New-York tribune., 1901-04-14
NETWORK TRIBUNE ILLUSTRATED SUPPLEMENT-

small come by chance announced herself as a
claimant fer the lost daughters vacant place
they had named her VFIet and taken to her
very Kindly All this had happened a long
long time ago; but although Viet was like her
master, wen stricken ia years, she a dainty
pretty little cat still, with feminine vanity that
insisted upon perfectly licked and glossy coat
WIN SPECIAL face washing after every meal
Ihe Old man loved her dearly. for she was far
NOR than a cat to him; she was the last living
blt of home left, and he had part with her
because his home was broken up and done away
wlth- She Was soft and warm ana gentle with
most loving ways; ard now all these things had
10 pass out of his life for pure o1icialism would
take possession Of him, and not let go until par
lSl boards inclosed his dumb head and earth
received her own
1t broke his heart that he could not explain
matters to her, and 50 soften the pain Of part
ing IF could hev tolc her twas for the best
ne Salc to himself over ana over again. shed
nave Hlded away FROM me mere patient-like;
hat there's no reasoning with dumb critter:
shell just pine away Wi griev!ng, and maybe
Gct served bad
His troubled thoughts were s,7a,,,al ,s,,.,.r
10y the hustle Of an arriving cart piled high
Win the ne" tenants goods and crowned 10y up
rooted gooseberry bushes. He rose then with
a quickly beating heart. while Vilet at his fe.t
luNrc herself out Indignantly at more intrl1.rs
upon tneir beloved privacy. Il seemed to joe
Nlat a regiment entered with hobnailed boots
and headed by red faced matron VINO was
eFid5ntly at high pressure with the exertion Of
Kidding house she stared in diSpIaasal
alnazement at the old man who should hay
been gone; the fuffed-out Ei'Iet vas quite be
apologeticaIy.
I'm t'e clean gone in a moment. nissus: l only
"alifd 10 pay my rispacts. and to asst if you'd
a mind to kip cat-'tis a Wunnerful good eat
and turr' ble fierce after rats and mice"
1t Is 10 be feared that he drew upon his imaey-
inatlon for the rats, but regards mice he was
perfectly in order. But for her fever heat of
business Mrs. Foot, a kind hearted woman
might easily have been touched into acquieScenc
by his pleading face. quite working with anxiety
Unfortunately. too, the foolish little cat was
making a perfect exhibition Of Farself under
the stimulus Of a dog barking outside-he knew
or h4 ANA h 49,. },
Indignation. evolved out of a cat. ready u
hufi Itself in his direction To her
more seemly deneanor Joe took her up. and
she quoted at once feeling So secure in her mas
ter's arms.
shes 50 knowleagasle'' he pleaded tmilIy
as MS eyes wandered uneasy to the troop of
children. as though he feared the mother might
accuse him OF wanting take the bread out Of
their mouths. and moi bit covetous or greedy:
e'ill do with anythiDg-just a few oddsies and
II she may bide long Of you there's two-dree
:aggots IN the back house that you'm kindly well
come to-
His voice trailei off into hopelessness as Mrs. .
Foot eyed him and Ei'let though she pre-
ferTed their room to their company. and enun-
Grated a verdict which entirely Coincided with
Liza LeSg's that children plague enough,
and she couldn't be Ino.dered with no cats
He saw ii was hopeless, he laid his Bible
on the manteIsheIf saying he would return for
il 'd'reckly minute and sailed forth with an
old ferret bag in one hand and Filet held close
with the other
As he made his forlorn way DOWN TO the river
the cats fur was dabbled with the old mans
bltter Tears To nave to his faithful little
friend this last shabby trick-to have with his
own hands put silence the living. loving
thing which had comfOrtei his loneliness thou
sand times. made his soul rise UP in anguish and
rebellion. Had he lived honestly and worked
50 hard % come only to this? Why not have
tithed at least a part Of his masters belong
IngS which had passed constantly through
his hands. and known better times? He'd
know n many less particular :han himself, and
they Stiu had roofs Of their own to cover them
without troubling the parish. For once dark
thoughts possessed his patient sOul-iark
thoughts Of life, Of death. and even II God in
His heaven. But these could abide with
him long, for suddenly he seemed To his
'yife's last living look, with its calm beatitude
OF perfect trust. reproaching him for his bitter
ness ana want Of faith Such a remembrance
had power to brush aside the clouds Of his mo-
mentary unbelief. and he only heart
broken he reached the sandy margin of the
river which he had bathed : a happy. care
less lad. Putting down Filet-for he had no
she would stray from him-he had to
stones. He had literally to feel for them. for
the tears were raining down his face. If only he
could have told her he was doing it for the
befall her, and to prevent her slowly pining
DEATH
He was pottering slowly about his hopeless
task when d fisherman. who had been anazetx
onlOoker from the shadow Of d tree oVerhanging
the water, accOsted him.
You seem in trouble; can help your"
Joe Strengthened himself slowly with a groan,
and his questiOner never forgot the tragedy
bn 9d-