Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-10-11
A Cat and a Girl Both Win
opyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

Amy Wallace slammed the gate OF
the chicken yard and came down the
path with tragedy written OH her
stormy countenance and I'm the very
pose OF her outstretched hand from,
which dangled the lifeless remains OF
a promising young broiler
Another oneT' queried her sister
disconsolately. THAT makes-let me
see-seventy-two chickens killed in the
last six weeks. at a dollar pair those
broilers would have fetched S30m
1T is an Outrage" sputtered Amy.
hinging the defunct chicken far from
ner sight. That cat must be killed
at once"'
did YOU send Mrs. Beemer n bill
for the chickens 2" asked Louise. intent
on her needlework.
Amy nodded. sent IL Monday"
Heard from her todayY"
"Ye-es."
Did she say she was Il soldiers
widow and that the gray cat was her
only solaceT' Louise smiled mischicv-
ously.
Word for word Laugh. IL you
must, young woman went on Amy
Gloomily, but remember. please, that
| am not n talented female artist who
AN earn the price OF gown with Il
,Aw daubs of paint. I am mere,
commonplace ploddcr. and haven't
a talent in the world save for poultry
raising, and now | begin Ia doubt my
ability TO succeed AT that"
IN see Mrs. Beemer myself" an
nounced Louise. arising and folding
her work with an air OF decision. "She
must either pay you S36 and promise
Immunity from further annoyance
from the cat or she must kill the
beast"
'She won't do either" mourncd Amy
from the piazza as Louise passed out
Of the gate and crossed the street TO
the abode of the Widow Becmer.
Louise Wallace found the Widow
Beemer seated on the back stoop In
the act OF placing n saucer OF milk
before the huge gray cat. Ephraim. n5
Evening. Louey," remarked the
widow amiably. ITS some warmer
today"
"It Is" agreed Louise coldly. Mrs.
Beemer, that cat has got to co.
You mean-fphraimT quavered the
widow.
"Of course"
I'm soldiers widow began
Ann Beemer in the melancholy tone
she reserved for that oft repeated
statement, but Louise lifted n slim
finger warningly.
And Ephraim is your only solace,"
added the girl dryly 1--WE know all
that, Mrs. .Beemer, and we are very
sorry. but you must see that we can't
continue TO lose chickens at this rate.
It's preposterous. Ephraim seems to.
kin just for the mere pleasure OF the
deed. He's a cold blooded old MUIR
derer"
The pale gray Ephraim turned
light yellow eye In her direction, and
faint sheer lifted his black lip Then
his red velvet tongue darted I'm and
out OF the milk. and his eyes were
hidden.
Ann Beemer sighed. Every we'll"
she shifted tearfully. "I'll have to
give him up, / guess. He's the only
comfort I've got now. But you can
just take him away and Kill him,
Louey. I'll kiss him goodby IL you
don't mind"
IF you will put the cat in a bag.
Mrs. Beemer, I'll find somebody TO dis
pose Of him." interposed Louise i'm
patiently.
With hard little glitter In her black
eyes. Ann Beemer brought covered
basket and thrust the scratching. spit
ting Ephrain within. She tied the
cover securely and gave the basket
into Louise's hands Then she threw
her checked apron over her hend and
rocked mOurnfully TO and fro
Louise paused az the gate and. look
ing backward. felt pang OF pity for
the old woman Then she thought Of
the nlournful Amy across the stree,
and Ephraim's bad reputation i'm the
community ~ chicken slayer and
passed through the gate.
"I'll run around TO Latimer's and sec
II one Of the boys won't chlOrofOrm the
cat. Amy will be relieved. indeed.
when ! return and tell her that Eph-
rain has gone to join his forefathers."
1t was no light task to carry the
shaking basket within which the big
gray cot fought tigerishly for escape.
Her hands were quite sore when she
reached the Latimer place aud found
herself In the midst OF a curious group
OF boys and girls at the back door.
Mrs. Latimer came ont and Joined
them.
81 want somebody 10 chloroform a
cat" said Louise. It's Ephraim. you
know; he's been killing of our broil-
ers. ] thought one Of the boys might.
III give n dollar"
Mrs. Latimer shook her head. "t
don't want any OF my folks 20 XIII
cat, Miss Wallace; It's awful bad luck,
You know. Perhaps Peter Swanson
folks Will do II for you. Swedcs dom
believe I'm luck and such things"
Very we'll" said Louise YEARLY
stNNFfu ,snet lie MIL. ,.,.. a.. t...t.,t