Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-17


the chicken yard and came down the
path with tragedy written on her
stormy countenaace and in the very
pose of her Outstretched hand from
which dangled the lfeless remains of
a promising young broiler.
Another one?" queried her sister
disconsolately. THAT makes-let me
see-seventy-two chickens killed in the
last six weeks. at dollar pair those
broilers would have fetched $780,?
1T is an outrage" sputtered Amy,
flingtng the defunct chicken far from
her sight. THAT cat must be killed
at once?'
did you send Mrs. Beemer a bill
for the chickens?' asked Louise, intent
on her ueediework.
Amy nodded. Sent it Monday"
Heard from her todayf'
"Ye-es."
did she say she was a soldiers
widow and that the gray cat was her
only solaceT' Louise smiled mischteV-
ously.
Word for word. Laugh, If you
must, young woman" went on Amy
gloomily, but remember, please, that
am not a talented female artist who
can earn the price of a gown with
few daubs of paint. l am a mere,
commonplace plodder, and l haven't
a talent in the world save for poultry
raising, and now begin to doubt my
ability to succeed at that
'1'n see Mrs. Beemer myself" an
nounced Louise. arising and folding
her work with an air OF decision. She
must either pay you $50 and promise
immunity from further annoyance
from the cat or she must kill the
beast"
"She won't do either" mourned Amy
from the piazza as Louise passed out
of the gate and crossed the street to
the abode of the Widow Beemer.
Louise Wallace found the Widow
Beemer seated on the back stoop in
the act of placing a saucer of milk
before the huge gray cat, Ephraim.
Evening. Louey." remarked the
widow amiably. ITS some warmer
today"
at is" agreed Louise coldly. Mrs.
Beemer, that cat has got to go.'
You mean Ephraim?' quavered the
widow.
"Of course"
I'm a soldiers widow began
Ann Beemer in the melancholy tone
she reserved for that oft repeated
statement. but Louise lifted a slim
finger warningly.
And Ephraim is your only solace,"
added the girl dryly. I'VE 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. Ephrafm seems to
kill Just for the mere pleasure Of the
deed. He's a cold blooded old MUIR
derer."
The pale gray Ephraim turned a
light yellow eye in her direction, and
faint sheer lifted his black lip. Then
his red velvet tongue darted in and
out of the milk, and his eyes were
hidden.
Ann Beemer sighed. every WELL"
she smiled tearfully. "I'u 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 if you
don't mind"
III you Will put Tie cat III a UAS,
Mrs. Beemer, I'll find somebody to dis
pose of him." interposed Louise i'm
patiently.
With a hard little glitter in her black
eyes, Ann Beemer brought covered
basket and thrust the scratching, spit
ting Ephraim within. She tied the
cover securely and gave the basket
into Louise's hands. Then she threw
her checked apron over her head and
rocked mournfully to and fro.
Louise paused at the gate and. look
ing backward, felt a pang of pity for
the old woman. Then she thought of
the mournful Amy across the street
and Ephraim's bad reputation in the
community as q chicken slayer and
passed through the gate.
'I'u run around to Latimer's and see
If one of the boys won't chloroform the
cat. Amy will be relieved, indeed,
when i return and tall her that Enh-