Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-07-23
rahbr Tortures yaleneIna.

Tabby ToFtures VaSenelR@
 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 Atroubled her, that the rest were &C., \ 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 introAnced 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 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 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 were. T 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 a 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 toise>hell, 1S9-- St, New York" h. side was a flat package tied with white ribbon and having a strong spicy odor, and written upon it were the words, ''Tabby's Tonic
 Amy opened it and found many home-dried leaves of soft, veIvety 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. leaped into Amys lap. and seizing the package, rushed of under the sofa with 1t. Papa reared with laughter, and said "Tabby would not have her private correspondence meddled with" But mamma was fear fHl she would eat too much of the cat nip, so they all tried to get 1t 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 anally secured 1t she had eaten at least half the catnip
 Mamma put the rest Of the eatnip safely away, shut up in a box, and that hidden in deep vase on the parlor mantel. Occasionally as a treat, Tabby was given E leaf, and both papa and mamma had a way of stealing in to take a sniff" of the pungent mint, which reminded them of their dear old country home
 Alas Papa went once to often4 One day mamma was not there to see that be closed the door, and Tabby caught the scent. Wicked Tabby slyly crept in, jumped on the manfeI, threw down and broke tle vase, gnawed of the box cover, and took all her tonic at one dose
 Auntie was written to about her fa- vorite's bad behavior, and what do you think she suggested as a punishment? Why. that Amy and Tabby spend next summer with her in the country. where Tabby can have all the catnip she wants, and pick it for herself! So both Amy and Tabby are looking forward to next summer with great delight.