Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-11-19
"Kootchie Put
Buttons to Sleep"
BY HAROLD KINsARBLY

4 THE east wind had failed to put in
an appearance that evening, and
the thermometer registered 50 under
the stately elms Of the Boston COM
mon.
/ The family had gone away for the
summer, and Buttons and the butler
i were out for an airing.
Buttons was sleek, fat pug, with
a knowing eve and oily manner. They
called him Buttons because the har-
ness he wore about his forequarters
was studded with shining ornaments
AS the two strolled proudly through
the BEACON street mall fate favored
Buttons and the butler There was
eat on the comnon--a pet eat with.
out an escort. This cat belonged to
one of the wealthy families who at
the tail end of winter board up their
city residences and go.to the country
to spend the summer and save their
taxes. The owners Of this particular
cat had speeded missionaries to the
four corners of the globe to evange-
lie the heather, but their pet puss
they had turned into the streets
The instant Buttons spied her he
gave chase and drove her for refuge
into small tree. Then he stood be-
low and barked furiously, until the
sympathizing butler shook the tree and
gave him another chance. This time
I the cat barely succeeded in reaching
low perch on the iron fence, from
which with terrified gaze she watched
her tormentor.
why do you torture that catr' an
grily asked a quiet gentleman who
sat on one of the shady benches hold
ing a yelow-haired little girl on his
knee.
/ "Oh, me and Buttons is having
/ little fun" answered the butler. But
4 tons Is death on cats"
4 The quiet man said nothing, but got
up, helped the frightened cat to escape
to a safe hiding place. and then re-
sumed his seat
( That night puss went to bed with
out supper, while her owner presd-
ed at the one hundred and eleventh
seaside anniversary Of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ami.
mails and punctuated the courses Of
a fish dinner with rare vintages of
port
The next evening the same heat
hung heavily over the Beacon street
mall and Buttons and the butler were
again taking an airing and looking
for fun
AS Buttons neared the scene OF his
former encounter he prlcked up his
ears and shifted the air for scent of
game. Presently his anxious eye was
attracted by something his pug nose
had failed to detect. ON a bench near
by sat the quiet gentleman whose ae-
quaintance Buttons and the butler had
made on the previous evening. The
same yelIowhaired little girl was seat
ed near him, intently watching the
rings Of cigar smoke he pulled high
into the evening air. Between the
two a huge inflated paper bag was
surging TO and fro. II was this paper
bag that had caught the eve of But
tons. 1t interested him. Drawing him
self all up In a heap. he proceeded
with cautious, measured step to jus
tify his curiosity. AS he slowly APP
preached the curious object, his low,
fretful growlse seemed to rouse it to
renewed gymnastics. This frightened
Buttons and fcaused him to turn tail
and fee. IFS curiosity had, however,
got the better of him, and. returning
to what he heemed safe distance, he
began barking furoiusly
Cat, Bfttons wiFcge's the catT
came fro4 the bdrle| who was lei
surely bringing A. ipFthe rear, uncon-
scious Of TAtlspssfind
With renewed courage the pug
rushed toward TIE napcr bag lie had
almost reached it when the quiet gen
tleman gave the bag an opening twist,
and. as furry head with pair Of
fiery eyes shot out he exclaimed:
eli, hi, Kootchie -
The earnestness with which
Kootchie hi, hied became instantly APP
parent by the piteous bowls that rose
from out Of the murderous clawing,
sadIIlHR tHhSS VI HNlHR luI anu sHNtF
ornaments. And tn" speed with which
Buttons companion FASTENED to the
rescue proved that even Boston but
Ter can get a move on. Before he
could interfere, however. the quiet
gentleman took q hand in the game.
"Stand back" he demanded, in tones
that showed he would brook no inter
ference. Buttons is death on cats
Kootchie is death on pugs. You like
fun. like fair play"
In less than twenty seconds a crowd
Of loungers, newsboys. nurse girls and
pedestrians hurried to the scene. In
the confusion somebody thoughtfully
told a policeman to ring for the
"hurry-up" wagon. But before 1t ar
rived the butler was permitted to carry
home in his arms what there was left
Of Buttons.
Cheese it. der cop" shouted a