The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-13
TbQ Passing Of TbQ Poster Cat.

from the depths of which, from time 10 time, issued angry, smothered protests, of sort 10 make passersby start with surprise and the Young Man look up at the sky with sud den interest in the weather.
 Don't jolt her SO" said the Sphinx se- verely; mo wonder she cries, you re mak- ing her seasick. Poster. Poster Never mind, dear, you'll soon be out in the green woods among the fields of mice.'
 "Oh. if had only thought to put piece of poisoned ment i'll the basket! If l had only thought" he murmured.
 But release. final and complete. was nearer at hand than he had any idea of. Had he but looked behind he might have seen small boy leave the apartment from which they had issued and slink along Il block in the rear, halting. darting from cover to cover, and assuming nonchaant attitudes of interest in shop windows, according to the exigencies of the moment and knowledge gained from perusa of Old Sleuth sto- ries
 "Vengeance." muttered the amateur de tective, as he felt in his pocket for the left ear of the departed Shaken. which he had preserved as a souvenir. Avoiding detec- tion, the youthful successor of Monsieur Nidocq shadowed his unsuspecting prey to the elevated station, where he sprang aboard the train in time to see the Sphinx and her escort squeeze themselves into the little tNtN7uTitAt tolHldINnlcHl Ut lue lar emu Ol the car. Peering cautiously through the rear window as each station was reached, he assured himself that his victims were not trying to give him the slip Evidently, something was amusing the other passen- gers, as they were all on broad grin and were craning their necks to obtain a view of the mysterious basket at the Young Man s feet.
 WhRD fnr ft ton of the pieniekers was reached, and they left the train, still shadowed by the blood thirsty Bell boy. who now felt sure they could not elude him. At Il safe distance he followed, as the couple sought retired path leading to the river, OH which it would be safe to release Poster without fear of vicious dogs. Having reached the river, the Young Man set the basket on the ground, opened the cover and out sprang the cat with a meow of joy, and d moment later the three excursionists were pursuing their almess way along the stream. Poster and her mis- tress occupied with pleasant visions of the coming feast, and the Young Man neryously rehearsing to himself the words in which he proposed to urge his suit. Hitherto the yengeful youth had followed without definite plan, but the moment he caught sight of the swollen, swiftly flowing stream bold scheme flashed into his mind. Near at hand could be heard the roar of waterwheel and of the angry waters as they dashed upon the rocks at the foot of the dam. To think was to act with the inconso.able master of poor Shaken. and he increased his pace un- til but few yards separated him from his intended victim. Carefully, silently, on tip- toe. he walked, fearful lest the grating of q stone should betray him. Almost within reach of his hand now was the stiff up- right tail of Poster. who was eontentedly trotting beside her mistress on the watcry side of the path. Silence had fallen upon the group.
 Now Is my chanee." nervously muttered the determined youth, and forward he dashed, with hand greedi,y outstretched toward Pos ter's tail. Just us he gained the grip the Sphinx heard him and turned with start