McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1922-09-22
BLACK IS UNLUCKY
BY ALICE DAVENPORT
Ss15151s15es1s1S15157sa575157S757s

across Charley, the latest victim of
matrimOny. Poor Charley was in the
throes of indigestion.
'If Grace could only learn to cook"
moaned Charley. But you can't SYM
pathize, Lefty is such a peach at that
sort of thing"
eyes, she is" admitted Bob; ''but
what would you do If your wife in
sisted on going out every nightY'
"Pd beat her to it." Charley assured
him.
'There is only one thing for you to
do, Bob" Charley told him. "There
is an old superstition that says If you
want to keep cat you must butter
her feet. Apply that to Lefty"
Now, Bob had deep vein Of super
stition, although he would have died
rather than admit 1t. If he could butter
Letty's feet-if he could-he would
try 1t and see how 1t worked.
Lefty met him at the door, bubbling
over, as usual. She served the de-
licious dinner and enjoyed watching
him eat. AS soon as he had finished
his hearty meal and she had eaten
like bird, she drew him into the
coy living room.
II have secret for you, Bob" her
eyes dancing, II am going to stay at
home tonight, all alone with you"
Lefty, are you sickT' Bob was
really anxious.
Don't rub 1t in now, honey, or I'll
change my mind"
She was In her most charming
mood. She sang his favorite songs,
she played his favorite selections; she
made harmless drinks-delicious all
the more because they were harmless.
"Why can't 1t be like this all the
time, LettyY' he asked her. "Could
anything be better than this" Now
Lefty could have been disagreeable
and replied in return:
mo, nothing could be nicer for you,
but what about me? have done the
cooking, the entertaining, the talking,
and l am almost exhausted. l have
given and you have taken"
But she was 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 1t Is so rare. If we had a night
like this every night in the week you
would soon tire of the monotony. You
haven't even read your sporting news
Bob. must have charmed you, sure
ly. I'm going to break the record to-
night and go 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 to enter the house, some
thing soft rubbed against his leg. He
looked down and saw a beautiful
black cat. He liked cats, particularly
black ones, but Lefty could not bear
to have one in the house. He stopped
to stroke the glossy fur and the cat
purred He could not resist the i'm
pulse to open the screen door and lei
the cat enter with him.
By the time Bob had fed the stran
ger, made bed for 1t and fastened
the windows 1t was growing late. II
was silent upstairs. Lefty must be
asleep. He looked at the cat, ther
thought of the butter. He went swift
ly to the icebox, brought out a pat Of
butter, clicked off the lights and wen
silently up the stairs.
Lefty was sleeping peacefully. She
made perfect picture of repose, ant
he gazed, well satisfied that every
thing was working out as he wished
The night was so warm that she hat
thrust her feet out from the thin GOV
ering, and Bob stopped to apply tb'
butter.
Now Lefty had peculiarly sensitiv,
feet. As Bob plastered the butter h,
touched a sensitive nerve. Lefty CAV,
a powerful kick, landing on Bob
right eye. He gave a howl of pain
while Lefty turned over to a NOR,
comfortable position. She would no
wake up; she was a heavy sleeper, a
he knew from experience.
Hours later, or so 1t seemed, Lett,
awoke. There at her feet was hor
rible black creature, licking her toes
She could not move; she felt petrifie,
as the terrible amman glared an,
looked ready to spring If she uttere'
a cry to Bob.
After an eternity of waiting, tn
animal jumped off the bed and stun
away.
"Bob," she called, In her weakes
voice. Bob, dear, wake up; I'm s
frightened"
Bob was in no comforting moot
but he got out of bed and turned o.
the lights. Lefty screamed when sh
saw him.
Look at your eye, 1t is all blacl
Such a night I've had. What did 20
do to your eyer"
Bob refused to say what he die
She sat up with the air of a TRACED
queen.
There was some terrible black an
NAL sitting on my feet most of tn
night. Don't think Pm crazy, Bob;
really did. l shall make one resolr
tion for the future. Never again wi
1t be early to bed for me; and as fo
these at home nights we had bette