Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-10-15

II THE CAT DID. i
IA BY &
~ GILBERT L. LYON.
q Copyright, 1901, by r
10 Gabert L. Lyon. II
Haaoaaa0eaaQeeaa atatasassaaaasa&
~1HRIsToPHER MELVILLE
UA was deaf; yes, very deaf. He
SEHSl could not hear a word with
S8A out bis ear trumpets, Of which
he had a good many. long ones and
short ones, and he was always leaving
them around, to the great annoyance
of the dodgers. II any one sat down
on a chair, like as not they sat on one,
or one would be found on the dining
table.
He was q rather short, stout man,
with very little hair on his head and
no whiskers or mustache. He was very
pleasant, and when he smiled he smil-
ed all over his face, so that he seemed
| to beam Oh one.
He had q large maltese cat named
Joachim that he thought the world Of,
and often when he came home at night
he brought some little tidbit for Joa-
chin. rushing up to his room at once
to see his pet. or course, in lodging
house. he was obliged to keep the cat
In his own room, where during the day
It would lie In the sun on the broad
window sill, and at night 1t slept with
him.
Now, no one had ever paid Mr.. Mel
Vile any attention until Miss Abigail
Manning came up from Somerset to
spend the winter In London.
Miss Abigail Manning was spinster
Of that uncertain age not mentioned by
the fair sex. She was short. with dark
hair and gray eyes. She had a little
property-enough to live on comforta-
bly-but she had always been looking
for a man and, not finding one in Som.
ersetshire, had come up to the capital,
determined to take the frst eligible one
that was presented.
The truth was she had not dreamed
at first of catching Mr.. Melville; but,
seeing that the poor man was left abso-
lutely alone. she overcame dislike to
the queer shaped trumpets and talked
to him half an hour at time.
Mr.. Melville was delighted. Here was
some one that he could talk to. and,
not hearing half that was said. he
thought Miss Abigail Manning agreed
with him In everything.
"Do you like cats?" was one Of the
first questions he asked her. and he un.
derstood her to say that she liked them
when what she did say was that she
could not endure them.
"You can have Joachim, then." said
Mr.. Melville. whenever you please
down in your ROOM"
Now. It was about this time that
Miss Abigail. having questioned Mrs.
Jenkins, the landlady. and found that
Mr.. Melville had quite little proper
ty, decided with herself that the said
Mr.. Melville was the very man she had
been looking for. 1t was also about
this time that Mr.. Melville found that
In couple Of weeks business would ne
cessitate his going to Paris for some
time.
What should he do with Joachim?
Mrs. Jenkins had refused once before
to take care Of him, so be could not ask
her. All at once brilliant idea oc-
Cured to him. He would ask Miss Abb
igail to take care Of the cat. She had
said that she was so fond Of cats. he
would ask her that very day and have
1t off his mind.
But 1t happened Miss Abigail did not
come home to dinner that night. and
in tho morning did not come down
until after he left, so Mr.. Melville de-
cided to write note and leave It with
the maid when he went out. He wrote
and carefully directed the following:
Dear Miss MannIng-l am going to ask great
favor OF you. You know how ! love Joachim,
and % you are fond OF cats am going to ask
you to take care OF him for . few days j shall
be obliged to 60 to Paris on business the 2sth OF
the month and shall be gone four or Eve weeks
I would not ask you to keep him the whole time.
but my brother James 10 coming to town about
the lst Of next month to attend to some business
In Piccadilly, and he will then take Joachim home
with him. II you will kindly see to all arrange.
ments In regard to his departure. The basket he
travels in and the pillow and the bottle for milk
are all In my closet. II you will kindly consent
to do this for me. shall be most greatly obliged
Most respectfully yours.
CHRnropHrR MELvnLk
This note the maid promised to de-
liver to Miss Abigail, but. alas. 1t
slipped down through her dress lining
and was lost and forgotten, so that
Miss Abigail never received It
That night Mr.. Melville waited until
dinner was over and then. retiring to
the dining room, found Miss Abigail
alone. Walking over to the window
where she sat, he said:
"Miss Manning, am glad to find
you alone. as l want to talk with you.
AS you know. I always have the inter
est Of those dear to me at heart. OF
course you received my note?" he add.
ed. "Oh, dear. where are my trum.
petsT
T have received no note." said Miss
Manning, but Mr.. Melville was mean
while looking all over the room for
trumpet
"There is one" said Miss Abigail.
coming to the rescue, ION the plate
warmer"
"Oh, thank you" said Mr.. Melville.
please be seated" drawing up a chair.
Sand will explain all Of my plans. 1t
k so unfortunate that the house has
no private sitting room."
"Yes. indeed" replied she. 1T is
awkward at times"
"I will repeat what I said, that what
ever love have the greatest possible
interest in." Miss Abigail blushed.
"And ! know" continued Mr.. Mel
rille, that 1t Is asking a great deal OF
7ou to devote your time to an animal"
"oh, mol oh. nov' said Miss Abigail.
leprecating his calling himself an ami
NAL. "You must not say such things"
"Then you will accept" said Mr.. Mel
,,u,. ,o dsoD<Iy hoo MING nm hor for