The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-08-31

an sp.,e my nalf joking champion
ship of Passer domestcus, did not like
the birds much better than did Miss
Mullen, so | quite approved of the good
work George was doing. What is more,
did my best to keep his secret, conniv-
ing at his guilt and getting Miss Mullen
to do something in another part of the
house during the hour for Georges morn
ing sparrow.
After he had been out a little while he
would come briSkly in, sit down in the
sun and wash his face. purring loudly.
1t sometimes happened that he did not
succeed in catching a sparrow, and then
he would be cross, the black imperial Civ
ing an added sternness to his counte-
nance. | think he appreciated the fact
that there was a secret between us.
One afternoon Miss Muller had a caller,
gentleman, and | induced her to make
him stay to tea. The rest of the family
happened to be away, so we three sat at
the table together. Mr. Coleman was a
pleasant man. and as looked at him |
had feeling that | had seen him some.
where before. At length it dawned upon
me that he was George of the tintype,
though he did not wear an imperial now.
My decision was confirmed when George
the cat came in.
This is my cat, Tommy, Mr.. Cole
man." Miss Mullen said. and she gave
me a defiant look. Several times she
spoke to the cat and called him Tommy,
and | could but admire her ability to re-
member his new name. Mr. Coleman
took lnt litfln int ;,, h. .
length he showed Miss Mullen a picture
of his dog
"Oh, she's smart little dog, Midget
he said proudly.
'iss Mullen passed the card to me.
y always make me think of linty
dish 9th, poodles do" she said.
at is a very fine photograph" | said.
1T must be professional work." and
turned it over to see the photographcr's
name. Across the back was written:
Flora. Taken Jan. 1S 1898"
AS handed the picture back to its
owner his eyes met mine, and his face
said as plainly as if he had spoken,
Don't give me away"
There is some mystery here" | told
myself, and the next day | said to Miss
Mullen, 1T is funny, but | don't know
your first name"
1T is Flora" she answered, "and |
never liked it,"
Once, when something was said about
Mr.. Coleman, she blushed a little and
said, I'VE used to be pretty good friends,
but we had serious quarrel, and for
years we did not speak to each other"
For several weeks | went around with
the three secrets-George's Mr. Cole
mans and Miss Mullen 's-heavy on my
mind; then one of them slipped from me.
Miss Mullen saw George catch a spar
row. | shall never forget the expression
on her face and the struggle that | could
see going on there-the sorrow and dis
may at Georges crime and the fierce ex-
ultation at the death of Passer domesti-
Gus.
''Oh, Georger' she cried in low tone
of remonstrance. Il am surprised at
you. What shall do to you? You
ought to be punished, but it would not
do any good" a pause, while her eyes
were full of reproach then she said saw
agely, 1.-THE abominable little pests ought
to be killed, and if you don't do anything
worse than catch them | won't say a
word" In a moment more, with femi-
nine inconsistency, she said pitifully,
"Oh, the poor little birdr'
Mr.. Coleman called at our house often
after that first time, and once he said to
me, when I've been here and then 20
home, it does seem lonesome to have no.
body but a dog waiting for me, though
Midget does the best she knows how,
suppose"
1t was after Miss Mullen found out
Georges secret that she seemed a little
troubled and unhappy in Mr.. Coleman's
presence. At length one evening she spoke
out quite abruptly: You were right,
George, and | was wrong. A cat cannot
be trained not to catch birds. I've tried
it ever so many times, and now even
Tommy has failed me-" Her eyes were
downcast. and she did not see Mr.. Cole
mans face. ! did, and l got up quickly
and left the room.
And all those things we used to quar-
rel over - the English sparrows. you
know, Flora. Well, you were right and
l was wrong" That was all | heard as
went out and closed the door.
1t is year now since Miss Mullen left
us. George and Floral should say
Tommy and Midget-get on harmonious
". AS Tommy still INDUCES in his morn
ing Passer domesticus, he can no longer
be called a vegetarian cat.-New York
Evening Post.