The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-21
Use The MaStic
C. '. B0CACKl,
Dealer In Sash, Doors and Blinds, Phone S3o 34 Commerce g.


 Captain Mayhew looked down at his feet, following the general direc- ton of a number of pair of eyes. and there stood Tom. Unmirdful of his appearance, oblivious of his rat-like tail, he calmly regarded the company.
 Then from Miss Nancy and the com pany broke unnumbered daughters. Miss Nancy fairly shrieked:
 If you must hay something to love. captain, why, don't you have something prettyT' gasped the young lady, between her screams Of laugh ter.
 At least get a shade for It's eye" suggested a pert young man.
 "Or hair restorative for its tail, added another.
 Captain Mayhew glared at his tor mentors and for a moment meditated craven retreat, but mastering his cour- age he faced his foes and attempted to change the subject. Miss Nancy wouldn't have 1t so. She leased the mariner about his queer pet to such an teeth, went back to his brig.
 When he reached the Kohl Nor he noted that Tom had not accompanied him. If some one had remarked to the captain that he was superstitious he would have promptly resented 1t, but the idea of going to sea uprotec- ted by the strange potency of the mascot of the brig caused the captain a qualm of uneasiness. He also doubt ed the effect of Toms abseEce on MT |. Cough and the crew. They might re- fuse to sail until Tom was found. and that would be a most annoying delay.
 What can have become of the cat7' muttered the captain.
 Evidently Tom must be recovered and the brig was to sail early in the morning. so that action must be swift He must have stayed at the house. " solilquized the captain, "I'll slip up and get him."
 It was past twelve and bright moon- light when the captain stealthily trod the pavement in front of the Gale house. The front porch was vacant and the captain stole around to the back alley. To his surprise the alley gate stood open and he entered the small yard. Cn the porch. in the full gleam of the moon, stood Tom. back rounded and hairless tail wagging as If counfronting deadly enemy. Fuss puss." said the captain, soft ly. Tom needed not this call. but emitted a whining noise as If the en- emy was drawing near.
 Captain Mayhew had tip-toed half way to II0 WllH lH6 luea OI picking up the cat when a shrill scream from above fell upon his ears It was Miss Eancy's voice. With a bound thetjcaptain reached tlsa porch and tried the door. It was fast, but at the same moment he noticed that the window alongside was open. Vaulting through. he stood in the kitchen, while from above came cries of help" in an agonizcd voice and in voice which he recognized even in its stress of excitement.
 He sprang up the stairs only to carom violently againsta man as- scending in haste. The man tried to push by him, and not succeeding struck savagely in the. face. Captain Mayhew- closed with him and the two rolled down the stairs grappling with each other.
 Its a robber. a murderer screamed Miss Nancy down the stairs. It was close contest for both men were strong. but the cries of Miss Nan cy had aroused the neighborhood and an officer burst into the kitchen fol- lowed by several citizens.
 He tried to choke me when I woke up and saw him bending over me- said Miss Nancy In delightful disha- bile, as she recounted her adventure to the captain.
 Tt was the cat not I. who did it, said the captain, explaining his being on hand at such an hour.
 No wonder you love him." mutt tered Miss Nancy.
 T don't love him." whispered the captain. T can't love anything bu; the prettiest girl in the world''
 If she's so pretty as that" sighed Miss Nancy, T should think she'd be worth asking for.''
 A very happy man stood on the poop of the brig when she lowed down the bay. and on the main hatch, serious as becomes cat with safety o& a 40o- ton brig and nine lives on his shoul- ders sat Tom. the mascot of the Kohl. Nor.