The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-12-19

In time. however, hls w0undsd feel
lnss and skin healed. his fur grew back
and he was once more ready 20 make
q presentable appearance in company.
Even cats feel some dellcacy about
venturing into society with most OF
their clothes ripped on.
Still later In his career he was taken
In by a large and matronly woman
with an amiable disposition and a dou-
BILE chin. Here he regalned his faith
In humankind and ceased for a time
70 be a bowling pessImist Having
bad little orifice cut for him into the
Kitchen entryway. this be wore slick
with his frequent comings and goinga.
But some stray cats also learned Of
the hole, 90 a small door with hinges
above was placed over the opening, /
This hurt Micawber's feelings. and he /
mewed piteously until one day the /
small boy OF the house pushed him |
through the hole and showed him how |
the door worked. Ever afterward he |
asked nobody's Assistance-that is, In
going out But when II came 10 get.
| ting back that was n different matter.
| AZ first he pushed against the door,
but this hurt his head ana did not
! effect the desired result Then be
mewed. Finally be worked II out with
hts small cat brain. Lying on his
back, he paved the door open, then by
sudden squirmlng motion was
through the hole before Il could close
ugAin. After TINT achievement be
arched his back and walked as proudly
as though he had whipped the biggest
Tom on the block Nor did he forget
the trick. Finally the family discoy-
cred him at Il, and neighbors came to
see his cleverness. II this caused him
any pride. however. he never showed
IT, Cats are not afflicted with swelled
head, even though they have no ethics
worth mentioning.
When the family whom Mieawber
had honored with his presence moved
away to a distant city II was with
sincere regret that they were forced
| to leave him behind. As the house stood
J vacant for n time he again became a
wanderer on the face Of the earth. a
tramp. a stray. vagabond SO once
more he began carousing and disturb
ing the nelghborhOOd. lie had per
ennial appetite that never was appeas.
ed, a craving that never was filed.
Micawber was a handsome eat and
valiant withal. and among the monde
script felines OF all colors and no color
to speak OF be shOne Respondent In a
abby coat, striped like a tiger lie had
now reached an age when any well
| regulated cat should hive settled down
and become a respected citizen. Per
haps II was a sense Of his unreRenerate
condition that caused him 20 cast about
for another home. During his wander
lngs he stopped at a barn and farmer
gave him milk fresh from the COW.
There were three dogs on the place,
and Micawber did not stay.
One winters day he especially felt
the need Of a new life. Perhaps II was
because he was cold; also hungry. II
seemed to him that he wRs always hun
CRY. He was q bundle Of appetite. an
animated void. an inearnate longing
This particular day. which was TO
prove a red letter one in his career. be
wandered far from his usual hauHts
Finally espyins a slightiy open door.
bis old domestic habits got the best oF
him. and be yentured In II was Christ.
mas. but be knew nothing Of that. be-
I .
Perhaps In some subc0nscioua way be
was sent ~ = Christmas gift 20 the lit
tie folks there. hut of that be also was
In Ignorance.
When once inside, the house seemed
deserted. but Il was warm. That was
the main thing. No. not quite the main
thing. Tor the inward gnawing eontin-
ued. The earnaI nature Of q cat Il a.
strong a. that Of some people. The
Only object IN the universe now worth
/ seeking was q dinner. Suddenly be
caught an unmlstakable scent that
made his nerves Jingle and his mouth
water. Surely that was milk. Mlcaw
ber's unerrinG instinct located Il on q
nearby table. and with a single spring
be was there But the best laid plans
not only Of mice and men. but also Of
| eats. 60 oft astraX. Thsrs was certain