Union Square Jim 69 



dressing-room where the gentle creature had been 

 taken, and sought in his unskilled but kindly way 

 to ascertain the nature of her injury. It needed little 

 time to see that she was badly hurt. Several ribs 

 were broken, and there were probably other injuries. 

 George tried to dress the hurt and make the poor 

 creature comfortable, although he felt there was little 

 hope in the undertaking. For four days Roxey lay 

 upon her bed, suffering constantly, but trying to 

 impart life to her crying kittens. On the afternoon 

 of the fifth day, it was evident that poor Roxey could 

 not live much longer. George had seriously thought 

 of ending her misery ; but that meant death to the 

 kittens also, and the kind-hearted fellow could not 

 bring himself to do it. The faithful mother tenderly 

 washed all of her little family, one by one ; then she 

 drew them all about her as if for a last embrace, and 

 passed away as quietly and gently as she had lived. 

 George drew his rough hand across his face, and, 

 tenderly lifting Roxey, had her taken away. 



' But what can we do with these kittens ? ' he 

 asked of Frank, his assistant. 



4 Let 's try and raise them,' said the generous 



