Norwich bulletin., 1910-05-06

There was sorrow in the house of Engine 2. For a full week the at mosphere of the place had resembled the gloom of a Tine storm" That the 1 easements and railings were not drap- ed in black and white was due to no lack of respect for the departed one. nor to want of feeling on the part of the firemen, merely to a fear of ridi- cule from the general public, for the missing member of this useful insti- tuition was a large, gray cat, which had made his debut among the big hearted fellows while yet tiny ball of mouse -colored fluff, and cat-li1e, had crept to a place in their affections which had grown more secure each day of the four years it had shared their lot.
 There might be other cats, but there was not another Tom of Engine '. To his friends, he was the greatest won der in cat flesh yet developed, and now he was gone, perhaps dead, or, worse luck, stolen by some urchin and transferred to a locality where cats were too numerous to be popular. They were even denied the comfort of know ing his fate
 Things were thus, when a kind, hearted reporter chanced upon the scene, and straightway started in to help, as reporters will, by giving the story of luckless Tom to the readers of his evening paper, adding a few suggestions on his own account.
 Chief Riggs. owner and best friend of Tom, provided one could point a best among such staunch supporters, was obliged to leave town, early, on the morning after this story appeared and was not expected to look into the engine house until late in the evening.
 As the clock told the hour of that morning, Lieutnant Beman was call years, who had entered the house bearing a green cloth bag in which something seemed to rebel at such quarters.
 Ina 0fE.o fNI 41f-1 thanking the donor warmly, released a lively and most indignant cat from its unpleasant prison.
 Here, Jack,' he called to a firemen, as the boy disappeared, think this freak will ever console us for the loss of Tom ?''
 Jacks answer was interrupted by the entrance of a sweet little girl whose babyish hands held tiny yellow kit ten. Mamma was going to have it killed" she pleaded. ''so I bringed it to you, cause papa said you lost yours.
 The lieutenant looked helplessly at Jack, but there was no denying the appeal in the baby eyes.
 All right sweetheart, IT take care of ft,' said Jack as he took the little animal, at the same time, catching a glimpse of another just on the point of entering, in the arms of an elderly woman.
 Great Moses." exclaimed Beman. s
 
 new conner.
 Leave them to me-" said Jack, with twinkle in his eye, the first one of importance since Toms departIIre and only too glad to leave it to anyone the officer made good his escape.
 Before the evening shadows settled on the house of Engine ', Jack had ac- cepted and disposed of 26 cats, of all sizes and colors.
 In the rear of the lower floor was a large closet built across one corner and furnished with an electric light. chief, but in his absence was seldom conducted, or properly speaking, rath- CT forcib1y persuaded, each feline of fering.
 At first the lieutenant expostulated, but when the full import Of the joke was explained he acquiesced with a grin and awaited developments.
 Now and then sounds of discomfort, or warlike intonations, found their way through the thick door. causing the horses to point their ears or whin- ny softly, as they often did at Toms approach, but considering the number of inmates, things were tranquil enough when Chief Riggs returned, much earlier than expected.
 Jack was unusually affecuonate to the big bay, with his back to the room, when the chief started for the door of his closet, while Beman, though in position to see all that transpired, was invisible to the other inmates of the house.