The Red Cat + Antonio

Ranch Journal's series of stories by Addison W. Ward continues, with The Red Cat. 

This story was developed over many bedtimes with the help of Addison's children, Edie, Peter, and Andrew. 

This story was obviously written with children in mind, but may not be so good for today's kids. So be it, I turned out fine.























Another story that he told almost every night was Antonio. I don't know its origin, but it is permanently etched in my memory. Perhaps you'd like to etch it in yours.

Antonio

It was a cold, dark and stormy night, deep in the Hartz Mountains. 

Around a campfire sat a band of robbers...brigands large, and brigands small. 

Next to the chief sat his trusted man Antonio.

"Antonio," said the captain, "Tell us a story." 

At first Antonio demurred, but upon being urged, told the following weird tale... 

It was a cold, dark and stormy night, deep in the Hartz Mountains. 

Around a campfire sat a band of robbers...brigands large, and brigands small. 

Next to the chief sat his trusted man Antonio.

"Antonio," said the captain, "Tell us a story." 

At first Antonio demurred, but upon being urged, told the following weird tale... 

It was a cold, dark and stormy night, deep in the Hartz Mountains. 

Around a campfire sat a band of robbers...brigands large, and brigands small. 

Next to the chief sat his trusted man Antonio.

"Antonio," said the captain, "Tell us a story."

At first Antonio demurred, but upon being urged, told the following weird tale...  

It was a cold, dark and stormy night, deep in the Hartz Mountains. 

Around a campfire sat a band of robbers...brigands large, and brigands small. 

Next to the chief sat his trusted man Antonio.

"Antonio," said the captain, "Tell us a story."  

At first Antonio demurred, but upon being urged, told the following weird tale...

It was a cold, dark and stormy night, deep in the Hartz Mountains. 

* repeat ad nauseum until children are asleep (or pretending to be asleep) *