The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-05-13

On the whole it seemed to be a rath-
er hard summer for "Pussum" His
favorite corners were disordered; his
favorite cushions tumbled and upset.
Less than this has driven more than
one bachelor to domesticity, and per-
haps, after ALL we were to blame.
When the house was settled at last,
he returned much as usual, and pres
emily fell into disfavor, through a per-
sistence in occupying newly and blue
ly upholstered chair, which we were
trying to keep handsome and free from
hairs, Repeated eviction and dire
threats were Of no avail. "Pussum''
slept in the chair whenever it stood up
right and protested when. it was made
uninhabitable with book, or when it's
angle made rest matter of discom-
fort and peril
+ 1t was this later unkindness on our
part that resulted in disaster to the
chair and in deep disgrace ON the part
of "Pussum." l suppose l tipped the
chair little too suddenly, and "Pus-
sum" being dreaming, perhaps thought
he was falling over precipice. At
all events, he clawed and chung desper-
ately, with the result that there were
two long Sits in the blue fabric, that
were as wounds in our hearts. When
he was finally captured and banished
| said that this was the end. At sun
rise he should die. 1t was simply
| question whether / would tie our little
| feline brother to tree and use him for
| target-practice, or take him down cell
lar and quietly remove his head with
my new saw. On the whole, preferred
the saw, but the precious ones" be-
came violent at mention of either
method. They were for overlooking
the whole matter, and declared that
nothing should harm hair of their
darling cat" Still | was unforgiving,
and the next forenoon-which was
sunny and Sunday-when | saw him
blinking at me from the steps, while
l filled some vases from the marigold
patch. l was Indifferent and cool in
my manner toward him. Presently
something was rubbing against my leg,
and purring. was surprised at this
it was not "Possum's' way. Neither
was it "Pussum," for when l looked
down l saw it was the slender, and
hitherto wild, black-and-wh cat
from the vacant cellar next door
well" l said, what does this
mean? What do you want?"
The blackand-white cat looked up
pleadingly, and continued to rub and
purr.
NO go away" I growled; 1--WE do
not want you. We've got one cat too
many now"
The .blackand-white cat looked up.
"That's just what l want to talk
about" she purred. Our poor 'Pus-
sum-
"Oh, our poor 'Pussump Um-well
never mind our poor 'Pussum.' He's in
disgrace. He's torn my beautiful new
chair with his claws!"
YES" assented the black-and-white
cat, thoughtfully, Il know. But do you
always like to be pushed out of your
favorite seat? And don't you some
times have accidents. too?"
What has that to do with it? 'Pus-
sIrl' is cat We gave him good
home-he should appreciate it. He
was a stray cat, and we took him in"
IL am q stray, too" murmured
the black-and-white cat.
well, what of it? What has that to
do with 'Pussum?"
81 know how much he must appre- |
ciate his nice home" the black-and
white cat purred. softly. 81 know he
does, too, for he has told me about it,
and Of how good you are to him. |
hope you will forgive him"
"Oh, WE'LL" l said, 81 suppose we
must. Go away now, and don't bother
me-"
The black-and-wh cat nestled
closer. Zone thing more" she said. !.
do you know that I'm 'Pussum's'
comfort, his companion in grief and
sorrow, and that l have no friends
or homer"
What was the use? After that the
black-and- white cat took up residence
in "Pussum's" cellar, and ate out OF
"Pussum's pan.
Their family came along in time to
brighten the dull winter days. There
were three of them, and the resem-
blance was quite strong on both sides.
| have never seen a prouder mother
than the black-and-whit cat. AS for
"Pussun," his interest was one of Gu
riosity rather than of paternal solicit
tude He removed his quarters to
distant part of the cellar, perhaps so
that he might enjoy a nights rest.
When I brought him to the box of ex-
celsior, and dropped him down among
his family, he seemed disturbed, and
the lauiSh andaa rrnentS of the black |