The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-22
LITTLE FIRST FOOT
Nv MOLLY MINISTER.

Year Dean Richmond had AWAKENED
to find a small black kitten prowhns
tnouisitively about her studio nom..
"Good luck," was Deans nrs'
thought. They were friends at once
Dean lived alone in the Bohemian
zection Of the city. She was an edi'o,
on one Of the better magazines. anu
left her studio each morning sharp ~
$3.50 o'clock.
The kitten, which Dean called Fist
Foot. was sleek and daintily clean
little lady kitten. 1t would not nave
been dificult for her to hnd lodgings
IN the Bohemian section where black
cats were considered the best OF LUCK
The little collar with which Dean
Immediately made her ownership Ger
tain was black leather. The name IN
scribed on the tiny silver tag was
First Foot" since she had been the
first little visitor to put foot over
Deans threshold in the new year.
First Foot had been part OF the
studio life for some FIVE weeks De.
fore she brought down the wrath OF
her mistress upon her own sleek
head.
Upon picking up the kitten for her
evening nap in Deans lap the girl mao
smelled tobacco. Upon examination
she made the discovery that her pet
was reeking of the noxious fumes.
"You disgraceful little lady" ad'
monished Dean while she went to the
kitchen for brush and soap and toilet
water. "You have been visiting the
den Of some gentleman"
That proved to be only the first OF
the visits, for each night Dean found
her erstwhile perfumed pet reeking of
tobacco smoke. There was no good
in scolding. Dean finally accepted the
tobacco as a part of her troubles. She
did. however, tie a huge pink bow on
the neck Of her cat and saturated 1t
with Wild Rose scent.
"The guilty man may take hint"
was ner inward nope.
But the guilty man did not take the
hint. Each day when the small black
cat came silently into his den he
arose. stroked her head and felt that
the day was well begun.
| When John Rogers finished par
ticularly good story and determined
to try 1t on the editor of the Good
year Magazine" he dipped First
F'oot's paw into the inkstand and
made her imprint on his manuscript.
So that when the story passed through
the hands Of the readers and found
its way to the editor Of the Good.
year." Dean Richmond found herself
smiling at the imprint Of cats paw
on the manuscript awaiting her judg.
ment.
In the evening she found herself
! examining First Foot's paw Her
amazement was very genuine when
she discovered that her pets foot was
sticky and that close scrutiny revealed
dried ink on the little toes.
80" unused Dean. the person who
blows tobacco smoke all over my
lovely kitten and the author Of Stag
nation are one and the same being
She fell to specializing as to the man :
personality. "He assuredly Is human
and I would say-rather charming"
When John Rogers received the lit
tie black visitor that morning he
glanced amusedly at the extra large
pink ribbon on her neck.
"You have an extravagant mistress
little lucky lady," he said. "She would
never do for the wife Of a struggling
author" II the cat disagreed she
could not say so. Rogers petted First
Foot and dislodged the note Dean
Richmond had concealed In the bow.
The plot thickens." laughed he, and
opened the letter. "The editor Of
Goodyear will see you tomorrow a,
ten o'clock" he read aloud. I'm
hanged! How in thunder" Rogers
ran his fingers through his hair and
gazed questioningly at First Foot
who only went to sleep, having de
livered her message.
1t was the perfume that reached
Rogers senses while they we're dis
cussing the merits Of his story and
the size Of the check he was to get.
"You." he said suddenly, and |,
seemed accusingly, ARE the mistress
Of First Foot"
Il am" laughed Dean, but how Dc
you know"
The kitten reeks Of that sam.
scent" he told her.
1T is far better than reekinx Of to
bacco." flashed Dean.
Rogers flushed guiltily. "My min,
10 rather strong" Then, you mus
live near, very near to me-" he adder
quickly, and there was a shameless,
suggestion Of Joy in his eyes.
Yes-it is strange. isn't it,"
Deiightfully strange" agreed Rop
ers' Il wish First Foot knew the ay
tent OF the luck she had brought me
l sell story for $3.50 and realize tba,
l nave a neighbor whom L"
i am very busy" Dean said swift
". trying to overcome the timid,t,
tnat had swept her lashes down.
NJ, Rogers only laughed and wa,cha,
the color sweeping stealthily into N,
cheeks Of the editor Of "Goodyear"
First Foot Is a lucky cat" n. -,
minated on the way home, and
once informed her that her mistres,
would not make q good wife "a, ,
struggling author. Humph." a .o,,
. Whimsical smile played about Ro.
ers' lips. A smile Of self.con,,.s,e A..
tion. Aoi'
Worth cultlvatino.