The suburban citizen., 1902-11-22

Mrs. Harris cats II they were
out in the yard, and Mrs. Harris Of
ten watched her from the window.
This lady was very fond of cats; she
had four large ones and one kitten.
One day she came out in the yard
when Bessie was there and asked her
IL she had a kitten.
"No. haven't; but l want one very
much, and mamma says l may have
one If l can find a pretty one" Bessie
replied.
'Do you think you would take good
care of one all the time" Mrs. Harris
asked earnestly.
"Oh, yes, indeed I should love to
take care of a kitten"
"Well, you seem to be good to cats.
and have Joseph and Jane, and Toby
and Peter, and l ought not TO keep
any more. III tell you what I'll do:
you may take the kitten home with
you'll haven't named him yot-and
keep him two weeks. then bring him
back to me, and if he looks well you
may keep him; but shall want TO see
him occasionally. for he is m unusually
smart kitten and deserves good
home"
So a much delighted little girl car.
rlcd home Mrs. Harris gray kitten cud-
died up close in her arms. and before
she reached home she had named the
kitten Billy Gray. After a few days
Billy Gray was perfectly contented
in his new home, for Bessie gave him
the best of care.
When two weeks had passed Billy
Gray was carried to Mrs. Harris for
inspection, and she was much pleased
with his appearance. Around his neck
he wore a bright red ribbon on which
were two tiny brass bells. RED rib
bon is most becoming to his complex
ion, think" Bessie said. And don't
those two little bells look cunning
right under his dear little chimp
Mrs. Harris thought they did.
Billy soon learned to love Bessie,
and followed her about the house and
out-of-doors. They both enjoyed play
ing in the garden. Ono day when
Bessie was digging in the dirt with hel
own small shovel she found a small
earthen doll. The doll had lost both
arms and was discolored with dirt
but Bessie and Billy were much inter.
Cstcd in It, Billy polied It around with
his paw, and after n little took it in
his mouth and walked off with it,
Bessie thought that was a very cute
thing to do.
Bessie dressed the doll in a piece of
soft brown cloth and tied a red ribbon
around its waist. and always spoke Of
It as Billy Gray's doll. Indeed. Billy
Gray seemed TO enjoy that doll very
much; he played with it a good deal
and would carry it in his mouth as
dogs carry things. Yes, Billy Gray
was an unusually clever kitten, as Mrs
Harris had said.
About the 1st Of November. an in
| vltation came, Just rs it always had
come ever since Bessie could remem
Der, for papa and mamma and Bessi<
Allen to spend Thanksgiving Will
Grandpa and Grandma Allen. OF
course they would go-tLey always did
usually they went the day before
Thanksgiving and stayed until the
day after. But what should be done
with Billy Gray while tie family were
away? 1t would never do to leave hel
alone two nights, and it seemed espe
clally cruel to leave him ut Thanks
giving, for IL Billy didn't want a good
Thanksgiving dinner who did?
"You might leave him with Mrs
Harris" mamma suggested.
I'm afraid that would teach him
to ruin away" Bessie said slowly; "and
perhaps Mrs. Harris is going away
too"
John will take care Of the fires while