Year: 1870

| always brings good luck, and that cat has
been my constant companion for three years.
He's better nor dog, and just as much
company. Why he knows more nor a man.
Don't you Sam? p


| The cat jumped upon its masters shoul-
der, and began to purr and arch its back, as
| if greatly pleased at the praise bestowed
upon it by its owner


Il say, landlord, have you got any chick
ems? I'd like to have one for breakfast


so would t. replied the landlord ''but
| can't get it. There ain t any one in this
region as has got chickens, 'cepting the
Curnel of the cavalry, opposite, and he
keeps guard standing over the stable in
which they roo,t."


The stranger again took i survey of the
party, and then said:


you look like good set of fellows.
Now III tell you what we'll do. If you are
agreed, we will have chicken for our break
fast, and the Curnel will suffer. What say
you all?"


''Itwould be little too dangerous to at
tempt to nip them chickens" said the gam
bier, although must say l think piece
of chicken would taste mighty nice"


'Whar did you say the chickens roosted?'
asked the stranger.


The landlord told him, and as he did so
the stranger stroked the back of his cat, and
| repeated the landlords words. Having
concluded he said, Now, Sam, you must
get US one of them chickens, and you have
got to be keerful or you will lose one of
your lives" He then opened the door, and
the cat walked out.


The stranger narrated several wonderful
feats that had been performed by his cat,
and thereby managed to while away some
fifteen or twenty minutes, when scratching
at the door was heard. He got up and
opened it, and in marched Sam, holding
chicken by the neck.


Every one in that room was dumbfound-
ed, for they had no idea that the cat would
accomplish the bidding of his master.


Sam, one is not enough we must have
another. Be a good fellow and get for us, "
said the stranger, as he again opened the
uOOT iOr the cat 10 go out.


The company had not been done express
sing their astonishment at the wonderful
knowledge of the feline, ere he returned
once more with fine pullet.


''You are a noble fellow, and deserve
something, and blame if you shan't have
the heads of both them birds In the mean
time, you had better lay down in front of
the fire and dry yourself, or you viii have a
bad cold in the morning"


The cat walked to the hearth corner and
quietly coiled himself up, and was soon fast
asleep. The stealing Of the Colonel chick
ems evidently pleased the landlord greatly,
for he Immediately brought out his jug, and
brewed large pitcher of punch and invited
us all to partake of it. We drank punch,
told stories, and sung songs for two or three
hours, and then went to bed, and when we
separated the stranger took his cat with
him. The chicken. were given to the COOK,
who served them up the next morning for
breakfast, being careful to burn the feath-
ers and such portions as could not be cook
ed, to prevent detection, should guard be
sent around for the purpose of hunting for
the thieves.


At the time I write of, the soldiers had
but recently been paid off, and every house
in the town was gambling house and Ii
quor saloon, and the three fourths Of those
in and about the town were gamblers by
profession. Entering one of these saloons
the afternoon following the eve as above
narrated, | found the stranger seated be-
hind table, upon which was piled several
hundred dollars in gold and silver coin, a
number of packs of cards, and by them was
lying the cat [ invited the stranger to
take drink, and he got up and accompa-
MED me to the bar, and as he did so, he
said:


Sam, keep sharp look out, or some of
the cash will be nipped."


We stood at the bar some minutes, wait
ing our turn to be served, when We were
suddenly startled by yell of agony. Turn
ing around, we observed soldier dancing
around the room with the cat clinging to
his hand. The stranger leaped forward,
and catching the solder by the throat, said:


You have been trying to steal something
from my table


No [ haven t. wa. the logged reply.


You can't deceive me. What is that
you have in your hand. A twenty dollar
piece, as sure as 1 live. Give it up" and
he took double eagle from the soldier
hand, and giving him kick, sent him
headlong into the street.


1T won't do to try to steal anything from
me while Sam is on guard. We do all the
stealing that is done, don't We, Sam ?'' said
the stranger, as he turned to the bar to OBJ
tain the drink which had been compounded
for him, while the cat jumped on the table
and resumed his position as guard over his
master treasure.


Having taken his drink, the stranger re
sumed his seat be lind his table, and very
quickly began to deal monte TO a crowd who
collected around him.


Several days passed away before l saw,
the stranger again, although heard of him
and his cat a dozen times day. In fact,
I