The daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 190?-1908, 1907-02-13

nights absence. lie lamentcd dismal
ly while | had him in the tub, proba-
bly, explaining how the cyclone had
oyortakeu him before he could make
harbor and giving other valuable tes-
timony
Somehow we never connected
"Pussum' with romance for he was
so stately and reserved in his treat
ment of his neighLors. Even when we
saw him considering with vague in
terCst the slender black.aud-white cat
who occupied the cellar Of the vacant
house next door, we did not regard
the matter as more than a casual aC-
quaintaneeship. Anyhow, being inter
ested in building a new addition TO
our house, and in our gardening, we
were too busy 10 take more than a
passing interest in "Pussum's' af
fairs.
On the whole, Il seemed to be
rather hard summer for "Pussum."
His favoritc corners were disordered;
his favorite cushions tumbled and up
set. Less than this has driven more
than one bachelor to domesticity, and
perhaps, after all. we were to blame
When the house was settled at last,
he returned much as usual. and pres.
emily fell into disfavor. through per
sisteucc in occupying a newly and
bluely upholstered chair. which we
were trying to keep handsome and
free from hairs. Repeated eviction
and dire threats were OF no avail
"Pussum' slept in the chair whenever
1t stood upright and protested when
IL was made uninhabitable with
book or when its angle made rest
matter of discomfort and peril.
It was this later unkindness on our
part that resulted in disaster TO the
chair and in deep disgrace on the part
Of "Pussum" l suppose | tipped the
chair a little too suddenly and "Puss-
um' being dreaming perhaps thought
he was falling over precipice At
all events, he clawed and clung des.
perately, with the result that there
were two long Sits in the blue fabric
that were as wounds i'm our hearts.
| When he was finally captured and
| banished said that this was the end.
At sunrise he should die. II was sim.
ply a question whether I would tie
our little feline brother to a tree and
use him for target practice or take
him down cellar and quietly remove
his head with my new saw. On the
whole, l preferred the saw, but the
precious ones" became violent at
mention of such method. They were
| for overlooking the whole affair and
| declared that nothing should harm a
hair of their darling cat" sill | was
unforgiving, and that forenoon-which
was sunny and Sunday-when | saw
him blinking at me from the steps,
| while | filled the vases from the mari
| gold patch | was Indifferent and cool
in my manner toward him Presently
something was rubbing against my
| leg, and purring. | was surprised at
| this-it was not "Pussum's" way.
Neither was it "Pussum," for when |
looked down | saw 1t was the slender,
and hitherto wild, black-and-white
cat from the vacant cellar next door.
We'll" l said, what does this
mean? What do you want?"
The black.and-white cat looked up
pleadngly, and continued to rub and
purr
"No, go away" | growled; I'VE do
not want you. We've got one cat too
many now"
The black-and-white cat looked up
That's just what l want to talk
about" she purred. Our poor 'Puss-
um.'
"Oh, our poor 'Pussum!' Um-well,
never mind our poor 'Pussum.' He's
in disgrace. He's torn my beautiful
new chair with his claws"
Yes" assented the blackand-white
cat, thoughtfully, 81 know. But do you
always like to be pushed out of your
favorite seat? And don't you some
times have accidents, too?'
What has that to do with it? 'Puss-
um' is a cat We gave him a good
home-he should appreciate It. He
was stray cat, and we took him in"
Il am a stray, too" murmured
the black-and-white cat
"Well, what of It? What has that
to do with 'Pussum?"
81 know how much he must appre-
ciate his nice home" the black-and-
white cat purred, softly. Il know he
does, too, for he has told me about 1t,
and of how good you are to him. l
hope you will forgive him"
"Oh, We'll, said 81 suppose we
must. Go away now, and don't bother
me-"
The black-and-white cat nestled
closer. "One thing more" she said
do you know that lin 'Pussums'
comfort, his companion in grief and
sorrow, and that l have no friends or
homer"
What was the use? After that the
black-and-white cat took up residence
in "Pussum's" cellar and ate out OF
"Pussums' pan.
Their family came along in time to
brighten the dull winter days. There
were three of them, and the resem-
blance was quite strong on both sides