The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-02

Little Muk told the old woman his story and begged her to let him eat with her cats just once. The woman permitted 1t and gave him food and drink generously. After he had been satisfied and had regained his normal spirits and strength. ahe said: Little Muk. remain with me. You shall have little work and shall be well fed and well paid
 Little Muk liked the cats dinner so well that he was overjoyed to remain. and became the servant of Madam Ahavzi. He had easy but peculiar du- ties Madam Ahavzi had six cats. These had to be combed every morning, after which their fur had to be rubbed with precious ointments. When the old woman went out he had to watch the cats, and when they ate he had to serve them with handsome dishes as if they were human beings. At night he had to bed them on silken cushions and cover them with velvet blankets.
 There were some small dogs In the house, too, But they were not treat ed with such distinguished considera- tion as the cats, which Madam Ahavzi coddled as if they were her own chil- dren. Muk led as lonely life as he had led in his fathers house. for he met only dogs and cats and saw no human being except the old woman.
  we'll with him. He had plenty to eat and little to do. But after while the cats became extremely unruly. As soon as the old woman went out they jumped around the house as If pos sessed, throwing everything topsy tur- wy. and smashing many a beautiful and rare object. As soon as they heard Muk's mistress coming upstairs they would crouch on their cushions hatr tatla and if nothing had happened.
 Madam Ahavzi was furious at the ruin of her rooms. and accused little Muk of the mischief. Although he swore that he was innocent, she be- lieved her cats. that looked so good and mild, and denounced little Muk as a liar.
 Little AAuk saw to his great sorrow that he had not found his fortune in this house as he had hoped at first. He decided to leave the old woman>s service. but unhappily his mistress had made him many promises of remunera- ton without carrying any of them out. As he had learned in his first voyage how i'll 1t Is to travel without money. he determined to obtain what was due him as soon as opportunity offered.
 In Madam Ahavzis house was one room WHICH hAb alMAJH ACQt lOChcQ. He had never been able to obtain even a glimpse of it's interior. Madam An avZi used to spend hours in 1t, and he always longed to look in and dis cover what things were hidden there.
 When he made up his mind to leave her service, he naturally thought more than ever of the mysterious room. be- ing convinced that she kept her wealth there. But the door was tightly closed always and he could find no way to reach the treasure.
 One morning after Madam Ahavzi had gone out his garments were plucked by one of the little dogs, which Madam Ahavzi had always treat ed with scant ceremony, but whose favor Little Muk had won by showing 1t attentions and giving 1t tidbits. It tugged at his wide brooches and show ed by it's actions that 1t wanted Muk to follow.
 It led hm Into Madam Ahavzi's sleep ing apartment and to a small door which he had never noticed before. The door was half open. The little dog ran in and Muk followed. To his delight he saw that he had entered the mysterious room.
 Disappointment was his, however, for though he looked everywhere he could find no gold. There were only old garments and curiously formed bowls and jars. One of these attract ed his attention. It was of crystal and had strange shapes cut into it. He lifted it for examination. Its cover slipped off and fell to the ground wh ere it smashed into hundred frag- ments.
 He was almost pafalyzed with fright. If he remained now his mistress would beat him to death, he thought. Quick ly he scurried around. when he re- covered from his sh ock, to take what he could to help in his flight.
 A pair of slippers appealed to him. They were not beautiful. but his own were worn out. so he thrust his feet into them. Then he snatched a walk ing stick with a gracefully cut Hons head on it. He hurried into his own