Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-30

as do the solemn bargain we made the day you
brought the critter home l told you we didn't
want it--that it would only git fits an have to
be killed, like all the cats you've ever had; an
told you that, as we'd turned off the hired
man, there'd be nobody TO kill IL; an you up an
promised as brave as brass that you'd kill it your
self, the first time it had fit. You've broke
your word, an now it's my business to see that
you mend it."
but, sister Becky he's so little, so young;
he'll outgrow the fits if we give i'm a chance.
Maybe he'll never have another, sister Becky.
Let's wait a few days, anyhow, an see," pleaded
tenderhearted Miss Jane
That's old; I've heard it before" sneered
Miss Rebecca, untouched 81 was fool to give
way an let you keep the varmint when you
brought i'm home, because the fact is it's bad
luck for us to have cats, bad luck for us an the
cats too, as I've told you often before It's set
tied, you understand, that you've got to kill that
cat, an right away, too. Now how'll you do it?
Take your choice o. shootn', hangin', poisonin',
er drownin'."
Miss Jane shuddered and pressed the kitten
to her breast.
''Mayn't give m away, sister Becky"
NO. thundered Miss Rebecca. You don't
poke off no fifty cat on nobody. I'm ashamed
Of you, Jane Bates! Don't you know that break
in your solemn word isis perjury in the sight
O. the Amighty?"
Miss Jane Strengthened UP and her lips tight
ened. She went slowly from the room and
down the stairs, the kitten still in her arms.
Miss Rebecca followed her closely.
Nancy" said Miss Jane, almost quietly, twill
you bring me the chloroform you had left after
your toothache?"
"Yes'm."
"An', Nancy, bring one O sister Becky's rubber
boots from the closet under the stairs"
"Yes'm.'
"What on earth do you want o. one O. my
boots?" demanded Miss Rebecca.
"I can't chloroform the kitten without boot
sister Becky; an since you've sent the hired man
away there's no boots on the place but yours
Jane Bates, are you cracked? Chloroform a
cat with gum boot"
"In gum boot sister Becky" gently corrected
Miss Jane. = ''I've read somewhere that that's
the way to do it. Thanks, Nancy. Now please
hold the boot while i slip i'm i'm
Down into the dark depths of the gum boot
plunged little Dick Swiveller head first. Then
Miss Jane suddenly remembered that she ought
chloroform.
Hes such a tight fit | can't ever get it in |
past 'm," she said. 'Ill have to shake i'm
out"
But Dick Swiveller refused to be shaken out.
He not only tight fit" but he had set
his little claws into the flannel lining of the boot
and he hung on desperately. Miss Jane shook |
vain.
Gimme holt O. his tail" said Miss Rebecca
grimly. But Miss Jane stood guard over the
defenseless little caudal appendage.
You shan't hurt i'm sister Becky" she said
"Well, I'd like to know what you're goin to
do, Jane Bates?"
'Im sure ] don't know, sister Becky" admit
ted Miss Jane, helplessly
You might up the top o the boot an
smother the little beast"
"Oh, sister Becky, please don't say such awful
things! You can't mean itl'
Cut hole in-thc toe o the boot an poke the
sponge in" suggested Nancy who, by the way.
was young person fertile in expedients
"Oh, Nancy, the very thingi" said Miss Jane,
with sigh of relief.
Hold your tongue, Nancy till you're spoke
to-" snapped Miss Rebecca. Il was Just gon' to
say, Jane, that you've got the critter in there
an can't git i'm out, an / don't care to wear
a boot with a cat in it, the boots ruined any
how, an you may as well cut hole to put the
sponge in. Anybody could think o. that, | reck
on, with whitening glance at Nancy-'if they
want to be fool enough to ruin three-doar pair
o boots fer cat. Fer my part, don't see what
we're comm to!''
Miss Jane. penknife in hand, bent down and
carefully made an ncision across the toe of the
boot. Miss Rebecca gasped at sight of such
ruthless waste of good material but held her
peace and watched the Insertion of the chloro
formed sponge with intentness
"Hold the bootleg shut, Nancy" she command
ed; he's tryin' to back out"
Nancy held the bootleg and poor little Dick
Swiveller's efforts to escape the deadly fumes
were vain. Miss Jane on her knees beside him.
grew very pale and trembed violently.
Its like-murder!" she whispered 81 don't
see why it amt muTder!"
Don't be a fool Jane was her sisters with