Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-07-25
TabbY Tortures Valentine.

AADDY IuffuTes hAtsnHM&
 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 ac- eustomed 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 lffe?@ she would ask.
 Tabbys 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 goed-by and left for home her last words were, T will remember and soon send Tabby's tonics
 Auntie always sent Amy a valen- tine; so, as theg 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, 189-- St. New York In side was fat 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. yelvety 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 lap, and seizing the package, rushed off under the sofa with it. Papa reared with laughter, and said. @Tabby would not have her private correspondence medaIed with. But mamma was fear ful she would cal too much of the cat nip. 90 they all tried to get it away. Tabby fought them vigorously with her hind legs. while she hugeed her precious valentine to hea white breast with her fore paws; and before taey finally secured ft she had eaten at least half the catnip.
 Mamma put the rest=af the eatniD safely away. shut up in box, and that hidden in 9 deep vase oH the paFlar mauteI. Occasionally as q treat Tabby WAS given a leaf, and both papa and mamma had way of stealing ia to take "sniH9 Of the pangent mint. which reminded them Of their dear old country home.
 Alasl Papa went once 10 often! One day mamma was not there to see that he closed the door, and Tabby caught she scent Wicked TaBby sfylY =efepg in, jumped on the mantel threw down and broke tie vase gaaWed on Che box cover. and took at her tonic at one dose.
 Auatie was written to about her fa- vorite's bad behavior, and what do you think she suggested as a punishment? Why. that Amy and Tabhy spend next sumner with her in the country. where Tabby can have all the catnip she wants, and pick ii for herself! So both Amy aud Tabby are looking forward to next summer with great delight.