The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-08-14

asked John, following her shortly af-
ter.
'.I'm pouring out the milk for the
cat said Mary, flushing as she pick
ed the saucer up again.
What cat?" gasped John.
"A make-believe cat" sighed poor
Mary. I'll often pour a saucer of
milk out when there's one left over.
and-and wish had a cat
John gave her look that was al
most pity, and went back to his paper
with the air of man who will never
be astonished any more.
Chickens he said, at last, speak
ing slowly behind his paper and
scowling at 1t. LAY eggs"
Cats" said Mary, catch mice"
II can't stand cats!"
Il can't stand chickens!"
And that was how it started.
"John, said Mary, the following
night, 'listen!"
John looked at her with wary
eye.
rs it mouse in the WALTZ" he ask
ed. with frightful sarcasm.
sSh!'' said Mary Tt sounds like
something crying =
She rose to her feet and put her
finger on her lip.
.It sounds" whispered Mary, "as
though it were on our door-step!" She
tiptoed to the door and opened it,
John following, and bending over, she
picked up quart berry-basket with
a perforated cardboard top.
Maui. said a plaintive voice.
"Of all things." said Mary. "a
poor, helpless, deserted little kitten!"
John gave her such look!
You poor little foundling!" ex-
claimed Mary, in compassion ..You
shall have saucer of nice warm
milk
"Milk!" began John. when Mary
turned upon him.
John" she cried. ''if you mean to
say that we're going to turn this dear
little kitten out-of-doors when"
And her tone was such that John
exclaimed in sudden alarm, Il didn't
say anything, Mary! didn't say
anything, did II"
The next evening he had some
thing to say, though. They were in
the sitting-room. John reading his pa
per and Mary boastfully nursing her
kitten, when John dropped his paper
and opened his remarks by putting
his finger on his lips. exclaiming:
.Hush!"
"John," said MARY. in tones so
prompt that 1t was plain to see that
she had primed herself for the emer-
gency, "this kitten Is too small to
catch mice yet, and well you know
it, and If you think
mo. mol" exclaimed John, advanc-
ing on tiptoe. 81 think it's something
on our front porch something crying.
1t may be another kitten"
He tiptoed to the front door, Mary
with him, and suddenly threw it open,
crying boldly, Who's there?" Look
ing over his shoulders. Mary counted
six small peach-baskets and a large
one, all standing in neat geometri-
cal formation round The door-mat.
TOO large for kittens, whispered
John. .sThey must be CATS. Poor
things!n He united the paper cover
of the first peach-basket and looked
in.
Why" he cried. in utter astonish-
ment, "if it isn't hen! A Plymouth
Rock hem" He looked in the sec
ond basket. And If here isn't an
other hen! You poor, helpless, de-
serted hens! Mary l."
But Mary had fed, and when John
had placed his foundlings in the coop
tears of joy almost forcing them
selves into his eyes when the chick
ems hoped upon the perch.--he re-
turned to the house and endured all
of Mary's silent looks with a serenity
that was almost joy. Early next morn
ing. as he walked into the kitchen
after visit to the chicken-coop, Mary
! breathlessly greeted him:
Quick. John! Quick! That kitten
can't be a day over four months old,
and it's actually playing with a
mouse! Quick! Right under the pam
try tablet"
But John, withla motion that scorn-
cd all haste. drew two eggs from his
pocket, and placing them upon the
table with very ecstasy of pride.
he said. in tones that shook and
.,rembled with emotion:
Mary. I'll have them poached!"-
Youths Companion.
CHURCH MILITANT.