The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-22
"Chumlet' and Her Children.
BY WILLIAM WALLACE, JR.

All the children in Bentonville felt
sorry for Charlie Frame. He had no
brothers or sisters to play with, and
he had suffered the loss OF his mother
when he was seven years old. His
father was a stern, serious-faced man,
who seldom smiled and had little to say
to Charlie except when he laid down
the law to him or reprimanded him for
not obeying 1t to the letter.
Shortly after Charles mothers death
his father took him to live with an old
maiden aunt, Charles fathers sister.
This old lady never having been accus-
toned to children, knew little about
them. and had small sympathy for their
childish desires. Seldom. indeed. did the
old aunt allow Charlie to go out with
other children to join In their sports,
saying that time was thrown away when
spent in idle pastime. After her little
nephew had his lessons learned for the
morrows school she found plenty of
work for him in the garden. the front
yard and the cow-lot to keep him busy.
One morning as Charlie was prepar-
ing to clean out the manger In the cow
shed he saw an old tabby cat jump out
of 1t and run in frightened way toward
the alley. She was a fine specimen,
white and clean and beautifully marked
with black on her ears. paws and tail.
Charlie, loving domestic animals. ran
to the shed door, calling loudly: kit
ty-catl kitty-catl'
The old cat paused, looked round
toward Charlie. then sat down on her
cold paws. Charlie went cautiously to
her. holding out his hands invitingly.
and said: Come. kitty-cat. comet
When he got close enough to stroke her
fur the old tabby, to his delight, rose
and rubbed her arched back against
his legs. purring in most friendly man
ner.
IVY, you amt afraid of me, are you.
kitty" he said, STOPPING and rubbing
her back gently.
Pussy answered by purring some
more, and arching her back into bow.
Don't you want to be my chum.
kitty7" Charlie asked, taking the WILL
ing cat In his arms and warming his
cold nose In her coat. 1T amt got no
chum nor playmates, and l do get that
lonesome, you know, since dear mamma
died" Kitty. as IL understanding him,
nestled closer in his arms. Then, as If
suddenly remembering something which
required her attention she struggled
loose and sprang to the ground. running
off down the alley toward an abandoned
old barn.
IT hope she'll come back" said
Charlie. returning to his work, whistling
merrily, for his was a happy DISPOSE
ton in spite of uncheerful environment.
wish had a lot of cats and kittens
and dogs and pups. ia teach them all
sorts of tricks, and we'd have such
splendid times together"
Just at this minute in through the
door came the old kitty-cat with some
thing round, woolly and white In her
mouth. She passed right by Charlie and
sprang into the Manager, cuddling down
in the warm hay. Charlie ran to see
what 1t was the cat had carried In
There. lying curled up into a ball was
the dearest bit of kitten he had ever
seen. "Oh, you pretty thing, he ex-
claimed longing to take 1t in his hands;
but for fear of frightening the mother
he kept a safe distance away. MY
stars. but you are a beauty" he went
on. addressing the kitten. IN going to
fix you a nice warm bed. And, you,' he
said, speaking to the old cat, II am go
ing to call you, 'Chumlet'. which means
you and I are pardners and that wen
raise the little baby together.
Old pussy looked at him and blinked
her thanks, seeming to say "All right,
young man. And I'll take saucer OF
milk right now, II you please"
Charlie hurried through his work, do
ing It In about half the usual time re-
CURED, and ran into the house. Fear
ing his aunt's disapproval of his new
found four-footed chun he said nothing
about her. but waited for an oppor-
tunity to get a saucer of milk for the
hungry "Chumlet''. Pretty soon his
aunt took her shawl and bonnet and
announced her intention of going to see
a sick friend, saying that she might not
return to luncheon, as 1t was Saturday.
and Charlie would have time to fix the
food on the table for his father and
himself. Look after things well,
Charles, so you will have a clear con-
science" his aunt had said as she de-
parted.
Mo-, the first thing that Charles
conscience prompted him to do was to
carry a saucer of sweet milk to Chumlet