Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-23
''BuHy."
A True Story.
BY NJ. e. Audubon.

BY NJ e. Audubon.
BufSy was the dearest little cat in the
world. His coat was softer than any other
YOU ever saw: except white star on his
breast, and Ills dainty paws of white. ne
was all of that pretty color from which
he was named.
He was born in the island of Nantucket
and was brought from that pleasant place
by three little girls, when they came nome
from their summer holiday.
They each wanted to own the little fell
low, and each gave some reason why he
should belong especially to her: but their
mamma decided that he should be the prop
erty of that one who should prove the best
little mistress. and that each should have
the care Of him for week In turn
Adele, the oldest, was to try first. She
was an afrectionate child. a bright, healthy,
happy girl Of twelve, who loved her friends
and companions dearly; she was popular
with all her schoolmates; always ready to
help In study as well as play. But Adele
was inclined to be thoughtless and forget
full: her mother felt that this trial would
be a good thing for her daughter, who
really longed to own the pretty pussy. For
several days Adele remembered to feed
Ruffy at the proper times, to wash and I'LL
his bowl OF water, to take him out for his
play on the lawn and to see that he never
got outside of the fence.
On Saturday playmate came running
to ask Adele to go to the circus with her
and her mother. Overjoyed at the delight
sui prospect, Adele few upstairs. put on
her new suit and hat and departed. leaving
Buffy on the lawn where she had taken
him.
and supper was on the table. Adele was
so excited with the aftern oons enjoyment
that she could think and talk OF nothing
else After supper her mother said to her,
Where Is Buffy. Adele, have You fed him
tonight?'
Alas! Where was he. indeedl They
looked through the house, in the garden,
on the lawn, even in the stable where he
never went The cold night air blew strong
ly as they searched. They called him loud
", but no Buffy was to be found. AT last,
near the back piazza. they heard faint
cry Crouched, shivering and damp, and
very miserable, was the poor little reno"
under the steps, behind e. wooden grating
He was pitied and caressed, and fed pien-
tlfully by the penltent Adele.
She cried bitterly at the hunger, loneh-
ness and suffering he had endured, but she
felt that her trial was over. and that It
should next be given to May.
May Tas dreamy child, who loved books
ana spent many hours curled up In the
library window seat But she DID hs not roy FOR
beautifully. Sunday. Monday. Tuesday, all
went well On Wednesday the children
welcomed favorite cousin, who had come
to bid them good-by before she went to her
western home. She brought each child a
pretty gift-to May new and delightful
book.
1t was a beautiful afternoon They all
went to walk in the woods; May carefuiiy
shut Buffy In the Toulouse to prevent him
following them. The moment they returned
and the cousin had driven off, May flew
ID her book, and read TIL bed time.
Next morning she wakened with start
Buffyi He had been shut in the dollhouse
ali night without food or perhaps the gar
dener had let him out.
She Jumped out of bed. dressed as quick
ly as she could, and went into the dewy
morning to see II the poor little fellow was
still In the Toulouse. -'es to her great JOY
he was there. Holding his little trembling
body close to her warm neck she carried
him to the house.
holding a saucer full Of sour milk. for
May had not fed Buffy since the morning
before Neither mother nor daughter spoke
word: but May laid Buny In her mothers
arms, while penitent tearS rolled silently
If was now little Leila's turn. She was
only eight years old, and her fault was oc-
casionaI disobedience.
n was rule that Buny should never
come into the dining room during meal
times but at the ohildren's dinner one day
hs hid under the table, and when Leila
heard him there she slyly dropped several
pieces of her steak on the floor. and Buffy,
who had no teeth. swallowed them whole.
Shortly afterward loud cries were heard.
and the cook came running upstairs to say
that Bufy had q CONFUSION Poor Leila
sobbed out the truth, and all ran down to
the lawn where the little pussy lay. He
seemed so Ill that no one thought he could
live. The children were so distressed that
.Nnp 30 ar.d q
afternoon with friend. while she, feeling
that nothing could be done for Buffy, went
sadly back to her room.
In about half an hour she heard old
Blacky, the great. aristocratfc. family cat.
making peculiar purring call Going to
see what was the matter she saw Blacky
pushing little Buffy up the stairs. step by
step. The old cat almost lifted the sick one
with his nose. pushing him along and pur-
ring to encourage him.
Very slowly they reached the top, and
then Blacky led the way along the hall to
the mothers room. and gently pushed Buffy
across the floor to the large wardrobe, be-
fore which he paused, and looking at his
mistress, purred loudly and scratched at the
wardrobe door.
she instantly understood that the intelli-
gent animal had brought Buffy up to get
some catnfp. which she kept In that ward
robe. Blacky, who knew 1t well, had often
been cured by 1t.
Buffy was fed carefully and put to sleep
In mothers ROOM" where the children re-
1oiced over him.
Their mother said to them very seriously:
NOW, my daughters, you have all tried
and failed to care for Buffy properly.
will take charge of him until you hfye
proved In other ways. that you deserve to
own a living pet Remember that Gods
creatures who cannot speak to make their
wants known should be even more tenderiy
cared for than human beings. who, II me-
elected, can help themselves
Then she read them the beautiful verse
gxy, Gnl fdua "a WI 3nF
great poem, the Ancient Mariner" about
kindness to animals. and they always re-
membered It, as hope you will:
He prayeth well who iovefh well
Both man and bird and beast;
He pYayeth best who loyeth best
Ali things both great End small.