Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-07-20
Tabhy rortures Valentine.


 Little Amy had spent very happy holiday season, for her fayorite 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?e 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 Tabby's sad lot that she tried to take her to walk in the park sometimes. She would tell Amy to Head 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 tonic. So when she bade them good-by and left for hsme, her last words were, q will remember and soon send Tabby's tonic"
 Auntie always sent Amy a 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 toiseshell, 1S9- St., New York" Iu- side was a fiat package tied with white ribbon and having strong spicy odor. and written upon it were the words. "Tabby's Tonic"
 Amy opened it and found many home-dried leaves of soft, yelvety cat. nip. Now Tabby who was making a big black -and-yelow 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 off under the sofa with it. Papa roared | with laughter and said. "Tabby would not have her private correspondence meddled with" But mamma was fesr~l full she would eat too much of the caCr., nip, so they all tried to get 1t awaybt 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 1t she had eaten at least half the catnip.
 Mamma put the rest of the catnip safely away, shut up in a box, and that hidden in a deep vase on the parlor mantel Occasionally as a treat, Tabby was given 6 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 oftenl 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 mantel. threw down and broke the vase. gnawed off the box cover. and took all her tonic at one dose.
 Auntie was written to about her Ha- vorites bad behavior, and what do you think she suggested as q 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 1t for herself! So both Amy and Tabby are looking forward to next summer with great delight