Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-12
The Naughtiness
of Molly Muff


sometimes as banner of defiance
and sometimes as a terror to small
dogs. She is the prettiest cat l know,
and also the most self-willed. She mas
been petted so much that she thinks
she must always have her own way,
whether that agrees with her mistress
way or not.
Her mistress is Rose Maitland; and
Rose once said to me plaintively:
Really, don't know whether | own
Molly Muff or Molly Muff owns me.
don't mind Molly's walking all over
my bed, if only her paws are clean;
but she will not let me touch her
basket, even to shake up her cushion,
without giving a cross little 'mieou'
over it, l never say anything If she
jumps up in mammals lap or leases
papa for her ball instead of me: but
If try to pet Helen's dog when she
brings it here, Molly Muff growls as
If she would fly out of her skin, and
worries over 1t for long time"
Molly Muff's last performance, how
ever, surpassed everything she has
ever done before. A month ago Rose
had bad cold, which she called the
grip, and perhaps it was. Certainly,
| It fulfilled one condition of that dis
agreeable trouble, for it was after
she grew better that she felt the
worst, and finally Papa and Mamma
Maitland decided to take her away
for a fortnight, and see what the
change and a bit of fun would do for
her. Mrs Davis, Helens Mother, said
she would be very happy to nave
Molly stay with her while they were
away; and, since she and Rollo Davis,
Helen's dog, were the best Of friends
whenever Mollie wasn't jealous o.
Roses attentions to him, the invita-
ton was accepted. The Maitlands
planned to stay a week in New York,
and then 60 on to Washington.
Papa Maitland undertook to take
Molly Muff over to the Davises. The
wilful little thing seemed to know per-
fectly we'll what was going on; and
she hid in Roses closet, so that there
was long delay before she could be
found She objected to the covered
basket; and all the way over she
clawed and scratched, mewing pitt
fully, as if she were in utter misery.
The journey was accomplished, how
ever, Molly was shut up for the night,
and as the Maitlands were to start
early the next morning, the matter
seemed to be settled.
Pretty Molly enjoyed a good supper
Of chicken and cream, evidently max
ing the best of the situation, but per-
haps also watching her opportunity.
She looked UP resentfully when she
heard the cook say that it was "a sin
and shame entirely to be after givin'
such an insignificant little haste the
best Of the land" but she resumed
her supper complacently as Bridget
added, "But she has that takin' way
with her, We can't deny her nothin'.
The next morning when Bridget
opened the kitchen door, she was
greeted affectionately, even effusively,
by Molly Muff, who had slept all
night on the soft cushion in Bridgets
rocking chair. Not tenNminutes later,
however, when Bridget went to the
outside door to take in the milk,
tiny gray ball of fur and flurr seemed
to push itself between her feet; and
all her dazed eyes could see, as she
looked after it, was "the cratur goin'
like streak of lightnin,' I give We my
word" as Molly Muff sped toward
home. can me a-belavin' livery word
she said!"
Nobody can tell just what Molly
Muff did after that. None of the
Maitlands saw her as they put the
few last things in the trunk and then
went down to their early breakfast
The maid brought their umbrellas,
Mr.. Maitland's hat-box, the bunch OF
violets that Rose wished to take with
her, and Mrs. Maitland's small hand
bag, placing them in the hall until
the man should come with the car
riage.
Not long after that they started,
and half an hour later they were com.
fortably settled in the parlor-car,
their trunk safely slowed in the bag
gage-car of the train, and their other
belongings near them piled up by the
helpful hands of the porter.
Suddenly Rose sighed. ooh, dear;
do wish I knew whether Molly Muff
is contented or not. keep thinking
about her, and even imagined just
now that l heard her new"
"That is strange" said Mrs. Matt
land. "for l have thought that very
thing myself since we have been sit
ting here"
They were silent moment. when
clear and distinct came an unmistak-
able, plaintive, an impatient NEW, as
who should say, ooh, do hurry up
now. Oh. won't you please let me
out now, just as quick as you CAM"
All three of the Maitlands jumped
and looked at each other in blank
amazement.
"Why, it is Molly Muff!" exclaimed
Rose.
"Shes in my hat-box," declared
Papa Maitland, with sudden inspira'
ton. Don't you remember how the
porter said that was the heaviest hat
box he ever carried? I thought 1t
was a joke, suggesting larger fee"
In half minute the hat-box was
opened, and there, curled up inside
Mr.. Maitland's Sunday hat, was Molly
Muff, looking wild-eyed and nervous,
not vet able to enjoy her triumph.
All the passengers in the car were
greatly interested, and they came up
to Sc the clever cat She went on with
the others to New York, and have
never heard that all the seedlings Rose
o,y hor over did hit Of good NO