The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-26

one carried him away, and as he went
[ could hear him calling and appealing
to me to save his life"
Fudge! He's probably asleep in the
grass somewhere
And just as was coming up in the
street car I saw an Italian carrying
something in paper bag. CouM he
have got in here and stolen the cat?"
"Of course not. Cats go prowIing long
distances. Ours. may be mile away at
this time. but he'll head. for home about
supper time
''You-you wouldn't play any trick on
him, would you?" asked Mrs. Bowser
with something like accusation in her
tones.
It? I have something to do besides
playing tricks on cats"
You don't like him, you know"
Il don't care either way. What did
you buy today?''
Mrs. Bowser put the cat out of her
mind for ten minutes to discuss other
things, but when the cook came home
the subject was reopened.
when left the house he was Sleep
ing at the back door like an innocent
angel" said the cook in answer to a
question. Hes a cat that never goes
away from home in the afternoon, and
if he's gone now some one must have
had hand in it."
"How long had you been home when
I got here?" queried Mrs. Bowser of
the red-handed assassin.
''Ten minutes, maybe"
Il can't get it out of my head that
that Italian had our cat in that bag
"Poohl You are making a great fuss
about an old cat
But I liked him. I wouldn't have
anything happen to that cat for a hun
dred dollars. I'm a good mind to put
on my hat and go down the street and
look for that Italian. He wasn't walk
ing very fast"
you let that italian alone. You'd be
nice spectacle chasing man around
1.-the streets, wouldn't you'll"
But our cat is lost
81 don't believe it. He's liable to
show UP any minute"
Mr.. Bowser's assertion was pro-
phetic. He had just opened the front
door to take a seat on the steps when
a roaring, buzzing sound was heard
up the street. He looked up and saw
the lost cat coming. He had three or
four dogs and five or six men and boys
at his heels. Before he could fairly
realize the situation the cat whisked
through the open gate. up the steps
and up the front stairs, and he was
closely followed by the dogs.
Hey. you!" shouted the man who
had taken the feline away; "da cata
getta awayi"
''Wel, go on: never mind"
But what does he say about the
cat?" asked Mrs Bowser, as she APP
peared on the steps.
''Da cata getta away. One dol to
TAXA him off. When he getta away he
scratchy me like ~ I wanta an
other doli''
You go on!" shouted Mr. Bowser.
Like ; da cata scratch me.
wanta one more dol"
Mr.. Bowser could do no less than
rush down the steps and order the
crowd out of the yard. They didn't go.
Instead of going they pitched into him,
and in a moment he was down and
fighting for his life. Fortunately for
him, a policeman came along after he
had had most of the clothes torn off
his back and rescued him, and drove
the assailants along.
Now then" said Mrs. Bowser,
when the woebegone figure had limp
ed up the steps and was gasping for
breath, 81 want to understand this
matter. What about paying that man
dollar to take our cat away 2"
'fWo-woman!'' shouted the assassin
in reply, after two or three efforts,
you have at last driven me to the
dead linel Not another word from
you! You can take the 10 o'clock
morning train for your mothers, and
our lawyers will settle about the di-
vorce and alimony!"- copyright,
1Q0S hxr p Mcclure