Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-10-14
Ephrairn's
Luck
By EVELYN WINTHROP
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
A Cat and a Girl Both Win
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
fNrtt Association.


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Amy Wallace slammed the gate OF
The chicken yard and came down the
path with tragedy written on her
pose OF her outstretched hand from
which dangled the lifeless remains OF
a promising young broiler.
Another one?" Queried her sister
disconsolately. THAT makes-let me
see-seventy-two chickens Killed I'm the
last six weeks At a dollar u pair those
broilers would have fetched $780,"
ut IL an outrage" sputtered Amy,
| flinging the defunct chicken far from
her sight. "That cat must be killed
at once"
Did You send Mrs. Beemer q bin
for the chickensl" asked Louise. intent
on her necdlework.
Amy nodded. sent Il Monday"
Heard from her todayZ'
"Ye-es."
Did she say she was soldiers
widow and that the gray cat was her
only soiace?" Louise smiled mlschicy-
ously.
must, young woman" went on Amy
sloomily. but remember. please. that
am not talented female artist who
rnn earn the price OF gown with
! lew daubs OF paint. ! am mere.
commonplace plodder. and haven't
talent In the world save for poultry
raising, and now l begin 10 doubt my
ability TO succeed mt that"
I'm see Mrs. Beemer myself" an
nounced Louise, arising and folding
her work with an air OF decision "She
must either pay you $3.50 and promise
immunity from further annoyance
from the cat or she must Kill the
beast"
"She won't do either" mourncd Amy
from the piazza as Louise passed out
or the gate and crossed the street to
the abode of the Widow Beemer
| Louise Wallace found the Widow
Beemer seated on the back stoop in
the act Of placing saucer of milk
before the huge gray cat. EphraIm.
Evening, Louey," remarked the
widow amiably. Its some warmer
today"
"It Is" agreed Louise coldly Mrs.
! ptShiSi' tuuI cut got
You mean Ephraim" quavercd th.
widow.
|, "Of course"
I'm soldiers widow began
Ann Beemor in the melancholy tone
she reserved for that oft repeated
statement. but Louise lifted q slim
finger warningly.
And Ephraim is your only solacc,"
added the girl dryly. I'VE know all
! that, AIrh. Beemer. and we are very
sorry. but you must see that we can't
continue to lose chickens at this rate.
It's preposterous. Ephraim seems 10
Kill just for the mere pleasure OF the
deed. He's n cold bloodcd old muir
herer."
The pale gray Ephralm tUrned n
| light yellow eye In her dlrecx$bn. and
a faint sneer 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 shifted tearfuly. "I1l 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,
Iouey. I'll kiss him goodby If you
ion't mind"
III you will put the cat I'm bag,
Mrs. Beemer. I'll find somebody TO dis
pose Of him." interposed Louise i'm
patiently.
| With hard little glitter I'm her black
| eyes. Ann Beemcr brought covered
basket and thrust the scratching. spit
ting EphraiIn within. She tiel the
cover securely and gave the basket
into Louise's hands. Then she threw
her checked apron over her head and
focked mournfully to and fro. 1
! Louise paused at the gate ana. look4
Ing backward. felt a pang or pity for
he old woman. Then she thought Of
ihe mournfu Amy across the strce3
and Epbralm'S bad reputation IN the
community IA a chicken slayer and
passed through the gate.
"Tll run around IA. Latimer's and 500
II one OF the boys won't chlOrOfOrm the
cat. Amy will be relieved. indeed
when return and toll her that Eph.
rain has gone TO join his forcfathcrs."
IL was no light task TO carry the
shaking basket within which the big
gray cat fought tigcrishly for escape.
Her hands were quite sore when she
reached the Latimer place and found
herself In the midst OF n curious group
OF boys and girls at the back door
Mrs. Latimer came out and joined
them.
~ want somebody TO chloroform a
cat" said Louise. Its Ephraim. you
know; he's been killing off our broi.
ers. thought one Of the boys might.
I'll give dollar"
Mrs Latimer shook her head 81
don't want any Of my f,dks to Kill n
cat Miss Wallace; it's awful bad luck.