Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-07-15
/" PUSSUM."


ties one morning when | opened the back
door Indeed | have seldom seen a more
forlorn specimen than was our stately
"Pussum' at this the moment of our
Introduction.
PERHAPS he was prodgal that had
travelled far, wasting his substance in
riotous living. At least he was very
foot-sore, and had no substance left that
seemed of any value to respectable pco-
pie. \ vagabond and a tramp depend
ing on charity and odd jobs To help him
on his way. he was doubtless guarding
our milk supply with the hope of some
slight reward. We didn't need his pro-
lection, but from the depths of my heart
ana one of the bottles a modest salvage
was granted. 1 put some milk in a pan,
and he drank it grcedily, without thanks.
I did not invite him in. We had no cat
as yet, but we had one planned, and it
was not of this design. / hoped that
when filed ne would fare onward to lay
protection and tribute on other milk
bottles than ours.
forgot him presently, and was rather
surprised when somewhat later | heard
the little woman" announce that there
waS kitten clinging to the screen door
and crying TO come i'm. ! went out to in
vestigatc. and found him half way up
the screen. Not being able to get through
the wire he had climbed IT.
"It is unnecessary to come in" | said
stand, or sit, or whatever you call it,
/ appreciate your desire, now that the
pangs Of hunger are allayed, to make due
acknowledgement; but time is precious
and YOU should he on your way. There
are other milk-bottes to be saved. The
future is fun of them. Besides. it is
plcasanter without, and we have no SER
want within. We are barely settled We
could not entertain you properly, even If
we would. Go your way. Get off our
screen door. and hence Rapidly.
lie refused to hence. With food he had
acquired vigor. and a voice strong for
his size.
Perhaps" l said The wishes more
food"
l pushed open the screen, and begged
him to descend This was impossible--he
had not planned for retreat. His ten
dcncy was to climb higher. l was not
eager to touch him, but there seemed no
alternative | detached him from the
wire, and placed him before the pan.
Again he ate. Again, filled with the milk
of human kindness, he climbed up to
vuciferate his thanks and his intention of
abiding with us always.
! tried to shake him oft was no use.
unlocked him repeatedly and replaced
him in remote corners of the property.
He could beat me back to the screen
door. even allowing me rs much as ten
yards start. We repeated this race, UNI
steps behind when ! got my hand on the
knob. and he was coming with Roadway.
| was rather warm now. ana slightly an
uoyed by his ovcrwccung desire to be
our guest With my hand s'ill on the
knob, ] awaited him Erimly. I did not
kick him. ! would scoru to kick a cat. es-
| pecally such a cat. / simply lifted MIN
with my foot. and planted him In our
! experiment garden He described an arc,
and disappeared among the tomato vines.
| l'liu-iug wide the door. ! rushed in I'M
| willing to investigate the result OF my
| violence. \ sound from behind caused
me to start and turn lie was half way
| up the screen. and going higher
! ! opened the portal gently. Come in.
| little stranger" / said And thus II was
! the prodical became a part of our house
| hold
| As the days passed. the stranger grew
stronc and beautiful Not being pure
| Maltese. Z named him at first Matinee
| but this tide somehow seemed frivolous
and sayoring of advertising, whereas
"Puesum" came trirpinglY from the
tongue. ana expressed more affection
ately the deep regard and admira ton
which de- presently awakened in us all.
| Whatever may have been his past Il
| was left behind with his bleary eyes and
his cmaciated tail. Both Were fine and
expressive within the month and daily
Ille grew in grace and noble self-respect
Noue know him but TO love him. and the
occasional mouse, which l caught FOR
him I'm "a trap. was slight token award
ed i'm appreciation Of his sterling quail
tiles ana uuf1iliug appetite.
| have never seen cat display more