Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-05-29
Evening Story
CAPT. EPHRAIM's CAT.
BY Doris Brown.

Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.
Miss Myra Pitt had scanned the
"Woodell Weekly Banner" from the
advertisement Of the Eden Ice Cream
Parlors on the front page to the legal
notices in the last column of the last
page before she discovered Captain
Ephraim Hills advertisement tucked
away next to Hinderman's Cough
Balm.
Lost, strayed !, or stolen - Hand
some tortoise shell cat; answers to
name of libby; last seen headed south
southeast, from my front gate. Re-
ward for return to Captain Ephraim
Hill. Harbor Cottage"
"All that fuss over a contrapted cat!
shifted Myra, swapping her black eyes
dangerously at Captain Ephraim's
front gate, which was almost directly
northwest from her little house. IF 1t
had been his wife, Ephraim Hill could
not have taken more care In adver-
Using for her to come home
/ But Captain Ephraim had neither
wife nor child, and fused all day long
over his chickens and his oyster sloop
and his pet cat, Miss libby.
At this very moment he was stand
ing at his front gate putting disconso-
latingly at his stubby black pipe and
staring in "south-southeasterl d.
rection, which led his eyes straight to
the dooryard of Miss Myra Pitt.
"She hates cats like pisen, but I
don't think she's harm Miss libby =
came FORTH trim and neat, in a fresh
lilac lawn with black velvet bow at
her round throat Her hair was bright
brown and her skin was pink and I'M
never heard of Myra harming any crit
ter except one or two we'll meaning
beaus!" reflected the captain dolefully.
II wish knew where libby was. If
she's dead I want she should have de-
cent burial"
Miss Pitts door opened and she
lined. Contrary to Woodell tradition
Myra Pitt continued for many years to
be maid, but she refused to grow old.
Trim little craft" muttered the
her black eyes dancing as usual.
Good evening, Myra," he greeted
her, removing the stubby pipe from
between his lips.
Good evening, captain" returned
Myra, pausing. you heard anything
about your cat?''
"Not word"
"Pve got to say this" went on Myra
firmly; it's sort Of reflection on me
your putting that in the paper about
libby being seen going south-southeast
why, that would mean she was going
right through my gate or onto my
property"
$50 she was,''
Land sake!" gasped Myra, clinging
to the gate, Next thing you'll be say
ing that stole libby"
Hum! You amt any too fond Of
CATS" ventured the captain warily.
81 hate EN-"
The captain grew red with anger.
you're the fust old maid L ever saw
who didn't set store by cats" he bark
ed rudely.
Pm the first old maid who didn't
accept the first half-witted old bache-
lor who wanted to marry her!" retort-
ed Myra still more rudely.
Captain Ephraim grew still more
crimson
I'm COMPOUNDED glad you didn't" he
roared.
Myra smiled provokingly over her
shoulder as she turned away.
At that moment two barefooted lads
came scuffling along the dusty road
ooh, Cap'n Eph! jest heard cat;
sounded like your Tibby!" called one
of them excitedly.
Where was she?" demanded Myra
and the captain in duet
I'm Miss Pitts smokehouse," was the
startling reply. 1--WE goner git the re-
ward, capn?"
IF you're telling me the truth"
promised the captain solemnly. You
are Lou SaWyer's boys, amt you? Well,
I'll come down to your place and let
you know. No, you needn't come along
boys; Miss Pitt and nell settle this
cat affair without any assistance from
anybody"
The Sawyer boys disappeared in a
cloud Of white dust and Captain Eph-
RAIN faced very pale and shaking
little woman.
II reckon we better be setting sail
for your smokehouse Myra," he said
mildly.
There was scared look in Myra
Pitts flashing black eyes. She was
turning over dozen impossible plans