The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-02-09
And Even the Cat Knew
By Charles 3. 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 indulged in
pretentious coxafertable yawn in
which the nsemi-circular arch. of her
back wss the predohina ing Afeature.s
1t was exactly as though she had ad-
vised her mistress to retain the secret
she had been SO quietly coddling for
several minutes--n secret too, which
could not possibly he of any interest to
IN outsider.
OF course no cat in such state Of
mind could purr. and 20, when Aunt
Lucy realized that her most intimate
companion was rebellious she laid aside
spectacles and letter. and smoothing
out her gown invited Betty to come up
and she would tell her all aboutit.
II Just couldn't put II OF any longer"
said Aunt Lucy, as she was helping her
furry friend to secure q comfortable
coil in the ample lap, "because James IN
getting along in years andit is certainly
time for him to think seriously of mar
riaee. It would be different II he had q
mother, or sisters, or Kin Of some de-
gree, then no might rely upon them;
but he IL absolutely alone. he IL 50 years
old and positively. do not believe the
thought Of taking q wife ever entered
his head"
The cats opinion of the revelation
made was indicated by closed eyes and
an aggravatingly comfortable condi-
tion, .threfore Aunt Lucy continued:
"And 90, while James IL the only son of
my old schoolmate and while am in
no sense beholden to him, I. couldn't
/ rid, myself Of the conviction that I
ought to do what I could, wiSh, under
reversed conditions. . dear friend to do
for my boy. II had one"
Betty-she was . wonderful cat
showed that she understood the value
Of the period that had been reached. by
a renewsi Of her purring. 80 that Aunt
Lucy felt safe in resuming: "You just
wait and ses when my little girl Julia"
Betty stoppfd purring-"reaches the
proper age. II permit her to 60 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
business woman by presenting busi-
ness proposition" Then stroking Bet
tvs fur with one hand a. she reached
to the table for the letter she mHsed:
II told James I desired him to coll. To
listen to a matter of business, he has
sent me word that he would gladly &C.
cede to my request, and"
At this juncture Betty arose and
Jumped to the aoor quickly. running to
the door Just In tims to meet'the ''lit-
stle girl" Julia MunSpe, Aunt Lucy's
youngest daughter and . 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 shat old bachelor friend
Of yours. Jim Duncan. coming up the
walk, 20 I'll vanish
Then as Betty and her younger mis-
tress disappeared through one door
there came through another door, Jim
Duncan aud personality full ofhearty
good will, grace and self-reliance. Aunt
Lucy's greeting Vas cordial, confident
and wholly free from pretense, 80 that
the two close friends were At once easy
and natural, and within q 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 10 unique and worth witnessing
know good Investment when see II
and usually profit by it when"
That's fact" interpolated Duncan,
"your standing in business way ID
! only excelled by your social value"
Aunt Lucy was not little dattered
by this direct compliment to the great
ct element in the list of her personal
vanities, 20 that she nearly rendered
her visitor speeches. by responding
hluntiy; "Jim D~pcau. I want you q
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