River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-03-08
LOST
A KITTEN
By ELEANOR H. PORTER
(oopyright. 1905. By Joseph B. Bowleg.l

My sister, with whom I lived, had
gone a-summering That may &C
count for my being outside the house
and on the piazza when the cat came.
1t was a tiny gray ball of fur that
bounded up the long flight of steps
and bounced into my lap with an un-
mistakabIe gurgle of satisfaction.
We'll, well, upon my soul!"
calculated.
A mellow rumble came from, tine
gray ball, and two amber eyes looked
confidingly into my face.
"Humph! Where did you hail
from?"
The rumble increased perceptibly.
I stretched out my hand and gently
stroked the soft fur. Instantly the tail
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,
supposed / didn't My sister abb
horred them.
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; [ couldn't
even read-she objected to the rust
ling Of the paper. She tuggeG 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. 1t 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 a soft
thud; next came q plaintiye, long
drawn wall that brought me instantly
to my feet. | knew then-it was that
kitten doing a cakewalk 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 l lay on the bed repent
ing what l had DONE
1t 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
hard against my back and filed me
with terror slest roll over and crush
her.
In the morning, heavy-eyed and un-
rested, I arose to dress.
At last | was ready, and, leaving
the kitten on the front porch with an
old watch chain for plaything, I
hurried off 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 i'm
mediately returned. | would make a
few inquiries in the neighborhood.
Surely it ought to be a very simple
thing to find the little creatures own
er! So it was With a cheerful face
that started home little later bear
ing carefully in my hands the kittens
breakfast.
My walk was not altogether pleas
ant, for 1 attracted more attention
than l relished. People seemed to
think it very amusing to see a man
six feet tall carrying a saucer of
milk and a chicken wing through the
streets. I should Lave thought my
hair Cts slightly gray would have
taught them respect-but it didn't.
Ten minutes later l 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
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
q small white cottage across the
street, and woman whose skin was
like wrinkled parchment came to the
door.
st called to see if"
'.Hey?"