of Valentines Day, Amy was not surprised to see among many other q 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 toiseSheil, f89= St, New York. In side was a flat package tied with white ribbon and having strong spicy odof and written upon 1t were the words. "Tabbyss Tonic 2.
 Amy opened it and found many home dried leaves of soft, yelyety cat nip. Now Tabby who was making 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, lesped into Amy's lap and seizing the package, rushed off under the sofa with 1t. Papa roared with laughter, and said, 4Tahby would not have her private correspondence meddled with. But mamma was fear fuI she would eat too much Of the cat nip. so they all tried to get it away. Tabby fought them vigorously with her hind legs, while she hugged her precious valentine to her white breast with her fore paws; and before they finally secured it 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 deep vase on the parlor mante'. Occasionally as a treat Tabby was given 2 leaf, and both papa and mamma had way of stealing in to take 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 sIyly crept in. mmred on the mantel. threw down and broke the vase, gaawed off the box cover and took all her tonic at one dose
 Auntie was written to about her ia vorite's bad behavior. and what do you think she suggested as punishment Why. chat Amy and Tabby spend next summer with her in the country where Tabby can have all the catnip she wants. and pick if for herself. So both Amy and Tabby arc looking forward to next sumner with great delight