The St. Mary banner., 1910-06-04
MARY AND THE KITTEN.

MARY AND THE KITTEN,
Mary Stone was walking down thu
street, returning to her home after (;
visit made to some little girl friend
The day was very cold, and Mary
held her muff close against her face
as she hurried along the almost de
serted street.
Just as Mary turned a corner she
saw little kitten run from an old
untenanted house, going across the
street toward small park. The poor
little animal looked cold and misera
!, BILE, and its thin body spoke of starva.
tion and abusess In a moment Mary's
sympathy was enlisted, and she
turned across the street, going in
pursuit of the kitten. She had con-
ceived the idea of carrying the
wretched little thing to her home
where it should have feed and
warmth and loving care.
When Mary had almost reached
the Kittens side and had stopped over
to grasp it in her arms, saying,
Kitty, kitty, come here" the fright
ened animal ran off down an alley
way, for kind treatment had never
been bestowed on it, and it did not
know that the little girl who was
trying to capture it had good inten-
tions. Rather did it think there was
more torture for it to suffer should
1t fall into her hands, SO it ran Off as
fast as ever it could, hiding from
sight. But Mary had seen the kitten
disappear behind an old barrel in the
alley, and thither she went in pursuit
of it, calling gently, s'Kitty-cat, kitty
cat, come to me. I'll not hurt you,
kitty-cat!"
AS Mary began searching behind
the barrel, and some boxes also piled
there, she heard noise at her elbow
Turning, she beheld very old man,
In ragged clothes. He was leaning on
q stick and his face was drawn and
white. He was in the shadow of an
old stable, and Mary supposed he had
come from its shelter. She knew at
once that he was some poor outcast.
Say, little girl, are you after the
kitten that just ran around that bar
rel?" asked the man.
Eyes, sir; did you see where it
went? want to catch it and carry it
home with me. 1t looks so misera-
ble.''
The old man sighed. eyes, to be
out in the cold-and hungry, and no
friend in the worlds enough to
make a creature-animal or man
miserable. 1 think, little girl, that
the kitten is in one of those boxes.
Don't frighten it. It has been used
30 badly that it is afraid Of any per-
son-even a friend"
Mary thanked the old man and
turned to continue searching for the
kitten. But after while she gave up
IN despair, for the kitten seemed to
have disappeared from the earth.
She turned toward the street, but in
doing so she saw the old man looking
In garbage barrel for food. When
he found that he was being watched
his pale face flushed, and he turned
to leave the barrel. Mary's heart |
throbbed with pity. The man was
so old and thin, his face pale from the |
pangs OF hardship, his eyes dim with |
unspoken misery. Going to him, she |
said, Are you in need, sir?'
Tears leaped to the old mans eyes.
yes, little girl, am greatly in need.
have been out of work for such a
long time. l am in real need. But
child like you cannot help me. l
thank you. though, for your sweet,
interested look, and for your having
noticed worn-out old man.
But | can help you, SIR declared
Mary. Il live just around that block
eleven-and my
papa and mamma are very kind peo-
pie. They will find something for
you TO do, am sure, if you will call
there and say l sent you. l must look
a little further for that poor kitten,
Dut III run home very soon. Please
90 go to my house-number eleven
and ask for my mother, Mrs. Stone.
and tell her sent you to her."
But, little girl, l fear she'll think
me common beggar, and l couldn't
pear to be thought that, for I never
begged penny in my life. I have