Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-01-31

| bly, explaining how the cyclone had
overtaken him before he could make
harbor, and giving other valuable tes-
timony.
Somehow we never connected
SO stately and reserved in his treat
ment of his neghbors. Even when we
saw him considering with vague in
terest the slender black-and-whi cat
who occupied the cellar of the vacant
house next door, we did not regard
the matter as more than a casual ac-
simultaneously. Anyhow, being inter-
ested in building a new addition to
our house, and in our gardening, we
were too busy To take more than a
passing interest in "Pussum's" af-
fairs.
On the whole, it seemed to be a
rather hard summer for "Pussum"
HIS favorite corners were disordeTed;
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 disfayor, through per
sistence in occupying newly and
bluely upholstered chair, which we
were trying 10 keep handsome and
free from hairs. Repeated eviction
and dire threats were of no avail
'Pussum" slept in the chair whenever
it stood upright, and protested when
it was made uninhabitable with a
book, or when its angle made rest q
matter OF discomfort and peril.
1t was this later unkindness on our
part that resulted in disaster to the
chair and in deep disgrace en- the part
cf "Pussum." | 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 chung des-
perately, with the result that there
were two long Sits in the blue fabric
that were as wounds in our hearts
When he was finally captured and
banished. i said that this was the end.
At sunrise he should die 1t was sim
ply question whether | 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. | preferred the saw, but the
precious ones became violent at
mention of such a method. They were
for overlooking the whole affair and
declared that nothing should harm a
hair of their darling cat" Still 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 it was the slender,
and hitherto wild, black-and-white
cat from the vacant cellar next door
Well" / said, what does this
mean? What do you want"
The black-and-white cat looked up
pleadingly, 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 want to talk
about" she purred. Our poor 'Puss-
UNI
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 black-and-white
cat, thoughtfully, Il 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"
II am stray, too" murmured
the black-and.white cat.
Well, what of it? What has that
TO do with 'Pussum?'"
II 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 it,
and of how good you are to him.
hope you will forgive him"
'Oh, well" | said, II 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 I'm 'Pussum's'
comfort, his companion In grief and
sorrow, and that 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
"Pussum's" pan.
Their family came along In time To
brighten the dull winter days. There
were three Of them and the resem-
biapce was quite strong on both sides.
[ have never seen a prouder mother