The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1922-12-28
BLACK IS UNLUCKY
sy ALICE DAVENPORT
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Bob was known far and wide as O
model husband steady n the rock Of
Gibraltar. A. steady as he was. al
times he was In despair. Lefty. his
wife, was q yeritable gsdabout.
Bob demonstrated IA vain. Lefty
would dissolve into tears--a way al.
had; but when her tears dried she
was on the trot again with her cronies
Coming down on the a;i5. Bob ran
across Charley. the latest victim Of
matrimony. Poor Charley was In the
ihroes ~ indigestion.
''lf Grnce could only learn to cook"
moanei Charley. "isut you can't sym
pathlze. Lefty II .uch n peach AZ that
sort ~ thing
yes. she H." admitted Bob: ''but
what would you do II your wife In
sisted on going out every nightr'
I'D beat her 10 H." Charley assured
him.
There II only one thing for you TO
do. Bob" Charley told him. There
Il nm old superstition that says n you
want 10 keep n cat you must butter
her feet Apply that 10 Lefty" =
Now. Rob had a deep vein Of super
stition. although he would have died
rather than admit II. Ifhe could butter
Letty's feet-if he could--he would
try II and see how II worked.
Lefty met him at the door. bubbiing
over. as usual She served the de-
licicus dinner and enjoyed watching
him eat. As soon rs he had finished
hts hearty meal and she had eaten
like a bird. she drew him into the
cozy living roam.
Il have a secret for you. Bob" her
eyes dancing. Il am going TO stay AZ
home tonight. all alone with you"
Lefty. are you sickT' Bob was
really anxious
Don't rub II In now. honey. or I'll
change my mind"
She was In her most charming
mood. She sang his favorite songs.
she played his fayorite selections: she
made harmless Standardization all
the more because they were harmless
why emit II be like this all the
time. Lettyy' he asked her. Gould
anything be better than thisT" Now
Lefty could have been disagreeable
and replied In return:
"No. nothing could be nicer for you.
but what about m. have done the
cooking. the entertaining. the talking.
and I am almost exhausted. I have
given and you have taken"
But she was u wise Lefty and knew
better than TO spoil perfect eve
ming
MY dear boy" she smiled In her
enchanting way. you enjoy this be-
cause II IL 40 rare. II we had a night
like this every night In the week you
would soon tire II the monotony. You
haven't even read your sporting news.
Bob. I mus. have charmed you. sure
iy. I'm going 10 break the record to-
night and 10 To bed early"
She went through her retiring rou-
tine more quickly than usual. Bob
did the nightly chores; wound the
clock and set out the milk jars. As
he turned 10 enter the house. some
thing soft rubbed against his leg. He
looked down and saw beautiful
black cat. lie liked cats. particularly
black ones. but Lefty could not bear
20 have one In the houss. He stopped
20 stroke the glossy fur and the cat
purred- lie could not resist the I'm
pulse 60 open the screen door and let
the cat enter with him.
By the time Bob had fed the stran-
ger. made bed for Il and fastened
the windows II was growing late. II
was silent upstairs. Lefty must be
asleep. He looked at the cat. then
thought Of the butter. He went swift
~ TO the icebox. brought out a pat OF
butter. clicked on the lights and went
silently up the stairs
Lefty was sleeping peacefully. She
made a perfect picture OF repose. and
he gaxed. well satisfied that every
thing was working cut as he wished.
The night was 80 warm that she had
thrust her feet out from the thin COW
ering. and Bob stopped TO apply the
butter.
Now Lefty had peculiarly sensitive
feet. As Bob plastered the butter he
touched-a sensitive nerve. Lefty gave
a powerful kick. landing on Bob's
right eye. He gave a howl OF pain.
while Lefty turned over TO a more
comfortable position. She would not
wake up; she was a heavy sleeper. as
he knew IRON experience.
Hours later. or 50 II seemed. Lefty
awoke. There at her feet was a hor-
rible black creature. licking her toes.
She could not move; she felt petrIfed
as the terrible animal glarei and
looked ready TO spring II she uttered
a cry 20 Bob.
After an eternity of waiting. the
animal jumped on the bed and skunk
away.
Bob" she called. In her weakest
voice. Bob, dear. wake up; I'm 81