People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1896 — Tabby’s Christmas. [ARTICLE]

Tabby’s Christmas.

It was early Christmas morning, and the streets were empty. A boy with a big turkey knocked at the kitchen door of a large, pleasant house, anc! while’ he was talking with the cook, cold, homeless little Tabby Tiptoes slipped ini between his heels so softly that nobody saw her. “Good!” she thought. “Now I can get warm!” She patted lightly up-stalrs on her little velvet /paws, and found herself in a snug and cozy room. A bright fire snapped in the grate, and beside it hung a small stocking, crammed full’from top to toe. Tabby was so pleased with her warm quarters that she turned a somersault on the soft rug. Then she played that the toe of the stocking was a mouse. She caught it with her sharp claws, and gave it a little, pull. But the stocking was overloaded already, and down it came on the hearth. The checkers and dominoes and sugar? plums rolled to every-slde. Poor Tabby just had time to hide in the empty stocking before Neddy rushed Into the room. “Why, mamma!” he called, “Santa Claus must have dropped my stocking!” Then he put his hand into.it. “A live kitten!” he shouted again. “Oh, how did Santa Claus know! That was just what I wanted!” And Indeed, of all his pretty presents, Neddy liked little pussy best.