Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-01
LOST A KITTEN
Copyright. 1906, by Joseph B. Bewlss.l
By ELEANOR H. PORTER


 gone a-summering. That may ac- count for my being outside the house and on the piazza when the cat came. It was tiny gray ball of fur that bounded up the long flight of steps and bounced into my lap with an un- mistakable gurgle of satisfaction.
 Well, well, upon my soul!" calculated.
 A mellow rumble came from the gray ball, and two amber eyes looked confdingly into my face.
 "Humph! Where did you hail from?"
 The rumble increased perceptibly. I stretched out my hand and gently l stroked the soft fur. Instantly the tall came upright and waved joyful well come to the caress, while the back arched itself hard against my hand.
 didn't care for cats-that is, I supposed I didn't. My sister ab- horred them.
 There was something extraor- 'dinartly fascinating, however, about this curious little creature in my lap She rubbed and sung, and sung and i rubbed, and winked her yellow eyes i ecstatically. My cigar went out : she didn't like the smoke; I couldn't even read'-she objected to the rust ling of the paper. She tugged at my vest buttons and chewed awhile on my watch charm, then curled herself into an impossible ball and went to sleep. held her until nine o'clock, then gently laid her in the hammock and went upstairs to my room.
 In the middle of the night was awakened by a most extraordinary noise. It resembled nothing so much as the thunder" we boys used to make in our amateur theatricals out in the barn. There was another re- sounding, vibrant rumble, then soft thud; next came plaintive, long drawn wall that brought me instantly to my feet. I knew then-it was that kitten doing a cake-walk on tue screen door downstairs!
 For just one hour lay there listen- ing to the thumps and bangs and walls of woe from the piazza--then went downstairs in righteous wrath and let that kitten in. For the rest of the night lay on the bed repent ing what had done.
 It was not that. the kitten was un- grateful-her gratitude was of the deepest, and she showed it by chas- seing up and down my recumbent form with what seemed to me a pro- digious roar for so slender . throat to produce. She poked her little nose into my ear and thrust her whiskers into my nostrils; then she lay down hard against my back and filled me with terror lest roll over and crush her.
 In the morning, heavy-eyed and un- restsd, arose to dress.
 At last was ready, and, leaving the kitten on the front porch with an old watch chain for a plaything, I hurried of to my boarding place
 All through breakfast meditated. Clearly, something would have to be done. This was evidently some body's lost pet. and ought to be inn mediately returned. would make a few inquiries in the neighborhood. Surely 1t ought to be a very simple thing to find the little creatures own CT! So it was with a cheerful face that I started home a little later bear ing carefully in my hands the kittens breakfast. My walk was not altogether pleas ! ant, for I attracted more attention than l relished. People seemed to think 1t very amusing to see a man six feet tall carrying a saucer of milk and chicken wing through the streets. should lave thought my hair (it's slightly gray) would have ! taught them respect-but. it didn't. Ten minutes later I left the kitten on the front walk-it was well, indeed. that my sister was away and began my quest.
 A sleepy-looking girl answered my
 N ring at the first house. .-. Have you lost a kittenf' asked, 
 She shook her head.
 Do you know anyone that has!" Another shake.
 I paused hopelessly and she shut the door. Somewhat crestfallen I de- scended the steps.
 Two minutes later rang the bell at a small white cottage across the street. and a woman whose skin vas ike wrinkled parchment came to the ioor.
 T called to see if-" "Hey?" T called to see if yY"-Ibesan in , louder voice.
 "Hey'" she interrupted. again. 'T'm ! little hard O hearin'. sir"
 q called to see If you'd lost . at" I shouted. "Oh-no. we don't want none to- lay" she returned. #, I drew a long breath Have = you = lost Ia cat!" ,avied. A sudden light of comprehension , anne into the woman's eyes. We don't keep cats" she said. and turned her back.
 I didn't try any more houses in that vicinity-I didn't need to; he entire neighborhood must have i eeu aware of my mission after thot C