Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-12
THE DAILY STORY
Mrs. Bakers Old Cat
And who was Mrs. Baker,

sne was childless widow who had
reached the age Of 90. She had sufficient
income to keep her out OF the hands Of
'harity She had her little home In the
outskirts OF the town. and her companion
snip Tor the last 10 years had been her
cat.
was an old gray cat. IL was a
solemq-looklng cat. II was a cat which
mad once been kitten and froiicked as
R'tens do but that time had long past
ana the date had arrived when she must
ponder over what the future had in store
Tor her II was this pondering and won
"rihg that made her sit around without
a"olton and permit the rats and mice
10 come and 20 unafraid and untouched.
M & a certain summer afternoon Miss
it Nu'n Brghton, wishing for a sight of
NV uees' birds, lambs hollyhocks and
eoaustools of the country, took a street
Ssr Tor half a mile. and then walked for
~ same distance, to find herself in front
she arrived the old woman ran out 10 the
gate and screamed:
Murder! Policei Fire..
Who was being murdered7 wbere was
the hre? Where the police?
Many girl would have taken to bar
neels and clipped II along for a mIie
nlthout stopping for breath, but Ruth
brlghton didn't. She followed the old lsdv
20 me porch, and with her looked down
.,s sne gasping. outstretched cat.
She wrung her hands.
maybe It's only n Mt and we can save
heI, Get dish of cold water"
me water was brought and thrown
over the grimalkln. and after a lone min
ue she opened her eyes and returned
10 the land of the living
i am thankful to heavenr' n,ou,,,,
to the sky "0i eyes
lhat day Osborne Chalmers had decided
70 take half holiday and n wall Jnto
Ine country In the afternoon. He also
Manteu TO see the trees and birds and
ninos .n1s and hollyhocks and the rest OF the
s,,i "ss that make farmers life so Joy
tut ana innocent that he never sells thir-
teen eggs for dozen. for fear of hurting
the feelings of buyer.
WI Chalmers saw a crow. He saw a
cow he saw smartweed and mavweed
ana. ourdocks along the highway. He
Vas wss JUST going to see a lot of other
Things to influence him to buy an so-scre
iarm and raise 70 acres of turnIps whan
ne saw cottage. an old woman. a pirI
and blinking old cat.
VIII you come here?'' calIed tba
WIDOW Baker as he slackened his pace.
is II anything serious?" he asked as
he entered the gate
MY old cat has had a ar,
rs 1t possible!" he replied. witbout
cracking a smile
ana but for this young lady here. who
told me to throw cold water on the Rasp-
ing creature, she'd have been dead by
this time! ~
vUo q
That's it,"
Aged cats are subject to than. 7 he
lieve.'' ~ '"0i'' "s-
What will she have another2"
Very likely to-"
But what would you advise me to
ut seems to me the better way would
be to get rid of her If there was anv-
think 1 could do 1 should cheerfulIy do
II, but as there is not 1 will 20 on"
Miss Ruth had kept a shoulder to the
conversation. and her face was sober as
she turned to the widow and said: al
have heard that aged cats are apt to run
mad"
Lands of mercyr'
You think a good deal Of her, no
doubt, but the safest way is to get rid Of
her. II she runs mad she may bite YOU"
But how am I going to get rid Of her7'
she ought to be carried Off and
drowned"
Very few people would permit widows
old cat to disturb their peace of mind,
but In this case the occasion was fur
nished by Providence for q special pur-
pose, and in about three days Miss Ruth
found herself saying to herself:
II feel bad for that poor old woman.
That cat has got to go, and 1t will be
very lonesome around that house. I'll
see II can't buy her another some-
where"
And Mr.. Osborne Chalmers found him
self saying to himself: Darn that old
cat. but why should 1 keep thinking OF
her! I never gave cat two thoughts be-
fore. Reckon it was because met a
good-loolxlng girl at the same time met
the old cat. II the critter has another ft
she'll turn up her toes for good, II
knew where I could find a young cat be-
lieve 1 would carry II to her."
Miss Ruth arrived at the cottage. The
cat sat on the porch. She hadn't had
another At, but she looked as II she were
going 70 have one at the first convenient
opportunity.
Yes, she looks bad" agreed Mrs.
Baker. land I am going to ask a great
favor of you. You see, am lame, and
can't walk far, and want the old cat
taken away and dropped on the road
If she is carried a mile 1
don't believe she can find her way back
ngain."
"But how'll carry herr" asked Ruth.
ct didn't know that you'd ever come