Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-07
THE PfCKANINNIES.
BY NANCY SCOTT.

81 never felt 50 foolish in my life."
said the bigger black cat. to the smaller
one, as he gazed about at the people on
the deck Of the ferryboat. "One might
as we'll be a mummy as q cat these days,
It seems to me-
oh not quite so bad as that" purred
the other conscientiously. She was really
quite disturbed at seeing the great width of
water increasing between the dock and the
boat. There was one time long ago
when I fel. even more foolish than 1 do
now. though this is pretty bad. must con-
fess. Fancy how we would look II we tried
to run away, Pick"' she laughed, and the
other cat laughed, too.
"A sack race wouldn't be in it with us,
would ft?" asked the first one. When
did you ever feel so foolish before. Ninny?"
Why began the other. ut was when
we were babies. Don't you remember
when Mr.. Howard brought US home that
night long ago. in his pocket? 1t wasn't
long after our eyes were opened I guess.
for we didn't know very much. And we
heard him say to somebody: Margie, I
have birthday present for you-some-
thing alive and squi rming.' oh. Uncle
Hal" said a sweet voice, do let me see 1t
quick! What Is it?' "A couple of picka-
ninnies. laughed the man. and putting a
hand in each pocket he hauled US out
blinking into the light
Il remember" said Pick. land Margie
screamed with. delight. Pickaninnies.'
she cried, why Uncle they're the darling
est little black baby kittens L ever laid
eyes on! And I love you very much for
Pick and the other Ninny, because they
are so small and black"
And that" interrupted Ninny. 'is the
other time I felt so foolish. I'm going to
n y IN 10 iay
Hush. kitty" said the little girl hold
Ing her. You can't run on a ferryboat."
You couldn't run when you are all tied
up in bag. anyway" said Pick. I've
The two black cats were tied In two
black bags with just their heads sticking
out. This was how Miss Margie took her
pets travelling, instead Of combining them in
basket. Frauleln had Pick tucked under
her arm, and Margie was caring for Min
ny.
Here goes!' said Pick. softly. as II
afraid Fraulein would understand him.
She isn't holding very tight and I'll have
frolic and brighten them a Bit With
that Pick 1eaped from Fraulein's arms and
landed In an undignified heap on the deck
Of you want to know how graceful 1t Is
just try 1t yourself some day with your feet
tied up In bag)
Oh. what hubbub there was! Margie
screamed and so did Fraulein. Several pas
sengers attempted to help catch him. but
L
in a most ridiculous fashion, evading every
one. II he hadn't been so perfectly conf
cal. fairly tumbling over himself in his
bag. some one might have caught him.
But every one was too convulsed with
laughter to move quickly.
Now see me chase my tail" cried Pick
to Ninny, excited by the attention his
antics were causing.
Round and round he spun like great
top. till every one was almost dizzy. But
Pick himself was dizziest Of all
Fortunately for fun-lovfng Pick there
were many boats in the river that morn
another which had the right Of way. Just
as 1t stopped Pick, excited and dizzy be-
yond control. rolled under the gate, and
before any one could stop him. over the
edge Of the boat rolled he. Splash into
the deep. cold water he went. with
frightened cry from Ninny ringing in his
ears
Pick could swim as well as dog when
he had his legs free; but tied up in bag
he had no chance. 1t was well for him
that quick witted man who had been
hopping the deck stood near. Selling his
bucket, which was attached to long
rope, he rushed to the edge of the boat.
and. throwing II with good aim. he
caught the black bundle and hauled 1t
safely to the deck.
'Hurrah.' cried every one as Pick, much
wiser and much wetter, was placed in
Mistress Marges arms and Ninny was
allowed to kiss him.
Il think" said Pick, wisely. to Ninny,
when his little mistress had wrapped him
warm in her cape. that 1 feel moro fool
ish now than ever before. And as I also
feel steamy and tired I'm going 20 sleep"
And he began to purr, much to Margies
delight.
The boat pulled into the slip, and one
sleeping black cat and one wide awake
were carried into a cab by Miss Margie
and Fraulein and rapidly whisked out Of
sight