The Cairo bulletin., 1907-07-03
AND the CAT
REMAINED


she was half way on. He gave vent
TO some muttered words expressive OF
his displeasure, to which the old WON.
an paid no attention. She fairly fell
down on her seat for the exertion had
been too much for her. In little
while, when she had recovered her
breath, she glanced about her In a
furtiye way Having apparently salts
fed herself that no one was watching
her with special purpose, she hug
ged up to her breast disreputable
old muff which had weathered some
winters and gave bold evidence of a
close acquaintance with the moth fam
lily Indeed, there were only tufts of
fur here and there, but the article
served its purpose. Every one won
dered. however, why the poor old WON.
an with her thin form and worn-out
dress was so attached to it.
Finally the muff answered these
questions of Its own account. for just
before the train had reached the next
station a plaintive Meow was watt
ed on the air to the ears Of the guard
who stood near. The old woman fair
ly shriveled with guilt, for she knew
that no animals were permitted there.
To make matters worse, the first cat
call was followed by series Of more
emphatic ones-protests regarding the
strangeness of the situation.
This was too much, The passengers
laughed and the guard came angrily
upon the scene OF action. All eyes
were directed toward the old wom
an. and to her he addressed his re-
marks in choice English.
Who's got the cat?" he demand
ed. Silence, while all waited de-
yelopments,
The cat answered for herself in
heart-rending tones, which. however
had not the slightest effect on the
man. She stuck out her head and
proved to be old and poor, like her
mistress. Besides, she had only one
eye
See here, youse,' said the gate
man, threateningly, shaking his fist
in the face of the cats protector,
"youse can get out at the next station,
see?"
"Oh, please, Mr.. Conductor, don't
make me leave" sobbingly pleaded the
old woman Il know it amt just
right ter bring the cat. but what am
! a-goin' ter do? | amt got no money |
ter hire carriage. and was afraid to |
send her on the wagon, so there was
nothin' else fer me ter do. You see"
she added appealingly TO her listeners,
we're movin' to-day. I've had this
cat ten years, and | love her like she
was my own child
"Ha! ha. listen to that" exclaimed
The guard sarcastically. Think OF the
wasted Affection"
You know" continued the old wom-
an, not noticing him. IF you had
eat fer ten years, you know what you
would have done"
"Youse ken bet I do" glibly an
swered the man. Inter the river fer
hers. Now, see here" he said rough
y. 'out youse go wild der animal"
But mister" begged the woman,
I've got to go way down town. cant
walk"
"Youse has heard my orders. OF
yer go at the next station" Suiting
he action to the word. for the train
vas stopping, he held the gate open
or her TO pass out. While the old
woman was trying to get to her feet a
.ind-faced, well-dressed woman pushed
Ter back into her seat, and walking
Up to the guard, said;
She'll do nothing of the sort, and
will see that she stays on this
ar"
Hal" sneered the man, who are
'ou, and what have you ter do wild
e case? I'll have youse both ar
ested."
He then told man to bring an Of.
Ger While the train waited the
rgument continued, and the old won
MS champion listened to some abu-
I've language, when suddenly things
Ook an interesting turn. A good-na-
rred Irishman stepped aggressively
D the front
What this lady says goes, and If I
he says the cat stays, 1t does, and |
1t doesn't I'm here to see that 1t
carried out" he asserted with care.
IS disregard for clearness of expires. ,
ION and threatening display of |
SITS.
What's this old woman and her
At to youse?" demanded the guard. !
"Nothin' at all, answered the Irish. !
ian, but this here lady do know" '
hen with wink for the lady's hene- .
t alone: She's Mrs. Patchouli, ana {
Ire it's her husband that's got the
over to make you lose yer Job, If
)u only knew it. II the cat goes.
,u go after it. Understand that"
The guard concluded that there
light be some truth In the Irishman's ,
reat Besides, the passengers were
'mplaining about the delay, and no .
)liceman appeared.
The train started on its way. /,
Mrs. Patchouli' left the car az
street, and as she did so :
e old woman called out: Heaven re- -
lrd you. maam, for what you've done 4,
is day" And the Irishman said
food day. Mrs. Patchouli. Have no
ar. for I'll stand by until the cat