The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-04
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

Gordon hated cats. TO him the name cat meant not a round. soft, silky ball. with a contented purr somewhere inside, but gannt. proving creature generally one-eyed and scalioped-eared, and mora often with three sound legs, than with four; monster haunting backyard fences; a freak giving vent 70 unearthly shrieks so badly aimed at the unonenolng moon that instead they pierce the El- nermost depths of poor sensitive mortal souls and stir up emotions better not
 Therefore, Gordon did not jump for joy after he had read the following letter from wealthy aunt:
 My Dear Nephew-While the descrip- ton you gave of your new studio charm ed me, I observed that you lack one thing. and that an important one. C.Money! Always did. my dear aunt!) That to which I refer, is indispensable every unoretentious purse, aunt.D "No studio, my dear nephew. should be with out a-" and here. Gordon was seized with one of the afore-msntioned better read was-cat! "A cat" went on the let. ter, lis as necessary to an artists suc- cess as is his brush; indeed, I may say, the cat adds a tone. ("Better say . fiendish noise. aunt'), which is not to be obtained by mere pictures and furnish ings. Now, I do not mean that I think you ought to take in an ordinary animal better none at all, than any common to be able to make for yourself a good selection, l have done 1t for you, and am now sending you most beautiful creature-a full-blooded Angora. regis tered as John Alden, and aged three months. He is valued at $15, but as he grows older will increase in worth. Let me know if he arrives safely, and what you think of him; also, do not fail tt send nccaSinnai rpnOrta of him
 Then followed several pages of direc- tens for the care of Angora cats, proper foods, etc, and Gordon dropped the let ter with disheartened sigh.
 The next day John Alden arrived. At Sight of him Gordon did not shudder as he had fully intended to do. Instead he timidly stroked the long, yellow fur and laughed when this act started a spinning wheel in John Alden's interior. Then and there, of his own accord, with no thought of doing SD for his own inter- ests in pleasing rich relative, Ernest Gordon mentally swore to do the right thing by his new possession. and when purrs gave place to hungry news, hast ened to his small inner room. procured saucepan. lighted his oil-stove, and heated milk according to his aunts ad- vice.
 John Alden was duly introduced to the l elevator boy. and to the night watch man. each of whom gladly took the oath of allegiance to his furry highness. Thus WdS HIS lIlELdhdltOl dGlOtAlf1sficop HE | reign begun.
 Your generous gift came safely wrote Gordon to his aunt. "I like him l immensely and appreciate your kind in terest in making the success of my new studio complete. ] have no doubt my AnEora friend and I will get on famouslJ l together"
 l His lordship was not long in establish | inG himself as master of the studio. Dis 1 dcining the comfortable basket Gordor l had arranged for him, he carefully SC 1 lected the most expensive fabrics where l on to compose his dainty limbs; scorn I ing the spool and string provided for hi' l amusement. he tore up and down velve
 curtains and portieres. He whisked al
 lightly as feather, back and forth, il and out, among the costly vases anC
 marbles. and though Gordon sometime' drew long breaths, he said nothing.
 A week passed, during which Johl Alden met many enthusiastic admirers
 chief among whom was Miss Isabel Ora
 ham, who was sitting for her portrait.
 How thoughtful of your aunt! tn
 young lady exclaimed at first sight O the cat. MT. Gordon, you must be | proud to own that dear creature" ant
 Gordon was not wicked enough to asl | which.
 Before the second week was over Johl
 Allen signified his determination to SC
 something of outdoor life, and tough
 1-hursdav,s story CONCERNING OIL