The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-03-22
MARY AND THE KITTEN.

Mary Stone was walking down the
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 a little kitten run from an old,
untenanted house, going across the
street toward a small park. The poor
little animal looked cold and misera-
BILE, and its thin body spoke of starva-
tion and abuses. In 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 1t, 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
it fall into her hands, so it ran of 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 1t, calling gently, "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.
in ragged clothes. He was leaning on
a stick and his face was drawn and
white. He was in the shadow of an
old stable, and Mary supposed he had
come from it's 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.
Yes, sir; did you see where it
went? l 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 / think. little girl, that
the kitten is in one of those boxes.
"a
so badly that it is afraid of any per-
son-even 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 a 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.
Eyes, little girl am greatly in need.
have been out Of work tor such a
long time am in real need. But a
child like you cannot help me.
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
| yonder-number eleyen-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 sent you. must look
! little further for that poor kitten,
but I'll run home very soon. Please
do go to my house number eleven
and ask for my mother, Mrs. Stone,
and tell her sent you to her.
But. little girl, fear she'll think