Mexico Missouri message., 1906-03-08

~ ELRANoR H. PORTER
loopyrIah,. lSas. b Jo.sph .. Rovls..l

Ny sister, with whom lived, had
gone a-summering. That may ao-
count for my being outside the house
and on the piazza when the cat came.
II was a tiny gray ball Of fur that
bounded up the long flight Of steps
and bounced into my lap with an I'M
mistakable gurgle OF satisfaction.
well, web, upon my SOUL"
calculated.
A mellow rumble came from the
gray ball, and two amber eyes looked
conhdingly into my face.
"Humphl Where did you hail
from2'
The rumble increased perceptibiy.
stretched out my hand and gently
stroked the soft fur. Instantly the tail
came upright and waved a joyful well
come to the caress, while the back
arched itself hard against my hand.
didn't care for cats--that is,
supposed / didn't. My sister alb
horred Thorn.
There was something extraor-
dinarily fascinating, however, about
this curious little creature In my lap.
She rubbed and sung, and sung and
rubbed, and winked her yellow eyes
ecstatically. My cigar went out
she didn't like the smoke; 1 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. I 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 theatTicals out
in the barn. There was another re-
sounding, vibrant rumble, then a soft
thud; next came a plaintive, long
drawn wall that brought me instantly
10 my feet. knew then--it was that
kitten doing a cake-walk on the
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 a 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 Allied me
with terror lest roll over and crush
her.
In the morning, heavy-eyed and un-
rested, l arose to dress.
At last l was ready, and, leaving
the kitten on the front porch with an
old watch chain for plaything,
hurried of to my boarding place.
All through breakfast l meditated.
Clearly, something would have to be
done. This was evidently some
body's lost pet, and ought to be inn
mediately returned. l would make
few inquiries in the neighborhood.
Surely 1t ought to be a very simple
thing to ind the little creatures own
srl So It was with a cheerful face
that / started home a little later bear
ing carefully In my hands the Kittens
breakfast.
My walk was not altogether pleas
ant, for l attracted more attention
than 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 Qt's slightly gray would have
taught them respect-but it didn't.
Ten minutes later left the kitten
banquetIng on the front walk--it was
well, indeed, that my sister was away
and began my quest.
A sleepy-looking girl answered my
ring at the first house
"HaYe you lost a kitten?" / asked,
pleasantly.
She shook her head.
do you know anyone that has?"
Another shake.
paused hopelessly and she shut
the door. Somewhat crestfallen de-
scended the steps.
Two minutes later rang the bell at
a small white cottage across tie
street, and a woman whose skin was
like wrinkled parchment came to the
door.
Il called to see if"
"HeyG"
Il called to see If YOU began in
a louder voice.
"Hey?" she interrupted, again. "I'm
a little hard o. hearin', sir"
II called to see If you'd lost q
cat" shouted.
"oh-no, we don't want none to-
day" she returned.