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Updated: May 28, 2025
"I have thought of a story for you to tell us this afternoon the story of the barn-cat that wanted so much to become a house-cat. Don't you remember that story you used to tell us long ago?" "Oh, yes!" Mollie said; "her name was Furry-Purry, and she lived with Granny Barebones, and there was Tom Tom some thing; what was his name? Tell us that, Aunt Ruth, do!"
"'If you please, said Furry-Purry, for it was she, 'I have made bold to come out and meet you to ask your advice. I am a poor little barn-cat, and I was contented with my lot till I saw you yesterday in your beautiful home; but now I feel that I was intended for a higher sphere. Tell me oh, tell me, Mrs. Velvetpaw, how I may become a house-cat! "'Well, did I ever! said Mrs. Velvetpaw.
Jinnie gave a frightened little cry, but the woman did not heed her. The motor sped along at a terrific rate, and there just ahead Jinnie spied a lean barn-cat, crossing the road. She screamed again in terror. Still Molly sped on, driving the car straight over the thin, gaunt animal. Jinnie's heart leapt into her mouth.
"And when one morning she brought a mouse and laid it on the door-step, and looking up, seemed to say: 'Kind lady, if you will take me for your cat, see what I will do for you, my friend could no longer refuse. The door was opened, the long-wished-for invitation was given, and very soon the little barn-cat became the pet and plaything of the family.
You done it real clever, an' I come nigh hollerin' out to ye, I was so pleased, when I see you was determined to save the livestock. An' that barn-cat, dear, that old black Tom that's ketched my chickens so long! you 'most broke your neck to save him. But I never should ha' told, dear, never! 'specially sence you got out the creatur's."
That night Jinnie and Peg were bending anxiously over a basket near the kitchen stove. All that human hands and hearts could do had been done for the suffering barn-cat. He had given no sign of consciousness, his breath coming and going in long, deep gasps. "He'll die, won't he, Peg?" asked Jinnie, sorrowfully. "Yes, sure. An' it'll be better for the beast, too." Peg said this tempestuously.
Barebones, the consumptive cat; 'he's a wild, thoughtless creature, quite inexperienced in the ways of the world. Heed the counsels of one whose sands of life are almost run and who, before she goes to the land of cats, would fain warn a youthful friend and, if possible, avert her from her own sad fate. And all these sufferings, past and present, are in consequence of my being a barn-cat.
Her voice was toned with accusation, and Jinnie saw a reprimanding expression spread over the man's face. She didn't want him to think ill of her, yet she was not sorry she had jumped. He was kind and good; he would pity the hurt thing throbbing against her breast. "We we ran over a cat " she said wretchedly. "A barn-cat," cut in Molly. "And he was awfully hurt," interpolated Jinnie.
"Let's take 'im in, cobbler," breathed Bobbie, pressing forward. "He wants to come in." They lifted the cover of the basket, and there in quietude the barn-cat was sleeping his long last sleep. Jinnie lifted one of the stiff little paws, and placed it in Lafe's fingers. The cobbler shook it tenderly. "You're in the club, sir," said he in a thick, choked voice.
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