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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Daisy, by Miranda Eliot Swan
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Daisy
+       the autobiography of a cat
+
+Author: Miranda Eliot Swan
+
+Release Date: October 23, 2011 [EBook #37826]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAISY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Adam Buchbinder, Mark Young and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+book was produced from scanned images of public domain
+material from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "DAISY." (FROM THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH.)]
+
+
+
+
+  Daisy
+
+  _The Autobiography of a Cat_
+
+  BY
+  MIRANDA ELIOT SWAN
+
+  Boston
+  NOYES BROTHERS
+  PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+  COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY NOYES BROTHERS.
+
+  Norwood Press
+  J.S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & Smith
+  Norwood Mass. U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+This little story of one cat's life has been written during the
+intervals of a long and painful illness, when I missed the love and
+sympathy of my little four-footed friend of eighteen years, now, alas!
+nothing but a memory. Indeed, so vividly did his spirit speak to me,
+that I readily acknowledge him the author of this book, being myself his
+amanuensis.
+
+From my earliest childhood the love of animals, particularly cats, has
+been inherent with me. One tale of cruelty, heard by me when a child,
+distressed me and made me ill, and nightly the panorama of the
+disgusting crime would haunt my pillow. But I never regret the suffering
+it caused me, for it taught me my duty to our dumb friends so dependent
+on us.
+
+If the little stories in this book touch the hearts of its readers as
+that story touched mine, it will indeed have accomplished its mission.
+Just such stories are needed to create interest in the many societies
+now forming in aid of dumb animals.
+
+There are cases where one must not spare the knife, even though our
+tenderest and most sensitive feelings recoil, for the cure will be sure.
+There are crimes perpetrated every day, in the name of Science, that
+need just such stories to expose their iniquity. For I believe ignorance
+is the cause of cruelty in many instances, and a little story told
+attractively, where retribution follows the deed, will have more effect
+than reproof. I do not believe there are many hearts so callous, that a
+little anecdote of cruelty to these helpless creatures will not touch
+them.
+
+There are many who will read this book who have lost dear little pets,
+and I would say to them that the dear Father has them all in his care.
+In the boundless and beautiful fields of Paradise they will find the
+dear little friends they have lost waiting for them.
+
+I trust my readers will pardon the many imperfections of this little
+book, believing that an earnest wish to help our dumb animals is my
+heart's desire.
+
+                                                    MIRANDA ELIOT SWAN.
+
+    BOSTON,
+    December 11, 1899.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+  CHAPTER I                                                 PAGE
+  EARLY DAYS                                                   1
+
+  CHAPTER II
+  MY MOTHER'S STORY                                            4
+
+  CHAPTER III
+  MY HOME                                                     17
+
+  CHAPTER IV
+  DAISY'S PARTY                                               21
+
+  CHAPTER V
+  REVERSES                                                    28
+
+  CHAPTER VI
+  DAISY'S ADVENTURE                                           36
+
+  CHAPTER VII
+  CAT MEMORIES                                                46
+
+  CHAPTER VIII
+  AN ACCIDENT                                                 50
+
+  CHAPTER IX
+  CAT TALES                                                   61
+
+  CHAPTER X
+  LITTLE PEARL                                                66
+
+  CHAPTER XI
+  REMINISCENCES                                               73
+
+  CHAPTER XII
+  CAT TALES                                                   83
+
+  CHAPTER XIII
+  MY FIRST THEFT                                              90
+
+  CHAPTER XIV
+  RELIGIOUS ASPIRATIONS                                       96
+
+  CHAPTER XV
+  CAT ANECDOTES                                              106
+
+  CHAPTER XVI
+  CAT PRANKS                                                 115
+
+  CHAPTER XVII
+  THE STORY OF FREIDA                                        132
+
+  CHAPTER XVIII
+  THANKSGIVING                                               145
+
+  CHAPTER XIX
+  MEWS AND PURRS                                             165
+
+  CHAPTER XX
+  HEADS AND TALES                                            187
+
+  CHAPTER XXI
+  JETT                                                       195
+
+  CHAPTER XXII
+  WATCH AND CHLOE                                            216
+
+  CHAPTER XXIII
+  THE STORY OF BLACKIE                                       235
+
+  CHAPTER XXIV
+  RETRIBUTION                                                249
+
+  CHAPTER XXV
+  EVENTIDE                                                   261
+
+
+
+
+DAISY
+
+THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CAT
+
+
+
+
+DAISY
+
+_AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY_
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+EARLY DAYS
+
+
+I have no doubt people will wonder that a Cat should write a story. Of
+course, fighting is more in their line.
+
+However pleased I might have been to help my fellow-sufferers, and use
+my natural weapons in their defence, a remark I heard made by a very
+learned man decided me to use my brains instead of my claws.
+
+He quoted:--
+
+    "The _pen_ is mightier than the _sword_."
+
+Taking this quotation for my text, I have written my own story, hoping
+it will benefit the poor cats who are made the victims of great cruelty.
+No other animal has to suffer like the household pet, the cat.
+
+I am a Boston boy, born eighteen years ago, in one of the nice
+old-fashioned houses for which our quiet street was noted.
+
+I was born in a clothes-basket, and do not feel ashamed of my
+birthplace, though fire and the swill man long ago removed all trace of
+it.
+
+I cannot remember much about my home. Like all young things, my food and
+having a good frolic were all I thought of.
+
+I loved my mother, for she was very kind to me while I depended on her
+for sustenance; but when I grew large enough to lap milk, she began to
+wean me and teach me that hard lesson--self-dependence.
+
+My mother was very handsome--black as coal, with a long tail and white
+feet. She was very proud of the latter, keeping them as white as snow;
+and on account of their beauty she was called "White Foot." She was very
+graceful and slender--her fur soft and glossy as a raven's wing.
+
+She had brilliant, restless eyes, fierce in expression and watchful,
+never seeming to trust even her friends. But every one was attracted to
+her.
+
+We had not much room to boast of. The back yard was very small, but over
+the way a large unoccupied field gave us a grand opportunity to run and
+enjoy ourselves.
+
+It was a great neighborhood for cats. Though I thought them rough and
+aggressive, I enjoyed myself, for I could outrun the biggest of them,
+and never allowed myself to be defeated.
+
+One day my mother called me to her, and said: "I wish you to listen to
+what I am about to say to you. The cats who live here are rough alley
+cats, and have never learned good manners. You have a better chance than
+they have, and I hope you will grow up gentle and sweet-tempered. Never
+bite or scratch, and learn to control your angry passions. Then you will
+be a favorite and a very happy cat--happier than your mother, who never
+had a chance till now. And _now_ it is too late. I shall not be with you
+long, and you must try to do the best you can for yourself when I am
+gone."
+
+This conversation with my mother made me very sad, though I was young
+and full of frolic, and did not fully realize her true meaning. I never
+forgot her advice, for I knew she was a very wise cat, and her wisdom
+had been gained through suffering. My life with her was short, for she
+left us before I was six months old.
+
+Perhaps here I had better tell her story as she related it to me. She
+had always been very strict with me, and taught me to be very neat, and
+keep my fur and my claws clean. My claws were a great delight to me,
+they were so sharp, and I used to bite them with great satisfaction. It
+was delightful to feel how sharp my teeth were.
+
+Though I did not use a "toothpick," my nails were very useful instead,
+and I bit them and enjoyed the fun. But one day I bit them so loud that
+my mother, after reproving me many times, boxed my ears. She was very
+nervous, and the snapping provoked her very much.
+
+Of course, I was obliged to obey her; but I bit them all the same, only
+on the sly.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+MY MOTHER'S STORY
+
+
+I do not know where I was born. I can only remember a dark cellar where
+I seemed to belong, and children who drove and frightened me every time
+I went near the house. The cook was kind to me and put out scraps of
+food in an old tin plate. I was often obliged by hunger to pick from the
+swill barrel my dinners. I soon found plenty of rats, and after I
+learned to kill them, life had some charm for me.
+
+It was a dirty, damp, dark cellar, for the people who owned the house
+were of the "newly rich" class. They thought only of decorating that
+part of the house open to public inspection. Everything was made to pay
+its way, and the servants were kept on short rations.
+
+I earned my living (picked from the swill barrel) by killing rats, for
+the house was infested with them. No one ever spoke a kind word to me,
+and I often wondered why I was made. I would creep into the house like a
+criminal.
+
+Once I enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in a chair. Oh, how soft and nice
+it was, and I began to purr, with the sense of happiness. But I was
+rudely shaken from my dream of bliss, and this was the only chance I
+ever had to test the delights of easy chairs. I was driven out with
+stones and bits of wood till I gladly found refuge for my poor bruised
+body in the cellar. There I lay in hunger and pain, my heart filled with
+bitterness toward all mankind. I felt the injustice, if only a poor cat.
+
+It was a great neighborhood for cats, and I soon made friends with them.
+I was perfectly reckless, and caterwauled with them, joining their
+midnight revels with all my heart. We cared not for bottles or
+bootjacks, but made night terrible. Why should we keep quiet? We had no
+homes, no nice beds, no friend to speak to us. Why should we care to
+please those who remembered us only to abuse us?
+
+Now this is all very sad. Since I have seen what life ought to be, in
+this dear home, I wish with all my heart I had earlier known these good
+people. I am very thankful that you, my only living child, will grow up
+in this refined atmosphere.
+
+To return to my dismal history. Soon after my introduction to the
+nightly revels, I had my first kittens. I never was so happy in my life.
+Though I had suffered all alone the most severe pain, the dear little
+creatures compensated me for my hours of anguish. There were four of
+them. Two of them were black, and two of them gray. Such perfect little
+creatures, I was delighted with them. Though we had only an ash-heap for
+our bed, I kept them on my fur, and did not care for the ashes on my own
+nice fur coat. No mother on her bed of down, with laces and embroideries
+around her, could have kept her children nicer than I kept mine.
+
+I followed just the instinct my Maker gave me, and what came after was
+from no fault of mine, but from the wickedness of human nature, which
+has unsettled my beliefs and made me a sceptical and unbelieving cat.
+
+I hated to leave my kittens to take my food. How I fought for the best I
+could get, to nourish them! I swallowed things I had always disliked,
+for I was determined to carry back milk enough for all four of them.
+
+This happiness lasted but a short time. The tyrant of the family, a
+dreadful boy of ten years, discovered them one morning. With shouts of
+delight, he took them and dropped them, one by one, into a pail of
+scalding hot water.
+
+The cook called to him and tried to remove the pail, but it was too
+late; he continued his cruel work till my four dear little kittens were
+lost to me forever.
+
+When I heard their last feeble wail, I tried to save them or share their
+fate. I was driven back with laughter, and the blows from a huge stick
+in the hands of the young murderer soon drove me down to the cellar,
+where I lay bruised, and oblivious of my pain and loss, for some hours.
+
+Late at night I crawled out, faint and hungry, a hopeless outcast on the
+face of the earth. Tom, one of the neighbors' cats, shared his supper
+with me, and listened with sympathy to my sad story.
+
+"Oh, is that all?" he said, when I had finished. "You may be glad they
+are dead, and out of the reach of that boy. If he is not hung," said
+Tom, with a wise shake of his head, "I miss my guess. Why, he is the
+terror of the neighborhood. He invents cruel things to practise on
+animals. Some time ago he cut a little baby pup's throat with a
+penknife, and sewed it up with cotton and a great big needle, while he
+never winced. The little pup died in great agony. And the boy's mother
+said, 'The dear child will certainly be a doctor, he has such skill.'
+Old Tabby, who lives next door, when she heard this speech of his
+mother's, said, 'He may be, and is, a devil, but he never ought to be a
+doctor.' And as we all believed in this wise saying, we gave old Tabby
+three cheers."
+
+Tom tried to comfort me, telling such heartrending stories of the abuse
+of poor cats that my hair stood on end with horror. I then and there
+vowed hatred to all mankind. Even the peace of this dear home and the
+love of these dear people have not cured me of my distrust. I see an
+enemy on every hand.
+
+Tom could not console me, and I was too wretched to confide my plans to
+him. I was suffering intense agony. My breasts were swollen like
+crab-apples. I could not bear the pain, and dragged myself to a puddle
+of water, hoping to cool the heat in them.
+
+That night's suffering was the turning-point with me. I made up my mind
+I would take myself miles away from these cruel people, where every hand
+had been against me and mine.
+
+I started slowly, and crawled through alleys and back yards, it seemed
+to me, for miles. The sound of a human voice, particularly that of a
+child, acted like a whip on me. I would run till my breath grew short,
+and I would sink down, feeling I must die, that I could never move
+again. Then at some sound I would start once more.
+
+At last, worn out with fatigue, hunger, and fever (caused by my inflamed
+breasts), I reached a gate just as it opened to admit a man with
+groceries. I rushed in, spent and breathless, and hid myself in a dark
+corner. Here, thought I, will be a rest for one night.
+
+As I crouched down in the dark corner, the man came out of the house,
+with the servant behind him, to close the gate. What an anxious moment
+for me! She returned to the house without seeing me, and I was safe.
+
+After a brief rest, broken by the throbbing of my breast, I aroused
+myself, and, attracted by a bright light, I approached the window. The
+light came from the kitchen, where the half-curtain, open in the middle,
+gave me a glimpse of paradise.
+
+This is the picture I looked upon with longing eyes: A large,
+old-fashioned kitchen, scrupulously clean, a table covered with a red
+cloth, a shade lamp standing in the centre, and a nice work-basket by
+its side, completed this homelike picture. The servant, a woman of
+middle age, nice, fresh, and pleasant looking, sat by the table, in a
+large rocking-chair, darning stockings. A more homelike scene never
+greeted the eye of a poor outcast. But the crowning object of all was a
+large black cat, spread out on a nice rug in front of the fire.
+
+Presently she arose, walked about, swinging her tail, "monarch of all
+she surveyed," as I soon found she was.
+
+How my heart beat as I thought, "Why is this? Why am I homeless, cast
+out to starve, while this cat has a beautiful home and is well fed and
+happy?"
+
+Alas! even in the animal world is the vexed question, which disturbs
+human beings, of why one being, created by our "Heavenly Father," should
+be high in power, while others who are just as worthy are down under his
+feet. We ask, but who can answer?
+
+Very soon, while I stood looking in, shivering with envy and my bodily
+pain, a door opened, and a lady came in. She was no longer young, but
+ladylike, and very kind and pleasant looking. She sat down and called,
+"Topsy, Topsy," in such a kind voice it made my heart ache. I looked
+with surprise, for Topsy took not the least notice of her. The lady
+laughed a very pleasant laugh, as she said, "What an odd creature you
+are," as she took Topsy in her arms, and smoothed her fur. Topsy did not
+seem to care for the affection lavished on her, never responding at all.
+
+But just then another lady, somewhat younger than the other, came in.
+Topsy gave a great rush into her arms, and to my surprise, clasped her
+black paws around her neck, while the lady hugged and kissed her just
+like a child.
+
+I could watch no longer. Envy, hatred, and malice, added to my swollen
+breasts, made me too wretched to live. I just dragged myself back to my
+dark corner and closed my eyes for a long time, oblivious of everything
+around me. At intervals I slept when the violent throbbing of my breasts
+would allow me; but when I could think, one idea had taken full
+possession of me, and that was a determination to get into this home.
+
+"Surely," I said, "they have such kind hearts, they will not refuse help
+to such a miserable object as I am."
+
+This comforted me a little; and as the neighborhood was a quiet one, and
+as I was worn out by the miles I had run and the pain of my bruises, I
+was able to sleep till morning.
+
+The first thing I heard was a step approaching, and Bridget, the girl I
+had seen the night before, bent over me, saying, "Bless me! here's a
+strange cat in our yard." Then, as she looked again, she said in a
+sympathizing voice, "Poor creature! you look half starved."
+
+She ran in, and soon returned with a saucer of milk. She held it to my
+lips, and I tried very hard to move myself up, that I might swallow. It
+was impossible; for the slightest movement gave me great pain, and I
+moaned and closed my eyes.
+
+She then got an old blanket, and folding it nicely, she lifted me up
+tenderly and placed me on it. I tried to lap some of the milk, but the
+effort brought back all my pains. The anguish of my swollen breasts was
+more than I could bear, and I fell back on the blanket, hoping I should
+die. Everything was so peaceful that I had no desire to arouse myself to
+battle with life any longer.
+
+"Here," I thought, "they will care for me and bury me, then I shall be
+with my dear little kittens perhaps."
+
+I had no fear, but a great pleasure in a quiet death; for I knew that
+God would care for all the creatures He had made. I was glad to die and
+escape from persecution,--no more to be kicked and cuffed, no more be
+hunted by cruel children.
+
+As I dozed off, I heard voices, and on opening my eyes I saw Miss
+Eleanor, the lady I had first seen the night before. As she bent over
+me, I thought her face was beautiful. Her eyes were filled with tears in
+pity of my suffering. She smoothed my fur with her soft hand, and when I
+moaned as she touched my breast, she exclaimed, "You poor creature! your
+breasts are like bricks. Look here, Milly," she called to her sister,
+"just see this poor cat's condition. What brutes she must have lived
+with, to treat her in this manner, taking away her kittens, and leaving
+her to suffer."
+
+"Take her in, Bridget, and put her in Topsy's basket," said Miss Milly.
+"I wish I could deal with those people! They would never abuse another
+cat."
+
+I was lifted tenderly and placed in a large basket, with a beautiful
+soft rug inside to lie on. Miss Eleanor bathed my breasts with warm
+milk, and then applied some healing lotion after the milk had dried. It
+kept them very busy, for the heat dried the milk as soon as it was
+applied. It was very soothing, and I tried to lick her hand. She was
+delighted, and kissed me right between my eyes, saying, "She is a
+grateful creature," while tears of sympathy shone in her eyes.
+
+"This is heaven," I said to myself, "and I am perfectly happy here."
+
+When Bridget brought me some warm milk, I was able to lap it very well.
+
+"What shall you do with her?" asked Bridget.
+
+The sisters looked at each other while Miss Eleanor said: "What will
+Harrie say? We cannot keep another cat with Topsy."
+
+"We may find a good home for her, but it would be better to chloroform
+her than leave her to suffer," said Miss Milly.
+
+The warm kitchen, the soothing cream, and the soft rug made me very
+comfortable, and I slept the rest of the day, trusting myself to these
+dear, kind people.
+
+Miss Eleanor came quite often to see me, bringing me cream and soft bits
+of chicken, though, never having tasted such food before, I did not know
+what it was. I had very little desire for anything but water or milk, as
+the fever made me very thirsty.
+
+Miss Milly came down later in the evening with the elder sister, the
+mistress of the house. Mrs. Rice was a sweet-faced little woman, and
+looked with great kindness on me.
+
+"What shall we do with two cats? Topsy is a houseful. What will you do
+with her, Milly? She is so jealous if you touch another cat."
+
+"I will manage her, for we must keep this poor creature till we find her
+a good home."
+
+"You have a hard task, and when you introduce her to Topsy, 'may I be
+there to see.'" And Mrs. Rice turned away, laughing. "This bids fair to
+be the 'cats' house' that Eleanor used to tell the boys about."
+
+"There is no use waiting," said Miss Milly. "If Topsy should find a cat
+in her basket, war would be declared at once."
+
+This made me tremble a little, and subsequent events proved I had good
+reason for my fears.
+
+Pretty soon we heard Miss Milly coming downstairs and telling my story
+to Topsy in a coaxing voice. She told it in so thrilling a manner that I
+never realized I was such a sufferer before. She came in, holding Topsy
+in her arms very tightly.
+
+The moment Topsy's yellow eyes rested on me she gave a yell, and tried
+to escape, but her mistress held her fast while Miss Eleanor came over
+to me. I cowered down in the basket--not from fear, oh, no! Like the
+war-horse, I "scented the battle," and longed to measure claws with this
+proud creature. But I was wise. I knew I had a character to sustain and
+a home to earn. I kept my temper, closing my eyes as if too weak to open
+them.
+
+"I think I had better take her in my arms, as this is Topsy's basket,
+and you know she never allows any one to touch it." And Miss Eleanor
+took me on a blanket, and held me on her lap.
+
+"You are a naughty cat, and I am ashamed of you," Miss Milly said, as
+she put Topsy down.
+
+She did not care for the reproof, for she glared and scoffed at me. Then
+she went to her basket, snuffing around it, till Bridget came, and
+taking out the rug, said, "Of course I must shake it, or Madam will not
+touch it."
+
+She soon brought it back, and after a time Topsy seated herself bolt
+upright, and looked at me with such contempt, as if to say, "Never dare
+enter this basket again."
+
+I never did, and never wanted to, as they found me a very good place in
+an old clothes-basket, and, to Bridget's delight, gave her a new one
+instead.
+
+Then Miss Milly took me in her arms, in spite of Topsy's yells and
+frantic efforts to get at me, saying, "Now, Topsy, if I ever hear you
+have treated this poor creature badly, I will punish you, and love her
+best."
+
+After this, though Topsy never cared for me, she treated me like a poor
+relation, offering me all the tough pieces of meat and bones; but she
+could never see me near Miss Milly without trouble.
+
+We lived very happily in this nice house for one year. No one had cared
+for me, and I had settled down like one of the family, and soon my place
+was assured, for one day Topsy was missing. Everything was done to find
+her. Rewards were offered, and, for months, Miss Milly never gave her
+up, and it made her so ill that no one ever dared mention Topsy to her.
+I did pity them all, for they loved her dearly, but to Miss Milly it was
+like losing a child. She was always very kind to me, but she never was
+known to pet another cat till you were born. And I do think, Daisy, you
+can win her love, and in a measure console her for Topsy's loss.
+
+It was a great mystery, her disappearance, for they never got one trace
+of her. One thing was very sure; she was stolen, for she never would
+have left of her own accord. Some one suggested that, being a "Salem"
+cat, she had gone home to the "witches," as all black cats are said to
+belong to them.
+
+I missed her, but was very happy to be the only pet in the house. I had
+many kittens, and they were treated kindly, and mercifully disposed of.
+One was always kept till I could wean it, and then a good home was found
+for it. You were promised to a friend, but it was very fortunate for you
+that their delay in sending gave you such a hold upon the affections of
+these nice people that they decided not to give you away.
+
+This pleased the boys, as they did not care to lose their dear little
+playmate. Miss Milly said, "Daisy shall be mine."
+
+Great changes have come to this home. We have moved twice, and the good
+Bridget they could no longer afford to keep. We are now about to move
+again. I know they will provide for me, but I like this nice
+neighborhood, and the musicales on the back shed. The Bohemian blood in
+my veins I cannot ignore.
+
+The trouble I have passed through makes excitement necessary, and I put
+my whole heart into the fierce fights, and enjoy them.
+
+Why not? I know people say, "_Cats!_ awful fighting creatures!" Well,
+but where are the bull-fights, in which man and beast shed each other's
+gore and men and women look on? Dressed in their laces and diamonds,
+they applaud while rivers of blood flow from the poor wounded victim.
+The genteel cock-fights, and hunting down one poor little fox by a pack
+of hounds! If we are cruel, we learn it of human beings.
+
+I do wish I could be satisfied with a quiet life, but it is too late to
+reform, and I shall meet my fate here. I will not go with them. You, my
+dear child, will be the loved one to comfort them. And I charge you to
+profit by your mother's experience, and you will be a fortunate cat.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This is my mother's story as I heard it from her lips.
+
+Two weeks after this conversation we moved to a small house, with only a
+few rooms. To me the change made no difference. I was happy, petted by
+all. It was no surprise to me that at the last moment my mother was
+missing. But it was a real sorrow to them all. They searched everywhere.
+They sent to all the neighbors, asking them to feed her, and let them
+know if she came back that they could send for her. How I wished I could
+speak, and tell them that one reason why she left them was the fear of
+being a burden to them.
+
+For several weeks they never gave her up, but often went to the old
+place; but no one had seen my mother. At first food had disappeared that
+they had put out for her, but after a time it was not touched, and no
+one ever saw her again.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+MY HOME
+
+
+Years have passed since my mother left us. Though I never forget her, I
+am very happy with the dear people who were so kind to my poor mother,
+and I try to be a comfort to them.
+
+No reverses of fortune have touched me. Mrs. Rice is very kind to me,
+though she is not so fond of cats as her sisters. The boys are just
+perfect. I love them dearly. Karl, the eldest, is a real tease. He
+pretends to his aunties that he does not care for me, but no one makes
+more of me (on the sly) than Master Karl. Will is such a dear little
+fellow! His love for me made them decide to keep me.
+
+We had one long room, and the seam in the poor old carpet was very
+prominent. On this seam Will and I had our race-ground. He would run
+just on the seam, and at the end of the room would jump very high. I
+would run just behind him, and jump higher. This pleased them all, and
+we got many kisses and treats for our play. Then we would roll over and
+over, my claws and tail flying, and we did enjoy it.
+
+I was usually very obedient, but sometimes I had contrary fits. It was
+the "Bohemian" blood in my veins that my poor mother so often spoke of.
+I cannot get rid of it, and it makes me do something naughty. One cold
+day, just before Christmas, when I was nearly five years old, I ran
+away. The door of the laundry was open, and without a thought I rushed
+out. No one missed me. They supposed I was in the laundry. I mounted to
+my seat on the fence, and just turned around to find a comfortable
+place, when a strong hand seized me from the other side, and I was
+carried swiftly down the alley and taken into a strange house.
+
+I was received with open arms. Not one word of reproof was given the big
+boy who had stolen me, for the wickedness of the act. They asked him,
+"How did you manage?"
+
+"Oh," he said, "I was looking over the fence, to see if the stuck-up
+Rices were there, when I espied my Prince, and grabbed him."
+
+"What shall we do with him?" asked the boy's mother.
+
+"Shut him up till he forgets his old home."
+
+(How little they knew about a cat's nature, when they thought I could
+forget!)
+
+I rushed into a corner, and struck out with open claws at all who
+approached me, growling just as I had heard dogs growl--an
+accomplishment I had just discovered. Delighted with my success, I was
+inclined to make the most of it.
+
+"Well, I must say he has a nice temper." And the bad boy held up his
+hands, where my etchings, though painful to him, were a credit to my
+skill. "King Karl and Prince Will must be covered with scars. Who cares!
+If they won't play with me, I have got their pet cat, and will keep him,
+in spite of his beastly temper."
+
+"No, you won't," I said to myself, "if I can help it."
+
+For three wretched days I was shut up. They treated me with great
+kindness, and tried to pet me, offering me nice food. I was too homesick
+to care for anything, and too wretched to think of eating, only that I
+had sense enough to know I must take enough to give me strength. I could
+not sleep. Visions of my dear home and loved ones kept my eyes wide
+open, and I did make good resolutions never to run away again if I could
+get free.
+
+The big boy went away to spend the holidays, leaving orders with them
+all to keep me, that when he came home he might enjoy the sorrow of the
+Rices.
+
+"They have sent around slips to all the houses and have advertised, but
+they shall never get him," he said, with a horrid laugh.
+
+After he had gone, finding I was no pleasure to them, they decided to
+let me go. They could tell the boy, when he returned, that I ran away.
+They were not people who regarded truth at all.
+
+So one day I found the door open, and without waiting to say good-by, I
+ran home. I had been away three days. It was the day after Christmas,
+and it seemed to me three years since I left my home.
+
+Stacy Knight, a dear little fellow about Will's age, the son of the
+friends in whose house we had rooms, happened to be in the basement, and
+espied me when I jumped on the window. He gave a real Indian yell as I
+rushed into his arms, and we mounted the stairs, two at a time, and
+found ourselves in the midst of the family assembled in the hall,
+wondering at the war-whoop given by Stacy.
+
+My dear mistress sat down on the floor, hugging me in her arms, while
+all of them were ready to take me from her.
+
+"Oh, Daisy," she said, "what a sad Christmas we spent without our pet!
+Where were you?"
+
+I could not speak and tell her what it had been to me, and they never
+knew where I had been. After this I always looked on both sides of the
+fence before I seated myself.
+
+After they had all caressed me and expressed their delight at my return,
+dear Mrs. Knight said:--
+
+"Now that 'The Prodigal Son' has returned, he must have a party."
+
+"Yes," said Karl and Will, "we had no Christmas; let's give Daisy a
+tree."
+
+After Stacy, Karl, and Will had indulged in a war-dance, and each had
+turned me heels over head, they all decided it would be a nice plan. And
+from that time till the New Year's night, when the party was to be
+given, we could think of nothing else.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+DAISY'S PARTY
+
+
+Great preparation was made for my party. I was truly a fortunate cat. I
+could not help them work, but rushed to and fro from one to the other,
+knocking down spools of cotton and everything I could get at, jumping up
+in their arms, disarranging their work, and trying in every way to amuse
+myself; but when I was wanted to try on my clothes, I would rush under
+the bed and elude even the longest arm. Then Will would crawl under the
+bed, and, after a good frolic, would land me where I was needed.
+
+Mrs. Rice made a tall black hat with a cockade on it. She had to tie it
+on with strings, for as soon as she put it on I jerked it just as I had
+seen monkeys do.
+
+Miss Eleanor made me a pair of red pants, leaving a good slit for my
+tail, for I was to represent a monkey, and the tail was very important,
+though, as my mistress said, no monkey ever had such a beautiful tail as
+mine.
+
+Miss Milly made me a dress-coat, with white ruffles at the neck and
+wrists, brass buttons, and a white shirt front.
+
+They covered a large pasteboard box with green cloth, for the organ.
+Will and his friend Josie were to be the organ-players.
+
+The long-looked-for day came at last. I had raved up stairs and down, as
+Miss Milly said, "just like a maniac." I superintended all the
+preparations, walked over the tree that they were to decorate in my
+honor, and scratched it well, as they said, sharpening my claws for the
+evening. I was too busy to take a cat-nap or one of my "forty winks."
+
+We had before this eventful day rehearsed our parts, and I had provoked
+them with my stupidity. I did make fun enough with that hat. I hitched
+it on the back of my head, getting out first one ear, then the other;
+for they had tucked my ears in, saying my face looked so innocent
+without them. It was all mischief, for I intended to do my best.
+
+Mrs. Knight threw open her nice rooms, and in the hall room off the back
+parlor the tree was placed.
+
+They were obliged in the afternoon to keep me prisoner upstairs. I was
+disgusted, for I wanted to be in the thick of it all. I could not sleep,
+and I kept pretty near the door, ready to run out if I could get a
+chance.
+
+At seven o'clock they dressed me in all my finery, and before eight all
+our guests had arrived: Madam A., a lovely woman, and one of our best
+friends, with her three noble boys, and a sweet-faced little bit of a
+woman whom every one who knew her called cousin; then Madam M., with her
+daughter and granddaughter,--charming people, and all my dear friends.
+These, with Mr. and Mrs. Knight and their son Stacy, with ourselves,
+made a party of (reckoning myself) seventeen,--quite a roomful.
+
+I thought (and I can assure you a cat's opinion is of some value) that
+the Queen might be proud to see such beautiful, refined, and highly
+educated people at her drawing-room. To be sure, there were no décolleté
+toilets, but then it was a proof of the good sense of the people. Of
+course the Queen would not admit cats to her receptions; it would not be
+safe. The bones would be a temptation, and I fear cats would not respect
+even elderly bones, or spare them though decked with diamonds. I am
+happy to say that my party was purely democratic; they were really all
+my equals.
+
+The back parlor door was thrown open, and we were in full view of them
+all. The three boys in ragged clothes, bare legs, old shoes, were as
+hard a looking crew as ever accompanied a hand-organ. Will had the organ
+strapped to his back, and I sat upright on it. I was tied to Will's arm,
+and Josie held another string, for they could not trust me, fearing I
+would run under the sofa, at the expense of my tall hat and my dignity.
+
+We were greeted with a burst of applause. The boys so successfully
+assumed the street gamin air, and looked so thoroughly demoralized, as
+they pulled their forelocks in recognition of the greeting, that no
+wonder they brought down the house, and for a short time obscured my
+august self. Stacy and Will gave a song in nasal style, pretending all
+the while to grind the organ, while I was mounted on Will's shoulder,
+swelling with importance.
+
+Then they began "Yankee Doodle." Josie shook the castanets, Stacy beat
+the drum, Will ground the organ and sang, while they all danced like
+street Arabs.
+
+I was perfectly beside myself. Oh, if I had only been Balaam's ass,
+wouldn't I have made a speech! I ran to and fro on the organ, then
+rolled over and over, my hat on one ear, my coat up my back, around my
+neck, and my tail wagging from the red pants, in fine style.
+
+The boys looked on in wonder, for it is needless to say that this act
+was not on the programme, but an impromptu act of my own--and it was the
+crown of the performance.
+
+There were a few songs after this, but nothing like our "national air."
+We could rest our laurels on that. I was handed around, kissed, and
+admired to my heart's content. My clothes were pronounced perfect; and
+then, when the boys went upstairs to change their clothes, my mistress
+removed my finery, much against my will, and I made it very hard for her
+by sticking my claws into the clothes as she tried to take them off.
+
+Chester and Henry A., with Karl, were the ushers, and they opened the
+door of the hall room, where the tree was displayed in all its beauties.
+Mrs. Rice made a little speech, while Miss Milly held me tight, for,
+regardless of etiquette, I was eager to rush for the tree.
+
+As soon as she released me I made one jump on the table, and discovered
+what my sense of smell had led me to expect,--three little fishes tied
+with a red ribbon. I soon had them off the tree and on the floor, and
+made inroads into them before I could be prevented.
+
+Karl read the labels on the articles, while Chester and Henry
+distributed them, for I was pleased to see that my dear friends had been
+remembered as well as myself.
+
+Miss Milly had a book of "Familiar Quotations." On the fly-leaf was
+written in Madam A.'s lovely handwriting:--
+
+"To my dear mistress, whose motto has always been, 'Love me, love my
+cat.' Mew translated, 'God bless her.'--DAISY.
+
+"Hang sorrow! Care will kill a cat; therefore, let's be merry."
+
+I was very much pleased that the gift, purporting to be given by me, had
+just the nice selections I should have made.
+
+The tree did look lovely. Karl had lighted all the tapers, and it was
+one blaze of light. There were very pretty paper decorations of bright
+paper. Mrs. Rice said, sometimes taste was better than money. We had
+little of that, but we had such warm friends we were very happy.
+
+I had a pack of cards a little over an inch in length. They were a great
+pleasure to us. Will would spread them on the floor, and I would roll
+over, scattering them about. Sometimes he called me a knave, sometimes a
+king or queen, but I did not care, only for a good frolic. I had a box
+of pennies for my meat, a paper of catmint that I enjoyed, and a nice
+kidney done up in pink paper, some white, soft candy I loved, and last
+of all Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly gave me a lovely collar and padlock.
+I was proud as a prince with it on my neck.
+
+There were nice little gifts for all my dear friends; but the best of
+all was, that on them were written nice little texts and--"From Daisy,"
+just as if I had given them myself. It proved that they understood how
+well I loved my dear ones, and how gladly I would have given if I could.
+It was better than all my own gifts, though I enjoyed them very much;
+but this understanding of me, making me one with them, made me feel like
+a cat-angel--and then and there I became a Christian cat.
+
+Then we had ice-cream and cake handed around by the boys. I had some in
+my own little pewter plate. Miss Milly melted it a little, but I had
+very small appetite for it. I was so excited that I could not keep still
+enough to lap ice-cream. I had licked the kidney, tasted the fish,
+chewed a little catmint and was quite hilarious over it, as it always
+went to my head. My tail had more to do with it than was agreeable to
+the company; for I whisked it about, greatly to their disgust: they did
+not like being dusted with catmint. Miss Milly said, "I shall be obliged
+to give you a dose of nux vomica, for I fear you have eaten too much of
+a mixture for even a cat's stomach to digest." I just winked at her,
+finished licking my ice-cream, then I kicked over the plate, making it
+roll under the piano. This provoked a shout of approval from the boys.
+
+Then we had a little music. Chester and Henry A---- played nicely, and
+my one dear girl friend also played, but she preferred playing with me.
+I was very fond of her and always responded to her affection.
+
+Then my nice party broke up. No one of those who were there will ever
+forget it, I know.
+
+Ah me, how long ago it seems! The boys and my one girl friend are twelve
+years older, while I am an old cat. Mamie, my friend, is a graduate of
+the Boston University. She will make her mark some day. The boys are
+Harvard graduates, while our own boys are Brimmer and High School boys.
+
+They can all talk in many languages which I, of course, can understand.
+Some of them will be smart business men. Chester, I think, will fill a
+professor's chair, while the others will represent the law. They will
+all achieve greatness if the love of one cherished cat can make them.
+
+I know there is a warm corner in their hearts for Daisy. And however
+hard the world has used them, they will read my little book and keep
+green in their hearts the memory of one who loved them dearly, when she
+is sleeping peacefully under her namesakes, the daisies.
+
+Perhaps they will tell their children about their cat friend, and read
+to them this little story of one happy cat, who was made a member of the
+family and a friend of all the nice people who visited them. It will
+teach them kindness to their little four-footed playmates, and they will
+realize that warm hearts beat under their little fur coats.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+REVERSES
+
+
+I pass over several years--very sad ones to us all. The breaking up of
+our home, the death of dear Mrs. Rice, I cannot write of, though Time,
+the true friend of the sorrowful, has laid a healing balm on our hearts.
+Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly were both prostrated by their sorrows, and
+we were obliged to go into the country for a change of air.
+
+How carelessly I looked upon the preparation for our flitting! When I
+mounted the piano, my favorite seat for many years, I little thought it
+was for the last time--that I should never hear my kind friends play on
+that dear old piano again, that I should never again arouse them in the
+morning by walking over the keys when they had left it open at night.
+
+I could not understand their tears, when the furniture and piano were
+carried away, that they were parting forever with things associated with
+their old home and those who had made their happiness, now gone forever.
+Yet when I saw only our trunks, and looked at their sad faces, I did
+wish I could be something better than a cat and be able to help them.
+
+I tried to amuse them, acting over all the little tricks they had taught
+me, and was a very happy creature when Miss Milly smoothed my fur,
+saying, "Oh, Daisy, what should we do without you!" Then I realized I
+was a comfort to them.
+
+They had bought me a large brown straw basket with a cover, and very
+strong handles, and when I walked into it, taking possession, I felt
+like a prince of the blood. I little thought how many miles I should
+travel in that basket! It was open in places to give me air, and I could
+lie down and turn around comfortably in it. When travelling, my mistress
+would keep her finger between the cover and the basket, and with my eyes
+fixed on her face I felt safe. She said she felt under a spell, to watch
+me, and my stony stare reminded her of the Stranger Guest, in the
+"Ancient Mariner."
+
+We remained only one month in our first boarding-place, for it was not
+satisfactory. The cats I could not associate with, for they were rough
+tramps, no one owning them, and they had no care. I was very sorry for
+them, knowing how care and kindness could transform them.
+
+They really hated me, and it made me very unhappy, my chief offence
+being my collar and padlock. They might have overlooked my collar, but
+the padlock was adding insult to injury. Their eyes would grow green
+with envy that one of their race should be above them. They looked upon
+my collar and padlock just as women look at each other's diamonds.
+Animals feel envy the same as human beings; only they can tear and rend
+each other, while their so-called superiors would like to do the same
+were it not for the power of the law.
+
+Cats and dogs fight, and that is the end of it; but with human beings it
+is never forgotten, and makes them bad-tempered and tyrannical.
+
+I was very sorry for these poor cats, though I could not understand such
+mean feelings. I was always pleased when I saw cats or dogs with pretty
+collars on and bows of ribbon. One lovely white cat I knew used to wear
+blue ribbons, and I always told her how nice she looked, till I found
+how vain she was; then I said no more about her good looks, for I do
+hate vain people. I would gladly have given my collar and padlock,
+though I loved it dearly, if it would have helped them.
+
+It is a problem beyond one poor cat's solution to know just how to help
+people to understand our race; but I do hope this little story will help
+a little. The life of one petted cat perhaps may make others as happy as
+I have been.
+
+We changed our rooms quite often on our return to Boston; many of them
+were so cheerless I will not speak of them. Whatever our discomforts
+were, I was always cared for; but I did wish I could provide a palace
+and servants for my dear friends. I remember the stories Miss Eleanor
+used to tell the boys, and I wished I could be Cinderella, with a fairy
+godmother to give me means to help others. I fear I should have killed
+the mice before they were changed into horses. And when the boys would
+say to their aunties, "Why don't you have horses and carriages?" I also
+asked the same question.
+
+I am an old cat now, and I know, and do not ask such questions, for I
+understand the world better, that it is not to those who deserve the
+most that luxuries are given. Why, we will never know.
+
+We lived in one house where we were very uncomfortable. Our room, to be
+sure, always looked bright and nice, but it was because we had such good
+taste in covering up our defects and making poor things look nice.
+
+The lady who owned the house was a philanthropist. It is a long name for
+me to master, but I thought it over in my waking hours, just as my
+mistress pronounced it, and I can think it quite correctly, better than
+I can understand why she was so called. She was utterly neglectful of
+the two gentlewomen in her house, who were far ahead of her in education
+and culture, if not her equals in money.
+
+I pondered the name, and its meaning, more and more. I will not say it
+made me tired, for that is slang; but it did make me sleepy, and I would
+drop into a good cat-nap right in the midst of defining
+"philanthropist."
+
+She had a cat named "Oliver Twist." One must have some companionship of
+his own kind. So Miss Milly said, "Perhaps he will be a playmate for
+Daisy."
+
+"Perhaps," Miss Eleanor said, "he also may be a philanthropist."
+
+We soon found, however, he was nothing of the kind. He proved himself a
+most depraved cat. Under the cloak of virtue he concealed a very coarse
+nature. He never came up to our room without trying to provoke a fight.
+His black, beady eyes and sleek Maltese coat always irritated me. I had
+a cattish desire to fight him and let him know his place. For my
+mistress's sake I tried to subdue this feeling, remembering he was my
+guest, and I must be polite even at the expense of comfort.
+
+It was all thrown away on him; it was "casting pearls before swine."
+When I went out into the yard, as I did every day for an outing, he
+would hunt me about, as if I had no right to be there. Not one scrap of
+food did I ever get down there, though he was always ready to have a
+feast when he came to us.
+
+One day things reached a climax. I had tried to amuse him; he had taken
+my favorite chair, and washed himself all over in it, leaving so many
+hairs on it I thought I should go wild, knowing how Miss Milly would
+have to clean it. I gave him half my milk, and though he stood with one
+leg in the saucer to keep me from eating any, I still kept my temper. I
+would not make a fuss. But when, after finishing my milk and licking his
+chops right in my face, he flew at me and knocked me down, then I threw
+all politeness to the dogs, and unsheathing my claws, I closed with him,
+rolling over and over till he yelled well. Like all bullies, he was a
+coward.
+
+My mistress said, "Daisy, I am ashamed of you." Miss Eleanor took
+"Oliver Twist," and put him out, with scant ceremony, saying, "I wonder
+what Charles Dickens would say to hear a cat like that called 'Oliver
+Twist.'"
+
+"Poor cat! You know he is disciplined by a philanthropist." And Miss
+Milly laughed at the absurd thought.
+
+I laughed also, as I crept into a corner, when I thought how nicely I
+had "Oliver Twisted" him. I slept the sleep of the victorious. I did not
+see very much of him after this, for we went early into the country for
+the summer.
+
+There were very nice people where we boarded. One dear little boy was
+very fond of me. He hugged me so hard I avoided him. My mistress told
+his mother that she did not think children should be allowed cats and
+dogs for playthings. Miss Eleanor talked quite nicely to little Alec,
+and I think when he remembers her stories of children who were good to
+animals, that it will make him careful, for he was a nice little fellow,
+and he may be a good friend to poor ill-treated dogs and cats.
+
+I enjoyed that summer very much. The cats were kind and friendly, and
+the beautiful trees on the grounds gave me a nice chance to run up and
+hide from my mistress. She was anxious about me all the time, fearing to
+lose sight of me. She used to pet all the cats that were good to me, and
+they all said, if they had a friend like her, how good and happy they
+would be. Some of them were very wild and rude, hunted as they had been
+by bad children, and scat from the door when, half starved and cold,
+they had sought shelter and friends. No wonder they were not nice
+company for well-bred cats. I did pity them and never turned away when
+they came near me.
+
+At the end of the grounds was a big bed of catmint. It was like the
+"corner grocery store" for the cats. Crowds of them would assemble there
+to talk over their affairs. And when, excited by the power of the
+catmint, they would get into a row, though there were no pistols or
+murders, such as characterize human fights, there were black eyes,
+scratched faces, and hate and rage in plenty.
+
+I kept out of it all, though I cannot deny that my heart beat faster. I
+had to sheathe my claws till they hurt me; but I thought of my position,
+for a well-brought-up cat can understand the meaning of "noblesse
+oblige." I suppose I felt just as men do (and women too, as to that)
+when they bet on the fighting parties. And I had my favorites as well as
+they, and knew who I hoped would win.
+
+I did love that catmint bed, and never for one moment doubt that in the
+boundless green fields of Paradise we shall have acres of catmint where
+we can roll to our hearts' content. I did try to encourage the poor
+neglected ones with this prospect, but they did not believe me. They
+said I was a "cat fanatic," "a fool," "a revivalist." They said, "If we
+are to be so cared for, then why don't your 'heavenly father' that you
+think so much of do something for us now?" And they all talked at once
+and were so excited, they hissed and yelled so loud, that my nerves were
+all of a quiver; but I stood my ground, though they pressed on me very
+hard, and breathed so much catmint over me I was glad when my mistress,
+hearing the row, came and took me away.
+
+It was many days before I visited that catmint bed again, for it rained
+very hard. Miss Eleanor remarked that Daisy was rather quiet; she feared
+he was sick. I could have told her my heart was sick, trying to solve
+the problem, how I could reform my race, how make people believe them
+the intelligent beings they are.
+
+After this I had to bear jeers and scoffs; but I would not give up my
+principles nor yet my catmint bed. Many were the scratches Miss Eleanor
+got, pulling me out from under the bushes, for the smell magnetized me.
+She always got me by the tail or leg, she cared not which, so that she
+carried me home and saved Miss Milly anxiety.
+
+The people were very nice to me. One quiet young man, an artist, was
+very fond of me, and said I would make a fine subject for a picture. I
+used to flourish my tail and hold my head on one side just like a fool,
+I suppose; but then I know I am a beauty. I hear it every day, and how
+can I help being vain?
+
+Before returning to Boston we paid a short visit to one of our friends.
+She had a delightful home, and the children were very much pleased to
+have me visit them.
+
+As I have quite an adventure to relate, where I did not distinguish
+myself, I will take another chapter, and give it in full, without
+extenuating my faults, leaving them to be judged by my readers.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+DAISY'S ADVENTURE
+
+
+The eldest son and daughter were very kind to me, and I thought them
+just lovely. Their mother was an old friend of mine, and always when she
+came to Boston I was delighted to see her. I would jump up in her lap--a
+favor that I did not often grant to any one. Cats can tell who are true
+and who are false. I could have given my mistress points on this
+subject, for she believed in those she loved, and was often deceived.
+
+There was a dog and cat that were great favorites with all the family.
+Spot, the dog, was very plain,--a great lanky creature,--but he had one
+virtue; that was obedience. Tom, the cat, was a hard-looking creature,
+but they all loved him dearly.
+
+Of course both dog and cat hated me. They thought I put on airs, and
+they resented the affection their mistress gave to me. I walked about
+the garden, regardless of their hisses and growls; and they very soon
+got tired of it, when they saw I did not notice them. Mr. George, the
+eldest son, had Spot in complete subjection, and Tom dared not approach
+me when the family were near.
+
+Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly were invited to the seashore. They had
+decided not to accept the invitation, as they could not take me with
+them. Mrs. H. urged their going, saying: "It is just what you both
+need,--change of air. I can take care of Daisy; it will be a pleasure."
+So it was decided.
+
+When they kissed me at parting, and said, "How can we leave you, Daisy?"
+my heart ached so that I was too wretched to live. Had not Mrs. H. held
+me tight, I would have followed the carriage that took them away from
+me. Spot and Tom looked anxiously on. They thought, "Is this upstart to
+be left here to rule over us?"
+
+Mrs. H. said that Spot must be kept at the store, only coming home at
+night. She tried her best to have Tom friendly with me, but a more
+obstinate cat I never met. He would stay in the room with me, and once
+took his dinner out of the same plate after they had kept him hungry a
+long time; but never could they make him friendly with me. I tried to be
+just to him, knowing how hard it was to have a "handsome, fashionable"
+cat, as they called me, come into their home and share their friends.
+
+And then there was that collar and padlock. How much I suffered for that
+little bit of finery! And yet I loved it dearly. I never struck an
+attitude (as my mistress called it) without my padlock was in full
+sight, just under my chin, where I had placed it.
+
+How long that one week was to me, and I am ashamed to say how many
+disgraceful acts I was guilty of. One night the climax was reached, and
+then my character was ruined for that family. I slept in the room with
+Mrs. H.--much to her husband's disgust.
+
+It was a nice lounge I had, with a blanket on it, and any cat might have
+been happy there. Tom was envious of it, for one day he walked in and
+was just about to jump up there for a nap, when I jumped up before him,
+and gave a powerful hiss right in his face. He was all ready to fight
+when his mistress came in and giving him a shake, said, "If I ever hear
+you hiss at Daisy again, I will punish you."
+
+Poor Tom! He knew he was unjustly accused, but what could he do, and I
+did feel mean, but what could I do either? I could not speak. I might
+have hissed; then, she would have known who was the offender. I did not,
+however, but just glared at Tom when she carried him off.
+
+One night I could not sleep. I was homesick. So I just walked over the
+bureau, clinking the glasses and toilet bottles, and then mounted the
+mantle, meandering about sure-footed, though I did kick over a wooden
+ball, for pure mischief. I threw it on the floor, where it crashed down
+loud.
+
+Mrs. H. started up, saying, "That cat is on the mantle; she will break
+the vases and clock."
+
+"Let her break them," Mr. H. replied; "we shall get off cheap if that is
+all the mischief she does." And he went off to sleep again.
+
+When Mrs. H. reached the mantle, no cat was to be found.
+
+"Oh, Daisy," she said, "there you are, so demure, sitting on that chair!
+You are just like your mistress, so cute, no wonder she loves you
+dearly."
+
+After coaxing me to lie down on the lounge, she went to bed, and soon
+fell asleep. I could not sleep, however. I had a restless desire to go
+and find my friends.
+
+The end window was open at the top; it faced on a narrow piazza that
+extended the length of the house. It was gravelled on the top. I was
+very agile, and giving one spring from the top of a chair, I soon
+reached the window, and overlooked the situation. A good jump, and I
+landed on my feet, and walked along, crunching the gravel as I went.
+
+I passed the bath-room window and then approached the window of Mr.
+George's room, which was open wide, but protected by a heavy screen.
+Here I planted my paws and looked in. One wild yell and a succession of
+barks rent the air, and Spot, who had been sleeping at the foot of his
+master's bed, rushed for the window and would soon have dashed through
+the screen and finished me,--for he was a powerful dog,--but his
+master's hand on his collar restrained him, with the other hand he
+reached for his pistol, thinking there were burglars about. His mother's
+voice at the door arrested him, and he opened the door, to meet her
+anxious question, "Is Daisy safe?"
+
+"She is safe enough," he said; "but are we safe with a cat like this one
+in the house?"
+
+"Take Spot into my room," said his mother, "while I get Daisy." In spite
+of her alarm, as she approached the window, she could not help laughing.
+"Oh, you cunning creature!" she said; "just as composed as possible,
+looking from one to the other, as if to say,--'Why, what is all this
+fuss about?'"
+
+Sure enough, I stood with my paws on the window-sill, and did not move
+till she came, and removing the screen took me into the room where all
+the family were assembled, in undress, while Spot's loud barking could
+be heard from the next room. I was taken into the guest chamber, where
+Mrs. H. remained with me; for she said she was convinced no one could
+govern me but my mistress.
+
+Two days more, and I was made happy by the sight of my loved ones. Mrs.
+H. did not tell them for a long time of my naughtiness. They said their
+visit was pleasant, but without me they had decided never to go away
+again. They said their friend had given them an invitation for me when
+they visited her another year. And it was really true. The next year
+they did take me; and as it is all fresh in my memory now, I will jump
+one year and tell you all about it.
+
+I saw the cats they had told me about. One was called "Forepaugh," and
+she did look just like a real circus cat. She had one brown and one blue
+eye. The other cat was called "Spring." I liked them both very much.
+They were not educated cats, but they had good manners, and were very
+kind hearted.
+
+Forepaugh told me sad stories of the cats around. She said very few
+people made them members of the family, as we were. Most of the cats
+were tramps, living in the fields and woods, afraid of every human
+being, having to steal or starve. They were naturally antagonistic to
+cats that had homes. They never had known kindness and could not believe
+in it. She said if ever a missionary was needed, she thought it was
+right here.
+
+She said that just below, near the poorhouse, was a large field called
+"Cat Swamp," because all the cats for miles around congregated here.
+Some "dudes" had altered the name to "Feline Meadow." "Cat Swamp" held
+the fort, however, as the most appropriate name. Here the cats yelled
+and caterwauled and told all their trials and sorrows caused by mankind.
+
+The fights were fearful, and the heaps of fur to be seen around after
+one of these encounters proved in reality that there was nothing ideal
+in the tongues and sounds heard in this region. They said there was no
+help for it; people could not be made to realize that cats had a claim
+on them.
+
+For several nights I had noticed one of the neighbors' cats sitting on
+the fence and listening intently to our conversation. This evening she
+came nearer, and gave a groan, while Forepaugh was speaking to me of the
+neglected cats. At last she said if she might be allowed to express an
+opinion, she had one all ready. We said at once how glad we would be to
+hear her.
+
+"Suppose," she said, "some of your good Boston people, with their little
+tracts on the treatment of dumb animals, come along! What then! We can't
+eat their tracts, or live on them, can we?"
+
+I didn't like to answer this cat, she was so big and aggressive, and
+looked at me with such spite, as if she thought I liked tracts, and the
+people who carry them about, when I do despise them. Finding I did not
+answer, she continued:--
+
+"There it all ends. A lot of women will get together, with a few men
+thrown in, and they will talk and talk, going all around Robin Hood's
+barn, till they lose the thread of their discourse, and we wish some big
+bat would rush out and catch the thread and bring them to the point.
+Then they argue and draw up resolutions, and call upon the brethren to
+agree to them, which the poor men do, because they are afraid of the
+sisters' tongues. Then they are exhausted, and are obliged, 'as weaker
+vessels,' to drink gallons of tea, and the men smoke acres of cigars,
+and it all ends in smoke and tea grounds for us poor cats. The women
+think about each other's clothes, while the men are wondering if the
+women are rich enough to support them, should they propose marriage.
+Naturally cats are forgotten.
+
+"Sometimes they find a home for a good-looking cat, but it is not a
+satisfactory one. Such people are not supposed to know much about people
+with hearts large enough to take interest in cats. They are handed over
+to high-toned servants, to pet and snub in alternation. The poor
+no-tailed horses, made wretched by the abominable check-rein and the
+flies, hate everything that moves, and kick at us. The liveried servants
+smoke in our faces, swear, and spit on us, till we hide ourselves in
+disgust and wonder if animals have dirtier habits than human beings.
+
+"When the family returns to the city the house is closed, and these
+Christian people leave poor Pussy behind to look out for herself. Is it
+any wonder that cats have no faith in any one? That they join the
+midnight revels, and fight, and steal, to keep them alive?"
+
+She was very sarcastic, but Forepaugh said it was all true; that cats
+were cast off just as if they had no right to live; then when they steal
+some bit of food, they are given a bad character and hunted about. They
+are expected to have better morals than human beings.
+
+Forepaugh said that she had a real respect for this cat, that she knew
+all the cats for miles around, and helped them all she could; she said
+that hearing their tales of sorrow had made her cynical.
+
+"I had thought her disagreeable," Forepaugh said, "till one night I saw
+her tugging along the remains of a big fish which a neighbor who had
+been out fishing had given her. I had the curiosity to follow her. She
+had to take a rest frequently, for the fish was heavy. At last, after
+walking a long distance, she dragged it over a stone wall. Soon feeble
+voices greeted her, and two half-starved cats that had been abused by
+bad boys raised themselves up, while their friend tore the fish to
+pieces with her sharp teeth. I got over the wall and helped her. They
+all were shy of me and inclined to sneer because I had a home, but I
+said I did not care; it made me mad, but I put all my madness into
+tearing up the fish, and they satisfied their hunger."
+
+Forepaugh also said that their friend, not satisfied with feeding them,
+began to lick one of the great wounds made by a sharp stone thrown by a
+boy just for fun. Then, as they were thirsty, they dragged themselves
+down to a brook at the end of the field, and after drinking they were
+very comfortable. Then they told their trials, and said, "What can we do
+to make people kind to us?"
+
+Forepaugh said she had heard of a Dr. Angell, who was devoting his life
+to helping dumb animals. They all yelled and scoffed when she said
+"Angell," saying, "Do you believe there is an angel in heaven that would
+look at a cat?"
+
+Forepaugh said (being a Christian cat) she was shocked. She explained to
+them that it was the name, though she said, "I am sure it is
+appropriate, for he has proved himself one by his help to all helpless
+creatures."
+
+"Well," they said, "we wish he could see us and help us. Why can't some
+one speak to him? Perhaps, though, he will think cats beneath his
+notice."
+
+Forepaugh said she had often thought she wished she could see him and
+tell him about their sufferings. She said, "I always respected that cat
+after that night when we walked home by moonlight, after taking care of
+those cats; and when she sat down on a stone, saying, 'I must rest, for
+I feel faint; I have had no food for some hours, for I knew that fish
+would be only enough for them,' I said, 'You shall have some of my
+supper,' and I got her some pieces of meat and gave her all my milk, and
+went to bed happy, though I was rather empty."
+
+After this I did have a real friendship for Forepaugh, and I told her if
+ever I could, I would try to interest this good man in our race. I had
+not then thought I should ever write a book, but now is my chance, and
+somehow I do feel he will help us.
+
+The cynical cat never would make friends with me, but I did admire her,
+and I feel how small my life is compared with hers. Here am I, petted
+and living in plenty, and I can only be grateful and try to be a comfort
+to my dear friend.
+
+Forepaugh told us that at one of the great shore houses they had a cat
+called Prometheus.
+
+"Oh," said our cynic, "how I wish we could get at his liver; we should
+never want for food."
+
+I pondered over that speech, and one day I heard my mistress telling her
+little niece, who was reading mythology, the story of Prometheus, "who
+was bound to a rock, vultures feeding upon his ever growing liver." It
+was very funny for a country bred cat to be versed in mythology. I
+suppose, however, she heard it, as I often do things my mistress and her
+friend talk about, and the liver made her remember it.
+
+I was heartily glad to return to Boston, and I made up my mind I would
+let cats and all the animals I could reach know that they had not met
+the true philanthropists, but the shams that take up every new cause and
+dishonor it. For there are many earnest, true philanthropists who spend
+money and publish nice tracts in behalf of animals, and thus, in a
+measure, the tracts "do feed" animals; for they open the eyes of those
+who perhaps have never thought of the matter earnestly.
+
+I determined, after my visit to Beverly, to write this book to help my
+unfortunate race.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+CAT MEMORIES
+
+
+Our new room, a very large alcove, was pleasant and comfortable. The
+people who owned the house were school-teachers, refined, and the
+atmosphere was congenial to us all. I loved to watch my friend's busy
+fingers and follow Miss Milly's pen, as she wrote for hours at her desk.
+I loved to walk over the fresh writing and flirt my tail over the
+ink-bottle. That would make her stop and scold me, then pet me till I
+was willing she should return to her work. The eyes of affection are
+sharp. I saw with pain that they were obliged often to lie down, after a
+long spell of work, but they never complained.
+
+Mrs. Knight came often to see us, but I did not see Stacy for a long
+time. He was busy with his studies at Harvard, but he sent me kind
+messages, and I knew he loved me. Our boys were not with us, and I had
+no young company; but then, I was happy for I could see and hear from
+our young friends frequently.
+
+I always greeted dear Mrs. Knight with delight. She had a camel's hair
+shawl she used to roll me in, when we lived in her house, and I loved to
+claw it and pull the wool out of it. I wondered she did not wear it, but
+then, I suppose, it was old fashioned. She told me that her cat Solomon
+was very fond of it, and she allowed him to sleep on the lounge with
+that shawl under him.
+
+I felt a little jealous of Solomon, but I doubt if they ever love
+another cat as well as they love me. They said Solomon had no
+associates, though they lived on the swell avenue.
+
+The cats belonging there were only tolerated one-half the year. The cats
+that were not boarded out were left to become tramps. Of course these
+cats were very immoral, and they did not think it would improve Solomon
+to be friendly with them. I did smile when Mrs. Knight said, "Daisy is
+such a perfect cat, we hold him up as a model for Solomon."
+
+I wondered how Sol would like that, for he told me he did not like being
+kept in. He guessed he could take care of his morals; the society cats
+could not hurt him.
+
+One day he proved himself not so wise as his name would indicate. He
+fell out of the third story window. When they gathered around him,
+thinking he would have to be chloroformed, he got up, shook himself, and
+lived.
+
+He told me very sad tales of the cats living in that vicinity. "Would
+you not think," he said, "that in these palatial houses there would be
+room for one cat?"
+
+I said I should think they would want two or three. He shook his wise
+head, saying, "Oh, no. If they see a cat that pleases them, some
+superannuated spinster will gush over her, making her a pet for a little
+while. But let poor Pussy fall ill, or get one flea on her, and out she
+goes into outer darkness."
+
+"Oh," I said, "don't speak like that! my two dear friends are 'maiden
+ladies,' and no one can be kinder to animals than they are. The sick and
+unfortunate always appeal to their sympathy, and not in vain. I remember
+Miss Eleanor washing every day a poor neglected black cat whose eye a
+rat had bitten. It was not a pleasant piece of work, I can tell you, and
+she tended that eye so faithfully that it got well. They would go hungry
+to give food to a poor animal that needed it."
+
+"Well, well, it may be so," said Sol, impressed by my indignant protest;
+"but I have heard that old bachelors and old maids are always the
+hardest on animals."
+
+I indignantly denied this. "It is married people who dislike each other
+and cannot get free, who have horrid children--they are the hard ones.
+They do not want the care of their children themselves, and expect
+animals to offer themselves to be tortured by these wretched children.
+And if they defend themselves, refusing to have their eyes poked out
+with sticks, tin pails tied to their tails, and lighted matches held to
+their noses, and bite or scratch, then they are denounced as vile, and
+are given bad characters that will follow them through life."
+
+I had spoken with real feeling, and I could see that Sol believed me.
+
+"You are right, I suppose," he said. "We are both of us fortunate cats;
+'our lives have fallen in pleasant places.'"
+
+Poor Sol! He was so wise he had to quote Scripture, even if he did not
+understand it; and in this he was no worse than human beings. Do half of
+them know the meaning of the passages of Scripture they quote so
+confidently?
+
+"We," he continued in a sentimental tone, "cannot realize how hard it is
+to be outcasts. These closed-up houses and boarded-up doors are gloomy
+enough during the summer months. At dusk the skeleton forms that steal
+out, too feeble to mew, start at every sound, fearing the stones and
+jeers they are sure to meet from the stray ragamuffin children who roam
+about this deserted region. Their hearts are broken,--for cats have
+hearts, and loving ones too,--and it is hard for them to believe that
+those who have sometimes noticed them have left them alone. I do not
+know," he continued, "where we are going, but I do not believe we were
+made in vain, and I think these heartless people will find in the
+hereafter that the animals they have abused will be avenged."
+
+"All I desire," said I, "is to be with my two dear friends." And to this
+Solomon said, "Amen."
+
+I like Sol very much. He is a very well educated cat and looks upon life
+in a serious manner. He has grown quite large and appreciates his good
+home. I think he is a Christian Endeavorer, and will do all he can for
+homeless cats. I remember his wise words; and when dear Mrs. Knight
+brings me some of his catmint, I enjoy it for itself, because I love it,
+and in memory of his friendship. One can remember his friends even if he
+does not meet them often. Perhaps if we were to see each other every
+day, we should disagree.
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+AN ACCIDENT
+
+
+We had a very nice home in the country offered us, which we were very
+glad to take advantage of. The people who owned the place, going to the
+seashore, preferred to have their house occupied rather than shut up,
+doing no one any good.
+
+It was very pleasant there, and we had a very delightful time, though
+the accident which nearly cost me my life, and from which I shall never
+recover, happened there.
+
+It was the day before the Fourth of July. Miss Milly had been to Boston
+to the funeral of our beloved Doctor. Miss Eleanor being too unwell to
+go, we kept each other company, and sad enough we were.
+
+When Miss Milly returned, she was thoroughly worn out with grief at the
+loss of her dear friend and Doctor. It was a great loss to me, for I had
+been his special pet. During our dear Mrs. Rice's sickness I watched for
+his daily visit and knew his ring always. He would say: "Well, Daisy,
+how is your health to-day? Put out your tongue." Which, with Miss
+Milly's help, I would do. Then he would take my paw and feel my pulse in
+the most sober manner.
+
+How nice it was! I would not give up this memory for a great deal of
+money. I could tell by his face just how our dear invalid was, and when
+he told them his skill was in vain, and that he could not save her, I
+saw the tears in his eyes as he took me in his arms. He was a perfect
+gentleman, and we all loved him and respected his great knowledge and
+skill.
+
+We were sitting on the piazza talking about him, when I saw something
+move over under the trees. Supposing it might be a squirrel, I went to
+interview him, thinking that if I could kill something I should feel
+better. My mistresses were so preoccupied that when they went in to tea
+they never noticed that I had not followed them.
+
+Finding no squirrel, I sat down under a pine tree, thinking about the
+beautiful flowers and the music Miss Milly had told us about, at the
+church funeral of our friend, and mourning that I should never see our
+dear Doctor again, and wondering what Miss Milly would do without him,
+when a rush, and a bark, and before I could face around a fierce bulldog
+buried his teeth in my shoulder. I fought for my life, though I felt the
+odds were against me. But let him kill me; I would die game. I did claw
+his eyes, blinding him and giving me chance to escape.
+
+I crawled over the grass, then through the fence, into the neighboring
+estate, and hid myself in the bushes and deep grass. Then I lost
+consciousness. At times I realized my pain, and my brain was clear, for
+all my past life passed before me.
+
+How beautiful seemed my dear home and friends, that I should never see
+again! Then the old childish days, when I had frolicked with my poor
+mother, came to me so vividly I could smell the sweet clover where we
+played; and then the dreadful pain and faintness made me realize the end
+was near.
+
+I said, "I shall see our dear Doctor, and he will say, 'Why, Daisy! Have
+you followed me so soon?'" It was all dreamy; another fainting spell had
+come on, and it was nearly morning before I was again conscious. Then I
+thought, "I must try to see my dear mistresses once more, even if to die
+in sight of their windows." I was half crazed when I thought of their
+sorrow.
+
+With the greatest effort I raised myself up, and it was nearly an hour
+before I reached the tree, the scene of yesterday's disaster. Inch by
+inch I crawled along, with all the courage I could command. If cats have
+nine lives, I lost eight of mine on that journey. I could not see; my
+eyes were closed up by cobwebs, from the bushes I had crawled under when
+I hid myself. I felt my way along, and when the tree was reached fell
+down exhausted.
+
+Soon I heard a soft step, and Miss Eleanor gathered me up in her arms,
+trembling with fear that she should hurt me. She cried out with pain
+when she saw my bloody side, with the skin and fur hanging down nearly a
+quarter of a yard. She folded her apron, and held me in that, as I could
+be moved easily in that way; and I never winced, though the least jar
+hurt me, closing my eyes, and feeling I could die in peace. She carried
+me upstairs to Miss Milly's bedside.
+
+Poor Miss Milly! She had not closed her eyes till toward morning, when
+she fell into a doze. She opened her eyes when Miss Eleanor spoke, and
+screamed with pleasure when she caught sight of me. She held out her
+arms; but Miss Eleanor said, "Do not move him." Then, when she opened
+her apron, and Miss Milly saw my torn and bloody side, she cried as if
+her heart would break, saying, "He will die! What shall we do?"
+
+"Dress yourself quickly, and we will see what can be done. One comfort:
+he will be with us, and will have our care, even if we must lose him."
+
+They folded a blanket, laid it on a wide lounge, then covered it with a
+clean sheet folded thick, and laid me on it. Then Miss Milly soaked off
+the cobwebs from my eyes with warm water and a soft cloth, and I could
+just see a little; but it was like a view of heaven to see their dear
+faces once more.
+
+I tried to lap some warm milk, for the fever had made me thirsty. The
+effort was too much, and I fell back, faint and dizzy. When this attack
+passed off, I took a few drops of water from a spoon, and Miss Milly sat
+for an hour patiently, giving me drop by drop, till my parched tongue
+and throat were relieved.
+
+She sponged around the wound, soaking the clotted blood from my fur so
+tenderly that I suffered very little.
+
+My heart was so full of thankfulness that I would not murmur at my
+pains. And I do not think it was such a great virtue, though the
+suffering was fearful, for I think animals bear pain always with more
+fortitude than human beings.
+
+Miss Eleanor went into Boston as soon as possible. Mrs. Knight was very
+much distressed, and at once went with her to see the great doctor for
+animals, Dr. Watts. He said he could not leave his office the Fourth of
+July. He said he thought my shoulder bone was bent, and as I was so old,
+he should advise bathing, without trying to have it operated upon. He
+gave them a liniment, saying he did not think I would ever get over it.
+
+Miss Milly said he evidently thought me an old cat, and that I had
+better die than live and suffer. "He shall not die," she added, "if we
+can save him."
+
+The liniment was just fearful, Miss Milly held my head in her arms,
+covering my eyes and nose; for it was very strong, and drew tears from
+their eyes. Miss Eleanor applied it slowly. I winced and moaned, but
+tried hard to restrain myself, for I knew they were suffering with me.
+And I was anxious to bear it; for somehow I had faith in Dr. Watts, and
+I believed it would help me.
+
+Never had a patient better care. They made me catmint tea, and rubbed it
+on their hands so I could smell of it, and never left me alone. They
+kept the sheet smooth under me, for I could not turn over. It was like
+heaven to me, and after I had slept a little while, I opened my eyes,
+and seeing Miss Milly bending over me, I purred and put out my tongue to
+lick her hand. She kissed me with delight, and both of them caressed me,
+saying, "He will live, and no matter how much trouble he is, we will be
+only too glad to do for him."
+
+It was very true. From that day I got better slowly. I could turn over,
+and the hanging skin and fur fell off; and they kept soft greasy
+handkerchiefs on the wound till it closed over and healed. In two weeks
+the fur began to grow, and soon I had as lovely a coat as before my
+accident.
+
+Just one week did I keep good, because I could not help myself. Then,
+one day, they went down to dinner, leaving me asleep on the lounge.
+
+I said to myself when I awoke, "This has lasted long enough; I will not
+be an invalid longer." I crawled down and surprised them. They gathered
+me up, and carried me back, saying: "You will not get well so soon if
+you behave like this. We will close the door when we leave the room
+after this, for we see that you are not to be trusted."
+
+It did put me back, but my one desire was to get about, and I was soon
+able to. My shoulder was stiff, and it was a good six weeks before I
+could walk about with comfort. I limped a little, but my mistress
+laughed over it, saying it was an aristocratic limp--like some old
+gentleman leaning on his gold-headed cane.
+
+It was due to the love and care of these dear friends that my life was
+saved--another debt added to the long list of favors I received from
+them. I hope my little book will be successful and prove how much I
+loved and appreciated them.
+
+I have never been strong since my accident. There were internal
+injuries, and I often have an inward fever and great pain. I keep it to
+myself when I can, for if they find my breath feverish and my paws hot,
+they are very anxious and dose me with aconite and sometimes oil.
+Aconite I can take, but I do just hate oil. I act like a bad boy when it
+is given to me.
+
+My misfortune had one bright side; it gave us nice neighbors. Very
+congenial ones they were.
+
+When my mistress left me, to go in to tea that afternoon, they thought I
+had followed them, and had not missed me. Two tramp children shouted at
+the window, "Missus, your cat's killed! We seed a dog kill him."
+
+They ran out to question the children, but could get no satisfaction.
+Then they called, "Daisy, Daisy!" all around the house and grounds; for
+they could not believe I was lost. The children must be mistaken.
+
+There were some young people playing tennis on the Anchorage
+grounds,--the Admiral's place opposite,--and they came over when they
+saw Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly, and said they had seen the attack. They
+said the loud barking of a dog and a scream from the girl who was
+wheeling a baby carriage called their attention. They thought Daisy was
+killed; they saw him move, but could not tell in what direction; they
+said they did not believe it could be far off, as he must have received
+his death wound. The dog was a fierce bulldog, and belonged to the girl
+who had screamed. She had wheeled the carriage off quickly and called
+the dog, who was howling and bleeding from the encounter. They said, had
+they only been able to get a pistol, they would have shot the dog at
+once; but no one dare interfere with an enraged bull dog. And they had
+no time, for it all passed so quickly.
+
+They came over and very kindly helped in the search, going down cellar,
+looking in the cold air box, and over the grounds. Where I could have
+taken myself so quickly, they could not understand. After their dinner
+they searched again--without success, however.
+
+The Admiral's charming daughter, with her friend from a neighboring
+place, was very kind, calling the next day, trying to comfort my
+distracted friends.
+
+It was after twelve o'clock before they went into the house; then they
+could not rest, walking out on the piazza, or sitting in the bay-window,
+and starting at every sound or shadow. Miss Milly said if they could
+only give me Christian burial, she could bear it better. It was a night
+never to be forgotten by them, and they loved me more, if possible, for
+what they had suffered when they thought they had lost me.
+
+The young ladies I was soon quite intimate with. They brought ice-cream
+and jelly to me, and beautiful flowers. Of course we understood it was a
+delicate attention offered through me; in fact, it was using me as a
+"cat's paw." We had nice times sitting in the porch or on the piazza.
+They were so bright and chatty, talking about books they had read. I
+could not read books, but I could sit on them and look wise, and I never
+was known to scratch one.
+
+In the next house were two pet cats. One was Maltese, the other black,
+with white breast and paws. They were very large and dignified. There
+was one singular feature about them: both had double thumbs. After I
+became acquainted with them I asked them why they did not join a circus
+or museum. Oh, my! how mad they were, for they were very proud and
+exclusive; and at first were very shy of associating with me till they
+saw what nice company we had. They said they thought we must be poor,
+for we kept no servant.
+
+I told them we were poor, but we did not judge people by their money;
+that I guessed that so far as brains and culture and good breeding were
+concerned, my mistresses could beat the neighborhood, if we did not keep
+help. Then I pushed open the screen door and banged it in their faces. I
+was so very mad I never looked at them for a long time, and kept on the
+piazza at the other side of the house.
+
+I did forgive them, however, but it was after their pride had a fall.
+The family, went away for some weeks, and the house was closed. They
+left the small door in the barn open, and a heap of straw, with a
+blanket over it, for them to sleep on. They engaged the man who cared
+for the places around to provide them with milk and food; and he was
+very faithful to them.
+
+How we did pity them! I held up my head and walked away when I saw them,
+and Miss Eleanor said she did not think I could be so hard-hearted; but
+I could not stand it when I heard a piteous mew and saw a sad face
+looking at me, and I at once threw all resentment to the winds and went
+out with them.
+
+After this they were in our house all the time. As soon as it was light,
+over they would come, and wait till we came down to breakfast. They went
+home reluctantly at night, and Miss Eleanor was so good to them she went
+with them and poked up the straw and shut them in for the night. Miss
+Milly would say to her: "Did you tell them a bear story? And did they
+say their prayers?" Miss Eleanor would laugh, and say: "I did pity the
+poor lonely things; they looked like the babes in the wood when I
+covered the old blanket over them. Only I thought they had a good, nice
+auntie instead of a wicked uncle." For, as you will see, I had been told
+all these stories, or the boys had, and I listened to them.
+
+These cats were very nice to me. They would run up the trees and on top
+of the bay-window to amuse me; for I could not run or climb very well,
+though the next year, when we were out there, I could run with them very
+easily. We had such nice dinners together; for I enjoyed sharing my good
+things with them, and they were very nice about eating. They did not
+snort and growl as some cats do, or pick for the best. My mistress used
+to put down one large platter, and would give each of them the end,
+while I had the middle. Each shared alike.
+
+We had a great deal of company. I enjoyed them all, particularly the
+artists. I had an eye for color, though I could not make a telescope of
+my paw and put it over my eye, exclaiming: "What perspective! What
+color! What technique!" But I could open both eyes and see if the
+pictures were true to nature.
+
+Many offers were made by the artists to paint my picture; but my
+mistress refused them, saying: "Should I lose my Daisy, I could not bear
+to see a picture of her. I should always carry one in my heart, and
+would need no other."
+
+Our pleasant home we left the last of September, just when the autumn
+foliage was in a blaze of color, giving us a delightful picture to
+remember through the winter. We carried home some pine-cones for our
+grate, and bright leaves to put in our vases--a very pleasant reminder
+of our summer home.
+
+We made a pine pillow. I say _we_ because I pulled out the pine as fast
+as they picked it. At last they were obliged to put me in the closet. I
+climbed on the shelf and knocked down boxes till, in self-defence, they
+released me.
+
+But the pine pillow was finished, and I had many good naps on it,
+remembering those with whom I had played under the pines.
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+CAT TALES
+
+
+I had always felt desirous of hearing the history of Topsy. My mother
+lived one year in the house with her, on good, if not friendly, terms.
+Her disappearance was a subject I pondered over quite often. Naturally,
+having taken her place in Miss Milly's affections, I wondered about her.
+
+One day my curiosity was gratified. A friend, very fond of cats, who had
+known Topsy very well, called. Miss Milly told her this interesting
+story.
+
+Topsy was a Salem cat, and no one could doubt her being a real witch
+cat. She was nervous, always on the jump, and "such a smart temper!"
+Miss Milly said: "I had always been very fond of black cats, but it so
+happened, though we had cats of all colors, we had never a black one,
+till the arrival of Topsy. You know," she laughed, "I have always been
+very proud of calling myself a Salem witch. I have a mole on my left
+shoulder, and now that the black cat had arrived, I felt that I had all
+the requirements needful to make a veritable 'Salem witch.' I believe
+there is some superstition about a black cow, also; but one could not go
+about leading a black cow quite as well as a cat, and I felt satisfied
+that would entitle me to the name."
+
+This is the way Topsy came to my mistress: One summer evening a friend
+drove up to the door with a basket of flowers. Miss Milly was pleased
+with them, but when under the flowers a little fluffy ball revealed
+itself, and when the little ball had brilliant yellow eyes, she was
+delighted. She smoothed its soft fur, saying: "What a lovely kitten! Is
+it for me?"
+
+As she asked the question, the kitten gave one spring and landed on her
+shoulder, where she secured her position by sticking her sharp claws
+into Miss Milly's shoulder. At every attempt to dislodge her, she
+asserted herself with tooth and nail; having undoubtedly a claw hold,
+she would never resign.
+
+This was Topsy's first claim on my mistress, and she made a slave of her
+ever after. All the family were pleased with Topsy. The advent of a
+coal-black cat into a family was looked upon as a very fortunate
+occurrence. Such cats have always been singled out from all others as
+associated with good luck. If one is driven from the house, it is
+thought to bring disaster.
+
+In northern Europe the idea of prosperity is so associated with a black
+cat that the owner of a new house often sends a black cat there, before
+he takes possession, in order to secure good luck. The Egyptians called
+the cat "Pasht" (their name for the moon) because her eyes were bright
+in the dark. Of course I heard this from my mistress, and it is probably
+more interesting to me than to my readers. Miss Milly said Topsy had
+round yellow eyes, big enough to entitle her to the name of "Pasht."
+
+She was so like Mrs. Stowe's Topsy in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" that no other
+name could be so appropriate. If standing on her head and fighting every
+thing that moved, even a leaf, could make her like Topsy, she deserved
+the name. She was full of life and electricity. If any one smoothed her
+fur the wrong way, in the dark, sparks would fly, and a snap like a
+fire-cracker would follow.
+
+We have a picture of her taken with the two boys. Karl has a great
+sleepy creature called Daisy because he was white and black and had
+green eyes. He is, as usual, asleep on the boy's knees. Will holds
+Topsy, and his face wears a distressed expression, for she is tearing
+and clawing him, trying to escape.
+
+Daisy belonged to Miss Eleanor. She brought him home one evening from a
+friend's. She put him in a closet over night, Karl slept in his aunt's
+bed, and just before morning she got Daisy and hid him at the foot of
+the bed.
+
+When Karl awoke he teased for a story. Aunt Nellie bewitched the
+children with her original tales of animals. She began the oft-told
+story of the little pig family, when Karl said,--
+
+"Hark! I hear breathing."
+
+"Nonsense," said Aunt Nellie; "perhaps it is the little pink pig."
+
+Pretty soon, however, the kitten had grown warm and comfortable, and
+ventured on a louder purr than he had given before. Karl started up
+saying:--
+
+"Oh, stop! Aunt Nellie, I do bleevs it is a kitty."
+
+There was no longer chance for concealment, and the kitten was produced,
+to the boy's great delight. When Willie came in from his mother's room
+to ask for his story, the same fun was repeated.
+
+The children were very much pleased with him, and named him Daisy. Their
+aunties remonstrated at one of his sex being called Daisy; but when the
+children asked in an aggrieved manner, "Are there no boy daisies?" as
+they were not able to answer the question in a satisfactory manner, he
+was allowed to bear the name of Daisy. (There is no doubt that since
+then they have decided that boys have as good a right to be called
+Daisies as girls, for my mistress called me Daisy, and I like it.)
+
+Three years after Daisy came to them he disappeared, and they mourned
+long for him, particularly because they thought a neighbor who disliked
+cats had killed him.
+
+Topsy quarrelled with him and drove him about, but Daisy was sweet
+tempered and bore it so quietly that Topsy despised him. She did not
+love any cat unless she could fight with him. Topsy had a great many
+kittens. Like many human mothers, she was not fond of taking care of her
+children. She was very peremptory, cuffing them right and left at the
+least provocation. She was a cat "Mrs. Jellyby," the Borrioboola-gha
+mission being more to her taste than her home. She did not care to
+chaperon sons and daughters into society, and she cast them adrift as
+soon as possible. One kitten was always kept for her, and she never
+seemed to miss the others. When she was ready to wean that one, it was
+provided with a good home, without the least interest on her part. The
+family were very fond of kittens, but dared not get interested in them,
+for they could only keep two at one time.
+
+She had one beautiful little black one, and Miss Eleanor became so fond
+of her that she decided to keep her for her own. She deserves another
+chapter.
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+LITTLE PEARL
+
+
+Little Pearl was coal-black, with one little white star under her chin.
+She was the only one of all Topsy's kittens that was black. Topsy did
+show more affection for her than for any of the others. She had bright
+yellow eyes like her mother's, and her fur was soft and glossy as silk.
+She was very sweet tempered, and never would strike back, as her
+brothers and sisters had done when their mother washed them, cuffing
+them if they dared move.
+
+Miss Eleanor was devoted to little Pearl, but all her care could not
+keep her. She died from some internal disease when she was about four
+months old. She was a perfect skeleton, and her mother nursed her out of
+pity because she could not take much food.
+
+One evening Miss Milly returned home from a visit, and on going to Miss
+Eleanor's room saw something in the middle of the floor covered with an
+apron. Miss Eleanor sat by the window, in great affliction. She lifted
+the apron, and there lay little Pearl, looking just like a lovely piece
+of sculpture.
+
+Miss Eleanor said: "I had her in my lap, when Topsy came in, and as she
+seemed to be amiable, I laid little Pearl by the side of her. Topsy
+began to lick her fur, and then she allowed her to nurse. But it was
+only a feeble effort; her little lips fell away from her mother's
+breast, and with one soft sigh little Pearl's short life ended."
+
+Topsy looked at her for one moment, then, with a piteous mew, she rushed
+out of the room and never returned till Miss Milly found her, and,
+taking her in her arms, comforted her.
+
+They took a strong pasteboard box and laid in some wool and a soft
+handkerchief, and little Pearl looked lovely on the soft white bed. They
+put geraniums and white flowers around her; for she had played often in
+the fragrant beds they plucked them from. Then the box was closed up and
+put in a back room till morning. They made Topsy keep an unwilling vigil
+to keep away rats.
+
+In the morning they engaged three children belonging to a poor family
+living near them to dig a grave. They came armed with shovels and spades
+enough to dig many miles. Miss Milly said she worked harder as overseer
+than she would at digging the grave alone. They were willing to work,
+but ignorant of the way.
+
+It was a very pathetic sight,--a dark cloudy day, the sun obscured, the
+wind rustling through the trees, and even the flowers drooped their
+heads; Miss Eleanor, with the box in her arms, and Miss Milly with the
+improvised grave-diggers standing by the open grave.
+
+Miss Milly held Topsy in her arms; but it was hard work, she made such
+frantic efforts to free herself. At last she did escape, and ran up the
+apple tree, and out on the branch that hung over the open grave. Here
+she looked down on them, while they laid away her dear little kitten.
+
+After the grave-diggers had raked the earth over the spot, and received
+their money and departed, Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly put fresh flowers
+around it and a large pot containing a nice geranium in the middle.
+
+Topsy had come down from her perch and roved about the garden as if
+possessed by an evil spirit. They had gone into the house but a short
+time, when she trampled all the flowers on the grave under her feet and
+knocked over the flower pot. Then she roved back and forth till she
+found a neighbor's cat, with whom she had a feud of long standing, and
+worked off all her sorrow in a free fight, where she proved the victor,
+and at night she returned to the house just as composed as usual. She
+never visited little Pearl's grave to their knowledge again.
+
+The house where the family lived was large and old-fashioned,--one of
+the houses Salem was noted for at that time, long ago given up to the
+march of improvement. It belonged to a wealthy sea-captain in the India
+trade. Since his death it had not been cared for or repaired, and was
+therefore within the means of a small family. The remains of his
+extensive wine cellar consisted of a multitude of empty bottles.
+
+Topsy was very fond of this cellar. They often remarked that she
+probably found kindred spirits of the past, for she always surprised
+them with some practical joke on her return to the upper regions.
+
+One day, just at dusk a crash came that shook the house. The sound came
+from the cellar, and on taking a light there, they found the floor
+covered with bottles. Through some unknown agency, Topsy had moved a
+shelf, and all the bottles had fallen to the floor. There she sat on a
+barrel, looking on. If ever a cat delighted in a sensation, she did.
+
+Quite a young girl lived with them, to help the girl of all work. She
+got the impression that the house was haunted. She said the doors would
+fly open without visible agency, and the bells all over the house would
+ring, and when she answered them, every one would be surprised; they had
+not touched them. They explained to her that the wind moved the
+old-fashioned latches, and the doors, being old, would fly open.
+Possibly rats would move the bell wires and make them ring. It is
+impossible to uproot a belief in the supernatural out of the mind of an
+ignorant child.
+
+She said: "It is that black witch cat Topsy. She is an evil spirit. I
+shut her up at night in the kitchen, Molly says she never let her up;
+but there she is, upstairs, all over the house, during the night."
+
+They could not persuade her to stay, and after she left the mystery was
+solved, as such mysteries almost always can be, in a very common,
+matter-of-fact manner. Miss Eleanor said at the time that she thought
+her room was the way Topsy came, though how, she could not say.
+
+One night, about eleven o'clock, being very wakeful, she heard a slight
+scratching sound at the door. She sat up in bed and watched. She was not
+afraid, for she was sure the mystery was about to be solved. Another
+rattle of the latch, then the door opened wide, swinging back, with some
+long black thing hanging from the latch. It was Topsy. She had jumped up
+and knocked up the latch with her head, holding on the lower part with
+her paws, and in this way had entered the room every night.
+
+Changes came to their home, and the death of their mother made a break
+in the household. They moved to Boston and were perplexed about Topsy.
+What could they do with a cat of her restless nature in a few rooms?
+What could she do without a large house and garden to roam about in,
+and, above all, how could she leave that cellar? The people who took the
+house were very anxious to keep her, and at last it was decided to leave
+her on trial.
+
+Miss Milly said, "After what we have passed through, as we are breaking
+the last tie to home, one parting more we can bear."
+
+After a few weeks Miss Eleanor went down to see about Topsy. She had a
+tale of woe to listen to. They said: "Topsy searched the house after you
+left, and at night she caterwauled in the hall in the most fearful
+manner, and paid not the least attention to us, when we tried to coax
+her. She refused all food, preferring to steal all that she wanted. She
+at last took to the cellar, and would not come up. We put food and drink
+for her every day, and it was gone, so we supposed she took it."
+
+They said the night before she had made such a racket that it seemed as
+if there were a dozen cats with her. They had that day decided to write,
+asking what could be done with her.
+
+When they opened the cellar door, and called her, no answer came; but
+the moment Miss Eleanor went to the door, and said, "Topsy," she flew up
+the stairs like lightning, and into Miss Eleanor's arms, just like a
+child. She held her so tight she could hardly remove her claws from her
+shoulder.
+
+"This decides it. I shall have to take her," Miss Eleanor said; "and
+indeed I could not face Milly without her, now that we know how unhappy
+she has been."
+
+They loaned her a shawl, and in it she wrapped Topsy, who followed every
+movement with her yellow eyes, though she kept as quiet as a lamb. Her
+trust was perfect; she knew she had found her own. She made no trouble
+on the journey by cars to Boston, keeping her eye on Miss Eleanor's face
+out of one corner of the shawl.
+
+They were perfect slaves to her, keeping her in one room. Boarding was
+not very convenient, even with a quiet, well-behaved cat but with her it
+was a dreadful experience. She had come to Boston, a great and gay city,
+and she did mean to see the sights. The very first Sunday she crawled
+out of the window, though it was only open a very little; but she
+squeezed herself out on to the balcony that ran around several of the
+houses in that block, and Miss Milly went all over the street hunting
+for her. Being a stranger, it was very hard. At last Topsy was found on
+the balcony just outside the next house, all in a heap, and for once
+well frightened.
+
+After Mrs. Rice and the boys came from the South, and they had a home,
+she was very happy, and it was then my mother met her, about which event
+I have already written.
+
+I did pity them; at the last, to lose her in such a manner was very
+hard.
+
+Miss Milly was so sad after this that Miss Eleanor said she hoped she
+would never tell Topsy's story again. Miss Milly would say, taking me in
+her arms, "I never felt comforted till I had my Daisy."
+
+This pleased me, and made me very careful to do just as they told me to.
+I was very glad I had heard Topsy's story. My opinion is, that the
+witches wanted her and called her home. Very likely she rides on their
+shoulders when they go through the air on a broomstick.
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+REMINISCENCES
+
+
+I was suffering much from my shoulder just at this time, but we were
+very quiet, and I enjoyed lying on the lounge or in their laps and
+listening to the stories of the pets they had loved in their childhood.
+Miss Eleanor would read aloud, and indeed (you may laugh if you please)
+I could understand the nice things she selected.
+
+One day she found some of Martin Luther's sayings. He one day remarked
+to his dog, that was growling, "Don't growl, little Hans, for in the
+resurrection thou, too, shalt have a little golden tail."
+
+Miss Milly caught me up, saying, "Thou, too, Daisy, shalt go to heaven,
+and have golden bells on thy collar, for thy tail is more lovely than a
+golden one could be."
+
+"How absurd you are!" said Miss Eleanor.
+
+"Well, I do not think it absurd to believe we shall have our dear pets
+in the hereafter; heaven would not be heaven without them. God has not
+given them to us to love, without making provision for their hereafter.
+We have no little hands and feet waiting for us on the 'golden shore,'
+but little paws of all colors I know will be extended in welcome, and we
+shall be happy with our own again."
+
+This comfortable doctrine suited me and made me very happy. Knowing that
+I could not live many years longer, the thought of an eternal separation
+from my loved ones would have been unbearable.
+
+I did try to be good and be a comfort to them, but often my good
+resolutions were put to a hard test.
+
+My mistress had one young friend who detested cats. She was very
+beautiful, and they loved her very much. She came to see us one day, and
+after greeting them affectionately, she said as her eye fell upon me,
+"Oh! have you got that old Tom cat now?"
+
+How I bristled up! But Miss Milly was equal to her. "Would you like to
+have me speak of one of your children in this manner?" she said.
+
+"I should think not," replied her friend; "but this is only a cat."
+
+"And a cat that we both love as dearly as you love your children."
+
+My rage at being called a "Tom cat" knew no bounds; it seemed to degrade
+me, and I thought to myself, "How can I avenge this insult?"
+
+One can always find a chance to do wrong, and mine came at once. I
+espied her hat, gorgeous with feathers, birds, and wings, and brilliant
+beading. To my great discomfort--for it was very scratchy--I seated
+myself on the crown. I had no compunction when I heard the crunching of
+the beads and feathers, as I bent them under me. They seemed to say,
+"Tom cat,--indeed!"
+
+I sat there till I felt pride had been sufficiently levelled; and as I
+chewed the delicate end of one of the expensive feathers, I felt that I
+might (in vulgar phrase) call myself even with her. Then I went under
+the bed, where I could with safety witness the impending tempest.
+
+I was not disappointed. Words are powerless to express her wrath. Had
+her wishes been consulted, I should never have seen the light of another
+day.
+
+When I saw how my mistress was distressed over my wickedness, my
+conscience did prick a little, though I did not repent. I had been
+called a "Tom cat," and for once I acted like one.
+
+The climax was reached when Miss Eleanor produced a box containing a
+lovely wing and ornaments, and placed them where the broken ones had
+been. She said:--
+
+"I do not approve of such decorations. Were I young, I would never wear
+anything that had been killed to pander to a foolish vanity. These were
+given me to put with some flowers and grasses for exhibition. If you
+will accept them in place of those our naughty pet has destroyed, I
+shall feel we have atoned for his thoughtlessness."
+
+Accept! I guess she did, and in her heart thanked me for giving her such
+a treasure, though she gave me a cross look at parting, which I returned
+in full and longed to give her an etching.
+
+I was disgusted. I had been outwitted, as people often are when they
+seek for revenge. It made me cynical, and I remained under the bed,
+thinking of the wrongs that are beyond redress, going on daily. I said
+to myself:--
+
+"Just see! To gratify personal vanity how many millions of beautiful
+birds are slaughtered! Innocent creatures that God made, just like the
+lovely flowers, to make the world charming! And if a cat or any other
+animal kills a bird or chicken, their legitimate prey, knowing no
+better, they are called horrid creatures and hunted about just as if
+they were murderers."
+
+They did not say anything about my naughty act; but I heard them (after
+they had called me to come out, and I had not answered) say, "Daisy is
+asleep." Then they laughed, while Miss Milly said: "Who could doubt that
+cats can understand, if they had seen Daisy's face when he was called a
+'Tom cat.' I believe he sat on that hat to show his indignation."
+
+All our friends were not of this order. One young artist was very fond
+of me, and we were quite chummy. He was a great big fellow, with a thick
+head of hair, and a mouth like a shoe-brush. I loved to see his teeth
+gleam through when he laughed, for they were perfect and white as snow.
+I did not like to have him rub his face over mine; it was like a
+porcupine, while my fur and whiskers are as soft as silk.
+
+One day he had been fooling with me, and I gave him a good scratch. I
+raked his whiskers well, making his lip bleed. After that he called me
+his bar-ber-ous friend. Perhaps he thought I did not see the pun
+intended, but I did, and the point also.
+
+I was rather sorry, and surprised. Somehow I thought his hair was like
+grass, and I could claw it as I pleased.
+
+He brought me very nice catmint from his country home. Once he brought a
+pasteboard box with "Daisy" printed on the cover. I was very proud of
+that box, and always turned it over with the name on the top. He brought
+us a beautiful pitcher called after the Emperor Hadrian. The style of
+pitcher was taken from those found in his tomb.
+
+You will see I have a taste for history. There is no doubt, had I lived
+at that period, I should have made wonderful excavations. Mummied mice
+or rats would have had no mercy from my claws.
+
+My special interest in this pitcher was the beautiful white daisies it
+was often filled with. The contrast with the blue pitcher was perfect.
+He would bring in a bunch from his country home, and say, "Here, Daisy,
+are your namesakes; they are for you," while I would pretend to smell of
+them, delighted to make them all laugh. I would mount the table, and lie
+down by the side of the pitcher very contented.
+
+My friend went to Virginia to sketch. He wrote word that he had planted
+a large grove of catmint for me, and had called it "Daisy's Plantation."
+Was I not happy and important! As Miss Milly said, I was a real
+landowner.
+
+After his return, he went to Germany to study. In all his letters he
+remembered me. I was just as much interested in his progress as his
+other friends were, and enjoyed the photographs of his pictures he sent
+home.
+
+In my opinion he was a great artist--better than the "old masters" they
+talk so much about. The "young masters" are good enough for me. He
+wanted to paint my picture, but Miss Milly refused, just as she had all
+other offers of this kind.
+
+I did not like it, for I thought my friend would do me justice, and it
+might make his fortune, if exhibited. I used to look in the glass and
+pose, thinking what a lovely picture I would make.
+
+I say it, and I suppose you will say, "What a vain cat!" But how about
+these society women (and men, as to that) who dress in velvets and
+jewels, and exhibit their charms, and so much of them that it makes a
+modest cat blush? What if they don't say, as I do, that they would make
+a lovely picture, do they not act it? You will soon discover, if you
+never knew it before, as you read my history of many cats, that animals
+are often superior to the human race.
+
+My mistresses would often dress me and make me pose to please them, and
+for the life of me I could not see why I should not be painted for the
+benefit of others. They would tie a half-handkerchief on my head, the
+point trimmed with lace just between my ears, the ends tied under my
+chin. They called it a "Marie Stuart point." Whatever that might be, I
+knew not. I afterward learned that she was a queen, and was executed. It
+pleased my cat vanity to represent a queen.
+
+I myself performed all the tricks I could think of. One day, being in a
+large armchair, I just posed, myself. I sat down, hung my two paws over
+the arm of the chair, my head on one side, my "Marie Stuart point" all
+right, the bow tied under my chin, my collar and padlock in sight, and
+then and there I made an impression never to be forgotten by those who
+saw me. As long as memory lasts they will remember me in all my beauty.
+
+My mistress fell on her knees beside me, calling me all the pet names
+she could think of, while Miss Eleanor said, "If ever a cat lived that
+could equal Daisy, that cat I would like to see!"
+
+I remained a long time in the same attitude, proud of my success. When
+Miss Milly brought a little hand-glass for me to see myself, I did not
+wonder they were delighted, and I wished they would let me pose for the
+benefit of poor cats. I knew I could draw a crowd.
+
+I never would pose for those I did not care for. I tore off the
+handkerchief as soon as they put it on, and taking it by the lace edge,
+I shut my teeth on it and dragged it under the bed. After this they only
+asked me to pose for my friends. For them I was very willing to do my
+best. I enjoyed being called a "darling" and a "love" by pretty girls,
+just as any boy would enjoy it.
+
+One friend of my mistress, a charming little woman and a real
+philanthropist, was quite fond of me. She was the mother of my dear girl
+friend, whom I introduced to you at my party. This good little woman was
+a real friend to animals of all kinds, but she particularly loved cats.
+
+She told us one day when she came to see us about the cruel people in
+her neighborhood who went away in summer, leaving their cats to starve.
+She said she had the past summer chloroformed eighteen cats in the last
+stage of starvation and too far gone to save.
+
+She had two lovely cats named Chico and Sancho. They had very beautiful
+clear white fur and blue eyes. They were very bright, learning readily
+many little tricks. They would turn a graceful somersault for their
+food, and behaved at all times with great politeness.
+
+Chico had trouble with his teeth, and Sancho was in great distress about
+it. This sympathy was almost human. When he found he could do no good,
+he retired in deep distress to the corner of the room, where he
+preserved a grave silence. The family dentist soon made matters right by
+extracting the troublesome teeth, making both cats very happy. No doubt
+Chico disliked him just as children dislike those who operate upon them,
+even though the kindness is evident.
+
+Mrs. M. said, when she was telling my mistress about Chico, "Of course
+you will have Daisy's teeth filled with gold when they decay?"
+
+"Certainly," Miss Milly replied; "and I would hold him while it was
+done."
+
+For days after this I had no peace. Visions of doctors with horrid
+instruments were ever before my eyes. I shut my mouth tight when any one
+came in; and at the name of doctor I fled under the bed, where I
+remained with fear and trembling, fearing my teeth were to be operated
+upon. I could not clean and brush my teeth, but I got a bit of grass and
+one of my catmint stalks, and sharpened my teeth on them, keeping them
+as nice as possible, to preserve them.
+
+Last year I lost one tooth. It fell out without any pain, and I did not
+miss it; but Miss Milly did feel so badly about it, and cried when one
+of the family said, "Daisy is quite old; it is the beginning of the
+end."
+
+Miss Eleanor was very indignant, saying, "If it is not 'the beginning,'
+it is the end, of their visits here; we will not entertain such cruel
+people."
+
+They were more careful of me than ever after this. They cut up my food
+very fine, and I was very careful not to gnaw meat off of a bone, for
+fear it would injure my teeth, and bring the "beginning of the end"
+after me. Whatever that might be I did not know; but it was such a scare
+to Miss Milly that I thought it must be some monster that would devour
+me as soon as I lost my teeth.
+
+Our nice friend told us a great many stories about cats she had known
+and loved. Her charming daughter, my girl friend, could make cats
+perform tricks very easily. She seemed to charm them. There were
+photographs of cats taken in every position, and they seemed to do just
+as she wished, for she took the pictures of them herself.
+
+We had very few cats in our neighborhood, and I did long sometimes to
+see one of my own old friends. I went out every day when it was
+pleasant, and sat upon a high fence, where I could look into back
+alleys, where the poor people had one or two miserable rooms, scanty
+furniture, and probably very little food, and I noticed with pleasure
+that in every one of these poor homes a cat could be seen sitting before
+the small fire, an honored member of the family. I wished I could write
+a check for these good-hearted people. It made me laugh; for who would
+honor a cat's check?
+
+If I could talk, I know my dear friends would help them, if I could tell
+how much they need it; but as I cannot, I must content myself with good
+intentions.
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+CAT TALES
+
+
+There is no doubt that cat lovers will be interested in the true stories
+of cats that our friends related to us from time to time. I have them
+all in my memory. If they can arouse a love of cats in the hearts of my
+readers, this little work of love by one fortunate cat will accomplish
+its purpose.
+
+Our friend told us a very wonderful story of a cat named Alexander.
+There seems to be a fitness in his name; for he was, in my opinion, very
+great. It does look a good deal like a "fish story," though I know it is
+strictly true; for he was a Boston cat, and lived not half a mile from
+our home.
+
+Alexander was a prime favorite with all the family. He was the master's
+special friend and pet, while the mistress had a bird she was very fond
+of and had kept a great many years. Alexander had been taught to respect
+its rights, and ignored it as beneath his notice.
+
+They had bought a beautiful house at the seashore, reached by the boats
+every hour or two from Boston. They closed their city house, and removed
+all the family, including dogs, bird, and last, but not least,
+Alexander, to their summer home quite early in the season. They went
+down by boat, and, as one would suppose, neither dog nor cat could well
+find his way back alone.
+
+Alexander was taken in a large basket; one of the most reliable of the
+maids had charge of him, while the bird was taken by one of the family.
+Alexander had in every way protested against this move. He walked about
+the house, superintending the shutting up of rooms, with grave
+displeasure.
+
+The dogs, bird, and the family soon settled themselves, and the new
+place assumed an air altogether homelike. Alexander was restless and
+morose, and the third day he was missing. They had noticed the stolid
+air of disapproval with which he had gone around, looking with critical
+eye upon the house and its surroundings. He avoided the side of the
+house that faced the water, proving that he did not care for
+sea-bathing, and the air evidently did not agree with him.
+
+They spared neither money nor trouble in searching for him. No clew
+whatever could be found, and they mourned him as dead. They returned
+early in September to their Boston home on account of illness in the
+family.
+
+They had been at home only a few days, and the house had settled into
+that homelike air so pleasant to returned wanderers, when one day, while
+they were at dinner, Alexander walked in. He was the shadow of his
+former self, thin, rough, and gaunt looking, the very fierce expression
+of his eyes making him look like a stranger.
+
+He refused every welcome extended to him, looking at them with disdain.
+He marched to a table, mounted it, gave one spring, and before they
+could realize his purpose he put his sharp claws through the cage door
+and killed the little pet bird.
+
+He looked around upon them all with an expression of satisfaction, as if
+to say: "Now I am satisfied. You have enjoyed the company of your pets;
+you have not been satisfied with going away and leaving us in our good
+home, but you must have another. If the little fools you took with you
+were willing to stay, I was not. You left me to wander, and I have taken
+my revenge."
+
+The mistress was very unhappy at the loss of her pet, and demanded
+Alexander's life in exchange--"a life for a life." Her husband refused.
+He sympathized with her loss, but he stood by Alexander. The master was
+the only one that cat would trust. He avoided all the other members of
+the family, and never recovered his cheerfulness or his good looks. The
+iron had entered into his soul.
+
+Where he spent the summer months remains a mystery. From the change
+wrought in him, it could not have been in very elevating company. But
+the question is, Where did he spend that time, and how did he get back
+to the city? Is it not a convincing fact that cats know more than they
+are supposed to? And if they are such intelligent beings, ought they not
+to be treated with humanity?
+
+It is true they will be hunted and abused by bad children; but properly
+taught, might they not be made nice playmates for children, even taking
+the place of a nurse maid if trained to do so? It does seem right for
+all animals to be studied and their good traits encouraged.
+
+Horses have been, ever since the world was formed, the friend and
+patient slave of man. No animal has suffered more abuse patiently borne
+than the horse. And now that the fools of fashion have presumed to
+improve on their Maker's work, clipping them, cutting their tails, and
+using the abominable check-rein, they are objects of pity to every
+right-minded person.
+
+My mistress had a friend who often called to take her to ride. She had
+been away, for a long time, travelling. On her return she came to see
+us, and asked my mistress to ride with her out into the country. We were
+very much pleased, for they both needed the air; and as she said she
+would take Miss Eleanor the next day (the carriage holding only two),
+there was a pleasant prospect for both of my dear friends, and I was
+delighted, for they had stitched and stitched till I was nearly frantic,
+looking at my sharp but useless claws.
+
+I could only express my satisfaction by walking around her, and rubbing
+my head against her dress. She was quite pleased, saying, "Daisy has
+grown more lovely then ever," and she patted my head with such soft
+dogskin gloves, I did long to chew them.
+
+As Miss Milly prepared for the ride, her friend said: "Just look at my
+new horses. Are they not beauties?"
+
+"These are not your horses!" exclaimed Miss Milly, as she looked from
+the window.
+
+"Certainly they are," her friend replied, "and I knew you would admire
+them."
+
+"I am sorry to disappoint you," Miss Milly said, "but I do not admire,
+though I do pity these poor creatures. Is it possible that you had their
+tails cut in such an absurd manner? And their heads held up so cruelly?"
+
+"Of course I did," replied her friend, while her face grew red with
+anger; "and I mean to have their heads raised an inch every day till
+they get used to it."
+
+Miss Milly untied her bonnet, saying, "Much as I need a ride, I could
+never enjoy it, in sight of such cruel suffering. How could you do it? I
+thought you so kind-hearted, when we were girls together, that I cannot
+believe you have changed so sadly."
+
+"How absurd you are! I think you carry your old-fashioned notions too
+far, and I must say you are very unkind to refuse to ride with me. Every
+one has these things done, why should not I?"
+
+"You need not be cruel because others are; and I thought you had
+independence enough to do as you thought right, regardless of the weak
+and wicked who know not right from wrong. In your position, with wealth
+at your command, you could set an example that others would follow; for
+there are always those who are ready to do just as people in better
+circumstances than themselves are able to do, no matter what foolishness
+it leads to."
+
+"I hope, Eleanor," said their friend as she turned away from Miss Milly,
+"you are not going to refuse to ride with me because my horses are in
+the fashion, we all know Milly is a crank on such subjects."
+
+"And in this case, I fully indorse her," said Miss Eleanor. "It is cruel
+to cripple such noble creatures and make their lives a curse."
+
+"Well," said the other, "I have had a lesson this morning." And tears of
+vexation stood in her eyes.
+
+"My dear Laura," Miss Milly said, "just think that all we have said to
+you has been in kindness, because we believe in your real nature. Let
+your own heart speak for these poor creatures that cannot help
+themselves, so wholly in your power."
+
+"And make myself a laughing-stock! No, thank you! I shall keep my horses
+like other people's. I am very sorry not to take you to ride; it is a
+real disappointment to me."
+
+"It is an equal one to us. We fully appreciate your kindness in offering
+us a luxury beyond our means, here we recognize the Laura of bygone
+years. Come some day with 'Brown Bess,' the nice horse you used to
+drive, and we shall be glad to go with you."
+
+Laura looked very red and confused, and replied, "We did not bring her
+to the city with us."
+
+They learned some time after that the good old horse had been sold for a
+hack. My mistress was very indignant. She said she would have sold her
+own flesh and blood just as soon as a faithful old horse. She said, "If
+money hardens one's heart, as it has our friend's, we are better without
+it."
+
+I mounted a chair and saw the carriage drive off, and I did pity the
+poor horses. The foam fell from their mouths, and they pranced and
+glared about in torture from which there was no escape. I was sorry my
+friends had lost their ride, but I was very glad they acted up to their
+principles.
+
+I looked at the very pretty little woman, sitting so quietly in her
+carriage, and I said to myself, "If those poor tortured creatures should
+run away and injure her for life, could she complain? Do not animals
+have lessons of cruelty taught them every day? What reason have they for
+being better than their owners?"
+
+I was sorry I had allowed her to pat my head. It brought on a fit of
+indigestion, and I left my nice kidney; I could not swallow it.
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+MY FIRST THEFT
+
+
+Perhaps a confession of my sin may be a warning to others. I know it
+will be interesting to my friends. It was in the house of the
+"philanthropist" of whom I have written before in my book.
+
+One day when I went down for my outing I saw a door open that I had
+never noticed before. It is a well-known fact that a cat never passes an
+opening without looking in; they never leave a mystery unsolved if they
+can discover it.
+
+The conditions were favorable, no one was about; "Oliver Twist" was out
+of the way; so I just wandered in. It proved to be the store-closet, and
+on a plate unfortunately near me, within my reach, was a piece of steak.
+It was large, but I saw my opportunity. It looked very nice, just like
+the steak our good doctor ordered for Mrs. Rice. She could taste but
+little, while I could devour it all. Thought I, "This will be nice for
+my mistress." So I just jumped up, and after several ineffectual efforts
+got it in my mouth. By holding my head high I could just walk with it,
+for it was long and reached to the floor.
+
+It was some time before I could get started, for I was all of a quiver,
+starting at every sound, and in my hurry, tripping over it, getting so
+mad that I said, "Hiss! hiss!" just where an old boy of the human kind
+would have said something more to the point.
+
+Then came the greatest difficulty,--three flights of stairs to mount. I
+had to rest at every landing, and when at last, breathing hard, but
+proud and happy, I laid my offering at my mistress's feet, instead of
+the delight I anticipated she screamed out, "Oh, Daisy, what have you
+done?" I looked at her, amazed. "You naughty cat! Look Eleanor," she
+said; "see! he has stolen this piece of meat. What shall we do?"
+
+"I am very sorry. Of course we can pay for it," Miss Eleanor said, "but
+then Daisy has lost his character; they will never trust him again. Oh,
+how could you be so naughty, Daisy?"
+
+I began to realize that my little offering had not been the success I
+thought it would be. Why, I could not understand; so I just walked under
+the bed, my place of refuge, and in high dudgeon reflected on my deed of
+darkness, for such it seemed to be. Miss Milly had scolded me, Miss
+Eleanor had reproved me, and I was very much provoked.
+
+Miss Eleanor said: "I will go down and speak about it. If you go, you
+will be so provoked; if they speak one word against Daisy, you will not
+keep your temper."
+
+I waited in fear and trembling, not knowing what would be done. She soon
+returned, saying, "I have paid her for half a pound of steak."
+
+"Half?" said Miss Milly; "why, it could not be over a quarter, and old
+steak at that."
+
+"I know that, but I would have no words with her. I simply told my
+story, expressed my regrets, and asked what I should pay her, and gave
+the money in silence and disgust. She remarked she always thought Daisy
+was a sly one."
+
+This aroused a tempest of wrath. Having to pay twice the amount for a
+piece of stale meat was nothing compared to her calling me sly.
+
+"Come out, Daisy," my mistress said; "I know you are sorry, and did not
+understand how wrong it was to take that steak!"
+
+I did not go out for a long time. My feelings were hurt at the injustice
+I had suffered; and I was very dignified. My mistress took me in her
+arms, saying:--
+
+"My dear kitty, I know you did not mean to do wrong; but to take
+anything belonging to others that is not given to you is stealing, and
+people are punished for it--I do believe," she said to Miss Eleanor,
+"that this dear cat got that steak as much for us as for himself." And
+she gave me a hug.
+
+Then I could no longer control myself. I could not speak, but I got up
+and put both paws around Miss Milly's neck and licked her face. She was
+quite overcome, as she said: "I will never forget that you did this for
+me. But you now know what stealing means, and must never do it again."
+
+And I never did. But oh, how good that steak did taste! I had heard it
+said that "stolen fruit is sweet," and I found it so. I had worked hard
+over it, and I enjoyed it.
+
+I was not very unhappy that my mistress had to pay for it; for I had a
+friend who gave me pennies enough to buy all my extra food, and I said
+to myself, "She can take the money from that." So that afternoon I went
+to the table where my little tin bank was kept, and just pushed it off,
+and out came the pennies.
+
+The noise aroused my mistress. How they did laugh, saying, "Daisy is
+paying for her meat." But they put them all back and kissed me, saying I
+was a very honorable cat. I wished I could speak and ask my mistress if
+that "philanthropist" was a church member. If so, did they allow
+extortion?
+
+I think "Oliver Twist" was a free-thinker, for he seemed to grasp
+everything as his own, recognizing no law; certainly he did not favor
+our church. Perhaps, like the cat that a smart boy tried to sell, she
+represented the belief of the person to whom the boy offered her. When
+this enterprising boy had offered his cat to a member of every other
+denomination, he came to an Episcopalian. He was asked why he called her
+an Episcopalian, when he had just said she was a Baptist. "Oh," he
+answered, "but her eyes are open now."
+
+I think "Oliver Twist" and his mistress were born with their eyes open.
+
+This little item has run in my silly head ever since Miss Eleanor read
+it.
+
+I must tell you before I forget it about the friend with the
+high-stepping horses. It was not quite six months after her visit to us
+that I wrote about that she was taken very ill and sent for my mistress
+to come and see her just before she died. She said to her:--
+
+"Milly, I have never known one moment's peace since you gave me such a
+lesson on my cruelty to my horses. I seemed to realize, after you had
+spoken, just how foolish I had been in following a wicked fashion. My
+husband has promised me that Aunt Mary shall have them, and she is so
+devoted to animals she will never allow any abuse. Though I cannot
+restore their tails, they will be made comfortable. Old Mike, her
+coachman, will make them happy if any one can. I realize all they
+suffered, and think I deserve to lose all I misused so thoughtlessly."
+
+Is not this an illustration of the good one brave word can do? If my
+mistress, fearing to offend her wealthy friend, had not spoken, the poor
+horses would never have been released from their suffering, and the
+conscience of her friend never awakened. If every one who is witness to
+an act of cruelty would remonstrate against it, there would be some
+chance of reform.
+
+Many people say, "It is no business of mine if people ill-treat their
+own animals." But it is the business of every one with Christian
+feelings to speak for the poor dumb animals, for they cannot speak for
+themselves. Children, if taught when young, would never be cruel.
+
+Miss Eleanor saw a little boy carry three little kittens into a lot
+where a house was being built. The boy was sent on this cruel errand by
+his mother. Their cries made Miss Eleanor's heart ache, and she had
+decided to go over for them and see what could be done to keep them,
+when a poor woman came along, who could not turn a deaf ear to their
+piteous cries, but went to them. They were so glad to see her, she said,
+though she was poor, she could not leave them alone. Miss Eleanor gave
+her some money, and the woman said she would find them good homes.
+
+This is only one instance of what is going on day by day. Is there no
+help for it?
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+RELIGIOUS ASPIRATIONS
+
+
+One ambition of my life has never been gratified. I have always had a
+desire to attend church. I have never been able to understand why
+restless children, who have no understanding of sermons, who are
+wretched when obliged to keep still, and are only kept quiet by a
+promise of something nice or a threat of punishment, should be taken to
+church and the family cat left at home.
+
+What if we _do_ sleep all through the service--we have a precedent for
+it. How often we hear people say, "Mr. So-and-So might as well have
+remained at home, for he slept all through the sermon," or, "Mrs.
+So-and-So had to pinch herself to keep awake. She dare not sleep,
+fearing to crush her new bonnet."
+
+If we can believe all we hear, ministers all have voices "like old cows"
+or "dying calves." They never speak plain, and deaf people remain at
+home rather than look like fools when they cannot hear one word. Cats
+hear all these speeches, and wonder why they cannot go and judge for
+themselves. I know in our church, with the boy choir singing so lovely,
+one could not sleep.
+
+When I was young I brooded over this question. I did want to be a
+Christian cat, and, like most ignorant people, I thought I could not be
+good unless I went to church. Of course I know better now. I can be just
+as good at home. Like all young things, I wanted to try my wings and see
+a little of the world.
+
+Karl and Will were choir boys, and I was very proud of their voices. I
+did not understand why I could not march in the processional, right
+behind Karl and Will, even if my voice was not trained to sing.
+
+I thought it all over, and out of a multitude of thoughts came forth an
+act. Not one of the "Acts of the Apostles." Had it been, I might have
+been successful.
+
+One Sunday I made up my mind to try my luck. I had a hearty breakfast,
+washed myself all over, and cleaned my nails, for I had heard that
+"cleanliness is next to godliness." I did not mean that in my cat
+vocabulary there should be one such word as "fail."
+
+I hid myself when Karl and Will were ready for church, and after they
+had left the house I crept out after them. I followed them on the
+opposite side of the street, without being discovered, when, just as I
+was feeling sure of the situation, a dog must needs bark and make for
+me.
+
+Karl and Will turned around, and then my church-going was ended. Before
+I could run away Will caught me up in his arms and carried me home.
+
+I was very angry over it, and refused to be comforted. I wished I had
+been a heathen; then they would have taken the trouble to convert me. I
+tried to find a rat to kill, and crept all around the cellar. But no;
+rats must not be killed on Sunday. I was very unhappy. Six days of the
+week I could do very well, but oh my, the _seventh_!
+
+That day was a poser to me. All the family had gone to church. What
+could a poor cat do? I could not sleep, and, to cap the climax, a plate
+of beans and a saucer of milk had been put out for me, in case I wanted
+something before they returned.
+
+Now I love my beans Saturday night and Sunday morning, but to be
+expected to make a dinner of them, in place of the nice little lamb
+kidney that was served up for me every Sunday, was adding insult to
+injury.
+
+I dragged the beans out on the floor and threw over the milk saucer;
+then, as I could do no more mischief, off I went in a huff to look out
+for their return home.
+
+I did feel a little ashamed, for I remembered that Karl could not get a
+kidney. The man at the store told him they were all sold, adding, "If
+that cat of yours will not feed on anything but kidneys, he will die of
+kidney disease." It was not their fault, and I did feel mean.
+
+Every Sunday Karl and Will studied their lesson. They would sit at the
+table with their books, while I had a hassock in front of them, with my
+little Bible open on it. Here I would pose for an hour, with my paws
+folded on the open book, looking from one to the other, for I loved them
+dearly.
+
+This Sunday I would not look at my book. The boys tried to make me, but
+were obliged to give it up. I behaved just like a bad boy, running after
+imaginary balls, jumping over the hassock, sitting on the Bible, till at
+last Will said: "I will call Aunt Milly. We shall never get our lesson
+if she does not take Daisy away."
+
+This did not please me. I just picked up my book, and when my mistress
+came in I was sitting at my hassock, my claws clasped over my Bible
+(though it was upside down), looking as innocent as possible.
+
+All this naughtiness because I wanted to be a choir boy and walk in the
+processional with the rest of the boys. I think it would have been
+better if they had taken me to church.
+
+One thing always gave me great pleasure: I never could tire of cat
+stories. I think it may be a help to the understanding of cat nature if
+I give the most interesting ones for people to read.
+
+With the horrors of vivisection and other cruelties practised upon
+animals, it is time for them to assert themselves. Even a cat's voice
+may be heard. Children can be taught to respect the rights of animals if
+their parents will interest themselves in their dumb servants.
+
+My mistress met two very nice ladies one summer while in the country.
+They were cat-lovers, and gave many nice anecdotes of cats they had
+known. I will tell you one I particularly liked.
+
+A friend of theirs had a great many cats, and as their number increased
+she felt the necessity of giving up some of them. She found homes for
+all but one; and one day, when her friends were visiting her, she asked
+them if they would take the cat and drop her near some nice house, where
+they had no doubt she would soon make a home. It was not a very pleasant
+commission, but they could not very well refuse.
+
+Pussy had evidently heard their conversation, for she tried to hide from
+them. She was very quiet, never responding to their coaxing, covering
+her face with her paws in great sorrow. They drove many miles into the
+country before they could think of parting with her.
+
+At last a large and finely situated farmhouse attracted them by its
+homelike aspect. It was a low, rambling house painted red, and the barns
+and outbuildings were in keeping. Everything looked inviting. The large
+kitchen-garden at the back of the house seemed just the place for cats
+to enjoy. An opening in the trees gave them a glimpse of a small stream
+meandering through the country, reflecting the rustic scene in its clear
+depth.
+
+"Here," they said, "we will leave her. Surely no one in a place like
+this could turn away from a poor cat."
+
+They coaxed her, and in spite of her clinging to them, put her down very
+gently. She stood like one dazed. Then she turned and surveyed the house
+and its surroundings. She looked long at the clear, bright water, as if
+in deep thought. She then looked up at the sky, and after giving them a
+reproachful glance, she walked slowly toward the river. Reaching it, she
+paused one moment, then deliberately walked in. Twice she rose to the
+surface, then the waters closed over her forever.
+
+They could make no effort to save her. Knowing cats' strong dislike of
+water, they had no idea she would go near it. It was, they said, a clear
+case of suicide. Homeless, friendless, and wretched, she preferred
+death, even in the element a cat usually dreads, to seeking a new home.
+
+The people were very unhappy about it. They said they felt like
+murderers, and never had believed before that cats could think and
+suffer. They said that they should ever after do all they could for
+animals, particularly cats, in atonement for their share, though
+unintentional, in the death of poor pussy.
+
+It made me appreciate the care I had had all my life, when I heard such
+sad stories of cats.
+
+Cats are fond of mischief, and I fear I never thought of the sorrow I
+should cause when I saw a good opportunity for fun.
+
+We made a visit one summer in a family where the old grandfather, from
+Vermont, was spending a few weeks. He was an original character, and we
+were entertained by his quaint speeches and his old-fashioned manners.
+He thought Boston was one of the biggest and wickedest places in the
+world. I was the only one he seemed to be at home with, though I never
+could tell why, for I disliked him from the first sight I had of his
+horrid little eyes, with a real wicked expression, and his flesh looked
+just like an over-baked apple.
+
+The wonder of all to me was his head, which was the part I could not
+understand. It was covered by uneven, red-brown hair, with no seam in
+it, and it looked just like a cocoanut.
+
+He ate so loud I thought some one was choking, and when I walked over to
+the side of the table and looked in his face, I found he was eating with
+a big knife so fast it made me wink. This increased my dislike of him,
+and I refused all his overtures to make friends with me.
+
+He said I was "a proud critter." He guessed lots of time was spent on
+keeping my fur so nice. And "as to that trinket on my neck, it was too
+fine for a cat."
+
+One day I solved the mystery of his head-gear. I chanced to peep into
+his room,--as no place was sacred from my investigation,--and I saw
+another old man, his head as bare as the bed-post. When he said "Pussy,
+Pussy," I fled in alarm, but not before I had discovered that it was the
+same old man minus the top of his head. It was a wonder to me, and I
+never rested till I found that head-gear. They called it a wig, but I
+called it a "bird's nest."
+
+Then I made up my mind to investigate it. Soon my opportunity came. All
+the people had gone to ride, and I was making a tour of the house, when
+loud breathing convinced me my old man was at home. Bad cat that I was,
+I just followed the noise, and sure enough, there he lay, flat on his
+back, his mouth wide open, sound asleep.
+
+Of course I climbed up and looked into his open mouth. Another discovery
+I made: he had not one tooth in his head! And the wind and spray that
+covered me, from his open mouth, satisfied me with a brief
+investigation.
+
+On the floor, by his side, lay the bone of contention, the brown wig I
+had speculated on so long. I grabbed it, and carrying it into a corner,
+inspected it thoroughly. Then I clawed it a little, and at last seated
+myself in it. Something about it acted like a narcotic, and in this
+uncomfortable bird's nest I fell asleep.
+
+I dreamed that I was sitting under the piazza, when I heard voices. One
+of them said: "Why should not cat's fur be used for wigs and bangs? Gray
+hair is so fashionable."
+
+"Oh," replied a young voice, "think of Aunt Sally with a maltese
+front-piece, and Grandpa and Uncle Jim with tiger-cat wigs!"
+
+"Well," replied the first speaker, "if it were the fashion, we should
+like it. That great, pampered cat belonging to those two big-feeling old
+maids would make nice wigs, for his fur is as soft as silk."
+
+"Yes, and that long tail of his," said the young girl, "would make a
+beautiful tippet, with a squirrel's head on it."
+
+"But," lowering her voice, "if Brother Rob was here I would get him to
+coax him off, and get his skin. It would make a beautiful rug for my
+room."
+
+Just then a shout awoke me, and the old man on the lounge also. He
+fought wildly for his wig. Dazed by my dream, I sat blinking my
+half-open eyes from one to the other. They were just screaming with
+laughter at the sight I presented, seated in Grandfather's wig.
+
+Miss Milly took me out rather roughly, I thought, and smoothed it as
+well as she could. The old man looked on in surprise, muttering, "I knew
+that durned critter was up to mischief."
+
+After it was combed out and put on right, the old man, conciliated by a
+good dinner that he loved, invited me to a seat on his knee in token of
+his forgiveness. I declined the favor with scorn. Sit on a knee covered
+with corduroy when all my life I had been used to broadcloth? _Never!_
+
+My dream troubled me very much. I am a superstitious cat, and believe in
+warnings. So I kept close to my mistress; for in every one that
+approached I saw an enemy ready to despoil me of my beautiful fur coat.
+Though I am a good judge of human nature, as silent people are apt to
+be, I never had that confidence in people, that makes life so pleasant,
+I had felt before my dream.
+
+When we left for home, Grandfather Tomkins said to Miss Milly: "You had
+better give that great critter to me. He would like my farm to run about
+in, and I have taken a liking to him." Then he added, with a sly wink at
+me, "He can sleep in an old wig I have at home."
+
+I trembled at the thought, and hid in the folds of Miss Milly's dress,
+as she said, "Daisy is just like a child to us; we could never part with
+him."
+
+"Well, well," he said; "I believe the critter knows all we say."
+
+I was glad enough to see the last of that place. I preferred one room
+and no companions but my own friends. These uncongenial people had given
+me a good lesson.
+
+I was more careful about running away, for when one has a fur garment to
+protect, suspecting every one of a desire to make wigs, front-pieces,
+tippets, and fur rugs of it, he has a great care. I only wish I could
+tell my dream to my friends, but it is a great consolation to write it.
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+CAT ANECDOTES
+
+
+I have never been particularly fond of poetry; it has always, with a few
+exceptions, seemed to me to be "wishy-washy."
+
+One day when it was quite dismal and rainy, Miss Eleanor said, "This
+little poem of Tupper's is a real protest for the future life and
+immortality of animals."
+
+Of course that great big word was a poser, but after a time spent under
+the bed and a great deal of stuttering I mastered it. Then she read
+these lines, and I must quote them because they may influence those who
+never have any mind of their own, and depend on other people's opinions,
+to believe that cats have an after life.
+
+    "Are these then made in vain?
+    Is man alone, of all the marvels of creative love
+    Blest with a scintillation of his essence?
+
+    "To say that God annihilated aught
+    Were to declare that in an unwise hour
+    He planned and made somewhat superfluous."
+
+And then she read the story of the poor wretch whom no one followed to
+the grave but his faithful dog, who walked so mournfully behind the
+hearse.
+
+Yes, I could understand and see it all, and when Miss Milly wiped her
+eyes, and Miss Eleanor's voice grew tremulous, I had to wink and sneeze
+several times to conceal from them how deeply I was touched.
+
+And I know all that I care to about funerals. When I hear the roll of
+carriages, I mount a chair and look out of the window, and feel so sorry
+for them, remembering how I felt when they carried away our dear one,
+and left me alone all day, sitting in her easy-chair. And when I see
+that dreadful vehicle called a hearse, I am thankful that cats do not
+have to ride in them,--above all, the little white hearse. It does look
+just like the circus cars that I have seen pass, and the first time I
+saw it, I looked behind for the elephant, and the other beasts I had
+always seen in their train.
+
+It makes one a convert to cremation. If I had the question to decide, it
+would be cremation for man and beast.
+
+I hope women will excuse me for not mentioning them first. We fall into
+the bad habit of speaking of man only, as if men were the only ones
+worth a thought, but it is a question no one can answer, "Where would be
+the men, were there no women?"
+
+I think the heathen custom of burning wives on the funeral pyres of
+their husbands a good one. It would certainly help dispose of some of
+the "surplus women" men are so exercised about; for if the widows were
+all disposed of, there would be a chance for the single ones. And if
+there were no divorces, no second marriages, then how careful husbands
+and wives would be of each other, if they knew the survivor would have
+to do escort duty on that last, long journey, to the one death had
+marked for its own.
+
+Perhaps all this is too deep for a cat, you think. Well, perhaps it is;
+but then, cats can't help thinking of all the abuse heaped upon them and
+the unjust remarks on their habits and ways of living and having their
+children: and I ask, in the name of slandered cats, why is such judgment
+passed on them? They are not married, so are not unfaithful, and they
+are not divorced. While they live with another husband they have all the
+children that God allows them, and they take care of the little ones
+till they are of an age to look out for themselves.
+
+Now I hope it will be handed down to posterity that one cat who has
+himself lived a blameless life has dared to compare the morality of cats
+with the morality of human beings, who are supposed to be so much more
+intelligent, and are bound by the laws of the land to be honest and
+virtuous.
+
+Please don't say, "This cat knows too much," for I will tell you
+stories, and true ones, too, that will make you believe in the
+intelligence of our race. I feel sure my cat stories will be
+appreciated; for in a large company of strangers, where all are sitting
+around in grim silence, just let some one have the courage to tell a cat
+story, and the ice is broken at once. This "one touch of nature" makes
+them all grin. It is the "open sesame"; like a hydra with never ending
+heads--they spring up. As soon as one is finished, another begins. The
+heads all have tails (or tales) of cats they have known. One is
+surprised at the wonderful revelation of how deep a hold the household
+pet has in the hearts of those who love him.
+
+My mistress had another story from the same lady who told her the last
+one I related. It was called, "A Confiding Cat." In 1877, says a writer
+in "Nature," "I was absent from Madras for two months, and left in my
+quarters three cats, one of which, an English tabby, was a very gentle
+cat, an affectionate creature. During my absence the quarters were
+occupied by two young gentlemen who delighted in teasing and frightening
+the cats. About one week before my return the English cat had kittens,
+which she carefully concealed behind the bookcase in the library. On the
+morning of my return I saw the cat and petted her as usual. Then I left
+the house for about one hour. On returning to dress, I found that the
+kittens were located in the corner of my dressing room, where previous
+broods had been deposited and nursed. On questioning the servant as to
+how they came there, he at once replied, 'Sir, the old cat, taking them
+one by one in her mouth, brought them in here.' In other words, the
+mother had carried them one by one in her mouth from the library to my
+dressing room, where they lay quite exposed."
+
+I do not think I have heard of a more remarkable instance of reasoning
+and affectionate confidence than this in an animal. I need hardly say it
+gave me great pleasure. The train of reasoning seemed to be as follows:
+"Now that my master has returned, there is no risk of the kittens being
+injured by the two young savages in the house. So I will take them out
+for my protector to see and admire, and keep them in the corner where
+all my former children have been nursed in safety."
+
+I think it a lovely story. Some will say, because the cat was an English
+tabby, "So English, you know!"--in a sarcastic manner; but I say as the
+old man did, "Nater is nater." And a true mother cat will fight for her
+own, whatever nation she belongs to. I wish all professional people were
+like this cat's master.
+
+And I do think our colleges would do better to confer the degree of
+"B.A." on cats and dogs than on many of the brainless creatures made in
+the "image of their Maker." There is where the resemblance ceases,
+"image" is the only indication.
+
+If some of the students would expand their hearts by defending poor
+abused animals, it would be much more for the benefit of society and for
+their own development than rowing and kicking as they do. They kick
+enough between the ages of one and ten to last a lifetime. And I would
+like to ask one question more, while I am about it: Is there one man,
+woman, or child who can play ball equal to a cat?
+
+I hope the time will come when doctors will just as soon use the knife
+on their children as they now do on poor animals so completely in their
+power. I believe they will have to suffer for every case of cruelty
+offered up on the altar of that scapegoat called "science." God who made
+the victim will require atonement.
+
+In my humble opinion, if all the stories told of them are true, it would
+be no loss to the world or their friends if science could be benefited
+by the cutting up of a few doctors' and ministers' children. Perhaps by
+exposing their hearts (while they suffer the agony that poor animals do
+while under these operations) they might get at the root of wickedness
+and hardness of heart that seems to be inborn in them; and thus improve
+the morality of the coming generation. It would be no loss to society to
+sacrifice a few of them.
+
+I can tell all the professors, and possessors too, that there is no
+earthly use in using a cat's or dog's heart or liver to decide what
+causes diseases in human beings. They are no more alike than fire and
+water. The hearts of human beings are not enlarged by kindness, and are
+hard from their own wicked natures, while their livers would be well
+enough if they indulged in proper food and drinks.
+
+A cat's heart is tender and kind and gives love for love; and her
+liver--well, that is all right; she probably keeps that in good repair
+by a moderate diet of liver. And if a cat should have disease of the
+kidneys, why, "a hair of the same dog"--you know the old saying--will
+cure it, and a good diet of kidney will counteract the disease.
+
+Of course doctors would scorn such a suggestion from a cat; but it might
+work in the case of their patient as well as in animals--only a doctor
+who dares order the plebeian diet of liver or kidney would never prosper
+unless he gave a foreign name to them or smothered them with a title.
+But just think of it. Do you often hear of the poor laborer with either
+of these diseases? He has liver instead of turkey, and kidney instead of
+chickens, and if he is not killed by some modern improvement, he is
+likely to live forever.
+
+I offer this without the least expectation of a fee. I am no M.D. or
+D.D. I am "a Daisy"; but my eyes are open, and although I have green
+around me I am white. So if any one says in a sarcastic manner, "she's a
+daisy," I shall not be green enough to take it to myself in their sense,
+but just remember that "it takes a rogue to catch a rogue," and feel
+happy in my superiority.
+
+While I am moralizing I might as well give my readers the benefit of it.
+Why are not cats used as barometers? It would certainly save much money,
+and Blue Hill Observatory would be a good outlook for the weather-wise
+cat, and she would make an able assistant without a salary. Just observe
+her movements as the earlier generations did, and there is no doubt the
+weather notes will be correct.
+
+As early as 1643 an old book was published which says of the cat: "She
+useth to wash her face with her feet, which she licketh, and moisteneth
+with her tongue. And it is observed by some, that if she put her feet
+beyond the crown of her head, in this kind of washing, it is a sign of
+rain." If a cat scratches the furniture or frisks around more than
+usual, she is said to be "raising the wind."
+
+Cats are sensitive to air, full of motion and electricity, which seems
+to put them in good spirits; while a warm lifeless atmosphere makes them
+languid.
+
+Sailors are as a class very superstitious in regard to cats. Their
+family, when the father, son, or brother has gone on a voyage, watch the
+family cat to know about the absent one. If a cat sickens or disappears,
+it is looked upon as an indication of the illness or death of the absent
+one. A sailor's family will make a pet and companion of the family cat.
+The cat that chances to go to sea is just worshipped by all on board the
+ship and is the real captain.
+
+There is another little story that comes to my mind just now, as
+illustrating how much a cat notices and remembers. The cat in question
+was called Ole. Why, or wherefore, I cannot say. Perhaps he was a
+Norwegian, from the name, or his ancestors may have been Norwegians. He
+lived in Syracuse, New York, perhaps he was named for that most perfect
+musician and gentleman, Ole Bull, as people have a craze for naming
+their children for celebrated people, and they often name their pets for
+them. There is no doubt that animals do greater credit to their names
+than pampered children.
+
+The cat called Ole was a great favorite in the family where he belonged.
+He had his place at the table and was very fond of his master, following
+his every movement when carving, with great interest. Even though he
+craved what was being carved, he never made a movement to hasten his
+dinner. Subsequent events proved he had not watched in vain.
+
+One day the daughter of the family was attracted to the dining room by
+the loud and peremptory calls of Ole. She opened the door, and there sat
+Ole in his master's place at the head of the table. The large mat for
+the meat platter to rest on he had drawn in front of him, and on it lay
+a large rat.
+
+The satisfaction with which he greeted her was evident, and he purred
+forth his delight at having provided and served up a game dinner. It
+proved that he had thought about the etiquette of the table. Having no
+platter, he had taken the next best thing, the mat, where the platter
+usually rested.
+
+It is needless to say Ole was more petted then ever, though people, when
+told the story, would say, "How wonderful!" but behind their backs would
+say they guessed it was a fish instead of a rat that Ole had caught. But
+I believe in the rat. A cat detects and despises shams.
+
+A friend of my mistress said that in a country house where she was
+visiting they had an open fireplace in one of the rooms, and one of
+those very absurd gas-logs.
+
+The family cat walked in one day, and, going over to the rug, prepared
+to have a delightful snooze. But she no sooner approached the fireplace
+than the idea of the sham fire arrested her. She gave one resentful look
+at her mistress and walked out of the room. She never went into that
+room again, preferring the reality of the kitchen fire to an elegant
+sham. There is very little danger that a cat will ever be deceived after
+she has had the chance to investigate.
+
+If the ravens and birds were half as bright as Pussy, the best gotten-up
+scarecrow in the field would never cause them one moment of disquiet or
+the loss of one good meal. She has such quick ears that even the moving
+of a leaf in the wind or the creak of a window is enough to bring her to
+her feet ready for an encounter.
+
+
+
+
+XVI
+
+CAT PRANKS
+
+
+What pleasant memories I have of my early years! How could I be other
+than a very happy cat, with a home so pleasant, and dear, kind friends?
+With the boys to play with, and everything to interest me, I have
+nothing but loving words to say on my own account, and I feel more
+anxious to try to help the cats who are not appreciated to homes and
+friends like mine.
+
+With all my advantages, I must admit I was at times a great trial to
+those who loved me. If a boy had behaved as I did, it would have been
+called the "old Adam" in him. And with me I suppose it was the cat old
+Adam. I was full of life and fun, and a great hunter of everything that
+moved, from a leaf that rustled in the breeze to our natural enemy, a
+mouse.
+
+I was very smart at the business of hunting, and the rats and mice that
+I destroyed I cannot tell. I wish I had kept an account, but when young
+I did not know the value of a journal and account book. It would be a
+real pleasure to me now, when memory is often treacherous.
+
+I was never allowed to worry or torment them, though I had the desire,
+as every one has, to torment or worry something. Miss Eleanor would put
+her hand around my throat gently, but it would force open my mouth,
+making me drop my victim. Then it was at once killed.
+
+One day I chased one under the bed. I knew it had received its
+death-blow, and I wanted to go in and worry it occasionally. My mistress
+did not know of it; she was not in the room at the time.
+
+It was just about tea time, and I expected a scene when it should crawl
+out, as I feared it would. It was behind a box, and I could not move it
+or get at it with my paws; but I scratched on it with my claws to assure
+it of my presence and make it tremble. In this way I kept it all the
+evening, and I did dread their going to bed. I was so sleepy, it made me
+cross. They went to bed, and I fell asleep with a guilty conscience, for
+I knew it would be a dreadful fright to them if the mouse should appear.
+
+It must have been the middle of the night when a loud scream awoke me,
+and they both rushed out of the bedroom, saying, "It is a mouse! It
+walked over the bed!" Before they lighted the gas I had pounced upon my
+prey and finished it.
+
+Miss Eleanor took a cloth and pulled the mouse out of my mouth and threw
+it out of the window. I was real mad with them both, and got up on the
+table, where I never was allowed to sit, and knocked down a beautiful
+little basket that Miss Milly kept flosses in. The three parts of the
+basket separated, and all the little bags and balls rolled about on the
+floor. I poked them under chairs and in corners, and at last my
+mistresses were obliged to go to bed, leaving me with my playthings. The
+moonlight favored me, and I not only chased the bags and balls, but I
+tried to chase the moonbeams. I caught the playthings, but never the
+moonbeams, and I wondered why.
+
+The next day they talked seriously to me, but I did not care one bit. I
+washed my face all the time they were talking, and ran under the bed
+when they wanted to comb me. I chewed the red bow they had tied on my
+collar till it was black, and it tasted horrid. They did not scold me,
+for they were afraid I had poisoned myself with the red dye.
+
+Miss Eleanor found in her book an antidote, and Miss Milly gave me the
+dose. She had a hard time of it, for I spit out the pellets as fast as
+she gave them to me. That did provoke her, for I knew how to swallow
+them as well as a child would know. She took me, and, opening my mouth,
+she dropped them down my throat and held my mouth till they were down. I
+coughed and fought to get them up, but it was of no use. When Miss Milly
+was determined on a thing it just had to be done.
+
+I lived through that scare, and have chewed ribbons of all colors since
+then without harm except to the ribbon. It was very naughty, I know; but
+if I got mad, I would chew up my ribbon to provoke them.
+
+Another wickedness to record. Like all young cats, I loved to run away.
+This was before I was stolen that Christmas time I have already written
+of. Every day I would go out in the yard and hide, and I now remember
+with great thankfulness how wonderfully I was spared. Poor cats
+disappear, leaving no trace behind, and I am fortunate not to have been
+one of them, and I understand why my mistress was afraid to trust me out
+of her sight. I would hide on the ledge of the fence in the next yard
+and then peep over to hear them call me.
+
+They would scrape two knives together to call me in to dinner, when we
+were visiting or when we had the range of the house. Of course I
+responded promptly to the call, as cats, like children, are always ready
+for a square meal. But of late I had discovered their little game. There
+was no dinner; they scraped knives to get me in. They deceived me at
+first, but not for long.
+
+Now the back of the houses on our street faced the back of the houses on
+the next street, with a long alley between. At the windows of the
+opposite houses there were young men who were interested spectators of
+this little by-play. Very soon they were not content to be only
+lookers-on; they wanted to take part, and soon they appeared with
+knives, and then a fearful scraping was heard, and the cries of "Daisy,
+Daisy" resounded through the alley.
+
+I never turned my head or let them know that I noticed them, for I was
+very much ashamed of the sensation I had caused, and I crawled home,
+crestfallen enough, to meet the reproachful glances of my dear friends.
+They had not dared to appear on the scene. After that I went home
+without being called.
+
+I was more provoked because these were the very young men who had thrown
+bottles, old boots, and bootjacks at the cats that assemble nightly to
+talk over their trials and give an open-air concert occasionally. Were
+these young men asleep as they ought to be, not just returning at
+midnight from some junket, they would be willing to believe in the
+doctrine of "live and let live."
+
+These cats have no homes, no nice beds, and often they have empty
+stomachs; and if they console themselves with a social meeting, and end
+in a musicale, who can blame them? They certainly do not have empty
+bottles to dispose of after their meetings, as these young people do;
+and there is no uncertain _note_ in _their_ voices when they let it
+swell out on the midnight air. If it reaches a high C, it is not a "high
+seas over," as the young men's voices often indicate.
+
+Another proof of the superiority of the animal over the human race. A
+cat may often be sitting on a beer barrel, but there _never_ was a cat
+known to have the contents of one inside.
+
+There are many shams in the world that cats would scorn to practise. Now
+I am, perhaps, about to shock some people by airing my opinion on
+"family worship." I can hear you say, "How irreverent!" Not at all. Just
+please read the many so-called bright speeches of children in the
+newspapers, where they hob-nob with their Maker just as if he were a
+boon companion.
+
+I have heard my mistress quote, "Thou shalt not take the name of the
+Lord thy God in vain." I never have, and it makes me shudder to hear
+children so flippant with the sacred name. And I will never believe that
+cats or dogs could be taught (even if they had the gift of speech) to be
+profane, as the poor parrot is. They have an evil eye, and may not be to
+blame.
+
+One year we boarded in a real country farmhouse,--at least, the master
+was a farmer; but the family were trying to find some more genteel name
+for the business and the place that had so long supported them.
+
+It was a nice, old, rambling house, with quaint little nooks and angles
+where I could hide. The kitchen was very large and low, and the
+outbuildings so ample that I often lost myself.
+
+The hay-loft was very bewildering, and after I had once climbed up I
+felt like the travellers my mistress loved to read of--very proud of my
+exploits.
+
+They had a great yellow cat called Tabby. Now I did hate yellow, and of
+all weak names I think "Tabby" the weakest. But oh my! "What's in a
+name?" Sure enough, she was just the reverse of her name. Although she
+was not "my style," I could not, in that lonesome place, afford to pass
+her over.
+
+After a time she became quite friendly with me, though at first she had
+resented my style, as she called it. She evidently thought I was a cat
+"Astor or Vanderbilt," with my collar and padlock,--that "bete noir" to
+all cats that I met. They confounded it with the ropes of pearls and
+strings of diamonds that society women pawn their souls for; but when I
+explained to her that it was an inexpensive badge, with the name
+engraved on it so that my friends could recover me when I got
+lost,--that it represented their affection instead of their
+dollars,--she, like a sensible cat, realized at once its use, and
+admired it, saying it was very becoming to the aristocratic bend of my
+neck. After this I did think she was a cat with good judgment and
+exquisite taste.
+
+When she saw how delighted I was with her kittens, she allowed me to
+play with them all I cared to. They were all colors, and the loveliest
+little creatures I ever saw--four of them. They looked upon me in the
+light of a bachelor uncle, and were after me all the time. They grudged
+me the night separation, for my mistress would not allow me out of her
+room at night.
+
+I was very clumsy with them at first, as old bachelors naturally are,
+but soon took them in my arms as deftly as their mother did. I was
+delighted to have them run after me and kick and bite me. I felt sad at
+first that I was denied this pleasure, that no little ones of my own
+would ever play about me. But, when Tabby told me her sad tale, I no
+longer regretted I had been spared so much sorrow.
+
+She said when she saw them happy and loving to all around, she trembled,
+for she knew at any moment they might be taken from her. She said she
+had tried to hide her other kittens in every corner she could find, but
+it was of no use; they were all sacrificed.
+
+They were delighted to play with my collar and padlock, and they
+scratched it so badly that my mistress said that if I was going to allow
+myself to be used by the "Scratch Grabble" family as a plate for their
+etchings that I had better go without a collar.
+
+Go without my collar! Perish the thought! I would tie a blade of grass
+around my neck rather than go undecorated. Daisy without a collar! The
+idea!
+
+The family allowed Tabby to go out and in as she pleased. She had plenty
+of food, and was treated kindly for her usefulness, for the rats she had
+killed counted into the hundreds; but petting was beyond their
+comprehension.
+
+The father of the family was a big, jolly old man. His only fault was
+his piety. Now do not misunderstand this remark, for I have been brought
+up to respect true religion, but I do hate bigotry.
+
+The farmer's wife was a large, red-faced woman, and very nervous and
+fussy. Her husband said, "Marier wanted to be a big bug." This gave the
+true key to her aim in life. She wanted to be fashionable.
+
+They had only two children. The elaborate headstones in the neighboring
+cemetery where I had rambled gave the names of several children they had
+buried. And after I had known them a little while I believed, with
+Tabby, that the best part of the family were represented by the
+tomb-stones. They fought with each other continually, and their chief
+fights were during family worship.
+
+The girl, Bessie, was fourteen years old, very fat, big-eyed,
+big-lipped, with tousled head; always in one's way, and disagreeable in
+the extreme.
+
+The boy of twelve, red-headed, freckled, and full of mischief, was much
+better than his sister. Bob, as he was called, had one marked
+individuality--that was his appetite. I never saw that boy without his
+mouth full, and his pockets were a storehouse to draw from.
+
+Their table manners were dreadful. As there were only two other boarders
+besides ourselves, the family were all at the table, and we had a chance
+to see them in all their glory. The food was of the best and well
+cooked; but oh, the way it was eaten!
+
+The breakfasts were enough to make any cat sick; for when the last
+mouthful was swallowed, a greasy, ragged Bible was produced. As my
+friends said, though they did not approve of the manner in which it was
+conducted, they did not think it right to turn away from family prayer,
+and of course I remained with them and rather enjoyed it.
+
+The daughter was made, by the payment of a weekly sum, to read the
+Bible. She gabbled off a chapter taken from any part of the book she
+chanced to open to first.
+
+Bob was making faces and kicking her all the time under the table. Once
+in a while his father would take him by the ear, but not often. A loud
+yell of "Lemme alone!" was not a pleasant accompaniment to a Bible
+reading.
+
+Then the father made a prayer. It certainly was only for his own
+benefit, for no one could distinguish one word he said. Then the
+children, after a long wrangle, engaged in a boxing match, the father
+and mother taking no notice of them unless called upon by one or the
+other to decide their dispute. It was very embarrassing to all but those
+concerned, and the boarders very gladly returned to their rooms.
+
+Just as it was getting furious and exciting, my mistress took me away.
+She said she did not care to have me demoralized; but I was provoked,
+for I wanted to know who was the victor.
+
+They were very much disgusted with the whole performance. Miss Eleanor
+said, "Why cannot people read one nice selection for the day, and a
+short prayer that will comprise all that one need ask for, instead of
+making such wretched exhibitions as we have just witnessed?" And we all
+agreed with her.
+
+It seems an insult to one's Maker to gabble over prayers, with one's
+mouth full of food. It seems much more appropriate to ask a blessing
+before one sits down to the table than after.
+
+It seemed to me real fun, a family circus; but then, I respected my
+friends' opinions, and knew that their view of the situation was right.
+I told Tabby what I thought of it, and she said, "It is a long time
+since I have attended their family prayers, and I will never listen to
+them again."
+
+One morning she said: "Bessie and Bob had a fierce battle at prayer
+time, interrupting their father several times. When he had finished, he
+cuffed them both, and it ended in a real row. Then the mistress, who
+never could be just to any one, provoked with her husband for punishing
+the children, and angry with them herself, turned her wrath on me.
+
+"'It is time Tabby's kittens were disposed of,' she said.
+
+"'Yes,' the children yelled; 'lemme, lemme do it!'
+
+"But the father interposed, saying, 'No cruelty shall be practised in
+my house.'
+
+"Oh, how frantically I tried to claw open the door and get at my
+kittens! Not that I could save them, but perhaps they would kill me with
+them.
+
+"The master took me and shut me into the closet, where I fell down
+broken-hearted. I mewed and mewed, for I knew I should never see my dear
+ones again. I could not sleep, my breasts ached from the milk that
+belonged to the poor little victims, and I spent the most wretched day
+of my life.
+
+"Early in the afternoon Biddy, the servant, released me. She looked very
+sorrowful at me, and tried to make me eat some dinner, giving me a nice
+plateful. I could not swallow, and went out to the barn, though I well
+knew I should not find my children.
+
+"A feeble mew greeted me, and I found, in place of my five beautiful
+kittens, only one. They said the prettiest, but they were all lovely to
+me.
+
+"She was a light gray and bright as a button. She was so glad to see me,
+but looked surprised, as if she thought I would bring her brothers and
+sisters with me.
+
+"I lay down exhausted, while she nursed, and I could feel the four
+little lips (that were now cold and stiff) on my breasts, and I felt too
+wretched to live.
+
+"I was in a real fever for several days, but she nursed me all she
+could, and I got better. She was soon bright and happy, frisking about,
+and grew large and very handsome. I did not take any comfort in her, for
+I knew she would soon be taken from me, and a hard life begin for her.
+
+"Can you wonder that after that morning's experience I never wanted to
+hear of family worship? If it does not teach them humanity, what is it
+good for? And if, as they read, God is so mindful of the sparrows, why
+don't he remember poor cats? Tell me that, will you?"
+
+I did not answer her, my heart was so sad, and I wished I could speak
+and ask my mistress that same question. I comforted poor Tabby all I
+could. I said perhaps God lets these people do these things for an
+example to others. She scoffed at the idea as she asked, "Why did he
+make us?" As I could not tell, I answered meekly, "I do not know."
+
+I expected every day these innocent creatures would go. Oh, how I did
+feel! Rash thoughts of taking them and hiding them in Miss Milly's
+trunk, filled my mind. I wanted to save them.
+
+"There is no use," Tabby said, "we cannot fight against the mighty. All
+that I can do is to make all the noise I can in the world. I join all
+the cats around and speak in all the meetings. 'Anarchists' probably
+they would call us, but we do not care. We caterwaul and scratch and
+steal, just as human beings in our situation would take to drink. And I
+would ask, who is to blame? We did not learn this of animals. We learned
+it of Bessie and Bob and the good, pious people where we live."
+
+I found I could do no good. Tabby was an eloquent speaker when the
+wrongs of her race inspired her tongue; and my heart beat, and my claws
+went out and in as I longed to fight for our down-trodden race. The
+whole barn would have been a battle-field strewn with the bodies of
+rats, could I just at this moment have encountered them.
+
+When we left this place, my mistress said: "We will never go to a good
+quiet place again. We will take our chances with the multitude." I fully
+indorsed this resolution. This experience had made me a more thoughtful
+and a sadder cat, for the sorrows of animals preyed upon me. Had not the
+thought of writing this book entered into my mind, thereby opening the
+eyes of the thoughtless, and helping expose the wrongs of our race, I
+could not have existed.
+
+How I hated to leave the dear little kittens, they were so fond of me,
+and ran after me when my mistress took me in her arms to carry me away.
+The woman told them that they were all promised to friends. They would
+have good homes; that was why she had kept them so long.
+
+Miss Eleanor talked to her beautifully about their duties to dumb
+animals, but I knew it would do her no good.
+
+After we were in the carriage, Miss Milly said she felt very sad to
+leave such dear little playful creatures, particularly as I had taken
+such a liking to them. She said she could not bear to think that they
+would go into new homes and be tormented by bad children.
+
+Miss Eleanor said she had often seen children squeeze kittens, their
+soft little bones almost crushed, in their strong hands; and if they
+dare scratch or bite in self-defence, they were called bad-tempered and
+abused.
+
+"There is nothing we can do to help them," they said, "but speak for
+them when we can, and always save them from cruel hands when we can do
+so. It is the duty of every man, woman, and child to speak for the dumb
+animals who cannot defend themselves."
+
+I did not wonder Tabby was hopeless when Miss Milly said she saw no
+chance for cats or dogs either. If people who profess to love them are
+afraid to speak up for them, what is to be done?
+
+Dogs and cats are not always enemies. They can be taught each other's
+rights, if their owners will take a little trouble. I will give you an
+illustration in favor of this theory.
+
+A friend of ours owned a little dog named Friskey, and a cat she called
+Flossy, because she had soft fur, like silk.
+
+They were very fond of each other. Flossy would lie down with her head
+on Friskey, making a pillow of him.
+
+Their mistress taught him to beg for food; and after watching him
+awhile, Flossy took her place by his side, assumed just the same
+position, and begged.
+
+They were very good to each other about sharing their food, furnishing
+an example children would do well to imitate.
+
+They were both of them fond of candy, and one day their stock had melted
+away, and only one little sugar ball was left. It was very hard. They
+had each tried to break it, but finding that impossible, they took turns
+in sucking it. Friskey would wait patiently till Flossy had sucked it
+till she was tired, then he would take his turn, while she would rest
+and watch him with a happy expression on her face, saying plainly, "Is
+it not nice?" They licked and licked, but it did not seem to grow
+"beautifully less," and lasted them nearly one week.
+
+They used it as a ball, and would run after it and then refresh
+themselves with a lick or two and then start again. Their owner said it
+was the most ludicrous sight she ever witnessed, they were so happy with
+their ball.
+
+The mistress said one morning Friskey was in great tribulation, hunting
+for their ball of candy. Flossy hung around her, mewing till she got out
+her work-basket. Then Flossy made one dive and clawed out from the midst
+of cottons and silks the beloved ball. Friskey barked and wagged his
+tail, while Flossy licked it, and then gave it to him. She said the
+inside of her basket was rather sticky, and she told Flossy she must
+find some other hiding-place.
+
+At last, that ball was reduced to such a sharp skeleton of its former
+self that fearing they would choke over it, she took it away and gave
+them some fresh candy. But she said: "One day, they had a gumdrop, and
+Friskey could not get it off his teeth, they were buried so deep in it;
+but Flossy licked and clawed till she got it off. That beat all the
+other pranks."
+
+Now, how long would two children have kept that ball of candy? I would
+like to ask. If their teeth had not demolished it the first hour, the
+family hatchet would have been used, and a free fight have followed,
+over the fragments.
+
+Friskey would lie down, and his master would put Flossy in his arms just
+like a child. They were very devoted to each other, though Friskey did
+not like other cats, and was very jealous of Flossy. He seemed to wish
+her to have no friend but himself. As she was a social little creature,
+and a "cat flirt," he had many heart-burnings.
+
+Friskey came to a sad end. He was run over by a fast team and had to be
+chloroformed. Flossy was very unhappy about him. They said she acted
+just like a widow, and, probably, like most widows, got another admirer
+in his place. He was buried down in the garden quite a little distance
+from the house, and Flossy was often seen sitting on his grave.
+
+The family thought it very pathetic, but there were others, people who
+like to destroy our best illusions (whom no one likes or cares for their
+opinions), who suggested an explanation of the interesting fact, by
+saying that a catmint bed was on each side of Friskey's grave, and
+Flossy went there for the catmint.
+
+I do, for my part, hate to be disenchanted when I have indulged in a
+little bit of sentiment. I do not believe any one ever thanks the person
+who turns the poetry of life into prose.
+
+My solution of the story is, that Flossy had often played with Friskey
+in that very catmint bed, and she went there to recall pleasant
+memories. I have a right to my own opinion, and I know I am very
+strange; but then, it would be a very stupid world if there were no
+variety.
+
+I had a singular thought the other day, and it will do no harm to tell
+it, though I do not care one pin whether others agree with me or not. I
+think my mistress is original, and I know I am like her. My idea is
+this: I have heard the stories of Adam and Eve and Noah's Ark--indeed, I
+was brought up on Bible stories.
+
+Now my thought is this: When Adam and Eve left the garden of Eden, there
+were two of their dumb companions whose hearts were sad for their master
+and mistress. They said, "We will not let them go alone." And when Adam
+and Eve left the garden, a dog walked by his master's side, and a cat by
+the side of the mistress--faithful in their misfortune.
+
+
+
+
+XVII
+
+THE STORY OF FREIDA
+
+
+My mistress was not silly about me. She would say: "I am perfectly
+satisfied with Daisy, just as God made him. I do not presume to improve
+what he has made perfect. I do all I can to bring out his good points,
+and leave the rest to nature."
+
+Then she told me the story of "Adonis." His mistress had his ears
+pierced and gold earrings put in them. He wore them at home only.
+
+That cat did suffer for his mistress's vanity, and I could not help
+wishing she had been the victim; for one day a lady called, bringing
+with her a pet dog. She said, "My dog has a lovely disposition, and will
+not touch your cat."
+
+She had not calculated on Adonis having a temper, and the consequences
+were disastrous. Ever since his ears were pierced, Adonis had been
+fretful and snappish. His beautiful earrings were no pleasure to him,
+for he could not give them a pull without making his ears sore.
+
+When he saw this pampered dog in his very home, he arose in his anger,
+and flew at the little pet in great wrath. Of course the dog retaliated,
+though frightened almost out of his skin. The result was, he tore out
+one of Adonis's earrings, making a long slit in his ear, and got repaid
+by having his own eyes almost scratched out.
+
+His mistress was well paid for her cruelty in decorating her cat in this
+foolish manner. From a loving, happy cat he was transformed into a
+cross, quarrelsome creature that no one could love.
+
+Then she cast him off and got a new plaything, this time a dog, all
+covered with bells and ribbons, that she could take around with her.
+
+Poor Adonis was suffered in the house, but left to the servants, and his
+nice quarters given to the dog, while he was left in the kitchen, where
+his high temper made him disliked, and his torn and swollen ears made
+him an object of derision.
+
+My mistress would say: "Never, Daisy, shall you be made miserable by
+such foolishness. People who treat animals in this way are not their
+real friends; they use them selfishly as a decoration for themselves
+when they might make them intelligent companions and sincere friends."
+
+That there are many good people who appreciate animals, the stories that
+I have given you will prove. The story of Freida is an instance, and I
+can vouch for its truth.
+
+Freida was a nice cat, aristocratic and refined in her ideas. She
+inherited her name from a Danish relative of her master, and brought the
+old home days back to memory.
+
+She had a very beautiful home not many miles from Boston. It was a large
+house, and was called "The Mansion." It had a cupola where Freida could
+go up and overlook the high hills and see the gilded dome of the State
+House quite plainly.
+
+Then there was the stable, and a beautiful flowerbed in front of the
+house.
+
+It was rightly called "The Mansion," for it stood alone, surrounded by
+beautiful trees, and looked down with dignity on the smaller houses
+around it.
+
+Freida was a very happy and fortunate cat. She had a kind master, and
+her mistress was very lovely and good. She was a very dear friend of
+Miss Milly, and was born in good old Salem, and, like all the people in
+that bewitching place, she thought a home was not perfect without the
+family cat.
+
+All this would have been very delightful, had not a great change taken
+place in this charming home. But then, there would have been no story;
+for Freida's life would have been just like that of other cats, pleasant
+but uneventful.
+
+The good mistress fell ill and was ordered a change of air, and a voyage
+to Europe.
+
+I know how I felt, for I wanted my mistress to go abroad; and when her
+friend sent her a card decorated with wild flowers and edelweiss from
+Chamonix, I was just crazy to see this beautiful place that she wrote
+about so charmingly.
+
+I was very wicked, I fear, for I got the card off of the table and sat
+upon it. I said to myself, "It is just as nice to sit upon the picture
+flowers as it would be to have the real ones." I thought how nice it
+would be to go with my mistress, for I was sure she would take me with
+her, and then I could run up and down the mountains just as I pleased.
+
+When she took me on her lap, showing me the card, and told me how many
+miles of ocean separated her from her friend, it made me shiver at the
+thought of crossing it. But then, in her arms I would not be afraid to
+go to Jericho. I do hate water; there is too much used on me when I am
+washed, and I wish I could be washed with land instead.
+
+All this is not telling about Freida, whose story I started to tell you.
+
+The beautiful house was closed, and Freida was taken to the home of her
+mistress's brother near Boston. Two of her sisters, who were very fond
+of Freida, were there, making it homelike for her. But for all their
+petting she was homesick. They were obliged to keep her very close, for
+fear she would run away.
+
+She was a great care to them, and one day they missed her, and on going
+to the furnace they saw a strange sight. A fluffy ball was turning over
+and over in the ashes, and on drawing it out they found it was Freida.
+She was almost suffocated, but the master, a charming man, just like his
+sister in kindness of heart, went at once for a doctor. He said they
+must take her where the air could blow over her, and also give her
+brandy.
+
+Her tongue was hanging out of her mouth, and she was a wretched
+creature. They worked over her for hours, and then the sisters brushed
+off the ashes and tended her as kindly as they would a baby. Soon she
+looked as nice as ever, and that cat never tried cremation again.
+
+It proves how good and kind people can be to their dumb friends.
+
+Poor Freida! she was destined to die in a violent manner. She returned
+to her beautiful home only to meet her fate.
+
+The man who carried groceries to the house had a very gentle and kind
+horse. Strange to say, a friendship sprang up between Freida and this
+nice horse. She was always on hand to greet him every day, rubbing
+against his legs and showing her fondness for him in many ways, while he
+would put down his head for her to caress. It was a very funny sight.
+
+One day when the man came out he turned the wagon quickly, and it
+crushed over poor Freida, breaking her back and killing her instantly.
+The man was very much troubled about it, and he said, after that, the
+horse would try not to go up the hill.
+
+She was buried near the place where she was killed, and they all mourned
+for her, and still remember her with affection.
+
+They have a cat now called Frity, a dignified creature, but no cat will
+ever take Freida's place.
+
+My mistress said that when she was visiting there she felt as if
+Freida's spirit was around, and at night she could hear her voice
+mingling with the voices of the pines.
+
+How much sorrow we could save our friends if we could speak! People
+think cats cannot understand and read character, but they can; and they
+know the true from the false very quickly.
+
+We had rooms, at one time, where everything was satisfactory, and the
+landlady said she was very fond of cats; for my mistress would tell the
+people of whom she engaged rooms about me.
+
+This woman was very nice to me before my mistress, but I could not like
+her at all. And my instinct was right, for when I went through her
+kitchen, to go out for my daily airing, she looked "daggers" at me, and
+said, "Scat!"
+
+I was so provoked I walked just as slow as I could and held up my head;
+but she came at me with her dishcloth, and as I did not care to be hit
+by that dirty thing, smelling of fish, I swallowed my pride and ran
+away. She slammed the back door after me, and called me a "pampered
+brute."
+
+I dared not show my head again for a long time. I was cold and hungry,
+but I had faith. I knew I should be looked for; and, sure enough, both
+of them came to hunt for me, the woman of the house with them, all
+smiles. She said: "Poor Pussy! Did it want to come in?"
+
+I just glared at her. I wanted to say, "_It_ did not want you to let
+_it_ in." I thought the treatment bad enough; but to be called _it_
+broke the back of my belief in her.
+
+I kept out of her way; but one morning she saw me coming in from the
+kitchen, and drove me upstairs with her duster. My mistress saw her, and
+was very indignant, though she did not say anything, but she never let
+me go down alone after that.
+
+This woman had a little step-son. She kept him in from play with his
+friends on Saturday afternoons, to get his Sunday-school lessons, and he
+just hated her and the lessons, as a matter of course.
+
+I used to play and chase my tail as if I did not know what it was, to
+divert his attention, for I did pity him. He was pleased, but it made
+him forget the long, tiresome answers. So I gave up trying to amuse him,
+for I did not want him to be punished. And when, after all my sympathy,
+he pulled and pinched my tail, I said, "He is a chip from the old
+block," and left him to his deceitful step-mother.
+
+I felt very glad that, with all their sorrows and wrongs, cats never
+have step-fathers or mothers. It is better never to have known your own
+father than to have one who is always bringing you a new mother. And I
+guess, after all, there is just as much morality among cats as there is
+among human beings.
+
+Sometimes there were days when I could not contain myself. I wanted to
+run and fight, and send forth my voice just as other cats were allowed
+to. The Bohemian blood my poor mother suffered from was answerable for
+this state of feeling.
+
+At this time we lived in a flat on the fifth story of a very high
+building. It was a very small place, but we were passing through sad
+reverses just then, though I could not understand, else I would never
+have added to their trials.
+
+Miss Milly would go away every day, and when she returned at night,
+looked so white and tired, it made me very anxious. Though she petted
+me, and called me her greatest comfort, she did not play with me, and
+her brightness was gone.
+
+After she had gone in the morning, Miss Eleanor and I would go about and
+attend to our little work, and then, when she would sit down to mend the
+boys' clothes, she would take me in her lap and talk to me about their
+troubles.
+
+The boys had both found places, and were working very hard and away all
+day.
+
+We were lonesome. The kitchen had a large window, and outside there was
+a long wooden box made on it, and here the janitor brought fresh earth
+every few days, for it was my garden park and hunting ground. It was my
+only outing, for I never went down over the stairs. When I went out
+there, I was so near the sky that the earth seemed very far away. I did
+long for a run over the green grass.
+
+Miss Eleanor, when it was pleasant, would take me up through a boxed-up
+stairway to the top of the house, where I could run a long time. It was
+very large, for the building covered a great space, and was gravelled
+over like the street. A very high wall surrounded it, so there was no
+chance to run away.
+
+One night I could not sleep. I was possessed to go out. The window of
+our bedroom was open, and I got out into the gutter and walked along. It
+ran around the building and was very narrow, and I half drew back. Then
+I said, "Courage!" and went on till I reached the corner where the
+pointed tower cut me off. Then I realized my situation. I could not turn
+around in this narrow space, and I closed my eyes in horror. I dared not
+look below, the distance was so great. Above, the beautiful stars seemed
+to look down on me and my wickedness.
+
+How sorry I was! No one could see me, a little gray speck, way up so
+high. I remained there till the morning light gave me a little courage.
+I tried to think of good things, and I remembered about the little
+sparrows that God cared for, and I trusted he would not let me "fall to
+the ground" for my dear mistress's sake.
+
+She had suffered so much I did not want her to have the pain of losing
+me. So I just shut my eyes and turned very slowly and painfully, with
+many slips and strains; but my face at last was turned homeward. Then I
+cowered down with real vertigo. I could not take one step; but soon I
+braced up and crawled along till I reached the bedroom window, where I
+was safe.
+
+The delight of my friends may be imagined. They had hunted everywhere
+for me, and Miss Milly had had almost a nervous fit, for she said: "He
+has fallen down and has been dashed to pieces by this time." They did
+not go to bed, and were waiting for the morning light to search the
+building.
+
+Of course I was very much ashamed, though it proved how much they loved
+me. I promised myself I would never try them again; and I was frightened
+when I realized what a narrow escape I had had.
+
+Then I enjoyed my good breakfast, washed myself thoroughly, and getting
+into my nice basket, slept all day.
+
+But there are moments now when the horror of my situation overpowers me,
+and I always hear with pity about the men who mount the high buildings
+and church steeples. And I never, though I am a patriotic cat, desire to
+go to the top of Bunker Hill Monument. The picture of it satisfies me.
+It makes my head spin, and I have vertigo of the mind; just to think of
+it makes me lose my head. For a cat to lose his head is a serious
+matter. We might spare a piece of tail, but we need every bit of the
+head.
+
+That reminds me of a cat of Miss Eleanor that really lost half of its
+tail. Her name was "Persimmon."
+
+The family all laughed at Miss Eleanor for her romantic idea, and very
+soon the name degenerated into "Sim"--a much more appropriate one for
+the wild and homely creature who answered to it. She was one of Miss
+Eleanor's many pensioners. Somehow the mean-looking and abused always
+were those she selected for pets.
+
+After they had in vain tried to find a home for Sim, she at last settled
+down as one of the family, to the disgust of their old and well-bred
+cat.
+
+Sim had no manners, and was not in the least degree sensitive. She was a
+dirty white, with pale greenish eyes; and a dark shadow under them gave
+her a weird aspect. Miss Milly said the dark shadow was "ashes," but
+Miss Eleanor said it was the "shadow of deep thought." More people,
+however, believed in the ashes than in the thought.
+
+She would crowd herself in where there was no room for her; and after
+the loss of her tail, she was more determined to assert her position
+than before.
+
+It happened in this wise: Sim had a very high temper, and in a quarrel
+with a bigger cat than herself she was vanquished. In trying to run away
+she climbed the fence. The cat following could only reach her tail. It
+was a long one, and she struck her claws into it with such force that
+she nearly tore it off. Sim went about, for a few days, a sorry object,
+till it fell off. The remains of it only measured about two inches.
+
+She exhibited herself on the front doorstep whenever any one called, in
+an unblushing manner. A friend of my mistresses, a professor of music,
+asked what kind of animal she was, saying he had never met just her
+like.
+
+At last she made herself so disagreeable that the mother said they must
+dispose of her. They felt badly, but their mother's decision they never
+questioned.
+
+Sim was put into a bag and given to two boys of kind and reliable
+natures, who promised to care for her very kindly. She was taken to the
+Juniper, and drowned. The boys said they would take a boat out into deep
+water and drop her in. The society with the long name had not then been
+organized, and dear good Dr. Angell had not entered upon his life-long
+work of protecting animals, so this method of getting rid of them was
+thought the most humane.
+
+The children had been sent to Beverly, to their elder sister's, to spend
+the day, and their mother hoped by her cheerfulness to make them forget
+the cat.
+
+About five o'clock they returned home, and on going into the sitting
+room who should they see but Sim, or Bobtail, as she was called, sitting
+by the fire, washing her face.
+
+Their mother laughed at their surprise. She said the cat was taken away
+at ten o'clock, and at four she saw a shadow on the window and heard a
+loud mew, and on her opening the door, Sim walked in. She fed her, and
+since then she had spent the time washing herself--a thing she never was
+willing to do.
+
+It was too late, however, for her to reform. The mother had decided on
+her fate, and she was doomed.
+
+"I shall see the next time that it is a sure thing," their mother said;
+"as to her return, we must investigate that matter."
+
+Later on, the boys came in. They were not told of Sim's return. They
+were not exactly untruthful about it, but evaded the true story. They
+said, when asked how far out they had taken her, that they could not get
+a boat, and had got rid of her on the rocks.
+
+"Are you sure she is dead?" asked the girls.
+
+"Dead? I guess so! Dead enough!" they both answered.
+
+"Then here is an instance of one returned from the dead," said Miss
+Eleanor, bringing in Sim, who yelled and scratched as soon as she saw
+her would-be executioners.
+
+Their faces were a study. "Is it Sim?" they asked in such real
+astonishment that no one could doubt them.
+
+"Now, boys," the mother said, "you have deceived us; but we will listen
+to your story if you will tell the truth."
+
+With shamefacedness they said they did not mean to be deceitful; they
+really believed she was dead. They took her down to Juniper, and while
+they were trying to find a boat she had burst open the bag and run off
+over the rocks. They followed her, and she disappeared under a rock into
+the water. They heard a splash, and waited some time to make sure that
+she was gone. It must have been a stone that fell in, while Sim escaped.
+They were very honest in telling their story, and they were forgiven and
+received their money, though the mother decided to attend to the
+business in her own way.
+
+When, some days after, Sim was missing, no one asked any questions,
+believing that everything had been done for the best.
+
+But how that cat found her way home is a question no one could ever
+answer. The boys carried her down in a wagon. The Juniper (now called
+the "Willows"--a famous Salem resort) was about a mile from the home she
+was taken from. It is a rather crooked road for one to remember. She
+probably hid herself and followed the boys at a distance. My opinion is
+that Sim just used her wits, and thought it out as we all do, and
+followed the trail of the wagon.
+
+It is really a cat tail we are all sure of.
+
+The family said that they never could go down to that pleasant resort,
+in after years, without thinking that Sim was hovering around in spirit.
+Had she been black, a witch cat, they would have felt sure of it.
+
+
+
+
+XVIII
+
+THANKSGIVING
+
+
+I suppose I am growing old and forgetful, for memory brings things to me
+upside down, as I have heard old people say. All I can do about it is to
+tell the little incidents relating to the past as they come back to me.
+
+For the last few days Thanksgiving has been in my mind more or less all
+the time, and I think you will be interested if I tell you about one
+that I enjoyed very much.
+
+My mistress took me in her arms one day, saying, "Daisy, you are going
+to have a real Thanksgiving."
+
+I opened my eyes wide (I know that I have very handsome eyes, and love
+to show them off, just as boys and girls do); for I did not know what a
+thanksgiving meant.
+
+"Yes," she said, "I have just received a note from our friend, Miss W.
+You know her." (I winked in answer, for I did admire her.) "Every year
+she sends us a turkey, with a basket of goodies all cooked, ready to
+eat. This note tells me that she will send the basket Thursday morning.
+Now you do not understand what 'Thanksgiving' means, and I will explain
+it to you."
+
+I settled myself comfortably on her lap; she always put on a clean white
+apron to keep the hairs from my coat off of her dress. I resented this,
+for I could not see, for the life of me, why cats' hair was not quite as
+good as camels' hair that her dress was made of. And I just crawled
+under her apron one day when she was reading, and I liked the feeling of
+the soft wool better than I did the cambric apron, it was so woolly and
+warm.
+
+I had just snoozed off, dreaming that I was asleep between the camel's
+humps she had told me of, when all at once she dropped her book, saying,
+"Oh, Daisy, just look at my dress!" And sure enough, it was covered all
+over with gray hair, for I was shedding my fur fast.
+
+I was really ashamed of myself, and said: "I am just like Dr. Jekyl and
+Mr. Hyde. So I will just go under the bed, the best place for a 'Hyde,'
+and repent of my wickedness. I do not know why I do these things, but my
+mistress loves me all the same."
+
+So this afternoon I sat on her nice apron, listening to her story of
+Thanksgiving like a well-behaved cat.
+
+This is what she told me: That on the last Thursday of November it
+usually occurred. The Governor of the State made a proclamation, which
+was read in all the churches and published in the papers. The day was
+set apart for giving thanks for all the blessings God had bestowed on us
+during the year.
+
+Of course I had to listen to all this, but I was awful anxious for her
+to get to that basket. But for once she was very tiresome, and now I am
+glad she was, for I have an idea of Thanksgiving I shall never forget.
+
+Once, she said, people invited all their family, no matter how many or
+how poor they were, to dine. They always attended church, and then
+returned to a bountiful dinner of turkey, chickens, plum puddings of
+mammoth size, and pies of every variety. All the poor of the family
+would eat all they could for the present, and then fill in for the
+future.
+
+The children, who never get too much, had nuts and candy in plenty, and
+the day was altogether lovely to them all, more particularly to those
+who gave than to those who received.
+
+Now, she said, things were changed. No one invited or thought of the
+poor of the family, and no one went to church but the poor relations who
+had nowhere else to go.
+
+Perhaps the minister preached from the text, "In my Father's house are
+many mansions;" that is, if he had an idea of the fitness of
+things,--that it would give the poor homeless ones a sure hope of the
+future, where perhaps those who have such nice homes here would not be
+as well off as the poor would be; and this Christian thought would help
+them bear their slights with patience.
+
+Meanwhile the rich do not go to church. They give dinner parties to
+those who have money and a higher rank in society; and if one thought is
+given to their own flesh and blood who are poor, they wish that all the
+old grandfathers and grandmothers, uncles and aunts and cousins were old
+turkeys and chickens; then their necks would be wrung, and they would be
+rid of them forever, and would never be called upon to remember kindness
+rendered to them in the past by these same old relatives.
+
+The sons of the family celebrate the day by a grand carousal, which
+leaves its mark on them for many days.
+
+"But," she said, "we have no such days to remember, we are very quiet
+and sad, but very thankful for all our blessings; and you are one of the
+greatest. I have told you all this because I know you understand it, and
+I love to talk to you." (Oh my! how my heart did swell with pride when
+she said that.) "I want you to have a lovely time this year--a real
+Thanksgiving."
+
+Of course I was all ready for it. I did not sleep much that night, and
+was early at the window to see the arrival of that basket. Long before
+it arrived I had thought long and seriously of all my mistress had told
+me.
+
+I was perfectly wild when that basket came and they unfolded the turkey.
+I could have hugged him at once, he did smell so good, but I never moved
+from the hassock where my mistress placed me.
+
+I never saw such a lot of nice dishes and beautiful things on them. Even
+the dessert had not been forgotten. There was such a big bunch of
+celery. I thought it was a tree, and that I could run up in it.
+
+At last, after the inward cravings after that fowl had torn me almost to
+pieces, and my desire to be polite and good had been almost upset by the
+inclination to rush in and devour right and left, they carved up the
+turkey, and I had so many tidbits I did not know which to eat first, the
+head or the tail, for I had both of them.
+
+I did do justice to that dinner, and, like a child, as I did not know
+when to leave off, they had to take it from me. I then laid down and
+slept so sound that I had the nightmare. I thought I was beset by poor
+relations: that an aunt was sitting on my head, an uncle on my tail, and
+cousins on my stomach, and they pressed me so hard that I yelled out
+loudly.
+
+Miss Eleanor came to me, saying, "What is the matter?" Of course I could
+not tell her, but I did not want to have such visitors again. I would
+rather give them my dinner.
+
+We had a very light supper, and my mistress promised me the sequel to my
+Thanksgiving the next day. Indeed, the sequel beat the beginning, and I
+thought how nice it would be always to live on sequels.
+
+They took a big platter, and stood it on a newspaper on the floor. In it
+was the carcass of the turkey and all the giblets. Miss Milly said I
+should, for once, have a real low-minded junket.
+
+And I did. It was like a bone-yard, with the remains all around me. I
+felt so generous that I would willingly have said "come" to all the poor
+relations in the world. They would be welcome to all the bones I had
+picked and all of the quack. It was lovely, but I was greased from head
+to foot. When tired, I seated myself on the bones, in the midst of the
+carcass, and my fur was glued together in places.
+
+The work of cleaning me was something fearful. I was as patient as I
+could be, though I could not help jerking away a few times. Miss Milly
+said, "You do not look like my lovely Daisy," and it was many days
+before I looked like myself again.
+
+That evening my mistress let me look at the photograph of our nice young
+friend. I thought it lovely and a very good likeness. I gave a little
+purr at it, but I suppose a gobble or a crow would have been more
+appropriate.
+
+She is a very dear friend to my mistress, and I am very fond of her.
+When she comes in, I always keep awake to hear her talk. She is very
+fascinating. I do not think she cares very much for cats. I suppose it
+is because she does not know much about them. One thing I do know: she
+would be kind to them, for when I am left alone with her, she smiles at
+me and says, "Daisy, you are a nice cat," just the same as if my
+mistress were here.
+
+Some people make so much of me before my mistress, but behind her back
+say, "Scat, you old cat!" There is no need for them to speak. I know
+them, and would not go near them on any account. Then I do wish I could
+speak and warn my mistress of their falseness.
+
+One of these people called one day and brought her great boy with her.
+He could hardly keep his hands off of me. When my mistress took his
+mother into the next room, to show her some work, he lingered behind,
+thinking, "Now is my opportunity."
+
+He pulled my ear and yelled "Sassage meat" in it. Whatever he meant by
+his "sassage meat" I did not know, but I saw my opportunity and gave him
+a good dig with my claws and made his cheek bleed. He bellowed well,
+like a real calf, and his mother looked daggers at me, for I boldly
+stood my ground. I would not go to my retreat under the bed, for I was
+not to blame.
+
+Miss Milly was very sorry, and helped his mother wash his cheek and got
+court-plaster for her. After he had been coaxed and comforted, he poured
+forth his wrongs, saying that he was sitting quietly, when I rushed upon
+him and without the least provocation clawed his face.
+
+Miss Eleanor came forward then, saying, "You are mistaken. I was in the
+alcove, and saw you pull Daisy's ear and yell 'sassage meat' in it, and
+he scratched you in self-defence." The mother was very indignant. She
+said, "I have always told Harold never to touch such spiteful creatures
+as cats." No one answered her, and she soon left with her pretty boy,
+and she never came again.
+
+Miss Eleanor said she thought, as Harold was to be a lawyer,--so his
+mother had told her,--he would never let truth stand in his way in
+gaining a case.
+
+My ear did burn from the sharp nails he had pinched it with, and I was
+not sorry that I defended myself, and I made up my mind that when
+children came to the house, particularly if they were with their
+parents, I would keep out of their way.
+
+Miss Milly came to the same conclusion. She said: "Daisy shall not be
+subjected to a trial of this kind again; it spoils his temper and makes
+him rude, and then he is unhappy about it."
+
+And I was. I had reason to remember it, for my ear was swollen, and they
+were obliged to put salve on it to make it heal.
+
+Some time after this we went into the country for a short time. While
+there I made the acquaintance of a very intelligent cat. His name was
+Pedro. He was very hard to get acquainted with at first, and I was just
+wild to know him, for he was very handsome and dignified.
+
+I thought of every reason why he was so cool to me. At last I said to
+myself: "It is my collar and padlock. He thinks I am proud." So I worked
+and worked till I got the padlock up on my back, and then I licked down
+my fur to cover my collar. Then I walked out, and after a few turns in
+the garden I saw Pedro on the grounds. He belonged to a very wealthy
+man, and the house and grounds were quite lovely.
+
+I walked to meet him very humbly. When I said, "Good morning, Pedro," he
+looked me all over, and instead of answering me, he said with a scoff,
+"Oh, you are in disgrace, are you?"
+
+"No indeed," I answered; "what makes you think so?"
+
+"Because you are not in full dress, and I miss that trinket you are so
+proud of."
+
+This did provoke me, and I said, "The 'trinket,' as you call my nice
+padlock, is on my back. I supposed it was that that made you so against
+me. All the cats are envious and jealous of that."
+
+"Envious! jealous!" he hissed. "I guess I am not a mean fellow enough to
+be jealous of a trumpery bit of finery on a stuck-up cat."
+
+I had to swallow to keep down my temper. As I did want his friendship, I
+passed over his insolence in silence.
+
+As I turned to go home I said: "I cannot understand why you dislike me;
+I have been anxious to be friends with you, and have wondered if my
+collar and padlock had made you think I put on airs. I tried to hide
+this gift of my dear mistress, though it seemed treachery to her,
+thinking perhaps you would then be pleased with me. Now, of course, I
+shall never try for your friendship again."
+
+He had been silent, but he moved about uneasily. Then he winked very
+fast, and at last said: "Is that really so? Did you want to be friends
+with me? Why, I thought of all the blue-bloodedest, old-familiest,
+aristocratical creeters, you were the biggest. I thought you were a cat
+duke or a count, and them's the creeters I despise, for I am a real
+democrat."
+
+"So am I," I joyfully said, too much delighted to notice Pedro's bad
+grammar. "There is my paw on it, and I do hope we shall be good friends.
+We ought to be _fast_ friends. As for the dukes and counts, I spell them
+without capitals. That is how I value them. The only likeness they have
+to us is that we have whiskers, with this difference: the barber makes
+theirs, while God made ours."
+
+We laughed and had a jolly time over the dukes and the counts; the rest
+of the rabble we did not give even a small-lettered title to.
+
+After this we met every day, and our friendship increased till Pedro
+confided his history to me. If ever a cat had cause to mistrust the
+whole world, he had, and my heart ached with pity.
+
+It was one very pleasant morning when we had met and walked down and
+seated ourselves on a nice grassy mound at the end of the garden, that
+Pedro said, "If you would like to hear my story, I will tell it to you
+this morning."
+
+Of course I expressed my pleasure, and, making myself comfortable, I
+prepared to give my best interest to the story.
+
+"My mother was born in New York. While quite a small kitten she was
+given a nice home with people who believe that no home is complete
+without the family cat. She was a very large cat, striped like a tiger,
+with a beautiful long tail. She was amiable and affectionate.
+
+"The people were very kind to her, and she was quite happy. They were
+not very wealthy, but they had great expectations. An old uncle, a very
+Croesus, owned the estate they lived on, and a magnificent one
+adjoining, where he lived with a widowed sister. He was a childless
+widower, and made no secret of his intentions in regard to them.
+
+"Of course they were not sure of his millions. He had given them a life
+interest, but should the children offend him, he would wash his hands of
+them at once. He was a rough, irascible, outspoken old man, despising
+shams, and a falsehood he would never forgive. He was a tender-hearted
+friend to animals, but his special favorites were cats.
+
+"He was very fond of my mother, and she returned his affection. Tige, as
+she was called from her beautiful stripes, would run to meet him when he
+came to the house, walking very proudly by his side. He always noticed
+her kittens, always taking one for his own, while he would see that the
+rest were disposed of in a humane manner.
+
+"When I was born, he made me his favorite. There were three besides
+myself, and we were called a very handsome family. My little brothers
+and sister were to be kept. Some friends of the family, who were cat
+lovers, were to have them, while I was to be the pet of my mother's old
+friend.
+
+"My mother enjoyed us, for she was allowed to nurse us all till we were
+old enough to be weaned. Three of them were striped like my mother. I
+alone was Maltese. Probably I favored my father; never having seen him,
+I cannot tell.
+
+"It was the first of July, and two of the boys belonging to the house
+were at home on a vacation. They were not bad boys, but were full of
+life. Boys will be boys, you know. They had been kind to my mother,
+though rather rough, and she kept her kittens out of their reach.
+
+"We all found them changed for the worse, and I was sorry they had a
+long vacation. They were never still. They drove the pony in a reckless
+manner, and gave the poor dogs no rest.
+
+"Tige, my mother, had always been a favorite; now, though they seemed
+fond of her, they were teaching her tricks all the time, making her jump
+over strings and hoops when she was sleepy and did not want to be
+troubled. And then they would take up the kittens by the tails, to hear
+them squeal, saying, when their mother remonstrated, that it did not
+hurt them.
+
+"But I can tell you it _did_ hurt. Imagine being taken up by the feet,
+the blood rushing to the head, and then put down with a jerk, while
+everything would look dark around, as the blood, in flowing back, seemed
+to settle around the eyes. It was fearful suffering, and we did squeal
+well. They were never caught by the uncle in such pranks, you may be
+sure; they were too sly.
+
+"My mother dreaded them and would hide us the best she could under her
+fur. She had no peace, for her anxiety made her afraid to leave us alone
+long enough to get her dinner. I know it all now, but then we were so
+young we did not care for anything except to cuddle up together and see
+which one could get the most milk out of our mother.
+
+"The boys were to have two cousins to spend the Fourth of July with
+them. We could hear, from our nice basket home, all about the great
+preparations the boys were making to celebrate the day. All the young
+people living in the homes near were invited, and the uncle had spent no
+end of money in fireworks and Chinese lanterns and all the things boys
+love.
+
+"He said, 'This is the one day of the year when children should be made
+happy, and they will be more likely to remember its meaning.'
+
+"The two cousins who came were disagreeable-looking boys. All the
+animals on the place, from the horses and dogs down to my mother,
+instinctively distrusted them, for animals find out their enemies very
+quickly. They soon found they would have no peace while these boys were
+here, for the visitors were not afraid of the uncle.
+
+"I cannot tell you the horror of the night before the Fourth of July.
+The boys were out till very late, and by five o'clock were again on
+their feet. The yelling, blowing of horns, and firing of crackers made
+us almost crazy. My mother would jump at every fresh noise, for, like
+all cats, she was of a very nervous temperament. I now believe she had a
+presentiment of coming events.
+
+"We could not get one square meal. Just as we would get our lips on her
+breast, ready for a good mouthful, she would jump and jerk away from us;
+and as we had no teeth, we could not hold on; besides, the worry and
+fright prevented the milk from coming. My poor mother, how she suffered
+that night!"
+
+Pedro paused, overcome by his feelings, while I ventured a word of
+sympathy.
+
+"We had been removed from the house into one of the outbuildings, quite
+a good distance from where the fireworks were to be, close to the
+stable; and we enjoyed seeing the horses and pony come out to the great
+trough to drink. It was exactly opposite where we were, and was very
+cool, the drop by drop sounding very soothing, though we did not exactly
+like the water. Our removal had been the work of our kind friend, the
+uncle. He knew, however delightful the noise was to young America, that
+we did not enjoy it at all.
+
+"All day they were around the grounds with their crackers and pistols,
+and the din and smell of powder made all the animals in the stable
+wretched; but my poor mother suffered more than all the others, with
+four refractory kittens to care for.
+
+"The family had a great supper, and then, about eight o'clock, the
+fireworks began. They were a great success, and when nothing was left
+but crackers, the elder people went into the house, where the windows
+opening on the veranda gave them a fine view of the grounds.
+
+"The old uncle had entered with boyish delight into all the fun, and was
+supposed by the boys to be in the house resting. There was a ripple of
+excitement as some of the boys left the fireworks to the younger ones,
+and stole away, as they thought, unnoticed.
+
+"One of the cousins, a great big fellow of sixteen or seventeen, came,
+and taking the basket containing my mother and her four little kittens,
+carried it out of the shed, and put it on a rock by the side of the
+pump. Next, he took some straw and stuffed it in all around the sides of
+the basket. From behind a hedge one of the boys got a can and handed it
+to him, and from it he poured kerosene over the straw and all over the
+sides of the basket.
+
+"I saw all this with wonder. When he took up the basket, I was hanging
+over the side, and fell out just before he put it down. He had not
+missed me, and my mother was probably so frightened and choked by the
+smell of the kerosene that she could not think. I was quite pleased with
+my liberty, though I did not know how much it would influence my fate.
+
+"Before my mother could start up and try to remove her kittens a tramp
+of feet made her aware that her tormentors were approaching. She could
+have jumped and saved herself, but, like a true mother, she cowered down
+over her kittens.
+
+"The boys were all in high glee, while the big fellow yelled out, 'Here
+we are, and we will show you a piece not on the bill.'
+
+"Quick as thought he applied a match to the basket in front, while
+another great fellow held a burning paper to the straw at the back of
+the basket, and all fell back as a loud report was heard, and a volume
+of flames sprang up around the basket."
+
+Poor Pedro paused, overcome for a moment, while I almost gasped for
+breath, soon he continued in a trembling voice:--
+
+"One shrill scream from my mother, and the last sight I had of her was
+in the midst of the flames, her fur all ablaze, her eyes starting from
+her head, and magnified to three times her size, while three little
+flames around her repeated the dreadful picture in her three kittens.
+
+"A fearful oath rent the air, and powerful hands cleared a passage and
+seized the basket and plunged it into the trough that chanced to be
+filled to the brim with water, and held it there till the flames died
+out, and the last sobbing breath was still forever.
+
+"The flames had enveloped his arms, his sleeves were burned to flinders,
+and his hands were a fearful sight. But to me his face looked like the
+face of an angel, and I crawled up on his boot, with one little mew. He
+heard it, and in spite of his maimed hands took me up and dropped me
+into the pocket of his loose coat, where I knew nothing more, for my
+little brain was dazed at the fearful sight I had been witness to.
+
+"He was a profane man, and they said the air was blue with the language
+he used. Doctor L., his great friend and physician, chanced to be near.
+He said, 'My dear friend, you must not get so excited; you will have
+apoplexy. You will never be able to use your hands again if they are not
+attended to at once.'
+
+"In his anxiety to end my mother's sufferings, he had held the basket
+down with both hands, never thinking of his burned hands or the pain.
+
+"'No matter,' he answered, as he glared around on all the people
+assembled; 'I do not need to write, to demolish all your hopes.' And he
+looked at the boys with hatred. 'I have but to serve a few papers as you
+have these poor creatures, and the money you have looked upon as your
+own goes to charity.--'Not one cent,' he said, while the veins in his
+forehead swelled up like cords, with the anguish he was suffering,
+'shall ever go to one of you, for you were all in the secret, though all
+may not yet have reached the fearful state of cruelty of your
+ringleader. Call John,' he said, and when his faithful servant came, he
+gave him his orders, then said, 'Now, Doctor, get your things ready; you
+can torture me as soon as John returns.'
+
+"An easy-chair, table, and the lotions and bandages ordered by Doctor L.
+were brought out, as the patient refused to move from the spot till his
+work was completed.
+
+"Soon John appeared with a small iron box in his arms, taken from the
+safe. His master's eyes brightened when he saw him, for he was suffering
+great pain.
+
+"'Now, John, take my keys from my pocket and open that box. Jane,' he
+said, addressing his sister, who stood by his side, anxiety for him
+expressed in her face, 'take from that box the package marked "My last
+will and testament." Now, John, clear a space, then burn every inch of
+that paper in the presence of these murderers and their abettors; for it
+is a cruel murder, and Tige shall be avenged.'
+
+"It was done, and no one dared interfere, though some of them knew they
+were seeing the hopes of years fade away and perish in that heap of
+ashes.
+
+"'Now,' he said to the doctor, 'dress my burns. I am satisfied.' Just
+then I mewed, and he exclaimed, 'Poor little orphan! Take him out of my
+pocket, Jane; he shall have such tender care that this dreadful scene
+may be forgotten.'
+
+"The sister took me out of his pocket very tenderly, and I clung to her,
+while she stood by her brother and tried to help him bear the suffering
+caused by the dressing of his wounds. The pain was fearful, but he said
+it was a pleasure to bear it, knowing that he had spared poor Tige and
+her kittens by ending their suffering at once.
+
+"When the basket was taken out, my poor mother was found, her fur singed
+off, while one side of her was completely roasted. My little brothers
+and sister were just singed, for their mother had tried to cover them
+with her body. The water had ended their lives at once. I did not see
+them, but I heard the people describe the horrible sight.
+
+"By his master's orders John carried them home and buried them, after
+putting them in a nice box on the grounds. I will show you their grave
+some day before you leave.
+
+"The uncle never forgave them. He allowed his nephew and his wife the
+use of the house and an annuity for life; but not one cent of his money
+could be used for the children.
+
+"Their own means being small, they were obliged to give up the thought
+of a profession for their sons and put them into business. The uncle
+said very justly that no one ought to be a doctor who had no love in his
+heart for the dumb creatures so dependent on him for their welfare.
+
+"He lived but two years after this, and he made me his special care.
+Nothing was too good for me, and I loved him with all my heart, and I
+know I was a great comfort to him. When I would lick the scars on his
+hands, I have seen the tears in his eyes, and he would smooth my fur,
+and say, 'Poor Tige! poor Tige!'
+
+"He never quite recovered the use of his left hand, but he never
+complained; and when I was big enough I would walk out with him every
+day, for I distrusted every one, and made very few friends. He named me
+Pedro for a friend of his, a Spanish gentleman from whom he inherited
+some of his wealth.
+
+"At his death he gave me to his sister, and left a large sum to be used
+for my benefit. He had given her a fine property and the estate where we
+now live. After her death it is to be used for charity and a home for
+animals.
+
+"She has been very kind to me. The friends whom she has taken to live
+here and keep the home for her are very nice, and they understand just
+how I am situated. They are fond of animals, and make a great deal of
+me; but I can never care for people again. My mistress is not very
+strong, probably will not live much longer, and I hope when she dies I
+shall soon follow her. The horrible scene of my mother's death has taken
+all the pleasure of life from me. Do you wonder I do not make new
+friends or trust people?"
+
+I assured him of my sympathy, saying that I hoped there were no such
+wicked people about now.
+
+"Don't think that," he said; "there are hundreds of just such wicked,
+cruel acts committed all the time. Something should be done to stop the
+work now, and save the children from being murderers and criminals."
+
+I was very unhappy over Pedro's story. I did wish my mistress could hear
+this sad tale, for I know that she would try to help the poor abused
+creatures.
+
+I had quite an ill turn from worry of mind over this sad story, and from
+the internal injury that I received from the encounter with that
+bulldog.
+
+My mistress was quite anxious about me. She gave me catmint tea and made
+me a lovely little blanket, and this with a thick shawl folded under it
+was placed on the lounge for my bed. I was very comfortable, and I hope
+a grateful cat, when I contrasted my lot with others. I did not feel
+(even to the dog that attacked me) any bitterness, for had he been
+taught better by his master, he would not have treated me like an enemy.
+
+How can we expect a life-long prejudice, such as dogs and cats have for
+each other, to be uprooted, unless they are taught better by their
+owners and by the good examples that ought to be set before them? How
+can human beings boast of being better than animals?
+
+Think of the heathen cannibals, eating human flesh. To them the fat
+little baby is just like a chicken. Then the Indians--did a cat ever
+worry a rat worse than they tortured the white men? When you think of
+this, can you conscientiously say we are worse, or even as bad as human
+beings?
+
+There is money, and eloquence, and sympathy for the heathen; but the
+poor animals are left to learn without teachers what ought to be taught
+them, to make them the faithful servants and intelligent companions of
+man.
+
+I trust the day will come when these humble friends will be as much
+thought of in the family as the children; there is no doubt they will
+fully repay all kindness done them.
+
+
+
+
+XIX
+
+MEWS AND PURRS
+
+
+In my humble opinion no one ever told stories to equal those of my
+friends. Miss Eleanor could tell the cutest little fox and pig stories,
+while Miss Milly excelled on cat stories.
+
+During my sickness they entertained me finely. Miss Eleanor used to tell
+a story of the "Pig Family," and the boys were wild over it. No matter
+how many new ones were told, they never were satisfied to go to sleep
+without hearing the well-worn pig story.
+
+One night when Miss Eleanor was away, Miss Milly put the children to
+bed, and of course told them stories. They were not satisfied without
+the pig story. She was in a hurry, and preferred to tell stories out of
+her own head, saying she did not know the Pig Family; that was Aunt
+Eleanor's story.
+
+At last, as they would not go to sleep without it, she told it to them
+as she remembered it. When it was finished, she looked at Willie, and
+saw that his lip was quivering and his eyes were full of tears.
+
+"What is the matter?" she said.
+
+"You haven't told about the little blue pig," he sobbed.
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" she said; "he is dead probably."
+
+This finished him. He cried as if his heart would break. She said she
+never killed a pig before, and had such a hard time bringing that blue
+one to life, she never would kill another.
+
+Now I am just like the children. I love to hear the same stories over
+and over, and feel really acquainted with the little creatures that they
+tell about. And I take after my mistress. I build "castles in the air,"
+though I have heard her say she always got an axe ready to demolish
+them, for she knew they would have to go. I wish I did know what an axe
+is. I would have one too.
+
+One day there was a real big snowstorm. I looked out of the window, and
+when I saw the big white snowflakes coming down, I did wonder about
+them. Miss Eleanor read one day of a little girl who, on seeing the
+snowflakes, asked her mother if the angels were shaking their feather
+beds.
+
+What a little silly she was, for I know better than that. I do not
+believe even an angel would throw away feathers. They are so nice, I do
+love to sleep on them. But then cats know more; only they keep it to
+themselves.
+
+We had a good fire in the grate, and it crackled and spluttered, and
+looked, as Miss Eleanor said, very homelike. Just then a young lady
+called at the door to return a book my mistress had loaned her. They
+asked her to come in and have tea with them.
+
+She had a room in the upper story, and they had frequently invited her
+in to warm her, for she had no fire, and they feared she was not very
+well off, and they tried to befriend her without hurting her pride.
+
+She was very pretty and well educated, and I liked her very much. She
+petted me and told me stories of cats she had known in her home before
+her father and mother had died, for she was an orphan.
+
+She was very sad, and Miss Milly took out all her pictures and treasures
+to amuse her. At last she said: "I will tell you about the first cat I
+ever remember. He belonged to my father, and his name was Tom."
+
+I pricked up my ears, for I was wild to hear the story of Tom. All the
+little anecdotes I had heard of him pleased me very much.
+
+I think my mistress's father and mother were lovely people, and when any
+one comes in and speaks of having known them, I listen with all my
+heart. And now I was to hear all about Tom. So I got up on Miss Milly's
+lap, ready to devour every word.
+
+My mistress said she did not know where Tom was born. He first made his
+début in one of the good old-fashioned houses now standing in Salem, of
+witchcraft fame. She said:--
+
+"My father petted him with his children, and he was the ruling spirit of
+the house. Though not a handsome cat, he could be very fascinating. He
+was so coy of his marks of favor that one valued them more for their
+rarity. That he had blue blood in his veins no one could doubt, from the
+supreme contempt he evinced toward poor alley cats. He always perched
+himself on the highest place on the fence and looked down upon them.
+They looked up to him in the most abject manner, for they knew he was
+generous and had the right to give the contents of the swill house to
+them, if he pleased."
+
+He was very fond of Miss Milly, and as she was the youngest, and not
+very strong, he made it his special duty to amuse her.
+
+After having stolen a squab that had been cooked for her, and persuaded
+her to pretend she had eaten it, he ever after was a devoted friend to
+her. When they had company, Tom was a study. He inspected them with a
+critical eye. If satisfied, he allowed himself to be petted by them.
+Often, however, he would reject the offered attention, with a hiss of
+scorn, and make himself scarce while they remained. Their father said
+Tom was a good judge of character, for he turned a "cold shoulder" where
+he himself would have been pleased to do the same.
+
+They had an old bachelor cousin, and their mother was his favorite aunt.
+The son of her eldest brother, naturally he was a welcome guest with all
+the family. Having no brothers of their own, they were inclined to
+receive Cousin Robert's oddities with favor. He would come in of an
+evening, and if not noticed by them would remove his wraps and soon make
+himself at home.
+
+One evening, to his sorrow, Cousin Robert made them a visit. After a
+short conversation with his aunt, he drew near the table where his
+cousins were playing games. One or two smothered sounds proved his
+enjoyment.
+
+Cousin Robert was rather fond of cats, but his advances to acquaintance
+with Tom had met with poor success. His gentle "Pussy, Pussy" and
+extended hand had been met with disdain. Their father said he thought
+that Tom resented the "Pussy" as too weak a name for his majesty.
+
+He never approached his would-be friend and cousin or accepted his flag
+of truce. Their father, later on, did remember that Tom had cast
+unfriendly glances at Cousin Robert from his corner where he could
+overlook all their movements. Subsequent events explained their meaning
+in a manner most unfavorable to their object.
+
+This evening the children were full of fun. The game was very
+attractive, and Cousin Robert never thought of Tom.
+
+Suddenly their mother exclaimed, "What a strong smell of medicine!" Then
+remembering that Cousin Robert had rheumatism, and very likely it was
+liniment he had used, she tried to pass it over. Too late, however, for
+they were all sensible of a very strong medicinal smell by this time.
+
+A low laugh from their father, who was seated in his armchair by the
+fire, called our attention to Tom. He was in his usual corner, engaged
+in a furious battle with some dark object. Just as they asked, "Is it a
+mouse," one fierce tug dislodged the cork from a bottle from which he
+had just torn the paper, and they all cried out "Valerian!"
+
+Tom bounded out of his corner, crushing in his grasp the dark object he
+had battled with, and drunk with the valerian, he turned over and over
+in perfect abandonment.
+
+Cousin Robert gazed with dazed eyes upon the scene; then he rushed
+forward, saying, "Good Godfrey! it's my--my hat!"
+
+The shouts of laughter and the fiendish leer of Tom's eye, as he gazed
+upon him, rendered their poor cousin speechless, after having aired his
+only approach to profanity.
+
+After a time he made grab after grab at his poor old hat. In vain,
+however; for Tom turned over and over, crushing it out of shape,
+flourishing such formidable claws every time he tried to rescue it,
+serving friend and foe alike, when the children tried to help their
+cousin, that they were obliged to give up the attempt.
+
+Tom held the fort, and knew how to keep it; and the children were too
+well aware of Tom's power as an illustrator to desire to represent
+etchings, even by their "own artist, taken on the spot."
+
+When at last the bottle was taken from him, only one-half of the
+valerian was left.
+
+As soon as their father could command his voice, he said, "I will make
+good the loss of the hat, and keep Tom on short rations to pay for it."
+
+The children were bursting with suppressed laughter at the sight of
+Cousin Robert, in one of their father's old hats. When they said good
+night to him, Tom got up, and, walking around him, cocked up his eye as
+if to say, "How funny you do look!"
+
+Tom went in for his full share of the fun, when they all drew near the
+fire, laughing over the funny features of the scene. If his tongue was
+silent, his eyes were eloquent with a language they all understood.
+
+After a time he went to his corner and returned with the poor old hat,
+which he laid with great dignity at his master's feet. "That settles the
+question," he seemed to say.
+
+It did settle it with Cousin Robert. Though he got a new hat, it was
+months before he visited them again, and then Tom was put out of the
+room--an indignity he resented by stealing a neighbor's chicken.
+
+It was pure wickedness, for he did not care for it himself, but gave it
+to the poor alley cats to devour; for he patronized them and had many
+disreputable pensioners. All his master said, when told of Tom's
+wickedness, was, "Pay for it." And to Tom he would say, "If you go on
+this way, you bad boy, we shall end our days in the poorhouse."
+
+Tom looked as if he did not care where we ended our days, if we took him
+with us. And he was very sure his master would never go without him.
+
+Tom carried the old felt hat up into his den in the attic, and when any
+unusual noise was heard, his master would say, "Tom is rehearsing his
+play of 'Valerian, or The Old Felt Hat.'"
+
+I thought the story of Cousin Robert very nice, and when I lie on the
+lounge, looking in the fire, I can see all these scenes, and I do enjoy
+it. Miss Eleanor says she thinks I have a great deal of imagination. I
+suppose it is something nice, so I guess I have. I don't feel a bit
+jealous, for Miss Milly was a child then, and Tom was not her special
+pet, as I am; for I know that I am the "very apple of her eye," as I
+have heard people say, and it sounds big because I don't know what it
+means.
+
+Miss Milly said she would tell more about Tom some day, for the young
+lady was very much pleased with his story. She looked warm and happy,
+and drank lots of tea, and ate crackers and had a good time generally.
+
+Some time after, a friend called who had known them from childhood and
+knew Tom. Such nice reminiscences I never heard before. When she noticed
+me, she began talking about cats, and I thought she would never stop.
+
+They invited her to take tea, though they laughingly said, "We have no
+two dishes alike, and very humble fare."
+
+She enjoyed it, however, though she had a lovely home, servants and
+carriages at her command. This little bit of Bohemianism, as they called
+it, was a delight to her. She made them promise to spend the day with
+her, saying, "You can bring Daisy, for I will send a carriage for you,
+and my Priggy will be delighted with him."
+
+I was pleased with the invitation, but took a dislike to Priggy at once.
+Such a name! Just think of it! To be called Priggy, when there are
+beautiful flowers and places that cats can be named for. To call a poor
+creature Priggy was weakness personified. I was disgusted, and refused
+to believe in Priggy.
+
+As we never went to see him, my mistress not being well enough to visit,
+I never had the chance to express my indignation to him. Perhaps it is
+just as well. Poor little fool! He may think Priggy is a lovely name.
+
+Some time after, when it stormed very hard, and the young lady upstairs
+was cold and low-spirited, my mistress invited her down and entertained
+us with more of Tom's history.
+
+She said Tom was very fastidious in regard to dress. He despised
+anything ragged, and a dirty swill man (waste merchants they are called
+now) aroused his deepest anger. Beggars of all ages and sex he ignored.
+The children's dresses he looked over with a critical eye, and if he
+detected a rag, he would make mending impossible.
+
+What he would have done in these days of sewing machines cannot be
+imagined, for he was frantic over a thread of cotton or silk, and only a
+knot kept the whole work from being torn to pieces by his sharp teeth.
+
+They had one of the best-natured Pats to do their outdoor work that
+could be found. Pat Ryan was a faithful soul. His one great fault was
+his love of the bottle.
+
+He very soon gave up the attempt of making friends with Tom, for he
+answered all his advances with hisses and growls, loud and deep. His
+tail would swell up, and he would bristle all over when Pat tried to pet
+him; just as human beings do when they are presumed upon by those they
+think beneath them in the social scale.
+
+Pat had truly to earn his living by "the sweat of his brow." No modern
+helps for him. His whole stock in trade consisted of two large firkins
+on a rough wheel-barrow, to transport the waste that he went from house
+to house collecting.
+
+He would have thought the millennium had come could he have looked
+forward to the progress of to-day,--the strong blue carts, with their
+well-fed high-steppers, and the Patricks of the period, seated with
+pipes in their mouths, and leather lap-robes, in imitation of their
+employers, going their rounds, pounding back gates, and bullying the
+servants if they were not prompt to greet them.
+
+This improvement in the swill business might have made Pat give up his
+bottle and take to the nearly as demoralizing vice of smoking all the
+time. But his heavy wheel-barrow had no horse but himself, and the
+overflowing firkins were a load for him, particularly when, as was often
+the case, he was as full as his firkins.
+
+It was then that Tom saw his opportunity. When Pat's gait was unsteady,
+his vision oblique, when he magnified his load by double firkins, double
+barrow, double people, and double street, Tom would swoop down upon him,
+and by some dexterous movement, known only to himself, cross Pat's path
+and overthrow his load. Then, reaching the highest place on the fence,
+he would look down, as if to say: "Well, you have come to grief. How did
+you do it?"
+
+Pat was not deceived. Drunk or sober, he recognized his enemy, and gave
+him the full measure of his wrath. "Ye limb of Satan," he would say,
+"ye'll get it yet!" Such promises were never realized. Old Cloven-foot
+only could compete with this clever cat.
+
+One unlucky day Pat came earlier than usual, and finding the gate
+closed, had to reach his arm over to unfasten it. It was quite a stretch
+over the top of the fence, and Pat's head did not come even with the
+top, so that he could not look over.
+
+Tom, who was looking on, at once took in the situation. He crawled on
+his belly on the ledge of the fence just below the top, and every time
+Pat would reach over his hand, Tom would grab it with his open paws, his
+claws as sharp as needles.
+
+Yelling with rage and pain, realizing that it was his enemy, Tom, poor
+Pat, unwilling to give up, tried and tried again, only to be served in
+the same manner.
+
+At last he mounted on the barrow, bringing his head on a level with the
+fence. Before he could gain advantage from this move Tom had grabbed
+with both paws Pat's old straw hat, rushing like mad up to the house.
+
+Pat had by this time forced an entrance, and ran after him, in pursuit
+of his old hat, calling on all the saints to demolish Tom. Bareheaded,
+with torn and bleeding hands, witnesses of his wrongs, Pat poured forth
+his tale of woe to his friends in the kitchen, where he found sympathy,
+for Tom was feared by all the servants. Of course the culprit was
+nowhere to be seen.
+
+Their mistress soon healed the breach, if not the wound, by giving Pat
+an old hat. To be sure, it was rather too respectable looking for his
+calling, but then, he was satisfied even if it did not accord with the
+rest of his outfit. No salve for his wound would have equalled that hat.
+
+Miss Milly said as she watched him from her window, walking off with his
+new hat on, Tom crawled out from under the sofa, and, mounting the arm
+of her chair, said in cat language, "Don't he look just like Cousin
+Robert?"
+
+Miss Milly said that when her father came home, Tom ran to meet him;
+then he took his master's slippers, and carried them to his chair.
+
+"What means this unusual demonstration?" asked his master. Tom hung his
+head and walked under the chair. Then, when his master was seated, he
+crawled out, and, mounting to the arm of his chair, rubbed against his
+shoulder. Secure of his position, he looked around on them, as if to
+say, "Now tell all you know." With his large eyes fixed on their faces,
+he enjoyed over again his adventures, wagging his tail in recognition of
+the telling points in the story they related to their father.
+
+His master said: "Tom's ancestors must have been in the hat trade, he is
+so fond of hats. We shall have to establish a branch of the business,
+and make Tom the head. If he goes on in this way, we cannot find hats
+enough to pay his debts."
+
+Tom enjoyed it, looking at Miss Milly as if to say, "Don't I do it to
+keep up her spirits?"
+
+He did not come in contact with Pat for some time, for Pat prudently
+kept out of his way. His cunning only slumbered, however. They called it
+turning over a new leaf; but one day he came out with a new joke on Pat.
+
+"Looking from my window," Miss Milly said, "one morning, I saw quite an
+army of cats assembled around the plank walk leading to the swill house.
+Tom, seated on the highest post in the yard, surveyed them with great
+satisfaction, which was shown by the proud elevation of his head.
+
+"His most gracious manner was explained when Pat, coming in, dispersed
+them, and a long array of bones was exposed to view--the remains of the
+feast Tom had invited them to partake of.
+
+"Pat could not do justice to the subject. Shaking his fist at Tom, who
+never winked, but gazed with solemn eyes at him, he said: 'Ye mane
+crathur, ye are a human for spite, picking out the best for the old
+alley cats ye hates. I will get a dog.' Tom only yawned, and said as
+plain as cat could say, 'How tiresome!' After he had watched poor Pat
+picking up the leavings, muttering all the time hatred of his enemy, he
+came to me for approval. My mother being in the room, she put him in the
+attic, telling him he ought to be punished by solitary confinement.
+
+"He soon procured his release by making such a racket over my head,
+running about, upsetting marbles, then chasing them about, that I was
+very glad to open the door and say, 'You bad cat, come down.' He came
+when he got ready, very slowly, and was quite cool to me, though I told
+him he had made my head ache with his racket.
+
+"He was not a neighborly cat, never visiting, as cats often do, the
+neighbors' houses, and he treated their cats with the greatest disdain.
+He often fed them. I have seen him pick open the waste-house door, claw
+out a lot of bread and bones for the benefit of the hungry crowd. Then
+he would mount the fence and look on. 'With them, but not of them,' was
+his motto.
+
+"Though he did not visit around, he knew everything going on in the
+street. He overlooked the butcher, baker, and grocer, and knew every
+grain of provision carried into the houses, even going so far as
+smelling of the meat; but when offered anything, he refused with such
+contempt that one and all came to look upon him as a very aristocratic
+cat.
+
+"Every carriage that came to the street was received by him. He always
+waited till the trunks were carried in, the driver paid, and then he
+would come home satisfied.
+
+"A friend of ours, who boarded in the next house, had just returned from
+her country home. Tom, being a favorite of hers, received her, and
+superintended the removal of her trunks with great interest. He followed
+her into the house and remained some time. When my mother called him
+home, he came very unwillingly.
+
+"The next morning after breakfast he disappeared. This was nothing
+unusual, as my father said, 'Probably Tom had some business needing his
+attention daily.'
+
+"In the afternoon, when my mother called on our friend, she found Tom
+had dined there.
+
+"After a time, this lady, remembering that she had brought me a book
+from her home, proposed going up to her trunk for it. Shortly after, she
+called my mother, who, with the lady of the house, went up to the attic
+where the trunks were kept. There they found Tom with two of the house
+cats seated on a huge trunk that had not been opened. The trunk bore
+marks of their claws, as scratches long and deep had torn and disfigured
+the leather.
+
+"The scene was most laughable. Tom looked wise (nothing could embarrass
+him), while the others looked sheepish. They could not be induced to
+leave their perch, and at last light dawned on the situation, when the
+friend said, 'Do you think Tom remembers that I promised him some fresh
+catmint from the country?' 'Undoubtedly,' said my mother; 'he not only
+remembers, but he smells it.'
+
+"The catmint was soon produced, and they all had a feast. Tom wanted to
+stay and have a free fight after he had eaten his fill; but my mother
+let him see the large bag she carried home, and he followed her
+unwillingly. He knew where it was kept, and would go and mew before the
+closet door till he got his catmint. After it was gone, on seeing the
+empty bag, he went over to our friend's, and up to the trunk. Nothing
+would satisfy him but looking in and seeing it was empty.
+
+"For some time he was cool to our friend, but after a few days,
+remembering perhaps that she might go home and get him more, he accepted
+her marks of affection with quiet dignity.
+
+"Tom was very thoughtful. When told not to do certain things, he was
+very ready to obey. His master would say, 'Tom, did I not tell you never
+to get into my chair unless there is a covering on it?' and Tom would
+look as ashamed while the hairs were brushed off, and would avoid the
+chair for a long time, and once he was seen to pull the tidy down from
+the back, and sit on it. As it was lace, and he tore a hole in it, his
+thoughtfulness was appreciated only by his master.
+
+"Tom was not a cat for every one to love. He had very little reverence
+in his composition. My father and mother," Miss Milly continued, "were
+very hospitable, and always at the church gatherings entertained all
+they could accommodate. Unlike the children of to-day, we were kept in
+the background.
+
+"One of our guests was an old travelling preacher--'colporteur,' as he
+was called, since he carried about religious books for sale. There is no
+doubt he sold many, for buying a book was a more simple thing than
+arguing with him, his tongue being one of the most aggressive.
+
+"Every morning the family were early called to prayers, kneeling down
+before chairs in the long room, having to remain in that position while
+this old man prayed for every one around, calling them by name. All
+fared alike. Though I do not believe he remembered our faces, he never
+forgot our names. My name, unfortunately, was taken from Shakespeare,
+and not from some heroine of religious fiction; and I suffered more when
+mine was called than my sister did, nearly all of the family having good
+Bible names that he enjoyed repeating. It is not necessary to say how
+long he lingered over it to impress its worldliness on his listeners. It
+was to me like opening a wound every morning.
+
+"Tom, however, paid him for it. Perhaps he did not like his own name
+being left out. An additional cause for revenge, no doubt, was that when
+once he passed the reverend gentleman, the humane Christian put out his
+foot, giving Tom a slight kick, and said, 'What a great beast!' This was
+enough to arouse Tom's ire, even if not mentioning him with the family
+had not been enough. So one morning Tom attended family prayers.
+
+"Now this old man wore shoes tied with good strong strings, with little
+tags on the ends. Tom looked at them and saw his opportunity. Just in
+the middle of the prayer he pounced upon one of the long strings, giving
+a pull with his sharp, strong teeth that made the words in the mouth of
+his victim come out with a jerk.
+
+"Of course Tom fled at the sound, and after a time the prayer continued.
+Finally, just as we were hoping for the last clause, it came in the
+shape of Tom, who rushed out from under the sofa, and with one wrench
+untied the other shoe, while the amen came out with a bound. Then we had
+to listen to a long harangue on the sin of keeping animal pets where we
+could feed poor children.
+
+"My father and mother listened respectfully, but made no promise of
+turning God's dumb creatures out to starve. My elder sister quoted to
+us:--
+
+    "'He prayeth best who loveth best
+    All things, both great and small;
+    For the dear God that loveth us,
+    He made and loveth all.'
+
+But then, the 'Ancient Mariner' himself could not have convinced this
+ancient bigot.
+
+"Tom kept out of the way for some time, but we did not trust him. After
+untying his enemy's shoes, we were afraid he would attack his brown wig.
+My mother every morning made sure he was out of the way before we went
+to prayers.
+
+"How it happened, we never knew, but Tom outwitted her, and one morning,
+the last of the visitor's stay at our house, Tom made his mark, gaining
+a place in our memory never to be filled by any other cat.
+
+"Just at the close of a long prayer Tom crept along stealthily toward
+the chair of his enemy. No one was in a position to see him; but when he
+crawled by the lounge where I was lying, I felt his presence, and my
+heart seemed to stand still, for I knew he was bent on mischief. I dared
+not move, and had to watch him with bated breath as he gained on his
+unconscious prey. Now his noble enemy never bowed his head in prayer,
+but, kneeling before a chair, his hands spread out, his eyes closed, his
+body swaying to and fro, presented a very undignified appearance.
+
+"No doubt Tom thought so, for he walked around and faced him, looking in
+his face through the opening in the back of the chair for a long time.
+Suddenly he made a grab (I think he intended to catch the fluttering end
+of the necktie), but just then the preacher lowered his head, and Tom's
+claws came down full on the bridge of his nose with such force that the
+words of the prayer were shouted in a manner suggesting profanity.
+
+"All was confusion, as the enraged old man started to his feet, prayer
+and religion alike forgotten in his desire for revenge. Too late,
+however; for Tom rushed from the room, his tail up in the air, like a
+flag of victory. He did not appear again until all trace of our visitor
+was removed.
+
+"Poor old man! He did look abject, with the blood dripping over the end
+of his nose, and tears of rage and pain in his eyes. Never did piety
+disappear so quickly as it did from this good old man, in view of his
+wrongs. One would have thought Tom possessed of human intelligence to
+hear him denounced. My sister said she believed he was sorry that Tom
+had no soul to be lost, thus to appease his wrath.
+
+"My mother produced salve and some court-plaster and made him as
+comfortable as possible, but without receiving any thanks. He left us,
+very indignant that my father would not promise to have Tom killed. He
+refused to remain to breakfast, saying he would not take another meal in
+the house with that 'ungodly cat.'
+
+"As my father paid all his expenses, and my mother gave him new and warm
+clothing, he had no reason to be offended. My sister said he was a 'wolf
+in sheep's clothing,' and Tom knew it, and had been trying to protect us
+against him.
+
+"Tom spent the night at a neighbor's, coming home the next day in a most
+amiable frame of mind and a very (for him) humble air. Instead of
+running to meet my father as usual, he kept in his corner, pretending to
+be asleep. No one spoke to him, and he bore it as long as he could; then
+he walked over to my father, and, putting a paw on each knee, looked up
+in his face with a piteous mew.
+
+"Poor father could not bear that. His tender heart was touched, and he
+put his hand on Tom's head, saying, 'Oh, Tom, I am so sorry you are such
+a wicked boy!' but the tone assured Tom, who at once jumped up on my
+father's shoulder and kissed his face with delight.
+
+"All through the long sermon preached to him of his sins he sat very
+quiet, and never once winked, but kept his wide-open, wise eyes on his
+master; at last he yawned two or three times, and then washed his face.
+But peace was established.
+
+"'What a character that man will give you, Tom, wherever he goes,' said
+my mother.
+
+"Tom shook his head as if to say: 'Such is fame. I always wanted to be
+famous. Then, I love to etch, particularly on noses, and that was a good
+big one. I enjoyed it.'
+
+"Poor Tom! I can hardly tell of his death even now, after so many years,
+without the swelling in my throat, to keep back the tears caused by deep
+sorrow for my pet.
+
+"One night he went out and did not return till morning. The door of one
+of the outbuildings was left open for him to go in if he pleased, but he
+never came home till morning; then, as we learned from the servants, he
+went up to his den in the attic. At noon time he did not come down, and
+my sister went in search of him and found him dead.
+
+"He was not in his nice little basket bed, of which he was very proud;
+but lay on some old relics, among the most noticeable of which was the
+old hat of Cousin Robert.
+
+"He had been poisoned. His bright face was all green, and his brilliant
+eyes were glassy. We could not even rub and kiss his dear old nose as he
+liked us to, for drops had run down from his mouth and stained the
+beautiful fur coat we loved so well, and my mother said we must not
+touch him.
+
+"Under the pile of things where he lay was an open map of the United
+States; he had trampled it down some time before. We often said he
+studied it when alone. Tom was closed up in this map, with a large rug
+outside, and buried in the river.
+
+"How we mourned for him and how changed was that lovely river view to
+me! I could never have been consoled, had not a dear old lady said to
+me,--
+
+"'Why do you mourn so for your precious pet?'
+
+"'Ah,' I said, 'I shall never, never see him again.'
+
+"'Why not?' she asked.
+
+"'Because cats have no souls, no after life.'
+
+"'My child,' she answered, 'God never gave us these dear, affectionate
+creatures to care for and then part with forever. You will have your
+dear Tom again where perfect happiness is secured by just such
+meetings.'
+
+"I think she was right; and as good Dr. Watts so beautifully describes
+in that well-known Baptist hymn, 'Sweet Fields beyond the Swelling
+Flood,' there is no doubt there we shall find our faithful dumb friends.
+
+"My father never recovered from Tom's loss. He would not take his
+accustomed place by the fire where Tom had been his companion for so
+many years, and he never made a pet of any of the many cats we had,
+though they were very bright ones.
+
+"My dear good father! I have very little recollection of him, as he died
+while I was quite young. But I never remember him without Tom seated in
+all his glory by his side."
+
+When Miss Milly had finished her story we were all subdued by the death
+of Tom; but then he had a happy life, so I just winked off my tears and
+hoped I should know him in heaven.
+
+
+
+
+XX
+
+HEADS AND TALES
+
+
+I did not recover my cheerfulness after hearing the story of Tom, and
+Miss Eleanor said she hoped Miss Milly would never repeat it again.
+
+The young lady friend had wiped her eyes often, and I was very glad when
+they made her some hot ginger tea and packed her off to her room. They
+said she had a cold in her head, but I know better. It was Tom and his
+death that had gone to her head and made her eyes water. It was what
+made me cough and sneeze and wink, to keep from the womanish weakness of
+tears.
+
+Good gracious! I shall have hysterics next, if I have got to hear such
+doleful things. I am ashamed of myself. I thought I had more dignity.
+Pshaw! I was not crying. It is that horrid musk that I smell; it always
+makes my eyes water. I am glad my mistress never uses it, and I do wish,
+if people come here to be warmed and comforted and entertained, they
+would not wear perfume. I do despise it. I shall have to chew a lot of
+catmint and roll in it before I feel like myself again.
+
+I know that when I went to Beverly I rode over that very river where Tom
+was buried. I am very glad I did not know it then, and I am very glad
+that some day I shall see all these dear people. Of course I know just
+how indignant some will be to read this. I think it very strange that
+there are so many who do not want any one to go to heaven but those they
+approve. They scorn the idea that God should save the creatures he has
+made, because they call them a lower order of beings.
+
+I have said more than I ought to on this subject, for my mistress always
+says when any one begins upon it, "We will not discuss it, if you
+please, for we shall not agree." And I always like to please her and do
+as she says; and then, I do lose my temper and have such bad feelings
+that I fear I shall be counted with the bad ones, whom Dante says are
+shadows in the other world. And of all things I think a shadow is a
+"little too thin." I am glad my mistress cannot hear this, for she hates
+slang.
+
+Some days ago a lady was here, and she started that endless subject of
+"servants." My mistress tried to turn the conversation, but it was of no
+use. The servant question, when one gets on it, is like a brook; it goes
+on forever. To be sure, I did hear a young man once say something that
+would stop it, and my mistress hushed him up at once; but not before I
+had heard it, and it sounded so forcible that I went under the bed and
+said it, and wondered if it would stop the women from talking about
+their servants. They did not say it often, as my mistress did not know I
+had heard it.
+
+Always after the people who discussed their servants had gone, Miss
+Eleanor would say, "Now I will read something to take away the
+disagreeable impression."
+
+It was usually Dickens, for he seems to have got at the very heart of
+things, and his poor are shown up with hearts, while the higher classes
+are heartless oftentimes.
+
+Of course this is only given you second-hand, but I comprehend it, else
+I should not repeat it.
+
+I do dote on Dickens, and I think "David Copperfield" is my special
+favorite. Aunt Betsey Trotwood seems like a real aunt to me. Dear little
+Dora! I was very wretched when she died, and I loved Jip. I know he
+would have played with me very nicely.
+
+When Miss Eleanor read about his death, there was a lump in her throat,
+and Miss Milly's eyes were full of tears, and I thought it was time for
+me to go under the bed, not for any particular reason, only there are
+times when one likes to be alone.
+
+While I am writing I would like, if possible, to correct any bad
+impression regarding cats and their habits. It has been said that cats
+will draw the breath of an infant and sometimes of older people while
+sleeping. I deny this, and will tell you a story which illustrates the
+superstition, and was told by one of our friends.
+
+This lady visited us one day, and while talking about me and cats in
+general, she said she had always thought cats were not to be trusted,
+and never allowed her children to play with one, for the very foolish
+beliefs of which I have spoken. "But," she said, "I have changed my
+opinion, and now think a cat properly trained is a noble creature." Then
+she told us this story:--
+
+"You remember my cousin, of course, for I know you probably have visited
+at my uncle's. They were very fond of cats, always keeping two or three.
+When my cousin was married, she took with her one of her old cat's
+kittens. She was quite well grown, and was called Dido. She was a great
+pet with my cousin's husband, and as it was his first experience of
+cats, he was delighted with her playfulness.
+
+"They were fortunate in having servants who were kind to cats. Just
+after the first child was born one of the husband's relatives died,
+leaving him a large old country place--a farmhouse with a great many
+acres of land. He was very much pleased, for he said the country air
+would be good for baby and its mother, for she was very delicate since
+the birth of her beautiful boy.
+
+"The house had not been occupied for some time, and was one of those
+old, rambling, picturesque places, a delight to lovers of the olden
+times. The furniture was substantial, but very severe in style.
+
+"'You need not take the boy's bassinet,' said the father, laughing; 'for
+there was a cradle that looked as if it had come from Noah's Ark, and
+Shem, Ham, and Japhet, not to speak of all the two-by-twos, had been
+rocked in it.'
+
+"'Oh,' said his wife, 'how lovely that will be! we can fill it with
+pillows, and baby will be delighted with it.'
+
+"'Nonsense,' said her husband; 'don't go and build "castles in the air"
+out of that old cradle. It will do for Dido to sleep in; but on the
+whole, you had better take the bassinet and all the other folderols for
+Baby, else you will be homesick.'
+
+"She decided, however, that she would take nothing with her, but enjoy
+all the old-fashioned surroundings.
+
+"The place proved very satisfactory, and she found a nice large room
+leading out of hers for the baby's nursery.
+
+"The large pointed-top mahogany cradle was duly polished and installed
+in the room, making a royal bed for his highness the baby. With its
+wealth of pillows and lace coverings it looked quite regal.
+
+"The nurse girl was very devoted to Baby, always watching him while he
+slept. Dido had appropriated the baby ever since his birth, and would
+allow his little soft hand to take liberties with her, pulling her tail,
+when she would resent it in others. She spent much of her time in the
+house, watching the baby.
+
+"About a week after they had settled comfortably at home they were
+called up from the piazza by the screams of the husband's sister, who
+was visiting them. All she could say was, 'That cat--that cat--has
+killed the baby!'
+
+"They rushed into the room, and a strange sight met their eyes. Standing
+in the cradle, with a paw each side of the baby, was Dido.
+
+"The poor mother rushed to the cradle, crying, 'Oh, my baby, my baby!'
+
+"Her husband drew her back, saying, 'Look there.' At the side of the
+cradle were two great rats that Dido had killed just as they were about
+to attack the baby.
+
+"Dido was bleeding from a wound in the neck, where they had bitten her,
+but she kept her watch over the baby till her friends arrived. She mewed
+out her thanks when they petted her and praised her. The baby had slept
+through it all.
+
+"The aunt said she was just coming out of her room when she heard Dido
+give a shrill cat call, and she went in, but seeing her over the baby,
+supposed she had drawn its breath and killed it.
+
+"They were so grateful to Dido that they would not rest till the doctor
+had been sent for to dress her wounds. They soon healed, and after this
+Dido seemed to have the care of the baby on her mind; and the cradle
+being long, a rug was put in at the foot, and after the matting was put
+over the top Dido would lie on it to keep it down. That she slept with
+one eye open, they were sure; for if the baby opened his eyes, Dido
+would either mew or go for them.
+
+"They found the large closet in the room full of rat holes, and as the
+room had been unused for so long, they infested it.
+
+"They removed to a smaller room, and as they took precautions, were soon
+free from rats. Probably the latter knew they had a powerful enemy in
+Dido, and left.
+
+"There were three cats belonging to the house that had left when it was
+closed; but on finding it inhabited again, they had returned, as cats
+love to keep to one home. They were well treated, and repaid the
+kindness by clearing the house of rats.
+
+"As the family left the man and his wife who had worked for them in the
+house during the winter, they never had trouble with rats again.
+
+"They had a picture of Dido taken with the baby, and all their friends
+made a great fuss over her."
+
+I did wish I could see this picture; for Miss Milly always shows me
+pictures, and I enjoy them very much. Why, I could take the photograph
+cases and tell you every one, if I could speak.
+
+Sometimes we have real fun over the old-fashioned ones. My mistress
+laughs with us, and says, "This is the family 'Rogues' Gallery,' they do
+look so funny." And they never show them to strangers, for they say we
+love them too well to let any one else laugh at their old-fashioned
+looks.
+
+I do love pictures, but I have been taken to places where they had
+horrid crayons on the walls, and the eyes stared at me so I did want to
+scratch them out. I hate a chromo, but a nice, peaceful landscape makes
+me happy; and I often see one where I would like to lie down and dream,
+for a cat can have real artistic taste.
+
+I don't think I care much for babies. I suppose it is because I have
+never been around them; and when I have been, the mothers have never
+allowed me to get acquainted with them.
+
+I was very cross one day when a friend of my mistress brought her baby
+to see us. It was all dressed in white, with a white astrachan hood with
+goats' hair fringe, and it looked just like a little poodle. I wanted to
+lick it all over when Miss Milly said, "Here, Daisy; come and see this
+dear baby." But its mother cried out, "Oh, don't let that horrid cat
+touch my baby!" just as if I was a bear or a tiger.
+
+I was so insulted I just walked into a corner. But the baby had seen me,
+and held out its little hand and crowed. I looked away, but my mistress
+said, "Daisy will not hurt your baby," and she took me in her arms and
+let the baby put his soft little hand on my ear. It laughed and crowed,
+while I licked its hand. The mother looked as if she thought I would
+devour it.
+
+When Miss Milly put me down, seeing the mother's uneasiness, the way
+that innocent little creature yelled, kicked, and beat his mother was
+dreadful. I fled under the bed, saying to myself, "How glad I am that we
+are unmarried people, with no children to raise a tempest for nothing."
+
+The mother excused him by saying, "He was excited seeing that great
+cat." I thought, "And the great cat was excited seeing and hearing the
+Old Adam in that child."
+
+I know my mistress was glad to get rid of them, and Miss Eleanor, who is
+very fond of children, said, "How beautiful that child would have been
+had it not been for its mother's foolishness."
+
+Before I get too stupid or too old, I must tell you a delightful story
+of one of the witch cats of old Salem and her little mistress, sweet
+Hope Farley, a little lame girl my mistress knew and loved.
+
+After I have had my "forty winks" and my nerves forget that baby, I
+shall remember it all.
+
+
+
+
+XXI
+
+JETT
+
+
+The story I am about to tell you has for its chief interest a little
+lame girl, very sweet and lovely, who died in old Salem many years ago.
+I think good children are almost as nice as good little kittens.
+
+As Jett belonged to this little girl, I must tell you about her, that
+you may know how devotedly a cat can return affection and kindness. This
+is the moral of my story, and I tell it to you in the beginning, though
+I know morals usually come on the end. And then people have got all the
+interest of the story and they skip the moral. It is better that it
+should leaven the whole story.
+
+Everything about Salem has a fascination for me, and I often think how
+nice it would be to fly through the air and take a peep at the people
+beneath me; but then, this pleasure is given only to black cats, and
+there is no use for any other colored cat to wish for it.
+
+Little Hope Farley lived in a big, old-fashioned house, with a lovely
+garden around it. All the rooms were long and wide, with deep window
+seats, cushioned, and very comfortable--a nice place for a cat to sleep
+and enjoy herself.
+
+In one of these nice roomy window seats little Hope would lie, with Jett
+curled up by her side. But I must not anticipate; I will tell the story
+just as I heard it from Miss Milly.
+
+Hope was motherless; her father's sister had made up to her as well as
+any one ever can the loss of her mother. Aunt Martha was a charming
+woman of about forty-five, and she took little Hope into her heart at
+once.
+
+(Dear me! How I wish cats had aunts! I do think they are just the nicest
+people to care for the unfortunate that can be found.)
+
+Hope's father was a literary man, buried in his studies and books. When
+a man is that way inclined, he might, for all the good he is to his
+family, be buried in earnest. Then they would have his memory, and one
+could read on his tombstone how great a man he was, and the papers could
+praise him and speak of virtues that nothing but his death would ever
+have brought to light.
+
+Aunt Martha was abroad when his wife died, and Hope, who was but three
+years old, was left to the care of a nurse.
+
+Some carelessness caused her to fall, and a curvature of the spine and
+lameness for life were the consequence.
+
+Dear me! These "curvatures" and such big words will kill me; but I must
+tell this story just as my mistress told it to me, for if ever she reads
+this little book, I want her to know how well I remember all she said.
+
+After Hope met with the accident that crippled her for life, her father
+wrote to his sister to return and care for his unfortunate child and his
+helpless self.
+
+She willingly accepted the charge, and soon found she had a "white
+elephant" on her hands. Her brother buried himself in his books, and to
+her care was left not only his child, but the whole household. He did
+pay the bills, but it was because he had the money; else he would have
+left even that to her, for she had a good fortune of her own.
+
+Hope repaid her for her care by loving her with all her heart, and they
+were very happy together.
+
+The beautiful garden was a great source of pleasure to them all. Even
+the father would walk up and down with his hands behind him; and
+although he did not seem to notice anything, the air, the fragrance of
+the flowers, and the peace of the scene probably gave him strength.
+
+Around the sides of the garden, by the high fence, were currant bushes
+thick and plenty. The fruit was large, red, and tempting, and the
+flowers of every kind growing in their native beauty made the spot an
+earthly paradise. There were tall hollyhocks, double leafed, red and
+white, bachelors'-buttons, beds of pinks, and roses of every variety,
+lilies of the valley, modest but bound to be noticed for their rare
+fragrance, and beds of pansies that would have made the fortune of the
+florist. But here no thought of money crept in to mar the beauty of
+God's free gift, the beautiful flowers.
+
+The garden sloped down, joining the land belonging to the next house,
+that faced on the side street. The low fence was broken, and just where
+the gate had hung, a hedge fence supplied its place, as the gate had
+fallen to pieces. The rank weeds and flowers grew in tangles; Nature
+seemed to have fought with Art, and to have gained the victory.
+
+The estate had been unoccupied for years, the owner having just died far
+away from home, where he had been for years in pursuit of health. His
+heir, a distant cousin, was expected to make his home here; as his
+business was in Boston, it would be very convenient.
+
+Great curiosity was expressed regarding the newcomers, particularly as
+there was a mystery regarding the neglect of the place for so many
+years; and a mystery in old Salem always wore a bewitching air.
+
+About ten days after their arrival my story commences.
+
+It was way down near the broken gate, under the sheltering boughs of an
+old apple tree, that a most luxurious seat had been contrived. Like a
+couch, it was protected at the back by cushions like the seat.
+
+It was high noon of a sultry day in June, yet the thick leaves of the
+old apple tree formed a perfect shade for the dear little child reposing
+in this lovely retreat. The little silent figure and the crutches,
+leaning against the seat, told the whole melancholy tale: little Hope
+Farley was a cripple.
+
+The soft hum of bees and insects filled the air, and the scent of
+flowers perfumed all around, and the bright blue sky above, lending its
+soft light, made her seem a part and portion of this charming picture of
+nature. Her doll, her dearest companion, was by her side. She had given
+her the quaint old-fashioned name of Joanna, and never suffered it to be
+abbreviated.
+
+She held conversations with her, and confided all her little troubles to
+her wooden ear. (It would be well if wooden ears and cats' ears were the
+only ones to hear secrets, would it not? I must put in my cat's oar once
+in a while, for, you see, this story is a big one for a cat to
+remember.)
+
+This day Joanna was particularly unsatisfactory, and Hope, getting tired
+of her airs, said:--
+
+"Joanna, why are you so silent? Don't you hear the bees, and can't you
+see that great speckled toad under the currant bushes, hopping about?
+Oh, no, you don't like such things. You prefer flowers. Well," after a
+pause, "so do I. And I do love you, you dear, dear dolly." And she
+hugged her in her arms.
+
+A slight crackling of the bushes and a scornful laugh caused Hope to
+start and look up, just as a lad of about twelve years of age presented
+himself on the other side of the hedge. He was a big, fair-haired boy,
+handsome, but rough looking, and rude as a young bear.
+
+"What do you do that for, you little silly? That old doll don't know
+anything! Come, and let's play something."
+
+Hope looked at him with wide-open eyes.
+
+"Sulky little monkey!" he indignantly exclaimed, "why don't you speak?
+Say," after a pause, while he regarded her with surprise, "why don't you
+want to play?"
+
+She looked at him in pathetic silence, then her eyes glanced at her
+crutches.
+
+As he followed her glance, surprise, sorrow, and pity transformed his
+face. After a time he said in a subdued voice:--
+
+"I am sorry I was so rude. I did not know. May I come over there?"
+
+Hope saw how sincere he was, and in her quaint way welcomed him. He soon
+cleared the barrier, and seated on the stump of a tree they were very
+soon acquainted.
+
+Every day after that they met, and soon became fast friends, exchanging
+childish confidences and mutually petting Joanna, for Jack was loyal to
+all of Hope's belongings.
+
+(Now I must draw a breath, and put in my cat's oar. I have made you
+acquainted with Jett's two stanch friends, and you will better
+understand the story. I do pity Hope, for my shoulder troubles me very
+much, and I have to wait before I jump as I used to, and I know that she
+suffered, and I am very glad she had a cat to comfort her. I think
+sometimes if I could see these beautiful places and run around among the
+flowers, how happy I should be; but that is one of my air castles. But
+in the hereafter I know it will all be mine, and the gardens and fields
+of Paradise compensate for those we have not here. Now I will return to
+my story.)
+
+One day, after Jack had been a long time silent, he suddenly said, "Have
+you got a step-mother?"
+
+"A step-mother? What is that? My mother is an angel. She died when I was
+two years old."
+
+"Well," he said, "you will have one, never fear; your father will get
+one. My mother died when I was five years old, and now--a year ago--my
+father went and got one. So will yours."
+
+"You bad boy! He won't. My Aunt Martha won't let him. You are a dreadful
+boy to talk so!"
+
+"Don't be down on a fellow so. Much you know about men. Your father's no
+better than mine. He'll get a wife yet, see if he don't; and you will
+hate her just as I do my step-mother.
+
+"My father loved me till this woman came. He used to take me everywhere
+with him, and he cried when I begged for my mother after she died; he
+hugged me and called me his poor little chap. And _now_ it is all over.
+I have never called her mother, and I never will. She killed Pipkin, my
+mother's cat, just as soon as she came. She made the servant drown her,
+because she was treacherous and broke a saucer, and she was afraid of
+her.
+
+"She is a beast. Dear old Pipkin is better off away from her; but I do
+miss her and will never forgive that woman. My mother would kiss me, and
+then Pipkin and the kitty would lie beside me for company; and after my
+mother died that cat was all the comfort I had. The servants loved her.
+Not one of them would have killed her, but this woman has servants who
+will do her dirty work.
+
+"She has red cheeks and a white skin, and a big mouthful of teeth that
+she is showing all the time, just like old Towzer, the bulldog."
+
+"Why does she hate you?" Hope asked. "Can't you make her like you?"
+
+"What a little goose you are! Like me? Not she. She wants me to die, to
+get my money that my mother left me. She told my father he ought to take
+board for me, for I had more money than they had. 'What,' he said, 'take
+board for my own son?' This did touch poor dad; but she soft-sawdered
+him. And then I wanted to run away, and I will some day, and join Uncle
+Jack, for whom I am named. He is in India. He loved my mother, his
+sister, and he would care for me. But you see I do love dad; and now I
+could not leave you."
+
+Hope smiled such a sweet look upon him, saying, "You are a dear good
+boy, and my Aunt Martha will be a mother to you just as she has been to
+me."
+
+And in truth this childish friendship had worked wonders in Hope. She
+was able to walk about the garden with her crutches and his help, for he
+was very careful of her, and proud to be of use in amusing her. Aunt
+Martha took the bright, honest boy into her heart, and he loved her
+dearly.
+
+One day when Jack came over the hedge he found Hope in great excitement.
+Her apron covered some mystery that was very soon revealed--a coal-black
+cat, perfect in every way, a real witch cat, with not one mark about her
+from the tip of her ear to the end of her tail. Yellow eyes of the most
+unfathomable depth and a spasmodic wag of the tail proved her temper to
+be of the peppery kind.
+
+"Where did you get her?" asked Jack.
+
+"She came to us. When Aunt Martha opened the door this morning to take
+in the paper, she walked in. She came into the dining room, and when I
+called her, she jumped up in my lap and drank milk from a saucer. She
+bites and claws the rest if they touch her, but licks my hands and purrs
+when I talk to her. Where she came from I do not know, but I love her
+already almost" (with a remorseful look at Joanna) "as well as I do my
+dear dolly."
+
+"I should think so," replied Jack. "I can't see how you can care so much
+for that old doll."
+
+"Oh, don't, Jack! She is a dear, lovely, good old girlie" (with a hug
+and a kiss on Joanna's old battered face).
+
+This Jett resented. Flying at Joanna, she stuck her sharp claws in her
+blond hair, dragging out a big tuft of it.
+
+Jack shouted, "Go it! go ahead! tear her old wig off!"
+
+Hope relieved and comforted her dear dolly, pushing the black termagant
+from her lap, and saying to Jack: "You are a cruel boy. I will have
+nothing to do with you."
+
+This Jack could not bear, for he was a tender-hearted little fellow.
+
+"Oh, come now," he said, "don't be so hard on a fellow. I never knew
+anything about dolls. I daresay Joanna is very nice. See here, perhaps I
+can mend her head." And he did very skilfully, and thus restored peace.
+
+Then came the question of naming the cat.
+
+"How would Nig do?" said Hope.
+
+"Oh, don't! _She_ had a dog called Nig, and it died. I was glad of it."
+
+"Oh, no; if _she_ had anything named Nig I will not have Kitty called
+so." Hope was firm in her belief in Jack's wrongs, and disliked his
+step-mother with all her heart. "We must call her something of that
+kind, for she is jet-black."
+
+"Well," said Jack, "you have just said it. Why not call her Jett?"
+
+So Jett she was named, to their great satisfaction.
+
+"She must be half mine, and I will bring her all the scraps I can, for
+cats want no end of meat. That is," he said, "if I can get anything.
+_She_ would like to starve me. She says I have such a rude appetite that
+it makes her sick."
+
+"What a horrid woman! I don't believe your appetite is big; and if ever
+you are hungry, just let me know, and my Aunt Martha will give you all
+you can eat, for she loves to see me relish anything." And it was quite
+noticeable how often little nice things were brought out for Jack, quite
+accidentally, to save his pride.
+
+"Oh, never mind," he said; "only it's a bothering shame father is so
+generous he never can see what is going on. We never had such meanness
+and scrimping before. There was always enough and to spare. Now there is
+not enough to feed a cat on. And a dog she will not let me have. She
+says that they are gluttons."
+
+But I must curtail my story; it is getting too long.
+
+Jack had a parrot called Bimbo. As it was a gift from his rich uncle, he
+was allowed to keep it.
+
+With Joanna, Jett, and Bimbo the children were very happy. Bimbo was
+very happy on the bough of the old apple tree. He was deeply interested
+in Hope, and eyed her in a most sympathizing manner.
+
+The first time he saw her use her crutches he gave vent to a succession
+of groans, and moved first one foot and then the other as if in pain,
+and after that he would move to a branch over her couch, and look down
+upon her in the most affectionate manner. Often he would astonish them
+by some remark drawn from the storehouse of memory.
+
+No wonder Jett was jealous of him. When she first heard him speak, she
+opened wide her eyes, and stared at him in astonishment. The children
+shouted with laughter, and Bimbo kept up a silly cackle, encouraged by
+their approval. This was very provoking to Jett, as cats do not like to
+be laughed at, and she resented it in Bimbo.
+
+After she had given him a scratch that he remembered he looked at her
+with fear and trembling. He soon learned to say "Jett." Though he said
+it in a soft, hesitating manner, she was deeply offended. She would give
+him a look that would keep him silent for hours.
+
+She never could understand why such an uncouth-looking bird should have
+the power of speech given to him, while a handsome, intelligent cat
+could not speak at all; and the mystery of it made her very savage to
+poor Bimbo.
+
+Of course the children shared their confidences with their pets, and if
+Mrs. Thornton had fallen into the clutches of Bimbo or Jett, she would
+probably have borne marks of the encounter. Joanna's wrath was
+suppressed; sometimes, however, silent wrath is the deepest.
+
+One day they were in earnest conversation, Jack relating his wrongs;
+while Bimbo, seated on his bough, listened in silence. Suddenly, to
+their surprise, he said in a subdued voice: "She's an old devil! so she
+is! how droll! Ha! ha! ha!" ending with, "Well, I never!"
+
+The children were convulsed with laughter. Even Aunt Martha could not
+resist the ludicrous situation. Bimbo, in great delight, gave a
+succession of "ha-ha's," ending with "Oh, she's a devil!" Aunt Martha
+covered him with her apron, and silence at once ensued; for he knew that
+was a mark of disgrace.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Martha," said Jack, in a whisper, "don't you think it strange
+that Bimbo knows all about her?"
+
+"Nonsense!" she replied. "Did you ever hear Bimbo swear before?"
+
+"Never. He used, when I first had him, to say a few bad words, but
+covering him up made him know he must not repeat them; but to-day he has
+applied them where they are true. Whenever she is around, he swears all
+the time, and I keep him out of her way, for he knows her. She says I
+taught him. It is false. Uncle Jack bought him of some sailors. They
+gave him a good character, and Uncle Jack said if he ever used bad
+words, it would teach me a lesson never to say anything I did not want
+him to repeat."
+
+"Very wise of your uncle. You must do as he has advised, and you will
+soon teach him better."
+
+Just here, Jett, who had been a silent witness of the scene, could bear
+it no longer. She flew up the tree and out on the bough where Bimbo sat
+in disgrace, and drawing off the apron with sheathed claws, she boxed
+him right and left.
+
+Poor Bimbo retreated to the very edge of the bough, screaming "Jett,
+Jett! oh, oh, Jett!" This offended her so much that Jack had to pull her
+down by her tail, to save Bimbo's life.
+
+She was of course very much disgusted at such unusual treatment, and
+went off in the sulks. After a time peace was restored, and Bimbo was
+happy, for they were all very kind and sympathizing, and Hope smoothed
+his feathers where Jett had attacked him, and Jack told him he was
+forgiven provided he never swore again.
+
+Aunt Martha told the children a nice, interesting story, while Jack held
+Bimbo on his arm, and Hope cuddled Joanna in her lap.
+
+This home picture was interrupted by Bridget, the cook. She came, full
+of wrath, to enter her complaint of Jett, who followed in the distance
+as bold as a lion. Bridget said she put some squash pies she had made to
+cool for dinner, and she found Jett sitting in the middle of one while
+she was eating from the other, her paws and tail going as fast as her
+tongue.
+
+Jack shrieked with laughter when he saw her glossy black fur covered
+with squash. Her nose and whiskers were dotted with it, and even her
+ears had little yellow decorations.
+
+As soon as Aunt Martha could command her voice, she consoled Bridget by
+telling her she would make a dessert in place of the pies. Then she told
+Jett she had better go and get into the waste barrel. And a sight she
+was--a picture in yellow and black.
+
+She went away, ashamed,--not, however, without casting a look of fury at
+Bimbo, who was whispering with a smothered chuckle, "Oh, she's a dear!
+she's a dear! Oh, oh, Jett! I shall die!"
+
+Jett preferred a crooked path. Stealing was her delight, for boldly, in
+the face of all, she would bring home a chicken she had stolen. No one
+molested her, for Aunt Martha paid for the chicken, and as Hope said,
+perhaps Jett thought it was like having a bill at a store. She had a
+running account at the neighbor's hen-coops, knowing the bill would be
+paid.
+
+The children called her a "grave robber." For once one of the neighbors
+lost a little bird. Their little boy was very fond of it, and was
+allowed to bury it in the garden. He folded it up in his little
+pocket-handkerchief, and put it into the hole he had dug, and covered
+the earth over it. He put up a little wooden paper-knife over the grave,
+making a nice tombstone, and the design was very appropriate. The top of
+the knife was carved with a bush, and a bird was sitting on the
+branches. The point of the knife was down deep in the earth, and he
+thought everything secure.
+
+Now Jett knew everything going on in the neighborhood. The bird's empty
+cage had been cleaned, and was standing on a bench outside the kitchen
+door. Jett had interviewed the cage and tried to get in, but finding the
+door too small, she had seated herself to think it out, wondering in her
+mind where the bird had gone. When she heard footsteps, she mounted to
+her post of observation on the fence; and when she saw the boy bring out
+the bird and bury it, she was perplexed.
+
+A cat never allows a mystery to go unsolved. After it was all over she
+waited a suitable time, and then she made an investigation. She walked
+around the monument, she smelt of it, and she clawed it a little. By the
+time she had satisfied her curiosity it looked like the Leaning Tower of
+Pisa. That it moved was probably a suggestion to her, for she began
+scratching the earth; and it soon fell over, leaving a bit of the grave
+clothing of the poor little bird exposed. This at once was proof
+positive, and after scratching away the earth she found the mystery.
+
+Jerking up the handkerchief, she soon landed the little corpse, and then
+she examined it with a critical eye. No coroner inquiring into the cause
+of a sudden death could have been more careful. After she had inspected
+it thoroughly she took one claw in her mouth and started for the house,
+and never rested till she had with great difficulty deposited that bird
+in its cage and pushed to the door. Then she went home, satisfied that
+she had done an act of justice and humanity.
+
+It is needless to say how surprised the family were to find the dead
+returned to them, and they suspected a mischievous boy who lived near;
+but when Jett dug up that bird for the second time, there were
+witnesses, and the deed was brought home to her.
+
+The last burial took place while Jett was shut up. They dared not put up
+the monument, for they knew she would discover the grave by that. She
+hunted for a week, but she never found that bird again.
+
+All the neighbors looked upon her as a mysterious element that had come
+into their midst. They believed in the witches having unlimited power
+over black cats, and never dared interfere with her; indeed, her good
+will they were very glad to gain.
+
+Jett was devoted to Hope. She never killed a rat without bringing it
+with a purr of satisfaction, and was not satisfied till her little
+mistress had noticed her, and said, "What a good kitty to catch the
+naughty rats."
+
+There was one place the children called the "cats' paradise." It was
+down in the corner of Jack's garden. Here catmint grew in rank
+profusion. The place was neglected, but nature had rioted there, and it
+was all abloom with wild flowers and weeds.
+
+Here Jett held her afternoon teas and musicales, and she would frolic
+with her friends in the sweet-smelling grass. Her high soprano would
+mingle with the contralto and other nondescript parts till they produced
+a "passion music" so terrible in its results that it required all Jack's
+strength to separate them.
+
+Why these musicales always ended in a free fight, Hope wondered. Jack
+suggested that the catmint intoxicated them, for they were usually
+captured with their mouths and paws full of it, and as much on their fur
+coats as they could hold. But this state of happiness was not quite as
+satisfactory to others as it was to the cats and the children.
+
+Jack announced one day that _she_ had been disturbed by the musicales,
+and the catmint period was drawing to an end. Jack said:--
+
+"She won't outwit me. Aunt Martha will let me plant some over behind
+your large barn, in that field, and we will dry all we can. Jett shall
+have her winter supply, and I will treat every cat in the neighborhood."
+
+Jack worked with a will, and before the man Mrs. Thornton had hired to
+remove and destroy the catmint bed had arrived, it was nearly all
+transplanted or cut off to dry. They did enjoy that work.
+
+Hope was seated in a wheel chair her father had bought for her, and Jack
+delighted in wheeling. She superintended all the work.
+
+Aunt Martha allowed the man of all work to plant all that Jack brought
+him, though she did not think it best for him to take the catmint from
+Jack's garden.
+
+Jett and Bimbo were very much interested. Bimbo eyed them in solemn
+silence for a while, then he yelled, "Go ahead! Hurry up! hurry up!
+She'll get you!" till it did seem as if that clever bird knew
+everything.
+
+Jett's help was rather doubtful, though her interest was not. She
+followed Jack back and forth, and at every fresh root he would take up
+she would turn a somersault in the hole, scratching the earth with all
+her might; then she would rush back--a picture of yellow earth, black
+fur, and catmint.
+
+These were happy days, too soon followed by sorrowful ones. As summer
+waned, and autumn advanced, the first frost cast a blight on the little
+life so fondly cared for by her friends.
+
+Jack's sorrow, when he was made to realize her danger, was pathetic. He
+was now constantly with his little playfellow when she was able to see
+him. It was a picture to see her propped up in bed, Jack sitting by the
+side, in a little rocker, Joanna in her arms, or if too feeble to hold
+her, lying by her side, while Jett was curled up at her feet.
+
+Poor, sorrowful Aunt Martha hovered around her darling, ready to attend
+to her slightest wish. Jett was devoted to her. In this case can be seen
+what devoted creatures cats and dogs can be if they are made friends of.
+They seem to realize the approach of that dread messenger, and to be
+"faithful unto death."
+
+Jett only left the sick child long enough to take a constitutional and
+her meals. Then she would go back and mew piteously, if the door was
+closed, to get in to her little mistress. If Hope was asleep, she would
+jump up on the bed, stand and look at her a little while, perhaps lick
+her hands, and then lie down where she could watch every movement. If
+Joanna had fallen on the floor, she would pick her up with her teeth,
+give her a real shake, as if to say, "What did you fall down for?" and
+then, jumping up on the bed, deposit her in Hope's arms or by her side.
+
+Never was there a case of greater devotion. She was always pleased to
+see Jack. She would lick his face and sit in his arms, but on the least
+movement of her little mistress back she would go and watch her with the
+deepest affection.
+
+The end came very suddenly. Just at the close of a lovely October day
+sweet little Hope Farley fell asleep. She had seemed to know that the
+end was near. She had spoken of her death to her Aunt Martha, saying, "I
+am so tired, but I do not want to leave you and my dear ones."
+
+She had made her auntie promise that Joanna should be dressed just as
+they dressed her, and be buried in her arms, saying, "I shall not be so
+lonesome with my dear dolly, and I know Jack and Jett will come and see
+me often."
+
+So Joanna had a white cambric embroidered dress just like her little
+mistress's, that Aunt Martha made (with tears falling on her work), and
+she was laid in her little mistress's arms. Aunt Martha covered her with
+flowers, and sheltered her under the sleeve of her little mistress's
+dress as well as she could, knowing how much would be said about her
+indulging such a queer fancy of the dear child. As Jack said to her, "I
+do feel glad Joanna is with her. It seems so hard to put her away
+alone;" and Aunt Martha agreed with him.
+
+They had the greatest trouble with Jett, to keep her out of the room.
+Every time the door was open she would hide under the bed. She had taken
+Joanna twice out to the seat in the garden, where she had so often seen
+her in Hope's arms, and Aunt Martha had to shut her out doors while she
+dressed Joanna.
+
+Hope looked lovely, with beautiful flowers around her, and leaves from
+the plants she had loved. Her father was dazed at her loss, but Aunt
+Martha and Jack were the real mourners.
+
+How it happened they never knew. They had kept track of Jett all they
+could, and Jack had petted her, and tried to comfort her, but all to no
+purpose. She was like a wild cat, crouching down in corners and watching
+them all. The last night before the funeral Hope was placed in the
+casket, and it was closed. Jett must have crawled into a corner under
+the sofa when the door was open, for she was found in the morning,
+sitting on the head of the casket, as solemn as if she knew she had been
+watching her dear little mistress.
+
+She was not willing to go to any one, and disappeared till just as the
+funeral left the house, when she was seen on the opposite side of the
+street. When they reached the old cemetery, she was noticed behind some
+shrubs.
+
+Jack got out of the carriage to see if it was Jett, and take her home,
+but could not find her. They thought it could not be she; but when days
+passed away and she did not return, they were sure it was Jett who had
+followed to her little mistress's grave. They sought her everywhere,
+leaving the outbuildings open, so in case she returned she could get in;
+but they never found any trace of her again.
+
+There were stories, that they did not give credence to, of a cat's being
+seen hovering around the grave; but many people did believe that it was
+Jett guarding the grave of her dear one.
+
+Superstitious people said that she was a ministering spirit sent to
+guard and comfort the life of that dear little child. That her mission
+being fulfilled, she went back to those who sent her, perhaps to be
+still with the dear child in Paradise. Others said she was a witch cat,
+spared for a little while, to be happy in this beautiful home; but her
+mission being over, the witches called her back. That perhaps at night
+she was allowed to visit the grave of the one she had served so
+devotedly.
+
+But my opinion is, she was just a good, loving cat. She was grateful for
+all their kindness, and loved little Hope just as all cats love those
+who are kind to them. She had not been born in that home, as one would
+know by the strange way she often behaved that she had no training.
+
+Of course her disappearance is hard to account for; but I do believe she
+could not bear to live in that home after Hope had left it, and she
+found another one for herself. Of course a cat has a right to an
+opinion. This is mine.
+
+But does it not show how kind, loving, and faithful cats can be? If
+properly trained, they make the best companions for children.
+
+Who that ever has seen dear little kittens, so loving and trusting,
+climbing in the arms of those who are kind to them, can doubt they are
+given to them for friends?
+
+
+
+
+XXII
+
+WATCH AND CHLOE
+
+
+Much has been said of the benefit of example. Why, then, when a cat
+follows the example of the people with whom she lives, should she be
+called "bloodthirsty" if she kills a chicken? She follows her master to
+the hen-coop, and looks on in wonder when he wrings the neck of one of
+the chickens he has fed daily. Then when she takes her own method of
+killing a chicken for her own eating, where is the harm? She could be
+taught better, of course.
+
+Dogs are taught not to touch game, even when it falls at their feet,
+till their master gives them permission. Cats would never steal if they
+knew it was wrong.
+
+Look at my case. After the theft of that meat from the good
+"philanthropist," I never took anything else. My mistress made me
+understand wherein it was wrong. I felt very much ashamed, though I
+could not be blamed. It was one of the most delicious morsels I ever
+had.
+
+If a cat is not well fed, she will help herself, just as, under the same
+circumstances, human beings would do the same. It is astonishing how
+many peculiar traits are brought out when one studies animals.
+
+I heard a story of a cat called Tinker, who lived with a very nice
+family. They were country people, with a large farm, with horses, cows,
+dog, and cat, all well cared for, and favorite companions of the
+children. Nothing was ever killed on that place except rats.
+
+Tinker was a ferocious mouser. She was, however, very fond of all the
+animals, and the horses would put their heads down to her when she
+rubbed against their legs. Even the cow did not resent it when she would
+lick her after she had been milked. They did say that Tinker had been
+known to help herself to a little, sometimes, before the good Brindle
+had been milked.
+
+They had hens and chickens in plenty. But they never killed one of their
+own, always buying their poultry of the farmers around. They were
+content with selling the eggs in great quantities, for the hens were so
+well kept that they laid a great many.
+
+Tinker was well fed; and as she had never seen hens and chickens killed,
+she treated them as if their right to live could not be questioned. She
+walked out and in the hen-coop whenever she pleased. She had very nice
+ways, and was never known to go near the pig-pen, that being, in her
+opinion, not exactly a pleasure ground.
+
+One day the hens were all out in the large field back of the house, when
+Tinker was walking about on a voyage of discovery. She soon espied three
+little chickens of a very tender age shivering with cold and sending
+forth feeble little peeps. She looked around; then mounting on the nest,
+she sat over them, and they nestled in her warm fur.
+
+Soon a great clacking announced the return of their mother. She was
+telling all the gossip of the farm to the other hens. She was just as
+surprised as she could be to see her place filled. She flew at Tinker in
+great wrath. Tinker just raised her paw and kept her back and sat there
+as long as she pleased. The mother hen ran about, telling her story to
+all the coop assembled to see the fun. Even the lordly rooster cocked
+his comb about, in wise deliberation, over this most unusual occurrence.
+
+The unusual noise drew out the master, who was so well pleased that he
+called his wife to see Tinker in her position as chicken nurse.
+
+As soon as she saw she was appreciated, Tinker left her post, and there
+is no doubt the chickens wished their mother had fur on her rather than
+stiff feathers.
+
+Does not this prove that a cat would be kind to all creatures, were the
+example before her such as she could follow? Animals learn to kill by
+seeing man kill everything he is allowed to without drawing upon himself
+the penalty of the law.
+
+It has often been said that women care more for pets, particularly cats,
+than men do. I do not think it is true. Men do not make such open
+demonstrations and decorate their pets in the absurd way that women do,
+but where they do love them, it is a very lasting affection.
+
+If you follow the course of children who are cruel to animals, you will
+find they meet with their punishment oftentimes in this world. I have a
+story to tell in illustration of this fact.
+
+A very charming family lived not very far from Boston, though their home
+was in quite a country place. The family was composed of a widow with
+four sons and an only daughter. The eldest son was really the flower of
+the family. The boys were all full of life, but very unlike their elder
+brother. Robert was a gentleman and a scholar. Mary, the sister, was his
+special friend, and he made of her a real chum, telling her all his
+plans and in every way making a friend of her.
+
+They lived in a grand old house. It had been built by their ancestors
+some two hundred years. The land about was very beautiful, and they
+lived in comfortable style, though not really wealthy. They loved the
+old family horse, and the cow would follow every member of the family.
+They had a good, big dog; and last but not least a great, dignified cat
+called Bruno.
+
+The cat was the special pet of Robert and Mary. The younger boys teased
+him, and he kept out of their way. He well knew how to defend himself,
+and they were rather afraid of him.
+
+There were no near neighbors. The grounds of their nearest companions
+met theirs, but nearly half a mile away. As they were not congenial, the
+distance was rather satisfactory.
+
+Bruno would not notice the poor, wretched, hunted-looking cat belonging
+to the other place, and she was afraid of every moving thing. The people
+were very mean, though they kept up a great show of wealth; the servants
+and the animals about the place were half starved.
+
+Poor Mossy had no one to love her. She had never been petted, and her
+life was made still more wretched by the loss of her many kittens. At
+last she disappeared. Then they realized her value, for she was a great
+mouser, and the place was infested with rats and mice. Knowing their
+enemy had gone, they returned in full force, and the people tried in
+every way to find Mossy, but in vain.
+
+After a time the chickens on our friend Robert's place disappeared. They
+could find no trace of the robber, though they watched very carefully.
+
+Max would bark nights, and Bruno, the cat, seemed to be very uneasy at
+the same time, as if he heard some intruder. One of the boys would stay
+out at night till quite late, but the hen-coop was peaceful; and though
+they tried every means, they never caught the intruder. And the chickens
+disappeared, all the same.
+
+At last the boys discovered a hole in the back of the hen-coop, where the
+earth had been dug down and room made large enough for a cat to enter.
+The boys declared they had seen a cat that looked like Mossy come out of
+the pine woods at the back of the hen-coop, and they believed she had
+stolen the chickens.
+
+Robert said, "If it is Mossy, do not harm her, but coax her here and
+feed her."
+
+Robert had always petted her when he could get the chance, but she
+seemed to shrink from and distrust every one.
+
+The boys were not of the same mind. They had no love for Mossy, and
+believed in punishing the one who had stolen the chickens. So they
+baited a trap with poisoned meat, just outside of the hole, and poor
+Mossy was caught. She was quite dead; but, not satisfied, they battered
+her head with stones.
+
+Robert's wrath was terrible when he learned of poor Mossy's fate. He not
+only cuffed them right and left, but he told them they had forfeited the
+right to the pleasure trips and fun he had promised them. Robert had a
+scientific turn of mind, and his experiments were a great wonder and
+pleasure to the boys, and the loss of his favor was a severe punishment.
+
+The next day, when they went out, they said, "We will take the body of
+Mossy into the woods and bury it, and perhaps we shall find out where
+she made her home."
+
+They had laid down the body of Mossy on the grass while they went to dig
+a grave for her, when a mewing, shrill but feeble, greeted their ears.
+They looked back, and a most pathetic sight greeted them: the dead body
+of poor Mossy was completely covered by five little kittens. They were
+half starved, and were trying to nurse their dead mother. "Oh, ho!" said
+the boys, "this is what she was up to! She wanted to raise a family all
+by herself."
+
+The three boys each took a kitten, and, whirling it around, dashed its
+little life out against a tree, saying, "We will send her orphans after
+the chicken stealer."
+
+Robert and Mary had followed them, wanting to see that they buried Mossy
+as they ought to. They arrived on the scene just at the moment when the
+poor little kittens were killed. Robert rushed forward and with one blow
+felled one cruel wretch to the ground, while the others fled.
+
+Poor Mary almost fainted at the dreadful sight; but Robert put the two
+little kittens (that he took from their mother's dead body) into her
+arms, and as she wrapped them in her shawl, they cuddled up to her so
+confidingly that it comforted her, for she said, "They shall never know
+sorrow."
+
+Robert was moved almost to tears. As soon as he could command his voice
+he said: "God will punish this act of cruelty, this crime. They are my
+brothers, but I would not lift up my hand to save them from prison."
+
+He then made a grave, and Mary helped as well as she could (with the
+little kittens in her arms) to put in leaves, and Robert spread out his
+handkerchief and tenderly laid in poor Mossy and her three kittens. It
+was a solemn sight. Mary covered them with her handkerchief and a few
+more leaves, and then Robert filled in the grave.
+
+They carried home the two little orphans in silence. The poor things
+were very hungry, and Mary fed them and put them into a basket with soft
+white wool, and as soon as they opened their eyes she was ready with
+milk and petting, that they might not feel their mother's loss.
+
+Robert was very fond of them. As soon as they could run about he took
+them up to his den, where all his time was spent in study, and they were
+perfectly at home. They would dart about, over books, papers, and table,
+and there was so much electricity about them that Robert named them
+Castor and Pollux, for he said they were like a flash of lightning in
+their movements. Of course they were called Cassy and Polly. They were
+the exclusive property of Robert and Mary, and the boys never dared
+touch them.
+
+The mother, a confirmed invalid, was never told of the boys' wickedness;
+for her sister, who had the care of her, with the help of Mary, kept
+everything of a disturbing nature from her.
+
+Strange as it may appear, their instinct taught the kittens to shun
+their mother's murderers. They would never go near them; and another
+very strange thing--they would never, even when hungry, touch a bit of
+chicken. They never went near the hen-coop, and would run and hide when
+the hens and chickens were around.
+
+Is there not some psychological explanation of this fact? Did not the
+spirit of the mother in some mysterious way influence her children?
+
+It was supposed that Mossy, after losing her kittens so often, decided
+she would take the matter into her own hands and save those she was
+expecting. She went away, when near the time of their birth, and hid
+herself in a cave in the rocks, for it was found some time after that
+she had made a deep cave, digging it out patiently till it was large
+enough for comfort. Chicken feathers were found spread all around,
+proving she had thought about the comfort of her children and herself,
+and provided them a good home. She stole chickens from the neighboring
+coops, and feasted herself and used their feathers. She certainly
+displayed human intelligence in her work.
+
+Castor and Pollux grew up to be very fine cats. They were very smart
+mousers, like their mother, and they were devoted to Robert and Mary.
+Bruno was quite jealous of them at first; but after a time, finding his
+importance was not lessened, he gave in, and treated them with
+politeness. When, one day, Cassy brought a mouse he had killed, and laid
+it in his arms when he was asleep, he adopted Cassy at once. It was a
+real picture to see that big, dignified cat with the plump little
+kittens playing around him. They had no respect or veneration in their
+intercourse with him. They just loved him as they did everything around
+them.
+
+Mary would take them in to see her mother sometimes when she had a few
+hours' relief from pain. The mother would say: "What will you do, Mary,
+if Robert or you should marry? You cannot both have the kittens, and you
+surely cannot separate them."
+
+"Oh," she answered, "I shall never marry, and Rob may get a wife who
+will not love cats, and I shall have them all my own."
+
+When she repeated this to Robert, he said: "I shall never have a home
+where Castor and Pollux are not welcome. It will be the test I shall
+apply to the woman, if I ever find one, whom I propose to make my wife,
+whether she loves cats and is kind to dumb animals."
+
+"You had better not announce the fact; for there are hundreds who would
+tolerate even a gorilla and pretend to be fond of it for the sake of
+being the wife of my elegant brother Robert."
+
+He laughed, saying, "Perhaps, in that case, as there are sixty thousand
+single women to be provided for, it would be better not to advertise."
+
+He was truly in earnest, as was soon proved. The young friend of his
+sister that he had been very much pleased with, and had paid more
+attention to than to any other he had met, came to visit Mary soon after
+this conversation had taken place. She was very pretty and charming,
+trying to please Robert in every way. Finding he was fond of cats, and
+hearing with sympathy the story of Mossy, she was very affectionate to
+Cassy and Polly; but they did not reciprocate, and kept away from her
+when it was possible.
+
+One day Cassy sat upon her beautiful new hat and crushed the flowers.
+She flew at him in a great rage, saying: "You horrid old cat! I would
+not have you around in a house of mine."
+
+She slashed him over with her bag, while he slunk under the sofa in fear
+and trembling. It was the first abuse he had ever known.
+
+She thought she was alone, and soon left the room with her precious hat.
+But she had forever ruined her chance of being Robert's wife; for as
+soon as she left the room he moved the Turkish screen that formed a
+protection for the window seat where he was lounging with a book, and
+stooping down he took poor Cassy from under the sofa and carried him up
+to his den, where he remained with his two pets. They were the only
+witnesses of the death of his fancy for his sister's friend. When she
+called Cassy and Polly to her, he well understood why Cassy crept under
+the table out of her sight.
+
+He became a very successful scientific man, but the brothers met with
+retribution for their cruel crime. Two of them were victims of a
+railroad accident, while the third died from blood-poisoning from the
+bite of a rat he had caught in a trap. Justice was dealt out to them in
+full.
+
+If young people would test each other's natures by their treatment of
+animals, there would not be so many deceived and repentant married
+people.
+
+Castor and Pollux lived to be twenty years old. They seemed to bear a
+charmed life. They were very fond of each other, but often they would
+have a pitched battle and retire to separate corners for a while, but it
+never lasted long. They were soon as good friends as ever.
+
+The lady Robert married was very fond of cats. When she was married, she
+could not be separated from her pet dog Fido; but she was mistress and
+soon made them understand they must be friends.
+
+She never allowed either the dog or the two cats to be unjust to each
+other. It took time and patience, but she persevered, and was successful
+at last. By judicious treatment she made them the best of friends. It
+was a very funny sight when Fido would carry some of his candy and put
+it on Cassy's and Polly's paws, and then bark with delight at his own
+generosity.
+
+And when her little girl, named Mary, after Robert's sister Mary, who
+had died just before his marriage, was born, the two cats and the dog
+were her earliest friends, and they often fought for her favor, each
+seeming to believe her to be his own special property; but she kissed
+and cuffed alike, so they were a very happy family.
+
+Cassy and Polly were always to be found in their master's study when he
+was engaged in absorbing work. They would quietly pore over maps and
+charts, as full of interest as they would have been had he been their
+teacher. Their master said he had solved many hard questions while
+smoothing their soft fur and meeting their intelligent glances. And he
+could not help saying, "What do you think of it, my friends?"
+
+I think a man like the master of Castor and Pollux a true and grand
+gentleman. How many might be happy if, like him; they would care for
+their humble friends. There is no doubt that a cat oftentimes helps out
+some problem.
+
+My mistress would sometimes take me in her arms and look into my eyes. I
+could feel that look right into my heart, and I know that I answered it,
+for she would say, "Oh, Daisy, you have given me an idea." And I would
+advise my friends, both young men and women, when you have some
+difficult problem or study, take your faithful friend, the cat, look
+deep into her eyes while you tell her your perplexity, and see if she
+does not help you solve the difficulty. There is an electric current
+that passes into your brain from hers, and clears away the mists from
+your understanding. Then your kindness to your dumb friend is rewarded
+by the success you deserve.
+
+There is another story I like very much. It is about a cat and a dog,
+and they lived in Beverly, in a very beautiful place quite near the
+shore.
+
+The dog's name was Watch, and the cat was named Chloe. Watch was not a
+handsome dog, but he was a faithful, good little fellow. He had very
+short legs (my mistress said, just like a cricket). He was a dark
+yellow, or what now is called a dull old gold. He had a very broad back,
+where Chloe could sit comfortably whenever she pleased.
+
+Watch was very humble, and believed in "woman's rights" evidently, for
+he never offered any resistance when Chloe saw fit to use him for an
+easy-chair. He would crouch down on his short legs, and solace himself
+with a good sleep--that was his panacea for every ill. But he never
+allowed his master, whom he worshipped, to take one step without rising
+and standing in respectful silence or following him at a distance. This
+was very exasperating to Chloe, for he would shake her off with scant
+ceremony to do honor to his master.
+
+But Chloe had no reverence or respect for anything but a good dinner.
+Many were the cuffs she gave poor Watch, which he bore meekly, because
+he would rise when his master appeared and disturb her sleep.
+
+He was really a refrigerator color. His fur was short and stiff, his
+ears were large and prominent, drooping, unless something unusual
+aroused him. Then his interest only lasted for a moment. He would
+relapse into the stolid, silent dog they all believed him to be. He
+identified himself with the family, though he did not join in their
+sports; but he always knew just what was going on, and would follow them
+at a distance wherever they would go.
+
+His master was his idol. He seemed to live for him alone. His bright,
+beadlike black eyes were always fixed on his master's face, and he knew
+every change of expression. His master would say, "Watch is the only one
+of my children with black eyes; he takes after me." Years after Watch
+died there were two little black-eyed girls born, but Watch could not
+enjoy the sight of them.
+
+Chloe was a calico cat, yellow, with patches of dark and white spots.
+She was not much prettier than Watch, but the children thought her
+beautiful and loved her dearly.
+
+Their father had made them a wooden doll, and they were as pleased with
+it as children of to-day are with the elegant creatures who can open and
+shut their eyes and squeak out "mamma" and "papa." The children had been
+brought up to enjoy and believe Bible stories, and they thought the
+highest honor they could give that doll was to call it by a Bible name.
+So, after a discussion, they named it Amminadab, for the very reason
+that it was very hard to pronounce and impossible to understand.
+
+Chloe and Watch were very good friends. To be sure, Watch never dared
+say his soul was his own in Chloe's presence. Possibly that was the
+reason they had peace.
+
+Chloe had a very roving disposition. Day after day she would go off into
+the woods near by, and then Watch would suffer great anxiety. He would
+go out into the road, and look up and down, and then indulge in a mild
+bark. He never would go to sleep till she returned, and would meet her
+with the greatest satisfaction, wagging his short tail and walking
+around her as if to say, "You _have_ come back, haven't you?" He
+delighted to see her run up trees, and would look up at her, and bark
+with pride, never at all jealous of her superiority.
+
+When the children went down to bathe, Watch would attend them as
+body-guard. They always carried their doll and gave her to Watch to take
+care of. They would place her on a high rock, while Watch would sit down
+beside her, with his paws on her dress, to keep her from falling off.
+They would say, "Watch, take good care of her," and then they were sure
+he would never leave her. Chloe did not often go with them, for cats do
+not like the water as dogs do; but she knew where they were and was very
+impatient for them to return.
+
+One day when their mother said, "Chloe, where are the children?" she ran
+down toward the water and back again several times.
+
+Their mother laughed, saying, "Go and bring them home." And sure enough,
+the children were amused to see Chloe on the rock by Watch's side. She
+took hold of Amminadab by her dress, and tried to pull her away from
+Watch. But here she was mistaken in thinking he would give her up. He
+held his ground. He had been told to guard that doll, and guard her he
+would. Chloe tugged at her dress, tearing it with her teeth, but he held
+on. Then she fell upon him, and cuffed and clawed him, while he tried to
+dodge her all he could; but at one hard blow, in defending himself, he
+loosened his hold a bit on Amminadab, and Chloe, with one good pull,
+gained the victory and ran home, dragging the poor doll over the ground,
+bumping her poor wooden head without mercy. This was too much for Watch.
+He ran in pursuit, but his short legs were no match for her long ones,
+and she reached home, dropping Amminadab on the threshold long before he
+arrived.
+
+Then ensued a fight to carry her back, and the master, who always took
+the part of Watch, had to separate them. He took the bone of contention
+into the house, and that settled it.
+
+They were sincere friends, however, and later on, when poor Watch was
+unfortunate, the good heart under Chloe's rough exterior was shown.
+Watch lost his hearing and then his eyesight, and it was then Chloe came
+to his aid. She helped him and seemed always to have the care of him on
+her mind. She hovered around him when carriages drove by, and he, not
+seeing or hearing them, would sit in their track. She would drag him
+away by the ear or push him away and share his danger. And he soon
+followed her slightest touch.
+
+She would often put his food under his nose, for he at last lost even
+his sense of smell. The sense of feeling he never lost, and would put
+out his paw, and his poor old heart would beat while he would give forth
+a cracked and feeble bark when his master touched him--loyal and
+faithful unto death!
+
+His master could not bear the thought of parting with him, though he
+knew it must be, for he was in danger of being killed all the time, and,
+having lost all his senses, he at last refused food, and they were
+obliged to "put him to rest." Chloe was inconsolable. She wandered about
+everywhere, searching for him.
+
+One day they saw her lying down on some shining object. They found it
+was an old collar belonging to Watch that she had found in the attic.
+She fought when they took it away from her; and when they returned it,
+she carried it out to the barn and put it in the corner where Watch used
+to lie.
+
+There were warm sunny places he had selected to rest himself in when he
+grew tired and sick, and Chloe went to every one of his old haunts and
+made her bed. She attached herself to the master just as Watch had done,
+and seemed overjoyed if he noticed her. Very soon the sympathy between
+them in their mutual loss made them real friends. He would talk to her
+about Watch, and she seemed to understand all he said. It was a real
+comfort to him.
+
+It is often said that a dog is more companionable than a cat, and has
+higher intelligence. That is not true. Cats fully understand everything
+that a dog does; but a dog is trained, and no one but a real cat lover
+would ever think of training a cat.
+
+Chloe never regained her bright spirits after the death of Watch. She
+did not wander off into the woods so often, attaching herself more to
+the children and her home. She followed the children like a shadow. She
+could play hide-and-seek in and out the pine trees, jumping out on them
+in real earnest, and was always the first one to find the hiding place.
+
+On the place was a real old-fashioned well. Chloe was very fond of that
+well, and the bucket was a real friend. Warm days she would lap the
+drops of water from its sides, for it was like ice water.
+
+One day a kitten belonging to a neighbor mounted on the side of the well
+and looked down with wonder into the boundless depth. It was a perilous
+seat. Chloe, not pleased at the kitten's rashness, ran around the well
+and in every way tried to call her down from her perch; but she was an
+obstinate little creature and took no notice of Chloe's evident
+distress. Finding moral suasion of no avail, quick as a flash she flew
+up, and, taking her by the nape of the neck, deposited her in safety on
+the grass, where they had a good romp together; and she never allowed
+that kitten to go near the well again without her company.
+
+The master would say, "We need not fear for the children; Chloe will
+never let them approach the well without her company."
+
+It was very funny, one day when the children, returning from a long
+tramp in the woods, discovered they had left Amminadab behind. There
+were lamentations loud and long; they were sure they would never again
+see their dear dolly. Their father asked them if Chloe was with them.
+Yes, they said, but they did not notice her coming home. Their father
+walked out into the road, looking in the direction the children had
+taken. Soon he espied a small cloud of dust and, as it came nearer, a
+small yellow object, dragging in its mouth something that retarded its
+progress very much. Soon poor Chloe arrived and laid Amminadab at the
+feet of her master. She had walked all the way from the pine woods,
+dragging that heavy wooden doll by the dress, which bore marks of her
+teeth, having to shut them tight to bear the strain of that weight. She
+had to take frequent rests, and Amminadab's head was covered with
+scratches from the stones she had bumped; but she was all there, and
+when Chloe laid her on the doorstep, she sat down panting and tired, but
+with the satisfaction of having done her duty just as Watch would have
+done.
+
+She was petted and praised. Her master brought her out a nice supper of
+fried fish, and she was perfectly happy. After she had acknowledged all
+their thanks, she washed her face (cats never pick their teeth in
+company) and laid herself down on a rug where Watch had enjoyed lying,
+and slept "the sleep of the just."
+
+She was faithful to the end. To the last day of her life she would never
+allow Amminadab to be left out of the house without the children, but,
+taking her in her mouth, would carry her in to her place in the
+playroom. She would pick up the children's clothes. If they dropped a
+ribbon or a bit of paper, she would be sure to pick it up and put it on
+a chair or sofa.
+
+She died peacefully, and her grave was made by the side of her friend
+Watch.
+
+It is certain that the family never had truer friends than this dog and
+cat. They all remember them, and count them with those loved ones of
+whom it is so comforting to say, "Not lost, but gone before."
+
+
+
+
+XXIII
+
+THE STORY OF BLACKIE
+
+
+One of our friends boarded in a family where cats were treated in a
+cruel manner. Often when my mistress visited her, the tales of woe about
+poor, ill-used cats made her very sad. Cats always found our friend's
+room, and proved very loving and grateful for her care. She kept them in
+her room all she could, always feeding them; and as she had her meals
+sent to her rooms, she had pieces of meat and always a plenty of milk to
+give them, and they were very thankful; they loved her dearly. She said
+they were hunted about, and never knew what it was to have a kind word
+spoken to them.
+
+One nice cat had several kittens that were kept for the little son of
+the family to abuse. One of them ran away from him, and was jammed into
+the crack of a door and killed. Another had its back broken under the
+rockers of a chair; while the boy had the third one by the tail,
+swinging it about, banging its head against door-steps, till its feeble
+moans made the neighbors call to him; and as he paid no heed to them,
+one good-hearted Irish girl rushed out and, with a good shake, took the
+kitten in, and ended its sufferings in a pail of water. You do not often
+see a real, true-hearted Irish girl that is cruel to animals.
+
+The mother of that boy never noticed any complaints made to her of her
+child's cruelty to animals. She allowed him to do as he pleased with his
+living playthings, regardless of their suffering.
+
+At last the cat ran away or was stolen, and my mistress's friend said
+she hoped they would never have another.
+
+A little sister had been born, and at an early age developed the same
+cruel traits that made her brother a terror to all animals. At last,
+after some months, they had a black kitten given them. She was about six
+months old, a beautiful black, and she had very sharp claws. Though the
+boy was obliged to keep away from her,--for she defended herself with
+her sharp claws,--her life was wretched. The first lesson she learned
+was to defend herself, and look upon every one as her enemy.
+
+She had not one friend. No one ever spoke a kind word to her, and she
+was given wretched food and bones, for the boy devoured every scrap
+usually given to a cat. Then she was hunted into the cellar to find
+rats, and her life was one long punishment. No resting place, no nice
+corner, or bed to call her own--she was an object of pity indeed.
+
+At last a gleam of light dawned on her darkened life. A mouse had been
+heard in the room of our friend, and Blackie was sent up to catch it.
+She cowered down in one corner, trembling all over, not knowing what
+would be done to her. When the lady took her on her lap, smoothed her
+soft fur, she seemed to realize that there was something besides kicks
+and blows for her. When laid on a soft wool shawl on the lounge, she
+testified her delight by "kneading up bread" on the shawl with her
+claws, till she was tired, then purred out her satisfaction, and at last
+indulged in a good sleep, though starting and trembling at every sound,
+for cats are all nerves and sensitive in the highest degree. That night
+she caught a mouse, and after that was allowed to sleep in the room for
+a long time, and she effectually cleared the place of them.
+
+When she slept downstairs again our friend had given them a box for her
+to sleep in, with old blanket pieces folded to make her comfortable.
+This was to be kept in the passageway just out of the kitchen, that she
+might keep the rats away.
+
+She had got so attached to her friend by this time that she did not
+relish being out of her room at all, and early in the morning she would
+be up at the door, crying like a child to be let in, if the door was
+closed.
+
+It was a very great trial to this kind-hearted lady, for she could not
+keep Blackie all the time, and knowing she would be away in summer some
+months, she was very unhappy about leaving Blackie. She tried to
+interest the people in the house in her, but it was of no use. The
+mistress of the house hated Blackie, frequently threatening to get rid
+of her. She dared not offend her boarder, so she contented herself with
+abuse of the poor cat on the sly. She did not half feed her, but the cat
+knew where she could always get food, for the kind friend would buy meat
+for her and feed her well. Blackie turned from them all. She did not
+believe in any one but her kind friend, so it was impossible to help
+her.
+
+All the lady could do when she went away was to speak for her to all of
+the people she could in the house, and to give the servants money to buy
+meat and to be kind to her. But she always left with a heavy heart.
+
+At last Blackie was to have her first kittens. She, with that rare
+instinct that cats have at such times, established herself on the lounge
+in her friend's room, and if not forcibly removed, would ignore her
+hunger rather than go down in quest of food. She was determined her
+kittens should be born in luxury and under the care of her kind friend.
+Her friend did not fail her. She provided a nice box, all lined and made
+soft inside; and although she could not have it in her room, she went
+down every night to see that Blackie was made comfortable.
+
+Poor Blackie! She had a determined will, and escaped from her box the
+night her kittens were born, and got up to her friend's door, where she
+cried, and then lay down as near the door as she could, and bore her
+pains in silence, like the patient creature she was.
+
+As soon as morning came she was carried down and put in her nice box
+with the seven little kittens she had borne. Her friend took care that
+they disposed of them humanely, keeping only one. Blackie never rested
+till she brought up that kitten and laid it in a large chair; then she
+felt relieved. She would take it up the two flights of stairs, then put
+it down at her friend's door, while she mewed and scratched till it was
+opened to her. She was very happy with her dear little kitten, and truly
+it was a lovely little creature--a real tiger-striped gray.
+
+Blackie was perfectly at home; she cast off the care of her kitten, and
+rested and got up her strength in this peaceful element. She had avoided
+the boy tyrant and hid her kitten away from him, and his mother dared
+not help him find it, fearing Blackie's friend.
+
+The kitten was just the smartest little creature. She soon got big
+enough to go up to her friend's door, and mew just like her mother, and
+she cuffed and fought Blackie in a way that proved she would be able to
+defend herself. Her mother was not so fond of her after she began to
+show her independence. She tried to keep her in subjection, but found
+her to be unmanageable. When she went out to parties nights, her mother
+was very morose over it; and when her first kittens were born, she
+disowned her altogether. She never would stay in the room with her.
+
+The little kittens were all four allowed to live, and were around the
+kitchen, under people's feet, abused by the children, and Kitty Gray, as
+the friend called her, was just wild to get them up into her room. But
+Blackie, their grandmother, drew the line here. She stood on the stairs,
+and Kittie Gray with her "No Name Series" (as Miss Milly called the
+kittens) were never allowed up there.
+
+Poor Kittie Gray! She could not understand it. She had had such a happy
+childhood, and now the change was fearful. From a bright, happy cat she
+became a snappish, nervous creature, all the time in fear for her
+kittens. Sometimes Blackie did try to save the poor little creatures
+from the children, but it was of no use. Their mother hated her because
+she had defended herself from that boy, and they kicked and cuffed her
+till she was obliged to abandon the wretched little creatures to their
+fate, and the boy and girl tortured them just as they pleased. Their
+mother said Blackie was a thief, stealing things to eat all the time,
+and she hated her. She said, as soon as her kittens were born, she would
+get rid of her.
+
+When the good friend of Blackie heard of it, she talked seriously to the
+woman. She told her that with her feelings she never ought to keep a
+cat. She said that Blackie had well paid for her home in keeping them
+free from rats. She said, "The cat would not steal if you would give her
+enough to satisfy her hunger." Then she tried superstition as a reason
+to be kind to her.
+
+"She is a black cat," she said, "and they are supposed to have the power
+of making or injuring your fortunes. There are people who would never
+dare turn a black cat from their home, and would consider it a mark of
+good fortune to have one an inmate of their family. If you get rid of
+Blackie, you will never prosper. At least," she said, "have it done
+mercifully."
+
+It did seem as if poor Blackie knew she was doomed. She never was like
+herself. Though she would go up to her friend's room and cry to be let
+in, she was very unhappy, and if any friends came in, she would run and
+hide, instead of remaining to be noticed as she had before. She was the
+most wretched cat, and all the petting her friend gave her was no
+comfort to her. She had a premonition of her fate. Kitty Gray dared not
+go near her, and it was between two fires that their kind friend lived
+at this time.
+
+She was away for two days, but the servant had promised to look after
+the cats and earn the money given her for that purpose. On the lady's
+return at night, as she had company, she had no chance to ask after
+Blackie. In the morning no little voice greeted her; and later, when she
+opened her door, Kitty Gray crept in alone. She looked frightened, and
+began hunting around the room, mewing piteously. She was dazed, poor
+little creature! by the scene she had witnessed.
+
+The lady said all at once a faintness came over her, and as she fell
+back on the lounge she seemed to realize what had taken place. She had
+not believed they would dare do this thing. She rang the bell several
+times; then the servant came up, looking very much frightened.
+
+"Maggie," said the lady, "where is Blackie?"
+
+The girl hesitated, but at last said, "She is given away."
+
+"That is not true; I want the whole story," said our friend.
+
+Maggie then said she had promised not to speak of Blackie.
+
+"Very well; you can send Miss M. to me, if she is in the house."
+
+Very soon the young lady from the next room came in. She said: "I was
+just coming in to tell you this sad story. I leave the house next week
+to go West. Had I not proposed going there, I should not have remained
+in this house another day. As it is, I have never been downstairs since
+you left, and I never shall go to that table again."
+
+Then she told her story. She said the night after our friend went away
+she saw Blackie at her door, and petted her and carried her down to her
+box and helped the girl give her some food. In the morning she did not
+get down to the table till late, and then there seemed something very
+unusual in the atmosphere of the house. She went out as usual to see
+Blackie, but the mistress of the house shut the door, saying, "That old
+black cat is dead, and I want to hear nothing about her." The young lady
+said she was so faint she ran upstairs to her room and burst out crying.
+
+Later, when the servant girl came up, she made her tell the story. She
+said the girl had been told that if she should let Blackie's friend know
+how she died, that she should lose her place, but the girl said, "I
+don't care. I hate her; and as soon as I can I will leave here."
+
+She said Blackie had four kittens. As soon as the last one was born, and
+poor Blackie lay back exhausted, this fiend in human shape, this cruel
+woman, took her and thrust her into a tub of water, holding her down
+with all her strength till her struggles and shrieks ended. It was a
+wholesale slaughter. Next she put the two good-sized kittens of Kitty
+Gray in, and then the four helpless ones of Blackie. The boy and girl
+looked on, dancing and yelling till the cries of the kittens were all
+still.
+
+The girl said she thought _Hell_ could not be worse than that scene.
+They were thrown into the city cart, a dreadful sight, and one
+calculated to harden the hearts of the children, who looked on at the
+exhibition of these neglected remains.
+
+The lady was speechless. She said she could not bear even to see Kitty
+Gray, and she wished the poor little creature had been destroyed with
+the others. She wrote a note, giving a week's notice that her rooms
+would be at liberty, sent for a carriage, and left the house. She sent a
+friend to pack her things, and never entered the house again. But she
+wrote a note to the woman, saying that she knew the laws of the land did
+not punish such crimes, but she said: "God will avenge that poor black
+creature; and the sight that you allowed your children to look upon, of
+wholesale cruelty, will prove a curse to them. You will never prosper."
+
+And she never has. The loss of her two best boarders, then the sickness
+and death of her husband, the children both of them with some
+troublesome disease all the time, filled her cup of woe. In one year's
+time her house was empty, and she was obliged to give it up. Wherever
+she is, the curse she brought on herself, in the murder of Blackie, will
+follow her forever; and she will yet see her children made to suffer for
+the cruel natures she encouraged in them.
+
+Many a murderer can trace back his first wrong act to just such crimes
+as this one. The first lessons in cruelty are the ones to be dreaded;
+the children cannot reason, and they follow the example of those older
+than themselves, and their hearts harden, and no later instructions will
+ever counteract their influence. And soon the teaching in our
+institutions supplement their home lessons of cruelty, and they are
+ready for the pastime of vivisection. No wonder that they are adepts in
+this criminal abuse of creatures in their power. And God suffers it just
+as he allows men and women to follow their wicked natures and commit
+crimes for which they have to pay the penalty. I heard my mistress say
+this, and I did comprehend it; therefore I do not hesitate to write it
+even if it does sound too deep for a cat. There are cats--and _cats_,
+and I am of the second kind.
+
+I have told you the story of Blackie that you may know what is passing
+around you all the time. It is heartrending to see the poor cats
+stealing about, trembling and hiding at the sound of a footstep. Half
+starved and homeless, what can they do but steal, to satisfy the pangs
+of hunger? Think how many people steal dress and jewels to decorate
+their sinful bodies, while cats are satisfied with the forms and clothes
+their Maker gave them; and they keep themselves clean without the
+expense of a ticket to the public bath-houses.
+
+There is much said about not giving to the poor, for fear of encouraging
+laziness. There, again, cats are superior to the human race. You never
+find a lazy cat. Give a cat a home, enough to eat, and then give her
+work to do, to clear your house of rats, and she will spend days
+patiently watching, allowing nothing to divert her attention till she
+has accomplished her task, and the rats are all killed or driven away.
+
+And they feel well paid by kind words. Cats are invaluable to amuse
+babies, if you will trust them. I heard a lady say that her baby she
+left for hours, with the cat sitting on its little crib. She did not
+like the idea of nurse bottles, as she nursed her baby (that being the
+fashion at that time); and as baby must have something to go to sleep
+on, she made of pounded cracker and sugar a pap and put it into little
+pieces of muslin tied around with a string. It was about as big as a
+cherry, and the long ends of muslin would prevent the baby from
+swallowing it. He would go off to sleep contentedly with that comforter
+in his mouth. Nino had looked on with wide open eyes and even ventured
+to smell of the little comforters.
+
+One day, hearing the baby cry after a good long hour's sleep, the mother
+went in, and saw one of the funniest sights. She said the baby was
+crying, but Nino was lying on her side, with the little comforter in her
+mouth. From the noise she made and the satisfied expression on her face
+there is no doubt she enjoyed it, just as one does a new discovery in
+cooking. When her mistress took it away from her, she made great
+resistance. After that, when the baby had his comforter, she always laid
+a fresh one by the side of Nino--a very satisfactory move for her.
+
+She trusted Nino with the children, and Pussy seemed to find as much
+pleasure in playing with them as she would have found with cats. There
+was never any nice thing given to the children of which Nino was not
+given her portion. They never enjoyed their own unless Nino had her full
+share.
+
+Cats are invaluable in stores. There is no doubt they often prevent
+robberies and protect their master's property. In a grocery store they
+do good service. They keep away rats and save a great deal from
+destruction.
+
+A nice grocer told my mistress that he would not take any sum of money
+for his cat. He had a very large gray cat, and he might always be seen
+walking about as if master of the store. His bright ribbon bow on his
+neck made him doubly attractive to all the children around. He walked
+over the boxes and cases, with velvet paws, and never was known to break
+or destroy anything. He would lie quite happy in the window where the
+sun came on him and would sleep for hours. But let any one presume on
+his not hearing, and he would find a very wide-awake cat.
+
+Dick never allowed cats to visit at the store. He would drive them out
+with tooth and nail. But he evidently visited his own friends, for some
+days he would be away for hours, though he never was absent nights, his
+master seeing that Dick was in his box, on his rug, before he closed the
+store.
+
+The grocer's daughter was very fond of cats, and Dick was a prime
+favorite. One evening, on returning home, she found a little kitten on
+the doorstep. It was not more than two days old. It appealed to her
+heart at once, and she decided to keep it. She gave it some milk in a
+saucer, but it did not know how to lap it, and she gave it a few drops
+on her finger. From the way it drew her finger into its mouth she got an
+idea. She had seen dolls' nurse bottles, and she bought one, filled it
+with milk just warm, and the little kitten took to it at once. It was so
+happy, sleeping peacefully with that bottle in its mouth, that every one
+who saw it was delighted. One friend suggested that the girl should
+exhibit the kitten in the window of her father's store.
+
+It was a dear little black and white kitten, and lying in a basket lined
+with blue, a blue ribbon on its neck, and the nurse bottle in its mouth,
+it was a lovely sight. A place was made in the large window, a big box
+put in, and the basket put on it, and then the crowd were treated to
+this little show. Not only children, but men and women, crowded the
+sidewalk; and the exclamations of delight and admiration proved how deep
+a hold cats have on real true hearts. The grocer facetiously reminded
+them that as they had all enjoyed this free show, they might now come in
+and patronize him, saying milk was expensive, and nurse bottles consumed
+a great deal of the best; that now he had an extra mouth to feed, he
+must get more custom. His joke was appreciated, and in a very few days
+he found that the increase of trade, due to the charming picture in his
+window, was really worth the experiment. And after the people had once
+bought of him, his kind heart and the very nice quality of his goods
+made them friends and customers from that time.
+
+But Dick! Wasn't he as mad as a March hare. He looked upon the nurse
+bottle as an infernal machine, and the little orphan as a fraud. He
+would not go near the basket, but took a seat where he could measure
+every drop of milk that was consumed; and although he had always scorned
+milk as too weak for him, he would hang around the milk-can, and once,
+when it was not given to him, he threw over the can, spilling all the
+milk, and then walked away, as if to say, "Now I hope you will give me
+my share." And they never after that overlooked him, for he developed
+quite a love for what he had before despised.
+
+His master said he had every reason to be grateful to cats as well as
+fond of them, for they cleared his store of rats; and one large yellow
+cat he had when he first kept a store, had saved him from being robbed.
+The thief had got in through a window, and had made some excellent
+selections from the boxes and cases, when the cat, seated on a high
+shelf, knocked over a tin cracker box, and that fell against another,
+and down went the whole shelf of tins, with a noise like thunder. The
+man fled, leaving his tools behind him, probably thinking the store was
+filled with armed men. Pretty good work for one cat!
+
+It seems to me the best combination a safe could have would be a dog and
+a cat. At the least provocation they would fight, and this would
+intimidate intruders.
+
+
+
+
+XXIV
+
+RETRIBUTION
+
+
+A great deal has been said about chloroforming animals. I should prefer
+this mode of leaving the world to any other. Miss Eleanor was so unhappy
+over hanging, that the desire to have criminals disposed of in that way
+was one of her often expressed wishes. If it must be that one murder
+should follow another,--"a life for a life,"--why should it be a cruel
+one? Justice would be satisfied.
+
+Miss Milly said, "Oh, that would not be satisfactory to those who
+delight in punishing their fellow-creatures."
+
+While the law will allow such exhibitions, reserved seats, and tickets
+to witness the taking of life, and all the etiquette of a first-class
+bull fight in Spain, just so long will they persevere in the most
+barbarous way of taking life. It is murder just the same, however it is
+done.
+
+Sometimes we really see retribution follow crime. There is no doubt it
+is always punished, though it is not given to us to know how it is done.
+In the story I am about to relate we can plainly see just how swiftly
+retribution followed the sin.
+
+A friend told my mistress the tale, and it made my hair stand on end. I
+suffered so deeply in thinking about it that I know I can tell it in a
+forcible manner. Tales of this kind, however we may dislike to hear
+them, must be put in black and white before we can reach the hearts of
+those in whose power rests the future of that crime called vivisection.
+
+Millions of innocent victims are offered up every year in the name of
+science. It is simply pandering to the low animal craving for cruelty.
+No man or woman can witness the torturing of helpless creatures and come
+out of the ordeal innocent. Why is the cannibal worse than the doctor
+who uses his knife on helpless creatures, teaching a class of young
+people to do likewise? Is life safe when the fiendish craving to operate
+comes upon him? Would his wife or his child be sacred? Would he not
+practise on them?
+
+And now, as this all-absorbing subject has driven me all around "Robin
+Hood's barn," I will tell my story. An elderly lady who was very fond of
+cats told the story to her daughter, and from her it came to my
+mistress. A niece of this lady, a beautiful girl, had married a young
+doctor. Her friends were not pleased with the match, but could not
+influence her. She was young, beautiful, and rich. She was her own
+mistress, being an orphan, and under no obligation to obey her aunt
+unless she would do so willingly. It is a very true saying that love is
+blind. She could see no flaw in her idol.
+
+For two years she travelled in Europe with her aunt, the separation
+being a great trial to the lovers. On her return they were married, and
+his devotion made her life perfect. When their first child was expected,
+they felt that nothing would be wanting to complete their happiness.
+
+One year from the date of their marriage she died, and a few hours after
+her beautiful little son followed her. Her husband was prostrated with
+grief, and in two months from the day of her death he left his home and
+sought in travel to forget his sorrow. Three years after, he died in
+Rome, of fever.
+
+His friends believed he had recklessly thrown away his life. Without his
+wife he cared not to live. But there was a mystery that many friends
+suspected, but the truth was never made public. The aunt held the key to
+the mystery and revealed the sorrowful secret to her daughter.
+
+Alice was one of the most sensitive girls. She never would tolerate a
+falsehood. She had one master passion, and that was love of animals. Her
+horse knew her voice and would follow her about like a dog. But of all
+her pets, she loved cats the best.
+
+Some time before her engagement to Dr. G. she had a beautiful little
+kitten. She seemed to live for that little creature. It was always in
+her arms and seemed to know as much as a child. When it was eight months
+old it disappeared under the most mysterious circumstances. Search was
+made, and great rewards were offered, but all of no avail. She mourned
+for it, and had it been a child she could not have suffered more.
+
+She fell ill of low fever, and her friends were very anxious about her.
+They never mentioned Little Blossom to her, and she never had another
+cat. After her engagement and marriage she was very happy, but never
+could speak to her husband about her loss, and he knew nothing of her
+love for Little Blossom. They were seldom separated, but two months
+before her death her husband left her to visit a patient in a
+neighboring town.
+
+As she was well and cheerful, he did not feel any hesitation at leaving
+her, though he expected to be away all day. He was surprised, on his
+return, that his wife was not watching for him as usual. He ran up to
+their room and, finding the door locked, called to his wife to open the
+door. Receiving no answer, he was alarmed and, going through his
+dressing-room, entered the room. The odor of chloroform caused his heart
+to stand still with fear. His wife lay on the lounge insensible.
+
+He threw open the windows and used every means in his power to restore
+her, and she at last revived. With a look of horror she recoiled from
+him, releasing herself from his arms in frantic haste. He thought she
+had lost her reason, and when she again became unconscious he took her
+in his arms and carried her into her room, where he laid her on the
+couch, and she soon revived. Very tenderly he soothed her, asking her
+why she had used a dangerous thing like chloroform so recklessly. He
+remembered that she had, before her marriage, used it for neuralgia, but
+since he had the care of her he had never allowed it.
+
+She looked with a dazed expression. She trembled all over if he touched
+her, and made no answer to his words of tenderness. He telegraphed for
+one of the best physicians and a nurse. And then, with the aid of her
+maid, who was very much attached to her mistress, he made her as
+comfortable as possible.
+
+The maid could give no explanation of the cause of her sickness. Her
+mistress had received several letters, and had been shut up in her room
+writing for some hours. She had taken her some toast and tea, though she
+did not care to take it. She thought she had taken a chill, for she was
+shivering and looked very white. She said she would sleep, and did not
+wish to be disturbed. So the maid left her, and had heard nothing of her
+since, till called by him on his return.
+
+Though conscious when the doctor and nurse came, she closed her eyes and
+never spoke a word. After an examination the doctor said, "She has
+evidently received some shock that has unbalanced her mind." He advised
+her husband to keep away from her, as the moment he came near her she
+trembled and shrunk away from him.
+
+It was torture to her husband, but his knowledge taught him that the
+doctor was right--that the nearest and dearest are always turned from by
+the diseased mind. Though he never left the dressing room, he kept out
+of her sight.
+
+Two days from the time she was taken sick she died, and her little son
+followed her a few hours after. She never spoke to them, though they
+believed her to be conscious. Their agony and grief did not move her at
+all, and in the last few hours convulsions prevented any attempt to make
+her speak.
+
+This was a crushing blow to her husband. To lose her without one word
+prostrated him. He was to know a deeper sorrow--one that would admit of
+no consolation. It was a long time before he could look over her papers;
+but at last it was necessary, and he aroused himself. Then came
+retribution indeed.
+
+A package met his eye, on opening her desk, directed to him in the
+handwriting of his wife. The date on the outside convinced him that she
+had written it soon after he had left her that fatal morning. It
+contained a letter in a masculine hand, but the letter from his wife he
+read first.
+
+From that moment his life was ended. He spoke to no one of his friends
+of his sorrow, giving the charge of their home into the hands of the
+aunt with whom his wife had lived, and then he left his home, to travel
+alone.
+
+The letter from his wife, and the one she had received that had caused
+all her sorrow, was sent to her aunt, at his death, with a letter he had
+also written. The letter from his wife explained all. She wrote him that
+after reading the enclosed letter all love for him had died out of her
+heart, leaving only disgust. She could not endure the thought of him as
+her husband. She was determined rather than live with him she would take
+her own life and her child's. She could read only cruel thoughts in his
+face, and her life would be filled with the dread that she and her child
+would be subjects for his knife.
+
+"My dear Little Blossom was like a child, and I can see her delicate
+limbs quivering while you tortured her. I should go mad to live with
+you, for her dear little face would always be before me."
+
+She had evidently fought with her weakness, to finish her letter, for
+the writing was almost unintelligible.
+
+He at once recognized the handwriting of the other letter, and he knew
+that there was no appeal from the truth. He could only say in anguish of
+heart, "It is just." The letter was directed to her, in her maiden name,
+and had been forwarded to her by her aunt. By some mistake it was over a
+year since it had been written, and with other papers was found by her
+aunt when she opened her house after a long absence.
+
+It was from one of her old friends, a gentleman of high standing,
+holding a very important position in a neighboring city. The news of her
+marriage had never reached him, else the letter would never have been
+written. He had known her from childhood and had loved her hopelessly.
+His letter stated the fact that a power stronger than his own will
+obliged him to write to her, and save her from marriage with a man who
+would surely make her unhappy.
+
+"If I cause you great sorrow, in this terrible relation, it may save you
+from a life-long unhappiness. Doctor L., my cousin, whom you well know,
+is my authority, and will swear to the truth of my story. Willard C.,
+your little friend and neighbor, will also vouch for its accuracy, for
+he took an active part in the scene of which I write.
+
+"Dr. L., as you well know, is a classmate of the man to whom you are
+engaged. And as he was a frequent visitor at your home, and a great
+friend of your aunt, you will know there is no appeal against his
+report. He returned from Germany last week, and when he asked my sister
+regarding news of his old friends, she spoke of your engagement.
+
+"'Impossible,' he exclaimed, 'of all things this is the most
+unaccountable.'
+
+"'Why?' said my sister; 'they are very fond of each other, and you are
+not so shabby, because you have broken with him, to grudge him his
+happiness, for he is devoted to her. You will admit it is a good match.'
+
+"'Yes,' he said, 'so it looks to the world, but he never ought to marry
+her.'
+
+"Then he changed the subject, though my sister tried to get at his
+reason for speaking in this manner. After she left us, I at once
+insisted on an explanation. Then to my horror and disgust I heard this
+fearful story.
+
+"My cousin said: 'You know my love of animals and my opposition to
+vivisection. I have never allowed myself to listen to or assist in any
+act of this nature. You know my intimacy with Dr. G., and I never for
+one moment suspected him of the cruelty of which I proved him guilty.
+
+"'Visiting Alice M. so often, I knew all her feelings in regard to
+animals, and I knew that her love for cats was the master passion of her
+life. Her last pet was a beautiful little kitten. You surely remember
+it? She called it Little Blossom.
+
+"'One evening I called on her and learned from the servant that Miss
+Alice had been ill for some days.
+
+"'On my way home I had to pass Dr. G.'s office, and as I had some
+business with him, I thought I would call. I found him very busy. Two
+young students were waiting to accompany him to the classroom. He
+invited me to go with them, saying, "We have a most interesting subject
+to-night." I never thought to ask the nature of the study, and finding
+an old friend in the outer room, I remained talking with him.
+
+"'Soon cries the most agonizing came from the next room, and my friend,
+an old physician said: "This is hellish work! G. is a fiend when he is
+at it. I must go and prevent all the cruelty I can."
+
+"'Some power stronger than my own will made me follow him. Dr. G. was
+the actor in one of the cruellest cases of vivisection. A lovely little
+kitten about eight months old, a pet kitten evidently, he was torturing,
+without the least pretence of anæsthetic. Its cries were fearful, but
+there was no release for it. I cried to him to give it something to
+deaden the pain, but he was deaf to my request. If ever a man's face was
+transformed to that of a demon, it was that man's.
+
+"'Two of the students, to their credit be it said, turned away sick and
+faint, while one of them, Willard C. cried out, "My God! it is Alice
+M.'s pet, Little Blossom."
+
+"'I gave one spring forward, and--yes, it indeed was dear Little
+Blossom, her lovely eyes starting from her head, her soft fur matted
+with blood, while her intestines were exposed to his cruel hand, to be
+tortured. I tore a long scarf from my neck, and finding a bottle of
+chloroform near, I saturated it with it and covered the dear little
+kitten, holding it down with my breast till every sound was still. It
+was a fearful task, for I was almost overpowered by the chloroform, and
+Dr. G. fell upon me like a madman despoiled of his prey. But others came
+to my aid, and Willard C. took the body of the little victim, saying he
+would bury it himself.
+
+"'To Dr. G. I said: "I will never take your hand again in friendship.
+Professional honor requires silence, and in this case sympathy with the
+owner or the victim will allow you to escape punishment. You know there
+is a law against taking a pet animal."
+
+"'He was in a great rage, saying, "That is not your business. I bought
+her of a boy, supposing she was his property. I do not think you are
+much of a doctor if you shrink from procuring the knowledge so necessary
+to science, however painful the ordeal."
+
+"'"Never would I be a doctor," I answered, "if I must also be a fiend.
+Heaven grant you may never have wife or child, for they would not be
+safe from you, if you needed subjects."
+
+"'He laughed a scornful laugh, saying, "My wife, if I ever have one,
+will be obliged to you."
+
+"'And now, great Heaven! he is engaged to the loveliest and dearest
+woman I ever knew, and she is the mistress of Little Blossom whom he
+murdered.'
+
+"'It must be prevented,' I said, as soon as I could control my feeling,
+for the fearful tale my cousin had so feelingly related, made me sick.
+'She shall never be his wife. I will prevent it, even though I have to
+tell her this heartrending story. If she should discover the truth after
+her marriage, it would kill her.'
+
+"I could not sleep that night. I could see Little Blossom in your arms,
+with her blue bow on her neck, just under one ear, and I could feel her
+soft little paws, when she would give them to me when you told her to. I
+could hear you say: 'Jack, I love her better than I could love a child.
+If anything should happen to her, it would kill me, for I mean to keep
+her all my life.'
+
+"And then the face of that man, as he bent over that innocent little
+creature! Even when she tried to lick his hand it did not touch his
+heart.
+
+"Can you blame me for telling you this? I know you so well that I do not
+fear that the loss of such a fiend will ever trouble you. I know your
+love will die at once, and Little Blossom will be avenged. And I cannot
+answer to my conscience if I allow you to marry this man. Wife or child
+would not be safe with a man who has entered into this compact with
+Satan, called vivisection. Let no mother ever trust her boy after he has
+willingly assisted in this cruel pastime.
+
+"Show him this letter, if you wish, and Willard C. will tell you where
+he made the grave of your dear little pet."
+
+After Dr. G. read that letter he no longer needed a clew to the loss of
+wife and child. Little Blossom was avenged. But at what a fearful cost!
+
+There are often advertisements seen in the daily papers and great
+rewards offered for lost pets,--dogs and cats. Never expect to find
+them. The doctors will pay more than the offered reward for nice,
+well-cared-for dogs and cats; and boys have no regard for those who feel
+the loss of their pets. It is to get the highest price.
+
+Is it not the duty of every one who can have influence to use it in
+behalf of the dumb creatures who appeal to their mercy? They cannot
+speak for themselves.
+
+
+
+
+XXV
+
+EVENTIDE
+
+
+We are still in our pleasant rooms, and life is very quiet and happy.
+Each day I grow less able to go about. I have no inclination to leave
+our nice room. It is really true I am growing old. I can hear only in
+one ear; but, oh my, don't I hear quickly in the other! The sense of
+smell has grown stronger. I think I could smell a rat one mile away. My
+eyesight is good. I do not believe even a Boston-born cat ever wears
+glasses. Their literary tendencies do not need to be advertised by
+glasses.
+
+But alas! there are other indications of old age. I love to lie quiet,
+looking in the fire, where I see pictures of the past. My appetite is
+good, but I am very particular about my food, and if it does not please
+me, I am irritable. Unless the boys or some friends I love come in, I do
+not feel inclined to make myself agreeable. It is a real pleasure when
+Will takes me on his knee, and I can stick my claws in, just as I used
+to, scratching gently, while he says, "Oh, Daisy, you are at your old
+tricks!"
+
+But it makes me sad after they have gone. I look in the fire and see the
+dear little boys of long ago, dressed so cunning and always so full of
+fun. To know that they are no longer mine! These smart young men have
+taken their places. Then, indeed, I feel I am an old cat and nearing the
+end. I have learned now the meaning of "the beginning of the end." I
+realize that I must finish my book at once, before I get too old to
+write at all. My thumb is rather stiff and rheumatic, and my "index
+claw" not quite as sharp a pen as it used to be, but I think I shall be
+able to finish my work.
+
+There is one thing very true. No one realizes my great age. Friends come
+in daily, and say, "Oh, Daisy, how lovely you are! and your tail is just
+perfect." Of course I know it is true. My tail is just lovely, and my
+fur is as soft and luxuriant as it was years ago. But when they say,
+"_She_ is beautiful," that arouses all the "old cat Adam" in me, for I
+suppose that is the part of us that dies last. After having all my life
+behaved like a gentleman, with all his virtues, and none of his vices,
+now, in my old age, to be called "She" is more than I can bear. The
+advanced woman cat may, like her superiors, have a desire to be men; but
+no gentleman cat would ever care to change his nature or sex. Just
+because my name is Daisy, they seem to think I am a "Miss Nancy," and
+adapt their conversation to suit an inferior intellect.
+
+One young girl came to visit us one day, and we were tired enough of
+her. She had no brains and soon used up all her small talk. Then she
+gushed over me. It made me sick. I opened my eyes wide at her. This
+pleased her so much that she nodded just like a donkey, and clucked at
+me just as if she thought me a hen. Then she repeated that awful silly
+thing with no sense in at all:--
+
+    "'Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, where have you been?'
+    'I've been to London to see the Queen.'"
+
+Her voice was thin and pitched high, and it made me tired and cross. She
+looked for approval and got disappointed. I backed away from her and
+swelled up my tail till it was as big as a muff. She was rather
+frightened, but my two friends laughed. They understood that I was
+insulted by such childish nonsense. As if I had a mind no deeper than
+that silly stuff!
+
+I wanted her to know that "Washington" and the "President of the United
+States" and his wife would be much more attractive to me.
+
+London and the Queen! There are snobs enough to visit them without a cat
+joining the crowd. I have no doubt the Queen is a nice old lady, but
+then there are so many nicer ones who earn their own living that I can
+see every day. Such a journey would be useless. I have never heard she
+was fond of cats. If she had been, they might be treated better by those
+who follow after and pin their faith on royalty.
+
+I did get very nervous over that silly "Pussy Cat." It ran in my head,
+and my nice fire pictures were filled with the maudlin trash. And I was
+heartily glad when Miss Eleanor said, "Now we will have a little of
+Dickens to clear the atmosphere." That calmed my nerves, and I fell
+asleep, and I also fell off of the hassock, where I had perched myself.
+
+The other day I heard Miss Milly say that she scarcely ever took up a
+paper without finding some interesting anecdote of a dog or cat. Miss
+Eleanor said, "What interesting stories we could tell of the pets we
+have known!"
+
+I just laughed to myself, thinking how surprised they would be when they
+found my manuscript containing many of their nice stories. I never
+forget stories I hear, and I hear many I would like to repeat if I had
+space. Here is one, however, I cannot overlook.
+
+A friend of ours had a beautiful maltese cat named Primrose. Primrose
+had four kittens. They were just perfect, and she was very proud of
+them. The mistress decided to keep them all, for the children were
+delighted with them. As they were living that summer in a large old
+farmhouse, they had plenty of room. Primrose had a large clothes-basket
+for her nursery, with a nice rug inside. A more luxurious place could
+not have been found for a home. Indeed, had she been a society cat,
+feeling the necessity of giving importance to her home, she would, like
+"human society people," have called her home "Catmore," "The Mewes," or
+"Pussy Villa." But she was content to call it what it really was,--a
+good homelike clothes-basket, with beauty and goodness enough inside to
+allow of its being nameless.
+
+One day one of the children tied a red ribbon around the neck of
+Primrose. She looked so charming that the other children gave up their
+pretty hair ribbons to decorate the kittens. There were pink, blue, and
+yellow. The fourth one was red, like the mother's. It was a beautiful
+sight. The basket looked like one huge bouquet.
+
+Primrose was away when they were decorated, and on her return she looked
+with surprise at the brilliant objects in her home. She gave one "cat
+call" of surprise. This aroused the kittens, and they climbed up the
+side of the basket and mewed for their dinner. Primrose looked at each
+one, as if to make sure they were her kittens. Then she jumped into the
+basket, boxed all their ears, and tore off every ribbon, with the
+exception of the red one like her own. This was her way of saying;
+"Stick to your mother's color; it is red. I will not allow children of
+mine to indulge in such foolish masquerading!" She only made them
+naughty little kittens, for they did crowd their little sister, with the
+red ribbon, almost out of the basket. They whispered and licked and
+played with each other, but would not speak to her.
+
+The next day, however, the children, finding that Primrose preferred her
+own taste in ribbons to theirs, brought red ribbons for them all. Then
+the mother was satisfied. Was not that a proof that Primrose could tell
+one color from another?
+
+I have one great pleasure--I can go out every fair day. I climb on the
+fence, but do not go away from our garden: for in the next house is a
+dog, and he is a poor, evil-dispositioned creature. He seems to hate me.
+Why he should want to make me answerable for his unhappiness, I cannot
+understand. Just as soon as I appear on the fence, he barks and barks
+till all the neighborhood is disturbed. I do not notice him, for I know
+it is a free country, and I have as good a right to the fence as he has
+to his garden.
+
+Norah, the girl where we live, is very kind to me. She keeps the window
+open, and I can jump in just when I please. The good kind old "gentleman
+of the house" speaks very kindly to me, and I know he understands me,
+for one day when I reached over when that dog was barking, and hissed
+right in his face once or twice just to aggravate him, this nice old
+gentleman laughed, and said, "Smart Daisy!" And I enjoyed it. When I got
+over my madness at night, all alone in my basket, all asleep around me,
+I did think how sad it was, when I ought to be at peace with all the
+world, knowing that my life would soon end, to go and irritate that poor
+dog by hissing at him; it made me feel ashamed. But then, I suppose I
+shall do it again unless I stay in when he barks.
+
+There was a very nice cat belonging to some people who had recently
+moved into one of the houses near. He was a real "out and outer." I
+never heard such a voice or such sentiments before. He said he wanted to
+kill! It was his mission! Let the rats and mice in the neighborhood
+beware! He was there. That was enough; they were doomed. He would make
+that back yard a battle-field.
+
+I was carried right off my feet by his eloquence. "Good heavens!" I
+thought, "is his name 'Gladstone' or 'Bismarck'? What a loss to me! I
+shall never find another rat; he will kill them all."
+
+When weeks and weeks passed on, and I had killed a few, though I did not
+tell him, he blustered so, I thought he had killed dozens. The nice cat
+in the next house told me that he had never killed one. She said, "He is
+a real coward." He is just like some men--all talk and brag, "great cry
+and little wool."
+
+I did like that cat. She said she was very soon going into the country
+to live. She preferred it to the city. She said where she had lived
+there were six cats. She liked them, but preferred a change. They were
+all old cats and did not care to play. Three of them had no teeth, and
+all the soft pieces of meat were given to them. But they were very poor
+company. She could not help them, and was glad of a change; it was too
+much like "The Old Ladies' Home" for her. One of them, she said, was so
+crazy after valerian that it was given to her all the time, and it made
+her just ugly and very quarrelsome.
+
+"Well," I remarked, "I am very glad to know of cats that are cared for.
+There are enough suffering around us to make our hearts ache."
+
+"Yes," she said, "and I could tell you tales that would chill your
+blood."
+
+I begged her not to. I told her I had seen enough to make me very
+unhappy, as I could not help them; but she would tell me one.
+
+She said: "On this very street I saw a nicely dressed young man chase a
+poor cat, a half-starved creature, into a sewer hole and beat her in
+with his cane; then some boys joined him, and the boys filled in the
+opening and stayed there shouting and yelling till she must have been
+suffocated. And this fiend in shape of man came away, laughing. If we
+could read the papers and knew his name," she added, "probably we should
+read he had battered his wife's head with a shovel or killed his old
+father."
+
+I went home with a heavy heart. I had not felt well for some time, and I
+could not bear to live in such a wicked world. I did not look out of the
+window very often, for fear I should see that sewer hole and the ghost
+of that poor cat peeping out.
+
+I cannot help them. All I can think of to comfort me is that I am with
+people who have all their lives done all they could to help and protect
+the poor and afflicted, and every animal they could do for has been made
+happy. And I rest in peace, for I believe that a higher power has guided
+me, a poor cat, to write this little book, that my life and the many
+tales of woe I have listened to and here repeat may go forth and do
+their mission.
+
+I feel that the end is near, and I know that the loving care I have had
+through my happy life will be mine, for I know we shall meet again. I
+shall watch for my loved ones at the gate of Paradise.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is eventide. The glowing tints have faded from my life picture, but
+the beautiful twilight remains. And when I have crossed to the "golden
+shore," I hope my memory will come back to my loved ones like the
+beautiful afterglow of a perfect sunset.
+
+To all the dear friends who have known and loved Daisy I would say an
+affectionate good-by till we meet again.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+  Transcriber notes
+
+  Obvious spelling and punctuation errors repaired.
+
+  Both "boot-jacks" and "bootjacks" used in this text. Bootjack used.
+
+  Both "life-long" and "lifelong" used in this text. Life-long used.
+
+  Numerous mismatch quote errors ignored.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Daisy, by Miranda Eliot Swan
+
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Daisy, by Miranda Eliot Swan
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Daisy
+       the autobiography of a cat
+
+Author: Miranda Eliot Swan
+
+Release Date: October 23, 2011 [EBook #37826]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAISY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Adam Buchbinder, Mark Young and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+book was produced from scanned images of public domain
+material from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="100%" alt="&quot;DAISY.&quot; (FROM THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH.)" title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;DAISY.&quot; (FROM THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH.)</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 100%;" />
+
+<h1><i>The Autobiography of a Cat</i></h1>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>MIRANDA ELIOT SWAN</h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 30px;">
+<img src="images/dec1.jpg" width="30" height="28" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center">Boston</p>
+
+<p class="center">NOYES BROTHERS</p>
+
+<p class="center">PUBLISHERS</p>
+
+<hr class='invis3' />
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1900, </p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By</span> NOYES BROTHERS.</p>
+
+<hr class='invis2' />
+
+<p class="center">Norwood Press<br />
+J.S. Cushing &amp; Co.&mdash;Berwick &amp; Smith<br />
+Norwood Mass. U.S.A.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2>
+
+
+<p>This little story of one cat's life has been written
+during the intervals of a long and painful illness,
+when I missed the love and sympathy of my little
+four-footed friend of eighteen years, now, alas! nothing
+but a memory. Indeed, so vividly did his spirit
+speak to me, that I readily acknowledge him the
+author of this book, being myself his amanuensis.</p>
+
+<p>From my earliest childhood the love of animals,
+particularly cats, has been inherent with me. One
+tale of cruelty, heard by me when a child, distressed
+me and made me ill, and nightly the panorama of
+the disgusting crime would haunt my pillow. But I
+never regret the suffering it caused me, for it taught
+me my duty to our dumb friends so dependent on us.</p>
+
+<p>If the little stories in this book touch the hearts
+of its readers as that story touched mine, it will
+indeed have accomplished its mission. Just such
+stories are needed to create interest in the many
+societies now forming in aid of dumb animals.</p>
+
+<p>There are cases where one must not spare the
+knife, even though our tenderest and most sensitive
+feelings recoil, for the cure will be sure. There are
+crimes perpetrated every day, in the name of Science,
+that need just such stories to expose their
+iniquity. For I believe ignorance is the cause of
+cruelty in many instances, and a little story told
+attractively, where retribution follows the deed, will
+have more effect than reproof. I do not believe
+there are many hearts so callous, that a little anecdote
+of cruelty to these helpless creatures will not touch them.</p>
+
+<p>There are many who will read this book who have
+lost dear little pets, and I would say to them that the
+dear Father has them all in his care. In the boundless
+and beautiful fields of Paradise they will find the
+dear little friends they have lost waiting for them.</p>
+
+<p>I trust my readers will pardon the many imperfections
+of this little book, believing that an earnest
+wish to help our dumb animals is my heart's desire.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 28em;">MIRANDA ELIOT SWAN.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="smcap">Boston</span>,<br />
+December 11, 1899.<br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" width="80%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#I">CHAPTER I</a></td><td class="tr1">PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days</span></td><td></td><td align="center">1</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#II">CHAPTER II</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">My Mother's Story</span></td><td></td><td align="center">4</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#III">CHAPTER III</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">My Home</span></td><td></td><td align="center">17</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#IV">CHAPTER IV</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Daisy's Party</span></td><td></td><td align="center">21</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#V">CHAPTER V</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reverses</span></td><td></td><td align="center">28</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#VI">CHAPTER VI</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Daisy's Adventure</span></td><td></td><td align="center">36</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#VII">CHAPTER VII</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cat Memories</span></td><td></td><td align="center">46</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Accident</span></td><td></td><td align="center">50</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#IX">CHAPTER IX</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cat Tales</span></td><td></td><td align="center">61</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#X">CHAPTER X</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Little Pearl</span></td><td></td><td align="center">66</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XI">CHAPTER XI</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reminiscences</span></td><td></td><td align="center">73</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XII">CHAPTER XII</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cat Tales</span></td><td></td><td align="center">83</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">My First Theft</span></td><td></td><td align="center">90</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Religious Aspirations</span></td><td></td><td align="center">96</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XV">CHAPTER XV</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cat Anecdotes</span></td><td></td><td align="center">106</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cat Pranks</span></td><td></td><td align="center">115</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Story of Freida</span></td><td></td><td align="center">132</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Thanksgiving</span></td><td></td><td align="center">145</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mews and Purrs</span></td><td></td><td align="center">165</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XX">CHAPTER XX</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Heads and Tales</span></td><td></td><td align="center">187</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Jett</span></td><td></td><td align="center">195</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Watch and Chloe</span></td><td></td><td align="center">216</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Story of Blackie</span></td><td></td><td align="center">235</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Retribution</span></td><td></td><td align="center">249</td></tr>
+<tr><td></td><td align="left"><a href="#XXV">CHAPTER XXV</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Eventide</span></td><td></td><td align="center">261</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>DAISY</h2>
+
+<h3>THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CAT</h3>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>DAISY</h2>
+
+<h3><i>AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY</i></h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>I</h2>
+
+<h3>EARLY DAYS</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch1.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">I</span> HAVE no doubt people will wonder that a Cat should write a story. Of
+course, fighting is more in their line.</p></div>
+
+<p>However pleased I might have been
+to help my fellow-sufferers, and use my natural
+weapons in their defence, a remark I heard made
+by a very learned man decided me to use my brains instead of my claws.</p>
+
+<p>He quoted:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">"The <i>pen</i> is mightier than the <i>sword</i>."</span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p class="noi">Taking this quotation for my text, I have written
+my own story, hoping it will benefit the poor cats
+who are made the victims of great cruelty. No
+other animal has to suffer like the household pet, the cat.</p>
+
+<p>I am a Boston boy, born eighteen years ago, in
+one of the nice old-fashioned houses for which our quiet street was noted.</p>
+
+<p>I was born in a clothes-basket, and do not feel
+ashamed of my birthplace, though fire and the
+swill man long ago removed all trace of it.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot remember much about my home. Like
+all young things, my food and having a good frolic were all I thought of.</p>
+
+<p>I loved my mother, for she was very kind to me
+while I depended on her for sustenance; but when
+I grew large enough to lap milk, she began to
+wean me and teach me that hard lesson&mdash;self-dependence.</p>
+
+<p>My mother was very handsome&mdash;black as coal,
+with a long tail and white feet. She was very
+proud of the latter, keeping them as white as snow;
+and on account of their beauty she was called
+"White Foot." She was very graceful and slender&mdash;her
+fur soft and glossy as a raven's wing.</p>
+
+<p>She had brilliant, restless eyes, fierce in expression
+and watchful, never seeming to trust even her
+friends. But every one was attracted to her.</p>
+
+<p>We had not much room to boast of. The back
+yard was very small, but over the way a large
+unoccupied field gave us a grand opportunity to run and enjoy ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>It was a great neighborhood for cats. Though
+I thought them rough and aggressive, I enjoyed
+myself, for I could outrun the biggest of them,
+and never allowed myself to be defeated.</p>
+
+<p>One day my mother called me to her, and said:
+"I wish you to listen to what I am about to say
+to you. The cats who live here are rough alley
+cats, and have never learned good manners. You
+have a better chance than they have, and I hope
+you will grow up gentle and sweet-tempered.
+Never bite or scratch, and learn to control your
+angry passions. Then you will be a favorite and
+a very happy cat&mdash;happier than your mother, who
+never had a chance till now. And <i>now</i> it is too
+late. I shall not be with you long, and you must
+try to do the best you can for yourself when I am gone."</p>
+
+<p>This conversation with my mother made me very
+sad, though I was young and full of frolic, and
+did not fully realize her true meaning. I never
+forgot her advice, for I knew she was a very wise
+cat, and her wisdom had been gained through suffering.
+My life with her was short, for she left us before I was six months old.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps here I had better tell her story as she
+related it to me. She had always been very strict
+with me, and taught me to be very neat, and keep
+my fur and my claws clean. My claws were a
+great delight to me, they were so sharp, and I
+used to bite them with great satisfaction. It was
+delightful to feel how sharp my teeth were.</p>
+
+<p>Though I did not use a "toothpick," my nails
+were very useful instead, and I bit them and enjoyed
+the fun. But one day I bit them so loud
+that my mother, after reproving me many times,
+boxed my ears. She was very nervous, and the
+snapping provoked her very much.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, I was obliged to obey her; but I bit
+them all the same, only on the sly.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="II" id="II"></a>II</h2>
+
+<h3>MY MOTHER'S STORY</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch2.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">I</span> DO not know where I was born. I can only remember a dark cellar where I
+seemed to belong, and children who drove
+and frightened me every time I went near
+the house. The cook was kind to me and put out
+scraps of food in an old tin plate. I was often obliged
+by hunger to pick from the swill barrel my dinners.
+I soon found plenty of rats, and after I learned to
+kill them, life had some charm for me.</p></div>
+
+<p>It was a dirty, damp, dark cellar, for the people
+who owned the house were of the "newly rich"
+class. They thought only of decorating that part
+of the house open to public inspection. Everything
+was made to pay its way, and the servants were kept on short rations.</p>
+
+<p>I earned my living (picked from the swill barrel)
+by killing rats, for the house was infested with them.
+No one ever spoke a kind word to me, and I often
+wondered why I was made. I would creep into the house like a criminal.</p>
+
+<p>Once I enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in a chair.
+Oh, how soft and nice it was, and I began to purr,
+with the sense of happiness. But I was rudely
+shaken from my dream of bliss, and this was the
+only chance I ever had to test the delights of easy
+chairs. I was driven out with stones and bits of
+wood till I gladly found refuge for my poor bruised
+body in the cellar. There I lay in hunger and pain,
+my heart filled with bitterness toward all mankind.
+I felt the injustice, if only a poor cat.</p>
+
+<p>It was a great neighborhood for cats, and I soon
+made friends with them. I was perfectly reckless,
+and caterwauled with them, joining their midnight
+revels with all my heart. We cared not for bottles
+or bootjacks, but made night terrible. Why should
+we keep quiet? We had no homes, no nice beds,
+no friend to speak to us. Why should we care to
+please those who remembered us only to abuse us?</p>
+
+<p>Now this is all very sad. Since I have seen what
+life ought to be, in this dear home, I wish with all
+my heart I had earlier known these good people. I
+am very thankful that you, my only living child, will
+grow up in this refined atmosphere.</p>
+
+<p>To return to my dismal history. Soon after my
+introduction to the nightly revels, I had my first
+kittens. I never was so happy in my life. Though
+I had suffered all alone the most severe pain, the
+dear little creatures compensated me for my hours
+of anguish. There were four of them. Two of
+them were black, and two of them gray. Such perfect
+little creatures, I was delighted with them.
+Though we had only an ash-heap for our bed, I kept
+them on my fur, and did not care for the ashes on
+my own nice fur coat. No mother on her bed of
+down, with laces and embroideries around her, could
+have kept her children nicer than I kept mine.</p>
+
+<p>I followed just the instinct my Maker gave me,
+and what came after was from no fault of mine, but
+from the wickedness of human nature, which has
+unsettled my beliefs and made me a sceptical and unbelieving cat.</p>
+
+<p>I hated to leave my kittens to take my food. How
+I fought for the best I could get, to nourish them!
+I swallowed things I had always disliked, for I was
+determined to carry back milk enough for all four of them.</p>
+
+<p>This happiness lasted but a short time. The tyrant
+of the family, a dreadful boy of ten years, discovered
+them one morning. With shouts of delight, he took
+them and dropped them, one by one, into a pail of scalding hot water.</p>
+
+<p>The cook called to him and tried to remove the pail,
+but it was too late; he continued his cruel work till
+my four dear little kittens were lost to me forever.</p>
+
+<p>When I heard their last feeble wail, I tried to save
+them or share their fate. I was driven back with
+laughter, and the blows from a huge stick in the
+hands of the young murderer soon drove me down to
+the cellar, where I lay bruised, and oblivious of my
+pain and loss, for some hours.</p>
+
+<p>Late at night I crawled out, faint and hungry, a
+hopeless outcast on the face of the earth. Tom, one
+of the neighbors' cats, shared his supper with me, and
+listened with sympathy to my sad story.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, is that all?" he said, when I had finished.
+"You may be glad they are dead, and out of the reach
+of that boy. If he is not hung," said Tom, with a
+wise shake of his head, "I miss my guess. Why, he
+is the terror of the neighborhood. He invents cruel
+things to practise on animals. Some time ago he cut
+a little baby pup's throat with a penknife, and sewed
+it up with cotton and a great big needle, while he
+never winced. The little pup died in great agony.
+And the boy's mother said, 'The dear child will certainly
+be a doctor, he has such skill.' Old Tabby,
+who lives next door, when she heard this speech of
+his mother's, said, 'He may be, and is, a devil, but
+he never ought to be a doctor.' And as we all
+believed in this wise saying, we gave old Tabby three cheers."</p>
+
+<p>Tom tried to comfort me, telling such heartrending
+stories of the abuse of poor cats that my hair stood
+on end with horror. I then and there vowed hatred
+to all mankind. Even the peace of this dear home
+and the love of these dear people have not cured me
+of my distrust. I see an enemy on every hand.</p>
+
+<p>Tom could not console me, and I was too wretched
+to confide my plans to him. I was suffering intense
+agony. My breasts were swollen like crab-apples. I
+could not bear the pain, and dragged myself to a
+puddle of water, hoping to cool the heat in them.</p>
+
+<p>That night's suffering was the turning-point with
+me. I made up my mind I would take myself miles
+away from these cruel people, where every hand had
+been against me and mine.</p>
+
+<p>I started slowly, and crawled through alleys and
+back yards, it seemed to me, for miles. The sound
+of a human voice, particularly that of a child, acted
+like a whip on me. I would run till my breath grew
+short, and I would sink down, feeling I must die, that
+I could never move again. Then at some sound I would start once more.</p>
+
+<p>At last, worn out with fatigue, hunger, and fever
+(caused by my inflamed breasts), I reached a gate
+just as it opened to admit a man with groceries. I
+rushed in, spent and breathless, and hid myself in a
+dark corner. Here, thought I, will be a rest for one night.</p>
+
+<p>As I crouched down in the dark corner, the man
+came out of the house, with the servant behind him,
+to close the gate. What an anxious moment for me!
+She returned to the house without seeing me, and I was safe.</p>
+
+<p>After a brief rest, broken by the throbbing of my
+breast, I aroused myself, and, attracted by a bright
+light, I approached the window. The light came
+from the kitchen, where the half-curtain, open in the
+middle, gave me a glimpse of paradise.</p>
+
+<p>This is the picture I looked upon with longing
+eyes: A large, old-fashioned kitchen, scrupulously
+clean, a table covered with a red cloth, a shade lamp
+standing in the centre, and a nice work-basket by
+its side, completed this homelike picture. The servant,
+a woman of middle age, nice, fresh, and pleasant
+looking, sat by the table, in a large rocking-chair,
+darning stockings. A more homelike scene never
+greeted the eye of a poor outcast. But the crowning
+object of all was a large black cat, spread out
+on a nice rug in front of the fire.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she arose, walked about, swinging her
+tail, "monarch of all she surveyed," as I soon found she was.</p>
+
+<p>How my heart beat as I thought, "Why is this?
+Why am I homeless, cast out to starve, while this cat
+has a beautiful home and is well fed and happy?"</p>
+
+<p>Alas! even in the animal world is the vexed question,
+which disturbs human beings, of why one being,
+created by our "Heavenly Father," should be high
+in power, while others who are just as worthy are
+down under his feet. We ask, but who can answer?</p>
+
+<p>Very soon, while I stood looking in, shivering
+with envy and my bodily pain, a door opened, and
+a lady came in. She was no longer young, but ladylike,
+and very kind and pleasant looking. She sat
+down and called, "Topsy, Topsy," in such a kind
+voice it made my heart ache. I looked with surprise,
+for Topsy took not the least notice of her.
+The lady laughed a very pleasant laugh, as she said,
+"What an odd creature you are," as she took Topsy
+in her arms, and smoothed her fur. Topsy did not
+seem to care for the affection lavished on her, never responding at all.</p>
+
+<p>But just then another lady, somewhat younger than
+the other, came in. Topsy gave a great rush into
+her arms, and to my surprise, clasped her black paws
+around her neck, while the lady hugged and kissed her just like a child.</p>
+
+<p>I could watch no longer. Envy, hatred, and malice,
+added to my swollen breasts, made me too
+wretched to live. I just dragged myself back to
+my dark corner and closed my eyes for a long time,
+oblivious of everything around me. At intervals I
+slept when the violent throbbing of my breasts would
+allow me; but when I could think, one idea had
+taken full possession of me, and that was a determination
+to get into this home.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely," I said, "they have such kind hearts,
+they will not refuse help to such a miserable object as I am."</p>
+
+<p>This comforted me a little; and as the neighborhood
+was a quiet one, and as I was worn out by the
+miles I had run and the pain of my bruises, I was
+able to sleep till morning.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing I heard was a step approaching,
+and Bridget, the girl I had seen the night before,
+bent over me, saying, "Bless me! here's a strange
+cat in our yard." Then, as she looked again, she
+said in a sympathizing voice, "Poor creature! you look half starved."</p>
+
+<p>She ran in, and soon returned with a saucer of
+milk. She held it to my lips, and I tried very hard
+to move myself up, that I might swallow. It was
+impossible; for the slightest movement gave me
+great pain, and I moaned and closed my eyes.</p>
+
+<p>She then got an old blanket, and folding it nicely,
+she lifted me up tenderly and placed me on it. I
+tried to lap some of the milk, but the effort brought
+back all my pains. The anguish of my swollen
+breasts was more than I could bear, and I fell back
+on the blanket, hoping I should die. Everything
+was so peaceful that I had no desire to arouse myself
+to battle with life any longer.</p>
+
+<p>"Here," I thought, "they will care for me and
+bury me, then I shall be with my dear little kittens perhaps."</p>
+
+<p>I had no fear, but a great pleasure in a quiet
+death; for I knew that God would care for all the
+creatures He had made. I was glad to die and escape
+from persecution,&mdash;no more to be kicked and cuffed,
+no more be hunted by cruel children.</p>
+
+<p>As I dozed off, I heard voices, and on opening my
+eyes I saw Miss Eleanor, the lady I had first seen
+the night before. As she bent over me, I thought
+her face was beautiful. Her eyes were filled with
+tears in pity of my suffering. She smoothed my fur
+with her soft hand, and when I moaned as she
+touched my breast, she exclaimed, "You poor creature!
+your breasts are like bricks. Look here, Milly,"
+she called to her sister, "just see this poor cat's condition.
+What brutes she must have lived with, to
+treat her in this manner, taking away her kittens,
+and leaving her to suffer."</p>
+
+<p>"Take her in, Bridget, and put her in Topsy's basket,"
+said Miss Milly. "I wish I could deal with those
+people! They would never abuse another cat."</p>
+
+<p>I was lifted tenderly and placed in a large basket,
+with a beautiful soft rug inside to lie on. Miss
+Eleanor bathed my breasts with warm milk, and then
+applied some healing lotion after the milk had dried.
+It kept them very busy, for the heat dried the milk
+as soon as it was applied. It was very soothing, and
+I tried to lick her hand. She was delighted, and
+kissed me right between my eyes, saying, "She is a
+grateful creature," while tears of sympathy shone in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"This is heaven," I said to myself, "and I am perfectly happy here."</p>
+
+<p>When Bridget brought me some warm milk, I was able to lap it very well.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall you do with her?" asked Bridget.</p>
+
+<p>The sisters looked at each other while Miss Eleanor
+said: "What will Harrie say? We cannot keep another cat with Topsy."</p>
+
+<p>"We may find a good home for her, but it would
+be better to chloroform her than leave her to suffer," said Miss Milly.</p>
+
+<p>The warm kitchen, the soothing cream, and the
+soft rug made me very comfortable, and I slept the
+rest of the day, trusting myself to these dear, kind people.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor came quite often to see me, bringing
+me cream and soft bits of chicken, though, never
+having tasted such food before, I did not know what
+it was. I had very little desire for anything but water
+or milk, as the fever made me very thirsty.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly came down later in the evening with the
+elder sister, the mistress of the house. Mrs. Rice
+was a sweet-faced little woman, and looked with great kindness on me.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall we do with two cats? Topsy is a
+houseful. What will you do with her, Milly? She
+is so jealous if you touch another cat."</p>
+
+<p>"I will manage her, for we must keep this poor
+creature till we find her a good home."</p>
+
+<p>"You have a hard task, and when you introduce
+her to Topsy, 'may I be there to see.'" And Mrs.
+Rice turned away, laughing. "This bids fair to be
+the 'cats' house' that Eleanor used to tell the boys about."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no use waiting," said Miss Milly. "If
+Topsy should find a cat in her basket, war would be declared at once."</p>
+
+<p>This made me tremble a little, and subsequent
+events proved I had good reason for my fears.</p>
+
+<p>Pretty soon we heard Miss Milly coming downstairs
+and telling my story to Topsy in a coaxing voice.
+She told it in so thrilling a manner that I never realized
+I was such a sufferer before. She came in, holding
+Topsy in her arms very tightly.</p>
+
+<p>The moment Topsy's yellow eyes rested on me
+she gave a yell, and tried to escape, but her mistress
+held her fast while Miss Eleanor came over to me.
+I cowered down in the basket&mdash;not from fear, oh,
+no! Like the war-horse, I "scented the battle," and
+longed to measure claws with this proud creature.
+But I was wise. I knew I had a character to sustain
+and a home to earn. I kept my temper, closing my
+eyes as if too weak to open them.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I had better take her in my arms, as this
+is Topsy's basket, and you know she never allows
+any one to touch it." And Miss Eleanor took me
+on a blanket, and held me on her lap.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a naughty cat, and I am ashamed of
+you," Miss Milly said, as she put Topsy down.</p>
+
+<p>She did not care for the reproof, for she glared
+and scoffed at me. Then she went to her basket,
+snuffing around it, till Bridget came, and taking out
+the rug, said, "Of course I must shake it, or Madam will not touch it."</p>
+
+<p>She soon brought it back, and after a time Topsy
+seated herself bolt upright, and looked at me with
+such contempt, as if to say, "Never dare enter this basket again."</p>
+
+<p>I never did, and never wanted to, as they found
+me a very good place in an old clothes-basket, and,
+to Bridget's delight, gave her a new one instead.</p>
+
+<p>Then Miss Milly took me in her arms, in spite of
+Topsy's yells and frantic efforts to get at me, saying,
+"Now, Topsy, if I ever hear you have treated this poor
+creature badly, I will punish you, and love her best."</p>
+
+<p>After this, though Topsy never cared for me, she
+treated me like a poor relation, offering me all the
+tough pieces of meat and bones; but she could never
+see me near Miss Milly without trouble.</p>
+
+<p>We lived very happily in this nice house for one
+year. No one had cared for me, and I had settled
+down like one of the family, and soon my place was
+assured, for one day Topsy was missing. Everything
+was done to find her. Rewards were offered,
+and, for months, Miss Milly never gave her up, and
+it made her so ill that no one ever dared mention
+Topsy to her. I did pity them all, for they loved
+her dearly, but to Miss Milly it was like losing a
+child. She was always very kind to me, but she
+never was known to pet another cat till you were
+born. And I do think, Daisy, you can win her love,
+and in a measure console her for Topsy's loss.</p>
+
+<p>It was a great mystery, her disappearance, for
+they never got one trace of her. One thing was very
+sure; she was stolen, for she never would have left
+of her own accord. Some one suggested that, being
+a "Salem" cat, she had gone home to the "witches,"
+as all black cats are said to belong to them.</p>
+
+<p>I missed her, but was very happy to be the only
+pet in the house. I had many kittens, and they were
+treated kindly, and mercifully disposed of. One was
+always kept till I could wean it, and then a good
+home was found for it. You were promised to a
+friend, but it was very fortunate for you that their
+delay in sending gave you such a hold upon the
+affections of these nice people that they decided not to give you away.</p>
+
+<p>This pleased the boys, as they did not care to lose
+their dear little playmate. Miss Milly said, "Daisy shall be mine."</p>
+
+<p>Great changes have come to this home. We have
+moved twice, and the good Bridget they could no
+longer afford to keep. We are now about to move
+again. I know they will provide for me, but I like
+this nice neighborhood, and the musicales on the
+back shed. The Bohemian blood in my veins I cannot ignore.</p>
+
+<p>The trouble I have passed through makes excitement
+necessary, and I put my whole heart into the fierce fights, and enjoy them.</p>
+
+<p>Why not? I know people say, "<i>Cats!</i> awful fighting
+creatures!" Well, but where are the bull-fights,
+in which man and beast shed each other's gore and
+men and women look on? Dressed in their laces and
+diamonds, they applaud while rivers of blood flow
+from the poor wounded victim. The genteel cock-fights,
+and hunting down one poor little fox by a
+pack of hounds! If we are cruel, we learn it of human beings.</p>
+
+<p>I do wish I could be satisfied with a quiet life, but
+it is too late to reform, and I shall meet my fate here.
+I will not go with them. You, my dear child, will
+be the loved one to comfort them. And I charge
+you to profit by your mother's experience, and you will be a fortunate cat.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>This is my mother's story as I heard it from her lips.</p>
+
+<p>Two weeks after this conversation we moved to a
+small house, with only a few rooms. To me the
+change made no difference. I was happy, petted by
+all. It was no surprise to me that at the last moment
+my mother was missing. But it was a real sorrow
+to them all. They searched everywhere. They sent
+to all the neighbors, asking them to feed her, and
+let them know if she came back that they could
+send for her. How I wished I could speak, and tell
+them that one reason why she left them was the
+fear of being a burden to them.</p>
+
+<p>For several weeks they never gave her up, but
+often went to the old place; but no one had seen my
+mother. At first food had disappeared that they
+had put out for her, but after a time it was not
+touched, and no one ever saw her again.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="III" id="III"></a>III</h2>
+
+<h3>MY HOME</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch3.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">Y</span>EARS have passed since my mother left us.
+Though I never forget her, I am very happy with the dear people who were so
+kind to my poor mother, and I try to be a comfort to them.</p></div>
+
+<p>No reverses of fortune have touched me. Mrs.
+Rice is very kind to me, though she is not so fond of
+cats as her sisters. The boys are just perfect. I love
+them dearly. Karl, the eldest, is a real tease. He
+pretends to his aunties that he does not care for me,
+but no one makes more of me (on the sly) than
+Master Karl. Will is such a dear little fellow! His
+love for me made them decide to keep me.</p>
+
+<p>We had one long room, and the seam in the poor
+old carpet was very prominent. On this seam Will
+and I had our race-ground. He would run just on
+the seam, and at the end of the room would jump
+very high. I would run just behind him, and jump
+higher. This pleased them all, and we got many
+kisses and treats for our play. Then we would roll
+over and over, my claws and tail flying, and we did enjoy it.</p>
+
+<p>I was usually very obedient, but sometimes I had
+contrary fits. It was the "Bohemian" blood in my
+veins that my poor mother so often spoke of. I cannot
+get rid of it, and it makes me do something
+naughty. One cold day, just before Christmas, when
+I was nearly five years old, I ran away. The door
+of the laundry was open, and without a thought I
+rushed out. No one missed me. They supposed I
+was in the laundry. I mounted to my seat on the
+fence, and just turned around to find a comfortable
+place, when a strong hand seized me from the other
+side, and I was carried swiftly down the alley and
+taken into a strange house.</p>
+
+<p>I was received with open arms. Not one word of
+reproof was given the big boy who had stolen me,
+for the wickedness of the act. They asked him, "How did you manage?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," he said, "I was looking over the fence, to
+see if the stuck-up Rices were there, when I espied
+my Prince, and grabbed him."</p>
+
+<p>"What shall we do with him?" asked the boy's mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Shut him up till he forgets his old home."</p>
+
+<p>(How little they knew about a cat's nature, when
+they thought I could forget!)</p>
+
+<p>I rushed into a corner, and struck out with open
+claws at all who approached me, growling just as I
+had heard dogs growl&mdash;an accomplishment I had
+just discovered. Delighted with my success, I was
+inclined to make the most of it.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I must say he has a nice temper." And
+the bad boy held up his hands, where my etchings,
+though painful to him, were a credit to my skill.
+"King Karl and Prince Will must be covered with
+scars. Who cares! If they won't play with me, I
+have got their pet cat, and will keep him, in spite of his beastly temper."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you won't," I said to myself, "if I can help it."</p>
+
+<p>For three wretched days I was shut up. They
+treated me with great kindness, and tried to pet me,
+offering me nice food. I was too homesick to care
+for anything, and too wretched to think of eating, only
+that I had sense enough to know I must take enough
+to give me strength. I could not sleep. Visions of
+my dear home and loved ones kept my eyes wide
+open, and I did make good resolutions never to run
+away again if I could get free.</p>
+
+<p>The big boy went away to spend the holidays, leaving
+orders with them all to keep me, that when he
+came home he might enjoy the sorrow of the Rices.</p>
+
+<p>"They have sent around slips to all the houses and
+have advertised, but they shall never get him," he said,
+with a horrid laugh.</p>
+
+<p>After he had gone, finding I was no pleasure to
+them, they decided to let me go. They could tell the
+boy, when he returned, that I ran away. They were
+not people who regarded truth at all.</p>
+
+<p>So one day I found the door open, and without waiting
+to say good-by, I ran home. I had been away
+three days. It was the day after Christmas, and it
+seemed to me three years since I left my home.</p>
+
+<p>Stacy Knight, a dear little fellow about Will's age,
+the son of the friends in whose house we had rooms,
+happened to be in the basement, and espied me when
+I jumped on the window. He gave a real Indian yell
+as I rushed into his arms, and we mounted the stairs,
+two at a time, and found ourselves in the midst of the
+family assembled in the hall, wondering at the war-whoop given by Stacy.</p>
+
+<p>My dear mistress sat down on the floor, hugging
+me in her arms, while all of them were ready to take me from her.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Daisy," she said, "what a sad Christmas we
+spent without our pet! Where were you?"</p>
+
+<p>I could not speak and tell her what it had been to
+me, and they never knew where I had been. After
+this I always looked on both sides of the fence before I seated myself.</p>
+
+<p>After they had all caressed me and expressed their
+delight at my return, dear Mrs. Knight said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Now that 'The Prodigal Son' has returned, he must have a party."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Karl and Will, "we had no Christmas; let's give Daisy a tree."</p>
+
+<p>After Stacy, Karl, and Will had indulged in a war-dance,
+and each had turned me heels over head, they
+all decided it would be a nice plan. And from that
+time till the New Year's night, when the party was
+to be given, we could think of nothing else.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>IV</h2>
+
+<h3>DAISY'S PARTY</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch4.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">G</span>REAT preparation was made for my party.
+I was truly a fortunate cat. I could not
+help them work, but rushed to and fro from
+one to the other, knocking down spools of
+cotton and everything I could get at, jumping up in
+their arms, disarranging their work, and trying in
+every way to amuse myself; but when I was wanted
+to try on my clothes, I would rush under the bed and
+elude even the longest arm. Then Will would crawl
+under the bed, and, after a good frolic, would land me where I was needed.</p></div>
+
+<p>Mrs. Rice made a tall black hat with a cockade on
+it. She had to tie it on with strings, for as soon
+as she put it on I jerked it just as I had seen monkeys do.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor made me a pair of red pants, leaving
+a good slit for my tail, for I was to represent a monkey,
+and the tail was very important, though, as my
+mistress said, no monkey ever had such a beautiful tail as mine.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly made me a dress-coat, with white ruffles
+at the neck and wrists, brass buttons, and a white shirt front.</p>
+
+<p>They covered a large pasteboard box with green
+cloth, for the organ. Will and his friend Josie were
+to be the organ-players.</p>
+
+<p>The long-looked-for day came at last. I had raved
+up stairs and down, as Miss Milly said, "just like a
+maniac." I superintended all the preparations, walked
+over the tree that they were to decorate in my honor,
+and scratched it well, as they said, sharpening my
+claws for the evening. I was too busy to take a
+cat-nap or one of my "forty winks."</p>
+
+<p>We had before this eventful day rehearsed our
+parts, and I had provoked them with my stupidity.
+I did make fun enough with that hat. I hitched it
+on the back of my head, getting out first one ear, then
+the other; for they had tucked my ears in, saying
+my face looked so innocent without them. It was all
+mischief, for I intended to do my best.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Knight threw open her nice rooms, and in
+the hall room off the back parlor the tree was placed.</p>
+
+<p>They were obliged in the afternoon to keep me
+prisoner upstairs. I was disgusted, for I wanted to
+be in the thick of it all. I could not sleep, and I kept
+pretty near the door, ready to run out if I could get a chance.</p>
+
+<p>At seven o'clock they dressed me in all my finery,
+and before eight all our guests had arrived: Madam
+A., a lovely woman, and one of our best friends, with
+her three noble boys, and a sweet-faced little bit of a
+woman whom every one who knew her called cousin;
+then Madam M., with her daughter and granddaughter,&mdash;charming
+people, and all my dear friends.
+These, with Mr. and Mrs. Knight and their son
+Stacy, with ourselves, made a party of (reckoning
+myself) seventeen,&mdash;quite a roomful.</p>
+
+<p>I thought (and I can assure you a cat's opinion is
+of some value) that the Queen might be proud to see
+such beautiful, refined, and highly educated people at
+her drawing-room. To be sure, there were no décolleté
+toilets, but then it was a proof of the good
+sense of the people. Of course the Queen would not
+admit cats to her receptions; it would not be safe.
+The bones would be a temptation, and I fear cats
+would not respect even elderly bones, or spare them
+though decked with diamonds. I am happy to say
+that my party was purely democratic; they were really all my equals.</p>
+
+<p>The back parlor door was thrown open, and we
+were in full view of them all. The three boys in
+ragged clothes, bare legs, old shoes, were as hard a
+looking crew as ever accompanied a hand-organ.
+Will had the organ strapped to his back, and I sat
+upright on it. I was tied to Will's arm, and Josie
+held another string, for they could not trust me, fearing
+I would run under the sofa, at the expense of my tall hat and my dignity.</p>
+
+<p>We were greeted with a burst of applause. The
+boys so successfully assumed the street gamin air,
+and looked so thoroughly demoralized, as they pulled
+their forelocks in recognition of the greeting, that no
+wonder they brought down the house, and for a short
+time obscured my august self. Stacy and Will gave a
+song in nasal style, pretending all the while to grind
+the organ, while I was mounted on Will's shoulder,
+swelling with importance.</p>
+
+<p>Then they began "Yankee Doodle." Josie shook
+the castanets, Stacy beat the drum, Will ground the
+organ and sang, while they all danced like street Arabs.</p>
+
+<p>I was perfectly beside myself. Oh, if I had only
+been Balaam's ass, wouldn't I have made a speech!
+I ran to and fro on the organ, then rolled over and
+over, my hat on one ear, my coat up my back, around
+my neck, and my tail wagging from the red pants, in fine style.</p>
+
+<p>The boys looked on in wonder, for it is needless to
+say that this act was not on the programme, but an
+impromptu act of my own&mdash;and it was the crown of the performance.</p>
+
+<p>There were a few songs after this, but nothing like
+our "national air." We could rest our laurels on
+that. I was handed around, kissed, and admired to
+my heart's content. My clothes were pronounced
+perfect; and then, when the boys went upstairs to
+change their clothes, my mistress removed my finery,
+much against my will, and I made it very hard for
+her by sticking my claws into the clothes as she tried to take them off.</p>
+
+<p>Chester and Henry A., with Karl, were the ushers,
+and they opened the door of the hall room, where the
+tree was displayed in all its beauties. Mrs. Rice
+made a little speech, while Miss Milly held me tight,
+for, regardless of etiquette, I was eager to rush for the tree.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as she released me I made one jump on
+the table, and discovered what my sense of smell had
+led me to expect,&mdash;three little fishes tied with a red
+ribbon. I soon had them off the tree and on the
+floor, and made inroads into them before I could be prevented.</p>
+
+<p>Karl read the labels on the articles, while Chester
+and Henry distributed them, for I was pleased to see
+that my dear friends had been remembered as well as myself.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly had a book of "Familiar Quotations."
+On the fly-leaf was written in Madam A.'s lovely handwriting:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"To my dear mistress, whose motto has always
+been, 'Love me, love my cat.' Mew translated,
+'God bless her.'&mdash;<span class="smcap">Daisy</span>.</p>
+
+<p>"Hang sorrow! Care will kill a cat; therefore, let's be merry."</p>
+
+<p>I was very much pleased that the gift, purporting
+to be given by me, had just the nice selections I should have made.</p>
+
+<p>The tree did look lovely. Karl had lighted all the
+tapers, and it was one blaze of light. There were
+very pretty paper decorations of bright paper. Mrs.
+Rice said, sometimes taste was better than money.
+We had little of that, but we had such warm friends we were very happy.</p>
+
+<p>I had a pack of cards a little over an inch in length.
+They were a great pleasure to us. Will would spread
+them on the floor, and I would roll over, scattering
+them about. Sometimes he called me a knave, sometimes
+a king or queen, but I did not care, only for a
+good frolic. I had a box of pennies for my meat, a
+paper of catmint that I enjoyed, and a nice kidney
+done up in pink paper, some white, soft candy I
+loved, and last of all Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly
+gave me a lovely collar and padlock. I was proud
+as a prince with it on my neck.</p>
+
+<p>There were nice little gifts for all my dear friends;
+but the best of all was, that on them were written
+nice little texts and&mdash;"From Daisy," just as if I had
+given them myself. It proved that they understood
+how well I loved my dear ones, and how gladly I
+would have given if I could. It was better than all
+my own gifts, though I enjoyed them very much;
+but this understanding of me, making me one with
+them, made me feel like a cat-angel&mdash;and then and
+there I became a Christian cat.</p>
+
+<p>Then we had ice-cream and cake handed around
+by the boys. I had some in my own little pewter
+plate. Miss Milly melted it a little, but I had very
+small appetite for it. I was so excited that I could
+not keep still enough to lap ice-cream. I had licked
+the kidney, tasted the fish, chewed a little catmint and
+was quite hilarious over it, as it always went to my
+head. My tail had more to do with it than was
+agreeable to the company; for I whisked it about,
+greatly to their disgust: they did not like being
+dusted with catmint. Miss Milly said, "I shall be
+obliged to give you a dose of nux vomica, for I fear
+you have eaten too much of a mixture for even a
+cat's stomach to digest." I just winked at her, finished
+licking my ice-cream, then I kicked over the
+plate, making it roll under the piano. This provoked
+a shout of approval from the boys.</p>
+
+<p>Then we had a little music. Chester and Henry
+A&mdash;&mdash; played nicely, and my one dear girl friend
+also played, but she preferred playing with me. I
+was very fond of her and always responded to her affection.</p>
+
+<p>Then my nice party broke up. No one of those
+who were there will ever forget it, I know.</p>
+
+<p>Ah me, how long ago it seems! The boys and
+my one girl friend are twelve years older, while I
+am an old cat. Mamie, my friend, is a graduate
+of the Boston University. She will make her mark
+some day. The boys are Harvard graduates, while
+our own boys are Brimmer and High School boys.</p>
+
+<p>They can all talk in many languages which I, of
+course, can understand. Some of them will be smart
+business men. Chester, I think, will fill a professor's
+chair, while the others will represent the law. They
+will all achieve greatness if the love of one cherished cat can make them.</p>
+
+<p>I know there is a warm corner in their hearts for
+Daisy. And however hard the world has used them,
+they will read my little book and keep green in their
+hearts the memory of one who loved them dearly,
+when she is sleeping peacefully under her namesakes, the daisies.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps they will tell their children about their
+cat friend, and read to them this little story of one
+happy cat, who was made a member of the family
+and a friend of all the nice people who visited them.
+It will teach them kindness to their little four-footed
+playmates, and they will realize that warm hearts
+beat under their little fur coats.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="V" id="V"></a>V</h2>
+
+<h3>REVERSES</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch5.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">I</span> PASS over several years&mdash;very sad ones to
+us all. The breaking up of our home, the
+death of dear Mrs. Rice, I cannot write of,
+though Time, the true friend of the sorrowful,
+has laid a healing balm on our hearts. Miss
+Eleanor and Miss Milly were both prostrated by their
+sorrows, and we were obliged to go into the country for a change of air.</p></div>
+
+<p>How carelessly I looked upon the preparation for
+our flitting! When I mounted the piano, my favorite
+seat for many years, I little thought it was for the
+last time&mdash;that I should never hear my kind friends
+play on that dear old piano again, that I should never
+again arouse them in the morning by walking over
+the keys when they had left it open at night.</p>
+
+<p>I could not understand their tears, when the furniture
+and piano were carried away, that they were
+parting forever with things associated with their old
+home and those who had made their happiness, now
+gone forever. Yet when I saw only our trunks, and
+looked at their sad faces, I did wish I could be something
+better than a cat and be able to help them.</p>
+
+<p>I tried to amuse them, acting over all the little
+tricks they had taught me, and was a very happy
+creature when Miss Milly smoothed my fur, saying,
+"Oh, Daisy, what should we do without you!" Then
+I realized I was a comfort to them.</p>
+
+<p>They had bought me a large brown straw basket
+with a cover, and very strong handles, and when I
+walked into it, taking possession, I felt like a prince
+of the blood. I little thought how many miles I
+should travel in that basket! It was open in places
+to give me air, and I could lie down and turn around
+comfortably in it. When travelling, my mistress
+would keep her finger between the cover and the
+basket, and with my eyes fixed on her face I felt
+safe. She said she felt under a spell, to watch me,
+and my stony stare reminded her of the Stranger
+Guest, in the "Ancient Mariner."</p>
+
+<p>We remained only one month in our first boarding-place,
+for it was not satisfactory. The cats I could
+not associate with, for they were rough tramps, no
+one owning them, and they had no care. I was very
+sorry for them, knowing how care and kindness could transform them.</p>
+
+<p>They really hated me, and it made me very unhappy,
+my chief offence being my collar and padlock.
+They might have overlooked my collar, but the
+padlock was adding insult to injury. Their eyes
+would grow green with envy that one of their race
+should be above them. They looked upon my collar
+and padlock just as women look at each other's diamonds.
+Animals feel envy the same as human beings;
+only they can tear and rend each other, while their
+so-called superiors would like to do the same were it
+not for the power of the law.</p>
+
+<p>Cats and dogs fight, and that is the end of it; but
+with human beings it is never forgotten, and makes
+them bad-tempered and tyrannical.</p>
+
+<p>I was very sorry for these poor cats, though I could
+not understand such mean feelings. I was always
+pleased when I saw cats or dogs with pretty collars
+on and bows of ribbon. One lovely white cat I knew
+used to wear blue ribbons, and I always told her how
+nice she looked, till I found how vain she was; then
+I said no more about her good looks, for I do hate
+vain people. I would gladly have given my collar
+and padlock, though I loved it dearly, if it would have helped them.</p>
+
+<p>It is a problem beyond one poor cat's solution to
+know just how to help people to understand our race;
+but I do hope this little story will help a little. The
+life of one petted cat perhaps may make others as happy as I have been.</p>
+
+<p>We changed our rooms quite often on our return
+to Boston; many of them were so cheerless I will
+not speak of them. Whatever our discomforts were,
+I was always cared for; but I did wish I could provide
+a palace and servants for my dear friends. I
+remember the stories Miss Eleanor used to tell the
+boys, and I wished I could be Cinderella, with a fairy
+godmother to give me means to help others. I fear I
+should have killed the mice before they were changed
+into horses. And when the boys would say to their
+aunties, "Why don't you have horses and carriages?"
+I also asked the same question.</p>
+
+<p>I am an old cat now, and I know, and do not
+ask such questions, for I understand the world
+better, that it is not to those who deserve the
+most that luxuries are given. Why, we will never know.</p>
+
+<p>We lived in one house where we were very uncomfortable.
+Our room, to be sure, always looked bright
+and nice, but it was because we had such good taste
+in covering up our defects and making poor things look nice.</p>
+
+<p>The lady who owned the house was a philanthropist.
+It is a long name for me to master, but I
+thought it over in my waking hours, just as my mistress
+pronounced it, and I can think it quite correctly,
+better than I can understand why she was so called.
+She was utterly neglectful of the two gentlewomen in
+her house, who were far ahead of her in education
+and culture, if not her equals in money.</p>
+
+<p>I pondered the name, and its meaning, more and
+more. I will not say it made me tired, for that is
+slang; but it did make me sleepy, and I would drop
+into a good cat-nap right in the midst of defining "philanthropist."</p>
+
+<p>She had a cat named "Oliver Twist." One must
+have some companionship of his own kind. So Miss
+Milly said, "Perhaps he will be a playmate for Daisy."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," Miss Eleanor said, "he also may be a philanthropist."</p>
+
+<p>We soon found, however, he was nothing of the
+kind. He proved himself a most depraved cat.
+Under the cloak of virtue he concealed a very coarse
+nature. He never came up to our room without trying
+to provoke a fight. His black, beady eyes and
+sleek Maltese coat always irritated me. I had a cattish
+desire to fight him and let him know his place.
+For my mistress's sake I tried to subdue this feeling,
+remembering he was my guest, and I must be polite
+even at the expense of comfort.</p>
+
+<p>It was all thrown away on him; it was "casting
+pearls before swine." When I went out into the
+yard, as I did every day for an outing, he would hunt
+me about, as if I had no right to be there. Not one
+scrap of food did I ever get down there, though he
+was always ready to have a feast when he came to us.</p>
+
+<p>One day things reached a climax. I had tried to
+amuse him; he had taken my favorite chair, and
+washed himself all over in it, leaving so many hairs
+on it I thought I should go wild, knowing how Miss
+Milly would have to clean it. I gave him half my
+milk, and though he stood with one leg in the saucer
+to keep me from eating any, I still kept my temper.
+I would not make a fuss. But when, after finishing
+my milk and licking his chops right in my face, he
+flew at me and knocked me down, then I threw all
+politeness to the dogs, and unsheathing my claws, I
+closed with him, rolling over and over till he yelled
+well. Like all bullies, he was a coward.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress said, "Daisy, I am ashamed of you."
+Miss Eleanor took "Oliver Twist," and put him out,
+with scant ceremony, saying, "I wonder what Charles
+Dickens would say to hear a cat like that called 'Oliver Twist.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Poor cat! You know he is disciplined by a
+philanthropist." And Miss Milly laughed at the absurd thought.</p>
+
+<p>I laughed also, as I crept into a corner, when I
+thought how nicely I had "Oliver Twisted" him. I
+slept the sleep of the victorious. I did not see very
+much of him after this, for we went early into the country for the summer.</p>
+
+<p>There were very nice people where we boarded.
+One dear little boy was very fond of me. He hugged
+me so hard I avoided him. My mistress told his
+mother that she did not think children should be
+allowed cats and dogs for playthings. Miss Eleanor
+talked quite nicely to little Alec, and I think when
+he remembers her stories of children who were good
+to animals, that it will make him careful, for he was
+a nice little fellow, and he may be a good friend to
+poor ill-treated dogs and cats.</p>
+
+<p>I enjoyed that summer very much. The cats were
+kind and friendly, and the beautiful trees on the
+grounds gave me a nice chance to run up and hide
+from my mistress. She was anxious about me all the
+time, fearing to lose sight of me. She used to pet all
+the cats that were good to me, and they all said, if
+they had a friend like her, how good and happy they
+would be. Some of them were very wild and rude,
+hunted as they had been by bad children, and scat
+from the door when, half starved and cold, they had
+sought shelter and friends. No wonder they were
+not nice company for well-bred cats. I did pity them
+and never turned away when they came near me.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the grounds was a big bed of catmint.
+It was like the "corner grocery store" for the
+cats. Crowds of them would assemble there to talk
+over their affairs. And when, excited by the power
+of the catmint, they would get into a row, though
+there were no pistols or murders, such as characterize
+human fights, there were black eyes, scratched
+faces, and hate and rage in plenty.</p>
+
+<p>I kept out of it all, though I cannot deny that my
+heart beat faster. I had to sheathe my claws till they
+hurt me; but I thought of my position, for a well-brought-up
+cat can understand the meaning of "noblesse
+oblige." I suppose I felt just as men do (and
+women too, as to that) when they bet on the fighting
+parties. And I had my favorites as well as they, and
+knew who I hoped would win.</p>
+
+<p>I did love that catmint bed, and never for one
+moment doubt that in the boundless green fields of
+Paradise we shall have acres of catmint where we can
+roll to our hearts' content. I did try to encourage the
+poor neglected ones with this prospect, but they did
+not believe me. They said I was a "cat fanatic," "a
+fool," "a revivalist." They said, "If we are to be so
+cared for, then why don't your 'heavenly father' that
+you think so much of do something for us now?"
+And they all talked at once and were so excited, they
+hissed and yelled so loud, that my nerves were all of
+a quiver; but I stood my ground, though they pressed
+on me very hard, and breathed so much catmint over
+me I was glad when my mistress, hearing the row, came and took me away.</p>
+
+<p>It was many days before I visited that catmint bed
+again, for it rained very hard. Miss Eleanor remarked
+that Daisy was rather quiet; she feared he was sick.
+I could have told her my heart was sick, trying to
+solve the problem, how I could reform my race, how
+make people believe them the intelligent beings they are.</p>
+
+<p>After this I had to bear jeers and scoffs; but I
+would not give up my principles nor yet my catmint
+bed. Many were the scratches Miss Eleanor got, pulling
+me out from under the bushes, for the smell magnetized
+me. She always got me by the tail or leg,
+she cared not which, so that she carried me home and
+saved Miss Milly anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>The people were very nice to me. One quiet
+young man, an artist, was very fond of me, and said
+I would make a fine subject for a picture. I used to
+flourish my tail and hold my head on one side just
+like a fool, I suppose; but then I know I am a beauty.
+I hear it every day, and how can I help being vain?</p>
+
+<p>Before returning to Boston we paid a short visit to
+one of our friends. She had a delightful home, and
+the children were very much pleased to have me visit them.</p>
+
+<p>As I have quite an adventure to relate, where I
+did not distinguish myself, I will take another chapter,
+and give it in full, without extenuating my faults,
+leaving them to be judged by my readers.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>VI</h2>
+
+<h3>DAISY'S ADVENTURE</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch6.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">T</span>HE eldest son and daughter were very kind
+to me, and I thought them just lovely.
+Their mother was an old friend of mine, and
+always when she came to Boston I was delighted
+to see her. I would jump up in her lap&mdash;a
+favor that I did not often grant to any one. Cats can
+tell who are true and who are false. I could have
+given my mistress points on this subject, for she
+believed in those she loved, and was often deceived.</p></div>
+
+<p>There was a dog and cat that were great favorites
+with all the family. Spot, the dog, was very plain,&mdash;a
+great lanky creature,&mdash;but he had one virtue;
+that was obedience. Tom, the cat, was a hard-looking
+creature, but they all loved him dearly.</p>
+
+<p>Of course both dog and cat hated me. They
+thought I put on airs, and they resented the affection
+their mistress gave to me. I walked about the garden,
+regardless of their hisses and growls; and they
+very soon got tired of it, when they saw I did not
+notice them. Mr. George, the eldest son, had Spot
+in complete subjection, and Tom dared not approach
+me when the family were near.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly were invited to the
+seashore. They had decided not to accept the invitation,
+as they could not take me with them. Mrs.
+H. urged their going, saying: "It is just what you
+both need,&mdash;change of air. I can take care of Daisy;
+it will be a pleasure." So it was decided.</p>
+
+<p>When they kissed me at parting, and said, "How
+can we leave you, Daisy?" my heart ached so that I
+was too wretched to live. Had not Mrs. H. held me
+tight, I would have followed the carriage that took
+them away from me. Spot and Tom looked anxiously
+on. They thought, "Is this upstart to be left here to rule over us?"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. H. said that Spot must be kept at the store,
+only coming home at night. She tried her best to
+have Tom friendly with me, but a more obstinate
+cat I never met. He would stay in the room with
+me, and once took his dinner out of the same plate
+after they had kept him hungry a long time; but
+never could they make him friendly with me. I tried
+to be just to him, knowing how hard it was to have
+a "handsome, fashionable" cat, as they called me,
+come into their home and share their friends.</p>
+
+<p>And then there was that collar and padlock. How
+much I suffered for that little bit of finery! And
+yet I loved it dearly. I never struck an attitude (as
+my mistress called it) without my padlock was in full
+sight, just under my chin, where I had placed it.</p>
+
+<p>How long that one week was to me, and I am
+ashamed to say how many disgraceful acts I was
+guilty of. One night the climax was reached, and
+then my character was ruined for that family. I
+slept in the room with Mrs. H.&mdash;much to her husband's disgust.</p>
+
+<p>It was a nice lounge I had, with a blanket on it,
+and any cat might have been happy there. Tom
+was envious of it, for one day he walked in and was
+just about to jump up there for a nap, when I jumped
+up before him, and gave a powerful hiss right in his
+face. He was all ready to fight when his mistress
+came in and giving him a shake, said, "If I ever
+hear you hiss at Daisy again, I will punish you."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Tom! He knew he was unjustly accused,
+but what could he do, and I did feel mean, but what
+could I do either? I could not speak. I might have
+hissed; then, she would have known who was the
+offender. I did not, however, but just glared at
+Tom when she carried him off.</p>
+
+<p>One night I could not sleep. I was homesick.
+So I just walked over the bureau, clinking the glasses
+and toilet bottles, and then mounted the mantle,
+meandering about sure-footed, though I did kick
+over a wooden ball, for pure mischief. I threw it
+on the floor, where it crashed down loud.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. H. started up, saying, "That cat is on the
+mantle; she will break the vases and clock."</p>
+
+<p>"Let her break them," Mr. H. replied; "we shall
+get off cheap if that is all the mischief she does."
+And he went off to sleep again.</p>
+
+<p>When Mrs. H. reached the mantle, no cat was to be found.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Daisy," she said, "there you are, so demure,
+sitting on that chair! You are just like your mistress,
+so cute, no wonder she loves you dearly."</p>
+
+<p>After coaxing me to lie down on the lounge, she
+went to bed, and soon fell asleep. I could not sleep,
+however. I had a restless desire to go and find my friends.</p>
+
+<p>The end window was open at the top; it faced
+on a narrow piazza that extended the length of the
+house. It was gravelled on the top. I was very
+agile, and giving one spring from the top of a chair,
+I soon reached the window, and overlooked the
+situation. A good jump, and I landed on my feet,
+and walked along, crunching the gravel as I went.</p>
+
+<p>I passed the bath-room window and then approached
+the window of Mr. George's room, which was open
+wide, but protected by a heavy screen. Here I
+planted my paws and looked in. One wild yell and
+a succession of barks rent the air, and Spot, who had
+been sleeping at the foot of his master's bed, rushed
+for the window and would soon have dashed through
+the screen and finished me,&mdash;for he was a powerful
+dog,&mdash;but his master's hand on his collar restrained
+him, with the other hand he reached for his pistol,
+thinking there were burglars about. His mother's
+voice at the door arrested him, and he opened the
+door, to meet her anxious question, "Is Daisy safe?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is safe enough," he said; "but are we safe
+with a cat like this one in the house?"</p>
+
+<p>"Take Spot into my room," said his mother,
+"while I get Daisy." In spite of her alarm, as she
+approached the window, she could not help laughing.
+"Oh, you cunning creature!" she said; "just as
+composed as possible, looking from one to the other,
+as if to say,&mdash;'Why, what is all this fuss about?'"</p>
+
+<p>Sure enough, I stood with my paws on the window-sill,
+and did not move till she came, and removing
+the screen took me into the room where all the
+family were assembled, in undress, while Spot's loud
+barking could be heard from the next room. I was
+taken into the guest chamber, where Mrs. H. remained
+with me; for she said she was convinced no one
+could govern me but my mistress.</p>
+
+<p>Two days more, and I was made happy by the
+sight of my loved ones. Mrs. H. did not tell them
+for a long time of my naughtiness. They said their
+visit was pleasant, but without me they had decided
+never to go away again. They said their friend had
+given them an invitation for me when they visited
+her another year. And it was really true. The next
+year they did take me; and as it is all fresh in my
+memory now, I will jump one year and tell you all about it.</p>
+
+<p>I saw the cats they had told me about. One was
+called "Forepaugh," and she did look just like a real
+circus cat. She had one brown and one blue eye.
+The other cat was called "Spring." I liked them
+both very much. They were not educated cats, but
+they had good manners, and were very kind hearted.</p>
+
+<p>Forepaugh told me sad stories of the cats around.
+She said very few people made them members of the
+family, as we were. Most of the cats were tramps,
+living in the fields and woods, afraid of every human
+being, having to steal or starve. They were naturally
+antagonistic to cats that had homes. They
+never had known kindness and could not believe
+in it. She said if ever a missionary was needed,
+she thought it was right here.</p>
+
+<p>She said that just below, near the poorhouse, was
+a large field called "Cat Swamp," because all the cats
+for miles around congregated here. Some "dudes"
+had altered the name to "Feline Meadow." "Cat
+Swamp" held the fort, however, as the most appropriate
+name. Here the cats yelled and caterwauled
+and told all their trials and sorrows caused by mankind.</p>
+
+<p>The fights were fearful, and the heaps of fur to be
+seen around after one of these encounters proved in
+reality that there was nothing ideal in the tongues
+and sounds heard in this region. They said there
+was no help for it; people could not be made to
+realize that cats had a claim on them.</p>
+
+<p>For several nights I had noticed one of the neighbors'
+cats sitting on the fence and listening intently
+to our conversation. This evening she came nearer,
+and gave a groan, while Forepaugh was speaking to
+me of the neglected cats. At last she said if she
+might be allowed to express an opinion, she had one
+all ready. We said at once how glad we would be to hear her.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose," she said, "some of your good Boston
+people, with their little tracts on the treatment of
+dumb animals, come along! What then! We can't
+eat their tracts, or live on them, can we?"</p>
+
+<p>I didn't like to answer this cat, she was so big and
+aggressive, and looked at me with such spite, as if she
+thought I liked tracts, and the people who carry them
+about, when I do despise them. Finding I did not answer, she continued:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"There it all ends. A lot of women will get together,
+with a few men thrown in, and they will talk
+and talk, going all around Robin Hood's barn, till
+they lose the thread of their discourse, and we wish
+some big bat would rush out and catch the thread and
+bring them to the point. Then they argue and draw
+up resolutions, and call upon the brethren to agree
+to them, which the poor men do, because they are
+afraid of the sisters' tongues. Then they are exhausted,
+and are obliged, 'as weaker vessels,' to drink
+gallons of tea, and the men smoke acres of cigars,
+and it all ends in smoke and tea grounds for us poor
+cats. The women think about each other's clothes,
+while the men are wondering if the women are rich
+enough to support them, should they propose marriage.
+Naturally cats are forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>"Sometimes they find a home for a good-looking
+cat, but it is not a satisfactory one. Such people
+are not supposed to know much about people with
+hearts large enough to take interest in cats. They
+are handed over to high-toned servants, to pet and
+snub in alternation. The poor no-tailed horses, made
+wretched by the abominable check-rein and the flies,
+hate everything that moves, and kick at us. The liveried
+servants smoke in our faces, swear, and spit on
+us, till we hide ourselves in disgust and wonder if
+animals have dirtier habits than human beings.</p>
+
+<p>"When the family returns to the city the house is
+closed, and these Christian people leave poor Pussy
+behind to look out for herself. Is it any wonder that
+cats have no faith in any one? That they join the
+midnight revels, and fight, and steal, to keep them alive?"</p>
+
+<p>She was very sarcastic, but Forepaugh said it was
+all true; that cats were cast off just as if they had no
+right to live; then when they steal some bit of food,
+they are given a bad character and hunted about.
+They are expected to have better morals than human beings.</p>
+
+<p>Forepaugh said that she had a real respect for this
+cat, that she knew all the cats for miles around, and
+helped them all she could; she said that hearing their
+tales of sorrow had made her cynical.</p>
+
+<p>"I had thought her disagreeable," Forepaugh said,
+"till one night I saw her tugging along the remains
+of a big fish which a neighbor who had been out fishing
+had given her. I had the curiosity to follow her.
+She had to take a rest frequently, for the fish was
+heavy. At last, after walking a long distance, she
+dragged it over a stone wall. Soon feeble voices
+greeted her, and two half-starved cats that had been
+abused by bad boys raised themselves up, while their
+friend tore the fish to pieces with her sharp teeth. I
+got over the wall and helped her. They all were shy
+of me and inclined to sneer because I had a home,
+but I said I did not care; it made me mad, but I put
+all my madness into tearing up the fish, and they satisfied their hunger."</p>
+
+<p>Forepaugh also said that their friend, not satisfied
+with feeding them, began to lick one of the great
+wounds made by a sharp stone thrown by a boy just
+for fun. Then, as they were thirsty, they dragged
+themselves down to a brook at the end of the field,
+and after drinking they were very comfortable.
+Then they told their trials, and said, "What can we
+do to make people kind to us?"</p>
+
+<p>Forepaugh said she had heard of a Dr. Angell, who
+was devoting his life to helping dumb animals. They
+all yelled and scoffed when she said "Angell," saying,
+"Do you believe there is an angel in heaven that would look at a cat?"</p>
+
+<p>Forepaugh said (being a Christian cat) she was
+shocked. She explained to them that it was the
+name, though she said, "I am sure it is appropriate,
+for he has proved himself one by his help to all helpless creatures."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," they said, "we wish he could see us and
+help us. Why can't some one speak to him? Perhaps,
+though, he will think cats beneath his notice."</p>
+
+<p>Forepaugh said she had often thought she wished
+she could see him and tell him about their sufferings.
+She said, "I always respected that cat after that night
+when we walked home by moonlight, after taking
+care of those cats; and when she sat down on a
+stone, saying, 'I must rest, for I feel faint; I have
+had no food for some hours, for I knew that fish
+would be only enough for them,' I said, 'You shall
+have some of my supper,' and I got her some pieces
+of meat and gave her all my milk, and went to bed
+happy, though I was rather empty."</p>
+
+<p>After this I did have a real friendship for Forepaugh,
+and I told her if ever I could, I would try
+to interest this good man in our race. I had not
+then thought I should ever write a book, but now is
+my chance, and somehow I do feel he will help us.</p>
+
+<p>The cynical cat never would make friends with
+me, but I did admire her, and I feel how small my
+life is compared with hers. Here am I, petted and
+living in plenty, and I can only be grateful and try
+to be a comfort to my dear friend.</p>
+
+<p>Forepaugh told us that at one of the great shore
+houses they had a cat called Prometheus.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said our cynic, "how I wish we could get
+at his liver; we should never want for food."</p>
+
+<p>I pondered over that speech, and one day I heard
+my mistress telling her little niece, who was reading
+mythology, the story of Prometheus, "who was bound
+to a rock, vultures feeding upon his ever growing
+liver." It was very funny for a country bred cat to
+be versed in mythology. I suppose, however, she
+heard it, as I often do things my mistress and her
+friend talk about, and the liver made her remember it.</p>
+
+<p>I was heartily glad to return to Boston, and I made
+up my mind I would let cats and all the animals I
+could reach know that they had not met the true
+philanthropists, but the shams that take up every
+new cause and dishonor it. For there are many
+earnest, true philanthropists who spend money and
+publish nice tracts in behalf of animals, and thus,
+in a measure, the tracts "do feed" animals; for
+they open the eyes of those who perhaps have never
+thought of the matter earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>I determined, after my visit to Beverly, to write
+this book to help my unfortunate race.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="VII" id="VII"></a>VII</h2>
+
+<h3>CAT MEMORIES</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch7.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">O</span>UR new room, a very large alcove, was pleasant and comfortable. The people
+who owned the house were school-teachers,
+refined, and the atmosphere was congenial
+to us all. I loved to watch my friend's busy fingers
+and follow Miss Milly's pen, as she wrote for hours
+at her desk. I loved to walk over the fresh writing
+and flirt my tail over the ink-bottle. That would
+make her stop and scold me, then pet me till I was
+willing she should return to her work. The eyes of
+affection are sharp. I saw with pain that they were
+obliged often to lie down, after a long spell of work,
+but they never complained.</p></div>
+
+<p>Mrs. Knight came often to see us, but I did not
+see Stacy for a long time. He was busy with his
+studies at Harvard, but he sent me kind messages,
+and I knew he loved me. Our boys were not with
+us, and I had no young company; but then, I was
+happy for I could see and hear from our young friends frequently.</p>
+
+<p>I always greeted dear Mrs. Knight with delight.
+She had a camel's hair shawl she used to roll me in,
+when we lived in her house, and I loved to claw it
+and pull the wool out of it. I wondered she did not
+wear it, but then, I suppose, it was old fashioned.
+She told me that her cat Solomon was very fond of
+it, and she allowed him to sleep on the lounge with that shawl under him.</p>
+
+<p>I felt a little jealous of Solomon, but I doubt if
+they ever love another cat as well as they love me.
+They said Solomon had no associates, though they lived on the swell avenue.</p>
+
+<p>The cats belonging there were only tolerated one-half
+the year. The cats that were not boarded out
+were left to become tramps. Of course these cats
+were very immoral, and they did not think it would
+improve Solomon to be friendly with them. I did
+smile when Mrs. Knight said, "Daisy is such a perfect
+cat, we hold him up as a model for Solomon."</p>
+
+<p>I wondered how Sol would like that, for he told
+me he did not like being kept in. He guessed he
+could take care of his morals; the society cats could not hurt him.</p>
+
+<p>One day he proved himself not so wise as his
+name would indicate. He fell out of the third story
+window. When they gathered around him, thinking
+he would have to be chloroformed, he got up, shook himself, and lived.</p>
+
+<p>He told me very sad tales of the cats living in that
+vicinity. "Would you not think," he said, "that in
+these palatial houses there would be room for one cat?"</p>
+
+<p>I said I should think they would want two or three.
+He shook his wise head, saying, "Oh, no. If they
+see a cat that pleases them, some superannuated
+spinster will gush over her, making her a pet for a
+little while. But let poor Pussy fall ill, or get one
+flea on her, and out she goes into outer darkness."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," I said, "don't speak like that! my two
+dear friends are 'maiden ladies,' and no one can be
+kinder to animals than they are. The sick and
+unfortunate always appeal to their sympathy, and not
+in vain. I remember Miss Eleanor washing every day
+a poor neglected black cat whose eye a rat had bitten.
+It was not a pleasant piece of work, I can tell you,
+and she tended that eye so faithfully that it got well.
+They would go hungry to give food to a poor animal that needed it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, it may be so," said Sol, impressed by
+my indignant protest; "but I have heard that old
+bachelors and old maids are always the hardest on animals."</p>
+
+<p>I indignantly denied this. "It is married people
+who dislike each other and cannot get free, who have
+horrid children&mdash;they are the hard ones. They do
+not want the care of their children themselves, and
+expect animals to offer themselves to be tortured by
+these wretched children. And if they defend themselves,
+refusing to have their eyes poked out with
+sticks, tin pails tied to their tails, and lighted matches
+held to their noses, and bite or scratch, then they
+are denounced as vile, and are given bad characters
+that will follow them through life."</p>
+
+<p>I had spoken with real feeling, and I could see that Sol believed me.</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, I suppose," he said. "We are
+both of us fortunate cats; 'our lives have fallen in pleasant places.'"</p>
+
+<p>Poor Sol! He was so wise he had to quote Scripture,
+even if he did not understand it; and in this he
+was no worse than human beings. Do half of them
+know the meaning of the passages of Scripture they quote so confidently?</p>
+
+<p>"We," he continued in a sentimental tone, "cannot
+realize how hard it is to be outcasts. These
+closed-up houses and boarded-up doors are gloomy
+enough during the summer months. At dusk the
+skeleton forms that steal out, too feeble to mew,
+start at every sound, fearing the stones and jeers
+they are sure to meet from the stray ragamuffin children
+who roam about this deserted region. Their
+hearts are broken,&mdash;for cats have hearts, and loving
+ones too,&mdash;and it is hard for them to believe
+that those who have sometimes noticed them have
+left them alone. I do not know," he continued,
+"where we are going, but I do not believe we were
+made in vain, and I think these heartless people
+will find in the hereafter that the animals they have
+abused will be avenged."</p>
+
+<p>"All I desire," said I, "is to be with my two dear
+friends." And to this Solomon said, "Amen."</p>
+
+<p>I like Sol very much. He is a very well educated
+cat and looks upon life in a serious manner. He
+has grown quite large and appreciates his good
+home. I think he is a Christian Endeavorer, and
+will do all he can for homeless cats. I remember
+his wise words; and when dear Mrs. Knight brings
+me some of his catmint, I enjoy it for itself, because
+I love it, and in memory of his friendship. One can
+remember his friends even if he does not meet them
+often. Perhaps if we were to see each other every day, we should disagree.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>AN ACCIDENT</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch8.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">W</span>E had a very nice home in the country offered
+us, which we were very glad to take advantage of. The people who owned the
+place, going to the seashore, preferred to
+have their house occupied rather than shut up, doing no one any good.</p></div>
+
+<p>It was very pleasant there, and we had a very delightful
+time, though the accident which nearly cost
+me my life, and from which I shall never recover, happened there.</p>
+
+<p>It was the day before the Fourth of July. Miss
+Milly had been to Boston to the funeral of our beloved
+Doctor. Miss Eleanor being too unwell to go,
+we kept each other company, and sad enough we were.</p>
+
+<p>When Miss Milly returned, she was thoroughly
+worn out with grief at the loss of her dear friend
+and Doctor. It was a great loss to me, for I had
+been his special pet. During our dear Mrs. Rice's
+sickness I watched for his daily visit and knew his
+ring always. He would say: "Well, Daisy, how is
+your health to-day? Put out your tongue." Which,
+with Miss Milly's help, I would do. Then he would
+take my paw and feel my pulse in the most sober manner.</p>
+
+<p>How nice it was! I would not give up this memory
+for a great deal of money. I could tell by his
+face just how our dear invalid was, and when he told
+them his skill was in vain, and that he could not save
+her, I saw the tears in his eyes as he took me in his
+arms. He was a perfect gentleman, and we all loved
+him and respected his great knowledge and skill.</p>
+
+<p>We were sitting on the piazza talking about him,
+when I saw something move over under the trees.
+Supposing it might be a squirrel, I went to interview
+him, thinking that if I could kill something I should
+feel better. My mistresses were so preoccupied that
+when they went in to tea they never noticed that I had not followed them.</p>
+
+<p>Finding no squirrel, I sat down under a pine tree,
+thinking about the beautiful flowers and the music
+Miss Milly had told us about, at the church funeral
+of our friend, and mourning that I should never see
+our dear Doctor again, and wondering what Miss
+Milly would do without him, when a rush, and a bark,
+and before I could face around a fierce bulldog
+buried his teeth in my shoulder. I fought for my
+life, though I felt the odds were against me. But let
+him kill me; I would die game. I did claw his eyes,
+blinding him and giving me chance to escape.</p>
+
+<p>I crawled over the grass, then through the fence,
+into the neighboring estate, and hid myself in the
+bushes and deep grass. Then I lost consciousness.
+At times I realized my pain, and my brain was clear,
+for all my past life passed before me.</p>
+
+<p>How beautiful seemed my dear home and friends,
+that I should never see again! Then the old childish
+days, when I had frolicked with my poor mother,
+came to me so vividly I could smell the sweet clover
+where we played; and then the dreadful pain and
+faintness made me realize the end was near.</p>
+
+<p>I said, "I shall see our dear Doctor, and he will
+say, 'Why, Daisy! Have you followed me so
+soon?'" It was all dreamy; another fainting spell
+had come on, and it was nearly morning before I
+was again conscious. Then I thought, "I must try
+to see my dear mistresses once more, even if to die in
+sight of their windows." I was half crazed when I thought of their sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>With the greatest effort I raised myself up, and it
+was nearly an hour before I reached the tree, the
+scene of yesterday's disaster. Inch by inch I crawled
+along, with all the courage I could command. If
+cats have nine lives, I lost eight of mine on that
+journey. I could not see; my eyes were closed up
+by cobwebs, from the bushes I had crawled under
+when I hid myself. I felt my way along, and when
+the tree was reached fell down exhausted.</p>
+
+<p>Soon I heard a soft step, and Miss Eleanor gathered
+me up in her arms, trembling with fear that she
+should hurt me. She cried out with pain when she
+saw my bloody side, with the skin and fur hanging
+down nearly a quarter of a yard. She folded her
+apron, and held me in that, as I could be moved easily
+in that way; and I never winced, though the least
+jar hurt me, closing my eyes, and feeling I could die
+in peace. She carried me upstairs to Miss Milly's bedside.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Miss Milly! She had not closed her eyes
+till toward morning, when she fell into a doze. She
+opened her eyes when Miss Eleanor spoke, and
+screamed with pleasure when she caught sight of me.
+She held out her arms; but Miss Eleanor said, "Do
+not move him." Then, when she opened her apron,
+and Miss Milly saw my torn and bloody side, she
+cried as if her heart would break, saying, "He will die! What shall we do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Dress yourself quickly, and we will see what can
+be done. One comfort: he will be with us, and will
+have our care, even if we must lose him."</p>
+
+<p>They folded a blanket, laid it on a wide lounge,
+then covered it with a clean sheet folded thick, and
+laid me on it. Then Miss Milly soaked off the cobwebs
+from my eyes with warm water and a soft cloth,
+and I could just see a little; but it was like a view of
+heaven to see their dear faces once more.</p>
+
+<p>I tried to lap some warm milk, for the fever had
+made me thirsty. The effort was too much, and I
+fell back, faint and dizzy. When this attack passed
+off, I took a few drops of water from a spoon, and
+Miss Milly sat for an hour patiently, giving me drop
+by drop, till my parched tongue and throat were relieved.</p>
+
+<p>She sponged around the wound, soaking the clotted
+blood from my fur so tenderly that I suffered very little.</p>
+
+<p>My heart was so full of thankfulness that I would
+not murmur at my pains. And I do not think it was
+such a great virtue, though the suffering was fearful,
+for I think animals bear pain always with more fortitude than human beings.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor went into Boston as soon as possible.
+Mrs. Knight was very much distressed, and at once
+went with her to see the great doctor for animals,
+Dr. Watts. He said he could not leave his office the
+Fourth of July. He said he thought my shoulder
+bone was bent, and as I was so old, he should advise
+bathing, without trying to have it operated upon. He
+gave them a liniment, saying he did not think I would ever get over it.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly said he evidently thought me an old
+cat, and that I had better die than live and suffer.
+"He shall not die," she added, "if we can save him."</p>
+
+<p>The liniment was just fearful, Miss Milly held
+my head in her arms, covering my eyes and nose;
+for it was very strong, and drew tears from their
+eyes. Miss Eleanor applied it slowly. I winced and
+moaned, but tried hard to restrain myself, for I knew
+they were suffering with me. And I was anxious to
+bear it; for somehow I had faith in Dr. Watts, and I
+believed it would help me.</p>
+
+<p>Never had a patient better care. They made me
+catmint tea, and rubbed it on their hands so I could
+smell of it, and never left me alone. They kept the
+sheet smooth under me, for I could not turn over.
+It was like heaven to me, and after I had slept a little
+while, I opened my eyes, and seeing Miss Milly
+bending over me, I purred and put out my tongue to
+lick her hand. She kissed me with delight, and both
+of them caressed me, saying, "He will live, and no
+matter how much trouble he is, we will be only too glad to do for him."</p>
+
+<p>It was very true. From that day I got better
+slowly. I could turn over, and the hanging skin and
+fur fell off; and they kept soft greasy handkerchiefs
+on the wound till it closed over and healed. In two
+weeks the fur began to grow, and soon I had as lovely
+a coat as before my accident.</p>
+
+<p>Just one week did I keep good, because I could
+not help myself. Then, one day, they went down to
+dinner, leaving me asleep on the lounge.</p>
+
+<p>I said to myself when I awoke, "This has lasted
+long enough; I will not be an invalid longer." I
+crawled down and surprised them. They gathered
+me up, and carried me back, saying: "You will not
+get well so soon if you behave like this. We will
+close the door when we leave the room after this, for
+we see that you are not to be trusted."</p>
+
+<p>It did put me back, but my one desire was to get
+about, and I was soon able to. My shoulder was stiff,
+and it was a good six weeks before I could walk about
+with comfort. I limped a little, but my mistress
+laughed over it, saying it was an aristocratic limp&mdash;like
+some old gentleman leaning on his gold-headed cane.</p>
+
+<p>It was due to the love and care of these dear friends
+that my life was saved&mdash;another debt added to the
+long list of favors I received from them. I hope my
+little book will be successful and prove how much I
+loved and appreciated them.</p>
+
+<p>I have never been strong since my accident.
+There were internal injuries, and I often have an
+inward fever and great pain. I keep it to myself
+when I can, for if they find my breath feverish and
+my paws hot, they are very anxious and dose me
+with aconite and sometimes oil. Aconite I can take,
+but I do just hate oil. I act like a bad boy when it is given to me.</p>
+
+<p>My misfortune had one bright side; it gave us
+nice neighbors. Very congenial ones they were.</p>
+
+<p>When my mistress left me, to go in to tea that
+afternoon, they thought I had followed them, and
+had not missed me. Two tramp children shouted
+at the window, "Missus, your cat's killed! We seed a dog kill him."</p>
+
+<p>They ran out to question the children, but could get
+no satisfaction. Then they called, "Daisy, Daisy!"
+all around the house and grounds; for they could not
+believe I was lost. The children must be mistaken.</p>
+
+<p>There were some young people playing tennis on
+the Anchorage grounds,&mdash;the Admiral's place opposite,&mdash;and
+they came over when they saw Miss
+Eleanor and Miss Milly, and said they had seen the
+attack. They said the loud barking of a dog and a
+scream from the girl who was wheeling a baby carriage
+called their attention. They thought Daisy
+was killed; they saw him move, but could not tell
+in what direction; they said they did not believe it
+could be far off, as he must have received his death
+wound. The dog was a fierce bulldog, and belonged
+to the girl who had screamed. She had wheeled the
+carriage off quickly and called the dog, who was
+howling and bleeding from the encounter. They
+said, had they only been able to get a pistol, they
+would have shot the dog at once; but no one dare
+interfere with an enraged bull dog. And they had
+no time, for it all passed so quickly.</p>
+
+<p>They came over and very kindly helped in the
+search, going down cellar, looking in the cold air
+box, and over the grounds. Where I could have
+taken myself so quickly, they could not understand.
+After their dinner they searched again&mdash;without success, however.</p>
+
+<p>The Admiral's charming daughter, with her friend
+from a neighboring place, was very kind, calling the
+next day, trying to comfort my distracted friends.</p>
+
+<p>It was after twelve o'clock before they went into
+the house; then they could not rest, walking out on
+the piazza, or sitting in the bay-window, and starting
+at every sound or shadow. Miss Milly said if they
+could only give me Christian burial, she could bear it
+better. It was a night never to be forgotten by them,
+and they loved me more, if possible, for what they had
+suffered when they thought they had lost me.</p>
+
+<p>The young ladies I was soon quite intimate with.
+They brought ice-cream and jelly to me, and beautiful
+flowers. Of course we understood it was a delicate
+attention offered through me; in fact, it was
+using me as a "cat's paw." We had nice times sitting
+in the porch or on the piazza. They were so
+bright and chatty, talking about books they had read.
+I could not read books, but I could sit on them and
+look wise, and I never was known to scratch one.</p>
+
+<p>In the next house were two pet cats. One was
+Maltese, the other black, with white breast and paws.
+They were very large and dignified. There was one
+singular feature about them: both had double thumbs.
+After I became acquainted with them I asked them
+why they did not join a circus or museum. Oh, my!
+how mad they were, for they were very proud and
+exclusive; and at first were very shy of associating
+with me till they saw what nice company we had.
+They said they thought we must be poor, for we kept no servant.</p>
+
+<p>I told them we were poor, but we did not judge
+people by their money; that I guessed that so far as
+brains and culture and good breeding were concerned,
+my mistresses could beat the neighborhood, if we did
+not keep help. Then I pushed open the screen door
+and banged it in their faces. I was so very mad I
+never looked at them for a long time, and kept on the
+piazza at the other side of the house.</p>
+
+<p>I did forgive them, however, but it was after their
+pride had a fall. The family, went away for some
+weeks, and the house was closed. They left the
+small door in the barn open, and a heap of straw, with
+a blanket over it, for them to sleep on. They engaged
+the man who cared for the places around to
+provide them with milk and food; and he was very faithful to them.</p>
+
+<p>How we did pity them! I held up my head and
+walked away when I saw them, and Miss Eleanor
+said she did not think I could be so hard-hearted; but
+I could not stand it when I heard a piteous mew and
+saw a sad face looking at me, and I at once threw all
+resentment to the winds and went out with them.</p>
+
+<p>After this they were in our house all the time. As
+soon as it was light, over they would come, and wait
+till we came down to breakfast. They went home
+reluctantly at night, and Miss Eleanor was so good
+to them she went with them and poked up the straw
+and shut them in for the night. Miss Milly would
+say to her: "Did you tell them a bear story? And
+did they say their prayers?" Miss Eleanor would
+laugh, and say: "I did pity the poor lonely things;
+they looked like the babes in the wood when I covered
+the old blanket over them. Only I thought they
+had a good, nice auntie instead of a wicked uncle."
+For, as you will see, I had been told all these stories,
+or the boys had, and I listened to them.</p>
+
+<p>These cats were very nice to me. They would
+run up the trees and on top of the bay-window to
+amuse me; for I could not run or climb very well,
+though the next year, when we were out there, I
+could run with them very easily. We had such
+nice dinners together; for I enjoyed sharing my
+good things with them, and they were very nice
+about eating. They did not snort and growl as
+some cats do, or pick for the best. My mistress
+used to put down one large platter, and would give
+each of them the end, while I had the middle. Each shared alike.</p>
+
+<p>We had a great deal of company. I enjoyed them
+all, particularly the artists. I had an eye for color,
+though I could not make a telescope of my paw and
+put it over my eye, exclaiming: "What perspective!
+What color! What technique!" But I could open
+both eyes and see if the pictures were true to nature.</p>
+
+<p>Many offers were made by the artists to paint
+my picture; but my mistress refused them, saying:
+"Should I lose my Daisy, I could not bear to see
+a picture of her. I should always carry one in my
+heart, and would need no other."</p>
+
+<p>Our pleasant home we left the last of September,
+just when the autumn foliage was in a blaze of color,
+giving us a delightful picture to remember through
+the winter. We carried home some pine-cones for
+our grate, and bright leaves to put in our vases&mdash;a
+very pleasant reminder of our summer home.</p>
+
+<p>We made a pine pillow. I say <i>we</i> because I pulled
+out the pine as fast as they picked it. At last they
+were obliged to put me in the closet. I climbed on
+the shelf and knocked down boxes till, in self-defence, they released me.</p>
+
+<p>But the pine pillow was finished, and I had many
+good naps on it, remembering those with whom I had played under the pines.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="IX" id="IX"></a>IX</h2>
+
+<h3>CAT TALES</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch9.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">I</span> HAD always felt desirous of hearing the
+history of Topsy. My mother lived one
+year in the house with her, on good, if not
+friendly, terms. Her disappearance was a
+subject I pondered over quite often. Naturally, having
+taken her place in Miss Milly's affections, I wondered about her.</p></div>
+
+<p>One day my curiosity was gratified. A friend,
+very fond of cats, who had known Topsy very well,
+called. Miss Milly told her this interesting story.</p>
+
+<p>Topsy was a Salem cat, and no one could doubt
+her being a real witch cat. She was nervous, always
+on the jump, and "such a smart temper!" Miss Milly
+said: "I had always been very fond of black cats,
+but it so happened, though we had cats of all colors,
+we had never a black one, till the arrival of Topsy.
+You know," she laughed, "I have always been very
+proud of calling myself a Salem witch. I have a mole
+on my left shoulder, and now that the black cat had
+arrived, I felt that I had all the requirements needful
+to make a veritable 'Salem witch.' I believe there
+is some superstition about a black cow, also; but
+one could not go about leading a black cow quite
+as well as a cat, and I felt satisfied that would entitle me to the name."</p>
+
+<p>This is the way Topsy came to my mistress: One
+summer evening a friend drove up to the door with
+a basket of flowers. Miss Milly was pleased with
+them, but when under the flowers a little fluffy ball
+revealed itself, and when the little ball had brilliant
+yellow eyes, she was delighted. She smoothed its
+soft fur, saying: "What a lovely kitten! Is it for me?"</p>
+
+<p>As she asked the question, the kitten gave one
+spring and landed on her shoulder, where she secured
+her position by sticking her sharp claws into Miss
+Milly's shoulder. At every attempt to dislodge her,
+she asserted herself with tooth and nail; having
+undoubtedly a claw hold, she would never resign.</p>
+
+<p>This was Topsy's first claim on my mistress, and
+she made a slave of her ever after. All the family
+were pleased with Topsy. The advent of a coal-black
+cat into a family was looked upon as a very
+fortunate occurrence. Such cats have always been
+singled out from all others as associated with good
+luck. If one is driven from the house, it is thought to bring disaster.</p>
+
+<p>In northern Europe the idea of prosperity is so
+associated with a black cat that the owner of a new
+house often sends a black cat there, before he takes
+possession, in order to secure good luck. The Egyptians
+called the cat "Pasht" (their name for the
+moon) because her eyes were bright in the dark. Of
+course I heard this from my mistress, and it is probably
+more interesting to me than to my readers. Miss
+Milly said Topsy had round yellow eyes, big enough
+to entitle her to the name of "Pasht."</p>
+
+<p>She was so like Mrs. Stowe's Topsy in "Uncle
+Tom's Cabin" that no other name could be so appropriate.
+If standing on her head and fighting every
+thing that moved, even a leaf, could make her like
+Topsy, she deserved the name. She was full of life
+and electricity. If any one smoothed her fur the
+wrong way, in the dark, sparks would fly, and a snap
+like a fire-cracker would follow.</p>
+
+<p>We have a picture of her taken with the two boys.
+Karl has a great sleepy creature called Daisy because
+he was white and black and had green eyes. He is,
+as usual, asleep on the boy's knees. Will holds Topsy,
+and his face wears a distressed expression, for she is
+tearing and clawing him, trying to escape.</p>
+
+<p>Daisy belonged to Miss Eleanor. She brought him
+home one evening from a friend's. She put him in a
+closet over night, Karl slept in his aunt's bed, and
+just before morning she got Daisy and hid him at the foot of the bed.</p>
+
+<p>When Karl awoke he teased for a story. Aunt
+Nellie bewitched the children with her original tales
+of animals. She began the oft-told story of the little
+pig family, when Karl said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Hark! I hear breathing."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," said Aunt Nellie; "perhaps it is the little pink pig."</p>
+
+<p>Pretty soon, however, the kitten had grown warm
+and comfortable, and ventured on a louder purr than
+he had given before. Karl started up saying:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, stop! Aunt Nellie, I do bleevs it is a kitty."</p>
+
+<p>There was no longer chance for concealment, and
+the kitten was produced, to the boy's great delight.
+When Willie came in from his mother's room to ask
+for his story, the same fun was repeated.</p>
+
+<p>The children were very much pleased with him,
+and named him Daisy. Their aunties remonstrated
+at one of his sex being called Daisy; but when the
+children asked in an aggrieved manner, "Are there
+no boy daisies?" as they were not able to answer the
+question in a satisfactory manner, he was allowed to
+bear the name of Daisy. (There is no doubt that
+since then they have decided that boys have as good
+a right to be called Daisies as girls, for my mistress
+called me Daisy, and I like it.)</p>
+
+<p>Three years after Daisy came to them he disappeared,
+and they mourned long for him, particularly
+because they thought a neighbor who disliked cats had killed him.</p>
+
+<p>Topsy quarrelled with him and drove him about,
+but Daisy was sweet tempered and bore it so quietly
+that Topsy despised him. She did not love any cat
+unless she could fight with him. Topsy had a great
+many kittens. Like many human mothers, she was
+not fond of taking care of her children. She was
+very peremptory, cuffing them right and left at the
+least provocation. She was a cat "Mrs. Jellyby," the
+Borrioboola-gha mission being more to her taste
+than her home. She did not care to chaperon sons
+and daughters into society, and she cast them adrift
+as soon as possible. One kitten was always kept for
+her, and she never seemed to miss the others. When
+she was ready to wean that one, it was provided with
+a good home, without the least interest on her part.
+The family were very fond of kittens, but dared not
+get interested in them, for they could only keep two at one time.</p>
+
+<p>She had one beautiful little black one, and Miss
+Eleanor became so fond of her that she decided
+to keep her for her own. She deserves another chapter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="X" id="X"></a>X</h2>
+
+<h3>LITTLE PEARL</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch10.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">L</span>ITTLE PEARL was coal-black, with one
+little white star under her chin. She was
+the only one of all Topsy's kittens that
+was black. Topsy did show more affection
+for her than for any of the others. She had
+bright yellow eyes like her mother's, and her fur was
+soft and glossy as silk. She was very sweet tempered,
+and never would strike back, as her brothers and sisters
+had done when their mother washed them, cuffing them if they dared move.</p></div>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor was devoted to little Pearl, but all
+her care could not keep her. She died from some
+internal disease when she was about four months old.
+She was a perfect skeleton, and her mother nursed
+her out of pity because she could not take much food.</p>
+
+<p>One evening Miss Milly returned home from a
+visit, and on going to Miss Eleanor's room saw something
+in the middle of the floor covered with an apron.
+Miss Eleanor sat by the window, in great affliction.
+She lifted the apron, and there lay little Pearl, looking
+just like a lovely piece of sculpture.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor said: "I had her in my lap, when
+Topsy came in, and as she seemed to be amiable,
+I laid little Pearl by the side of her. Topsy began
+to lick her fur, and then she allowed her to nurse.
+But it was only a feeble effort; her little lips fell
+away from her mother's breast, and with one soft
+sigh little Pearl's short life ended."</p>
+
+<p>Topsy looked at her for one moment, then, with
+a piteous mew, she rushed out of the room and never
+returned till Miss Milly found her, and, taking her in
+her arms, comforted her.</p>
+
+<p>They took a strong pasteboard box and laid in some
+wool and a soft handkerchief, and little Pearl looked
+lovely on the soft white bed. They put geraniums
+and white flowers around her; for she had played
+often in the fragrant beds they plucked them from.
+Then the box was closed up and put in a back room
+till morning. They made Topsy keep an unwilling vigil to keep away rats.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning they engaged three children belonging
+to a poor family living near them to dig a
+grave. They came armed with shovels and spades
+enough to dig many miles. Miss Milly said she
+worked harder as overseer than she would at digging
+the grave alone. They were willing to work, but ignorant of the way.</p>
+
+<p>It was a very pathetic sight,&mdash;a dark cloudy day,
+the sun obscured, the wind rustling through the trees,
+and even the flowers drooped their heads; Miss Eleanor,
+with the box in her arms, and Miss Milly with
+the improvised grave-diggers standing by the open grave.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly held Topsy in her arms; but it was
+hard work, she made such frantic efforts to free
+herself. At last she did escape, and ran up the
+apple tree, and out on the branch that hung over
+the open grave. Here she looked down on them,
+while they laid away her dear little kitten.</p>
+
+<p>After the grave-diggers had raked the earth over
+the spot, and received their money and departed, Miss
+Eleanor and Miss Milly put fresh flowers around it
+and a large pot containing a nice geranium in the middle.</p>
+
+<p>Topsy had come down from her perch and roved
+about the garden as if possessed by an evil spirit.
+They had gone into the house but a short time, when
+she trampled all the flowers on the grave under her
+feet and knocked over the flower pot. Then she
+roved back and forth till she found a neighbor's
+cat, with whom she had a feud of long standing,
+and worked off all her sorrow in a free fight, where
+she proved the victor, and at night she returned to
+the house just as composed as usual. She never
+visited little Pearl's grave to their knowledge again.</p>
+
+<p>The house where the family lived was large and
+old-fashioned,&mdash;one of the houses Salem was noted
+for at that time, long ago given up to the march of
+improvement. It belonged to a wealthy sea-captain
+in the India trade. Since his death it had not been
+cared for or repaired, and was therefore within the
+means of a small family. The remains of his extensive
+wine cellar consisted of a multitude of empty bottles.</p>
+
+<p>Topsy was very fond of this cellar. They often
+remarked that she probably found kindred spirits of
+the past, for she always surprised them with some
+practical joke on her return to the upper regions.</p>
+
+<p>One day, just at dusk a crash came that shook the
+house. The sound came from the cellar, and on
+taking a light there, they found the floor covered
+with bottles. Through some unknown agency, Topsy
+had moved a shelf, and all the bottles had fallen to
+the floor. There she sat on a barrel, looking on. If
+ever a cat delighted in a sensation, she did.</p>
+
+<p>Quite a young girl lived with them, to help the girl
+of all work. She got the impression that the house
+was haunted. She said the doors would fly open without
+visible agency, and the bells all over the house
+would ring, and when she answered them, every one
+would be surprised; they had not touched them. They
+explained to her that the wind moved the old-fashioned
+latches, and the doors, being old, would fly open. Possibly
+rats would move the bell wires and make them
+ring. It is impossible to uproot a belief in the supernatural
+out of the mind of an ignorant child.</p>
+
+<p>She said: "It is that black witch cat Topsy. She
+is an evil spirit. I shut her up at night in the kitchen,
+Molly says she never let her up; but there she is,
+upstairs, all over the house, during the night."</p>
+
+<p>They could not persuade her to stay, and after she
+left the mystery was solved, as such mysteries almost
+always can be, in a very common, matter-of-fact manner.
+Miss Eleanor said at the time that she thought
+her room was the way Topsy came, though how, she could not say.</p>
+
+<p>One night, about eleven o'clock, being very wakeful,
+she heard a slight scratching sound at the door.
+She sat up in bed and watched. She was not afraid,
+for she was sure the mystery was about to be solved.
+Another rattle of the latch, then the door opened wide,
+swinging back, with some long black thing hanging
+from the latch. It was Topsy. She had jumped up
+and knocked up the latch with her head, holding on
+the lower part with her paws, and in this way had
+entered the room every night.</p>
+
+<p>Changes came to their home, and the death of their
+mother made a break in the household. They moved
+to Boston and were perplexed about Topsy. What
+could they do with a cat of her restless nature in a
+few rooms? What could she do without a large
+house and garden to roam about in, and, above all,
+how could she leave that cellar? The people who
+took the house were very anxious to keep her, and at
+last it was decided to leave her on trial.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly said, "After what we have passed
+through, as we are breaking the last tie to home,
+one parting more we can bear."</p>
+
+<p>After a few weeks Miss Eleanor went down to see
+about Topsy. She had a tale of woe to listen to.
+They said: "Topsy searched the house after you
+left, and at night she caterwauled in the hall in the
+most fearful manner, and paid not the least attention
+to us, when we tried to coax her. She refused all
+food, preferring to steal all that she wanted. She at
+last took to the cellar, and would not come up. We
+put food and drink for her every day, and it was gone,
+so we supposed she took it."</p>
+
+<p>They said the night before she had made such a
+racket that it seemed as if there were a dozen cats
+with her. They had that day decided to write, asking
+what could be done with her.</p>
+
+<p>When they opened the cellar door, and called her,
+no answer came; but the moment Miss Eleanor went
+to the door, and said, "Topsy," she flew up the stairs
+like lightning, and into Miss Eleanor's arms, just like
+a child. She held her so tight she could hardly remove
+her claws from her shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"This decides it. I shall have to take her," Miss
+Eleanor said; "and indeed I could not face Milly
+without her, now that we know how unhappy she has been."</p>
+
+<p>They loaned her a shawl, and in it she wrapped
+Topsy, who followed every movement with her yellow
+eyes, though she kept as quiet as a lamb. Her
+trust was perfect; she knew she had found her own.
+She made no trouble on the journey by cars to Boston,
+keeping her eye on Miss Eleanor's face out of one corner of the shawl.</p>
+
+<p>They were perfect slaves to her, keeping her in
+one room. Boarding was not very convenient, even
+with a quiet, well-behaved cat but with her it was a
+dreadful experience. She had come to Boston, a
+great and gay city, and she did mean to see the sights.
+The very first Sunday she crawled out of the window,
+though it was only open a very little; but she
+squeezed herself out on to the balcony that ran
+around several of the houses in that block, and Miss
+Milly went all over the street hunting for her. Being
+a stranger, it was very hard. At last Topsy was
+found on the balcony just outside the next house, all
+in a heap, and for once well frightened.</p>
+
+<p>After Mrs. Rice and the boys came from the South,
+and they had a home, she was very happy, and it was
+then my mother met her, about which event I have already written.</p>
+
+<p>I did pity them; at the last, to lose her in such a manner was very hard.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly was so sad after this that Miss Eleanor
+said she hoped she would never tell Topsy's story
+again. Miss Milly would say, taking me in her arms,
+"I never felt comforted till I had my Daisy."</p>
+
+<p>This pleased me, and made me very careful to do
+just as they told me to. I was very glad I had heard
+Topsy's story. My opinion is, that the witches wanted
+her and called her home. Very likely she rides on
+their shoulders when they go through the air on a broomstick.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XI" id="XI"></a>XI</h2>
+
+<h3>REMINISCENCES</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch11.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">I</span> WAS suffering much from my shoulder
+just at this time, but we were very quiet,
+and I enjoyed lying on the lounge or in
+their laps and listening to the stories of
+the pets they had loved in their childhood. Miss
+Eleanor would read aloud, and indeed (you may laugh
+if you please) I could understand the nice things she selected.</p></div>
+
+<p>One day she found some of Martin Luther's sayings.
+He one day remarked to his dog, that was
+growling, "Don't growl, little Hans, for in the resurrection
+thou, too, shalt have a little golden tail."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly caught me up, saying, "Thou, too, Daisy,
+shalt go to heaven, and have golden bells on thy collar,
+for thy tail is more lovely than a golden one could be."</p>
+
+<p>"How absurd you are!" said Miss Eleanor.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I do not think it absurd to believe we shall
+have our dear pets in the hereafter; heaven would
+not be heaven without them. God has not given
+them to us to love, without making provision for their
+hereafter. We have no little hands and feet waiting
+for us on the 'golden shore,' but little paws of all
+colors I know will be extended in welcome, and we
+shall be happy with our own again."</p>
+
+<p>This comfortable doctrine suited me and made me
+very happy. Knowing that I could not live many
+years longer, the thought of an eternal separation
+from my loved ones would have been unbearable.</p>
+
+<p>I did try to be good and be a comfort to them, but
+often my good resolutions were put to a hard test.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress had one young friend who detested
+cats. She was very beautiful, and they loved her
+very much. She came to see us one day, and after
+greeting them affectionately, she said as her eye fell
+upon me, "Oh! have you got that old Tom cat now?"</p>
+
+<p>How I bristled up! But Miss Milly was equal to
+her. "Would you like to have me speak of one of
+your children in this manner?" she said.</p>
+
+<p>"I should think not," replied her friend; "but this is only a cat."</p>
+
+<p>"And a cat that we both love as dearly as you love your children."</p>
+
+<p>My rage at being called a "Tom cat" knew no
+bounds; it seemed to degrade me, and I thought to
+myself, "How can I avenge this insult?"</p>
+
+<p>One can always find a chance to do wrong, and
+mine came at once. I espied her hat, gorgeous with
+feathers, birds, and wings, and brilliant beading. To
+my great discomfort&mdash;for it was very scratchy&mdash;I
+seated myself on the crown. I had no compunction
+when I heard the crunching of the beads and feathers,
+as I bent them under me. They seemed to say, "Tom cat,&mdash;indeed!"</p>
+
+<p>I sat there till I felt pride had been sufficiently
+levelled; and as I chewed the delicate end of one of
+the expensive feathers, I felt that I might (in vulgar
+phrase) call myself even with her. Then I went
+under the bed, where I could with safety witness the impending tempest.</p>
+
+<p>I was not disappointed. Words are powerless to
+express her wrath. Had her wishes been consulted,
+I should never have seen the light of another day.</p>
+
+<p>When I saw how my mistress was distressed over
+my wickedness, my conscience did prick a little,
+though I did not repent. I had been called a "Tom
+cat," and for once I acted like one.</p>
+
+<p>The climax was reached when Miss Eleanor produced
+a box containing a lovely wing and ornaments,
+and placed them where the broken ones had been. She said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I do not approve of such decorations. Were I
+young, I would never wear anything that had been
+killed to pander to a foolish vanity. These were
+given me to put with some flowers and grasses for
+exhibition. If you will accept them in place of those
+our naughty pet has destroyed, I shall feel we have
+atoned for his thoughtlessness."</p>
+
+<p>Accept! I guess she did, and in her heart thanked
+me for giving her such a treasure, though she gave
+me a cross look at parting, which I returned in full
+and longed to give her an etching.</p>
+
+<p>I was disgusted. I had been outwitted, as people
+often are when they seek for revenge. It made me
+cynical, and I remained under the bed, thinking of
+the wrongs that are beyond redress, going on daily. I said to myself:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Just see! To gratify personal vanity how many
+millions of beautiful birds are slaughtered! Innocent
+creatures that God made, just like the lovely flowers,
+to make the world charming! And if a cat or any
+other animal kills a bird or chicken, their legitimate
+prey, knowing no better, they are called
+horrid creatures and hunted about just as if they were murderers."</p>
+
+<p>They did not say anything about my naughty act;
+but I heard them (after they had called me to come
+out, and I had not answered) say, "Daisy is asleep."
+Then they laughed, while Miss Milly said: "Who
+could doubt that cats can understand, if they had
+seen Daisy's face when he was called a 'Tom
+cat.' I believe he sat on that hat to show his indignation."</p>
+
+<p>All our friends were not of this order. One young
+artist was very fond of me, and we were quite
+chummy. He was a great big fellow, with a thick
+head of hair, and a mouth like a shoe-brush. I loved
+to see his teeth gleam through when he laughed, for
+they were perfect and white as snow. I did not like
+to have him rub his face over mine; it was like a
+porcupine, while my fur and whiskers are as soft as silk.</p>
+
+<p>One day he had been fooling with me, and I gave
+him a good scratch. I raked his whiskers well, making
+his lip bleed. After that he called me his bar-ber-ous
+friend. Perhaps he thought I did not see the
+pun intended, but I did, and the point also.</p>
+
+<p>I was rather sorry, and surprised. Somehow I
+thought his hair was like grass, and I could claw it as I pleased.</p>
+
+<p>He brought me very nice catmint from his country
+home. Once he brought a pasteboard box with
+"Daisy" printed on the cover. I was very proud of
+that box, and always turned it over with the name
+on the top. He brought us a beautiful pitcher called
+after the Emperor Hadrian. The style of pitcher
+was taken from those found in his tomb.</p>
+
+<p>You will see I have a taste for history. There is
+no doubt, had I lived at that period, I should have
+made wonderful excavations. Mummied mice or rats
+would have had no mercy from my claws.</p>
+
+<p>My special interest in this pitcher was the beautiful
+white daisies it was often filled with. The contrast
+with the blue pitcher was perfect. He would bring
+in a bunch from his country home, and say, "Here,
+Daisy, are your namesakes; they are for you,"
+while I would pretend to smell of them, delighted
+to make them all laugh. I would mount the table,
+and lie down by the side of the pitcher very contented.</p>
+
+<p>My friend went to Virginia to sketch. He wrote
+word that he had planted a large grove of catmint
+for me, and had called it "Daisy's Plantation." Was
+I not happy and important! As Miss Milly said, I was a real landowner.</p>
+
+<p>After his return, he went to Germany to study.
+In all his letters he remembered me. I was just as
+much interested in his progress as his other friends
+were, and enjoyed the photographs of his pictures he sent home.</p>
+
+<p>In my opinion he was a great artist&mdash;better than
+the "old masters" they talk so much about. The
+"young masters" are good enough for me. He
+wanted to paint my picture, but Miss Milly refused,
+just as she had all other offers of this kind.</p>
+
+<p>I did not like it, for I thought my friend would
+do me justice, and it might make his fortune, if exhibited.
+I used to look in the glass and pose, thinking
+what a lovely picture I would make.</p>
+
+<p>I say it, and I suppose you will say, "What a vain
+cat!" But how about these society women (and
+men, as to that) who dress in velvets and jewels,
+and exhibit their charms, and so much of them that
+it makes a modest cat blush? What if they don't
+say, as I do, that they would make a lovely picture,
+do they not act it? You will soon discover, if you
+never knew it before, as you read my history of many
+cats, that animals are often superior to the human race.</p>
+
+<p>My mistresses would often dress me and make me
+pose to please them, and for the life of me I could
+not see why I should not be painted for the benefit
+of others. They would tie a half-handkerchief on
+my head, the point trimmed with lace just between
+my ears, the ends tied under my chin. They called
+it a "Marie Stuart point." Whatever that might
+be, I knew not. I afterward learned that she was a
+queen, and was executed. It pleased my cat vanity to represent a queen.</p>
+
+<p>I myself performed all the tricks I could think of.
+One day, being in a large armchair, I just posed,
+myself. I sat down, hung my two paws over the
+arm of the chair, my head on one side, my "Marie
+Stuart point" all right, the bow tied under my chin,
+my collar and padlock in sight, and then and there
+I made an impression never to be forgotten by those
+who saw me. As long as memory lasts they will remember me in all my beauty.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress fell on her knees beside me, calling
+me all the pet names she could think of, while Miss
+Eleanor said, "If ever a cat lived that could equal
+Daisy, that cat I would like to see!"</p>
+
+<p>I remained a long time in the same attitude, proud
+of my success. When Miss Milly brought a little
+hand-glass for me to see myself, I did not wonder
+they were delighted, and I wished they would let me
+pose for the benefit of poor cats. I knew I could draw a crowd.</p>
+
+<p>I never would pose for those I did not care for. I
+tore off the handkerchief as soon as they put it on,
+and taking it by the lace edge, I shut my teeth on it
+and dragged it under the bed. After this they only
+asked me to pose for my friends. For them I was
+very willing to do my best. I enjoyed being called
+a "darling" and a "love" by pretty girls, just as any boy would enjoy it.</p>
+
+<p>One friend of my mistress, a charming little woman
+and a real philanthropist, was quite fond of me. She
+was the mother of my dear girl friend, whom I introduced
+to you at my party. This good little woman
+was a real friend to animals of all kinds, but she particularly loved cats.</p>
+
+<p>She told us one day when she came to see us
+about the cruel people in her neighborhood who
+went away in summer, leaving their cats to starve.
+She said she had the past summer chloroformed
+eighteen cats in the last stage of starvation and too far gone to save.</p>
+
+<p>She had two lovely cats named Chico and Sancho.
+They had very beautiful clear white fur and blue
+eyes. They were very bright, learning readily many
+little tricks. They would turn a graceful somersault
+for their food, and behaved at all times with great politeness.</p>
+
+<p>Chico had trouble with his teeth, and Sancho was
+in great distress about it. This sympathy was almost
+human. When he found he could do no good, he
+retired in deep distress to the corner of the room,
+where he preserved a grave silence. The family
+dentist soon made matters right by extracting the
+troublesome teeth, making both cats very happy.
+No doubt Chico disliked him just as children dislike
+those who operate upon them, even though the kindness is evident.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. M. said, when she was telling my mistress
+about Chico, "Of course you will have Daisy's teeth
+filled with gold when they decay?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," Miss Milly replied; "and I would hold him while it was done."</p>
+
+<p>For days after this I had no peace. Visions of
+doctors with horrid instruments were ever before my
+eyes. I shut my mouth tight when any one came in;
+and at the name of doctor I fled under the bed, where
+I remained with fear and trembling, fearing my teeth
+were to be operated upon. I could not clean and
+brush my teeth, but I got a bit of grass and one
+of my catmint stalks, and sharpened my teeth on
+them, keeping them as nice as possible, to preserve them.</p>
+
+<p>Last year I lost one tooth. It fell out without any
+pain, and I did not miss it; but Miss Milly did feel
+so badly about it, and cried when one of the family
+said, "Daisy is quite old; it is the beginning of the end."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor was very indignant, saying, "If it is
+not 'the beginning,' it is the end, of their visits here;
+we will not entertain such cruel people."</p>
+
+<p>They were more careful of me than ever after this.
+They cut up my food very fine, and I was very careful
+not to gnaw meat off of a bone, for fear it would
+injure my teeth, and bring the "beginning of the
+end" after me. Whatever that might be I did not
+know; but it was such a scare to Miss Milly that I
+thought it must be some monster that would devour
+me as soon as I lost my teeth.</p>
+
+<p>Our nice friend told us a great many stories about
+cats she had known and loved. Her charming
+daughter, my girl friend, could make cats perform
+tricks very easily. She seemed to charm them.
+There were photographs of cats taken in every position,
+and they seemed to do just as she wished, for
+she took the pictures of them herself.</p>
+
+<p>We had very few cats in our neighborhood, and I
+did long sometimes to see one of my own old friends.
+I went out every day when it was pleasant, and sat
+upon a high fence, where I could look into back
+alleys, where the poor people had one or two miserable
+rooms, scanty furniture, and probably very little
+food, and I noticed with pleasure that in every one of
+these poor homes a cat could be seen sitting before
+the small fire, an honored member of the family. I
+wished I could write a check for these good-hearted
+people. It made me laugh; for who would honor a cat's check?</p>
+
+<p>If I could talk, I know my dear friends would help
+them, if I could tell how much they need it; but as I
+cannot, I must content myself with good intentions.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XII" id="XII"></a>XII</h2>
+
+<h3>CAT TALES</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch12.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">T</span>HERE is no doubt that cat lovers will be
+interested in the true stories of cats that
+our friends related to us from time to time.
+I have them all in my memory. If they
+can arouse a love of cats in the hearts of my readers,
+this little work of love by one fortunate cat will accomplish its purpose.</p></div>
+
+<p>Our friend told us a very wonderful story of a cat
+named Alexander. There seems to be a fitness in
+his name; for he was, in my opinion, very great.
+It does look a good deal like a "fish story," though
+I know it is strictly true; for he was a Boston cat,
+and lived not half a mile from our home.</p>
+
+<p>Alexander was a prime favorite with all the family.
+He was the master's special friend and pet, while
+the mistress had a bird she was very fond of and
+had kept a great many years. Alexander had been
+taught to respect its rights, and ignored it as beneath his notice.</p>
+
+<p>They had bought a beautiful house at the seashore,
+reached by the boats every hour or two from Boston.
+They closed their city house, and removed all
+the family, including dogs, bird, and last, but not
+least, Alexander, to their summer home quite early
+in the season. They went down by boat, and, as one
+would suppose, neither dog nor cat could well find his way back alone.</p>
+
+<p>Alexander was taken in a large basket; one of the
+most reliable of the maids had charge of him, while
+the bird was taken by one of the family. Alexander
+had in every way protested against this move. He
+walked about the house, superintending the shutting
+up of rooms, with grave displeasure.</p>
+
+<p>The dogs, bird, and the family soon settled themselves,
+and the new place assumed an air altogether
+homelike. Alexander was restless and morose, and
+the third day he was missing. They had noticed the
+stolid air of disapproval with which he had gone
+around, looking with critical eye upon the house
+and its surroundings. He avoided the side of the
+house that faced the water, proving that he did not
+care for sea-bathing, and the air evidently did not agree with him.</p>
+
+<p>They spared neither money nor trouble in searching
+for him. No clew whatever could be found, and
+they mourned him as dead. They returned early in
+September to their Boston home on account of illness in the family.</p>
+
+<p>They had been at home only a few days, and the
+house had settled into that homelike air so pleasant
+to returned wanderers, when one day, while they
+were at dinner, Alexander walked in. He was the
+shadow of his former self, thin, rough, and gaunt
+looking, the very fierce expression of his eyes making
+him look like a stranger.</p>
+
+<p>He refused every welcome extended to him, looking
+at them with disdain. He marched to a table,
+mounted it, gave one spring, and before they could
+realize his purpose he put his sharp claws through
+the cage door and killed the little pet bird.</p>
+
+<p>He looked around upon them all with an expression
+of satisfaction, as if to say: "Now I am satisfied.
+You have enjoyed the company of your pets;
+you have not been satisfied with going away and
+leaving us in our good home, but you must have
+another. If the little fools you took with you were
+willing to stay, I was not. You left me to wander,
+and I have taken my revenge."</p>
+
+<p>The mistress was very unhappy at the loss of her
+pet, and demanded Alexander's life in exchange&mdash;"a
+life for a life." Her husband refused. He sympathized
+with her loss, but he stood by Alexander.
+The master was the only one that cat would trust.
+He avoided all the other members of the family,
+and never recovered his cheerfulness or his good
+looks. The iron had entered into his soul.</p>
+
+<p>Where he spent the summer months remains a
+mystery. From the change wrought in him, it could
+not have been in very elevating company. But the
+question is, Where did he spend that time, and how
+did he get back to the city? Is it not a convincing
+fact that cats know more than they are supposed to?
+And if they are such intelligent beings, ought they
+not to be treated with humanity?</p>
+
+<p>It is true they will be hunted and abused by bad
+children; but properly taught, might they not be
+made nice playmates for children, even taking the
+place of a nurse maid if trained to do so? It does
+seem right for all animals to be studied and their good traits encouraged.</p>
+
+<p>Horses have been, ever since the world was
+formed, the friend and patient slave of man. No
+animal has suffered more abuse patiently borne than
+the horse. And now that the fools of fashion have
+presumed to improve on their Maker's work, clipping
+them, cutting their tails, and using the abominable
+check-rein, they are objects of pity to every right-minded person.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress had a friend who often called to take
+her to ride. She had been away, for a long time,
+travelling. On her return she came to see us, and
+asked my mistress to ride with her out into the
+country. We were very much pleased, for they both
+needed the air; and as she said she would take Miss
+Eleanor the next day (the carriage holding only two),
+there was a pleasant prospect for both of my dear
+friends, and I was delighted, for they had stitched
+and stitched till I was nearly frantic, looking at my
+sharp but useless claws.</p>
+
+<p>I could only express my satisfaction by walking
+around her, and rubbing my head against her dress.
+She was quite pleased, saying, "Daisy has grown
+more lovely then ever," and she patted my head
+with such soft dogskin gloves, I did long to chew them.</p>
+
+<p>As Miss Milly prepared for the ride, her friend
+said: "Just look at my new horses. Are they not beauties?"</p>
+
+<p>"These are not your horses!" exclaimed Miss
+Milly, as she looked from the window.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly they are," her friend replied, "and I
+knew you would admire them."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry to disappoint you," Miss Milly said,
+"but I do not admire, though I do pity these poor
+creatures. Is it possible that you had their tails cut
+in such an absurd manner? And their heads held up so cruelly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I did," replied her friend, while her face
+grew red with anger; "and I mean to have their
+heads raised an inch every day till they get used to it."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly untied her bonnet, saying, "Much as I
+need a ride, I could never enjoy it, in sight of such
+cruel suffering. How could you do it? I thought
+you so kind-hearted, when we were girls together,
+that I cannot believe you have changed so sadly."</p>
+
+<p>"How absurd you are! I think you carry your
+old-fashioned notions too far, and I must say you are
+very unkind to refuse to ride with me. Every one
+has these things done, why should not I?"</p>
+
+<p>"You need not be cruel because others are; and I
+thought you had independence enough to do as you
+thought right, regardless of the weak and wicked
+who know not right from wrong. In your position,
+with wealth at your command, you could set an
+example that others would follow; for there are
+always those who are ready to do just as people in
+better circumstances than themselves are able to do,
+no matter what foolishness it leads to."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope, Eleanor," said their friend as she turned
+away from Miss Milly, "you are not going to refuse
+to ride with me because my horses are in the fashion,
+we all know Milly is a crank on such subjects."</p>
+
+<p>"And in this case, I fully indorse her," said Miss
+Eleanor. "It is cruel to cripple such noble creatures
+and make their lives a curse."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the other, "I have had a lesson this
+morning." And tears of vexation stood in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Laura," Miss Milly said, "just think
+that all we have said to you has been in kindness,
+because we believe in your real nature. Let your
+own heart speak for these poor creatures that cannot
+help themselves, so wholly in your power."</p>
+
+<p>"And make myself a laughing-stock! No, thank
+you! I shall keep my horses like other people's. I
+am very sorry not to take you to ride; it is a real disappointment to me."</p>
+
+<p>"It is an equal one to us. We fully appreciate
+your kindness in offering us a luxury beyond our
+means, here we recognize the Laura of bygone years.
+Come some day with 'Brown Bess,' the nice horse
+you used to drive, and we shall be glad to go with you."</p>
+
+<p>Laura looked very red and confused, and replied,
+"We did not bring her to the city with us."</p>
+
+<p>They learned some time after that the good old
+horse had been sold for a hack. My mistress was
+very indignant. She said she would have sold her
+own flesh and blood just as soon as a faithful old
+horse. She said, "If money hardens one's heart, as
+it has our friend's, we are better without it."</p>
+
+<p>I mounted a chair and saw the carriage drive off,
+and I did pity the poor horses. The foam fell from
+their mouths, and they pranced and glared about in
+torture from which there was no escape. I was sorry
+my friends had lost their ride, but I was very glad
+they acted up to their principles.</p>
+
+<p>I looked at the very pretty little woman, sitting so
+quietly in her carriage, and I said to myself, "If
+those poor tortured creatures should run away and
+injure her for life, could she complain? Do not animals
+have lessons of cruelty taught them every day?
+What reason have they for being better than their owners?"</p>
+
+<p>I was sorry I had allowed her to pat my head.
+It brought on a fit of indigestion, and I left my nice
+kidney; I could not swallow it.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a>XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>MY FIRST THEFT</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch13.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">P</span>ERHAPS a confession of my sin may be
+a warning to others. I know it will be
+interesting to my friends. It was in the
+house of the "philanthropist" of whom I have written before in my book.</p></div>
+
+<p>One day when I went down for my outing I saw
+a door open that I had never noticed before. It is a
+well-known fact that a cat never passes an opening
+without looking in; they never leave a mystery unsolved
+if they can discover it.</p>
+
+<p>The conditions were favorable, no one was about;
+"Oliver Twist" was out of the way; so I just wandered
+in. It proved to be the store-closet, and on a
+plate unfortunately near me, within my reach, was a
+piece of steak. It was large, but I saw my opportunity.
+It looked very nice, just like the steak our
+good doctor ordered for Mrs. Rice. She could taste
+but little, while I could devour it all. Thought I,
+"This will be nice for my mistress." So I just
+jumped up, and after several ineffectual efforts got
+it in my mouth. By holding my head high I could
+just walk with it, for it was long and reached to the floor.</p>
+
+<p>It was some time before I could get started, for I
+was all of a quiver, starting at every sound, and in
+my hurry, tripping over it, getting so mad that I said,
+"Hiss! hiss!" just where an old boy of the human
+kind would have said something more to the point.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the greatest difficulty,&mdash;three flights of
+stairs to mount. I had to rest at every landing, and
+when at last, breathing hard, but proud and happy,
+I laid my offering at my mistress's feet, instead of the
+delight I anticipated she screamed out, "Oh, Daisy,
+what have you done?" I looked at her, amazed.
+"You naughty cat! Look Eleanor," she said; "see!
+he has stolen this piece of meat. What shall we do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am very sorry. Of course we can pay for it,"
+Miss Eleanor said, "but then Daisy has lost his character;
+they will never trust him again. Oh, how could you be so naughty, Daisy?"</p>
+
+<p>I began to realize that my little offering had not
+been the success I thought it would be. Why, I could
+not understand; so I just walked under the bed, my
+place of refuge, and in high dudgeon reflected on my
+deed of darkness, for such it seemed to be. Miss
+Milly had scolded me, Miss Eleanor had reproved me,
+and I was very much provoked.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor said: "I will go down and speak
+about it. If you go, you will be so provoked; if they
+speak one word against Daisy, you will not keep your temper."</p>
+
+<p>I waited in fear and trembling, not knowing what
+would be done. She soon returned, saying, "I have
+paid her for half a pound of steak."</p>
+
+<p>"Half?" said Miss Milly; "why, it could not be
+over a quarter, and old steak at that."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that, but I would have no words with her.
+I simply told my story, expressed my regrets, and
+asked what I should pay her, and gave the money
+in silence and disgust. She remarked she always
+thought Daisy was a sly one."</p>
+
+<p>This aroused a tempest of wrath. Having to pay
+twice the amount for a piece of stale meat was nothing
+compared to her calling me sly.</p>
+
+<p>"Come out, Daisy," my mistress said; "I know
+you are sorry, and did not understand how wrong it was to take that steak!"</p>
+
+<p>I did not go out for a long time. My feelings
+were hurt at the injustice I had suffered; and I was
+very dignified. My mistress took me in her arms, saying:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My dear kitty, I know you did not mean to do
+wrong; but to take anything belonging to others that
+is not given to you is stealing, and people are punished
+for it&mdash;I do believe," she said to Miss Eleanor,
+"that this dear cat got that steak as much for us as
+for himself." And she gave me a hug.</p>
+
+<p>Then I could no longer control myself. I could
+not speak, but I got up and put both paws around
+Miss Milly's neck and licked her face. She was
+quite overcome, as she said: "I will never forget
+that you did this for me. But you now know what
+stealing means, and must never do it again."</p>
+
+<p>And I never did. But oh, how good that steak
+did taste! I had heard it said that "stolen fruit is
+sweet," and I found it so. I had worked hard over it, and I enjoyed it.</p>
+
+<p>I was not very unhappy that my mistress had to
+pay for it; for I had a friend who gave me pennies
+enough to buy all my extra food, and I said to myself,
+"She can take the money from that." So that
+afternoon I went to the table where my little tin bank
+was kept, and just pushed it off, and out came the pennies.</p>
+
+<p>The noise aroused my mistress. How they did
+laugh, saying, "Daisy is paying for her meat." But
+they put them all back and kissed me, saying I was
+a very honorable cat. I wished I could speak and
+ask my mistress if that "philanthropist" was a
+church member. If so, did they allow extortion?</p>
+
+<p>I think "Oliver Twist" was a free-thinker, for he
+seemed to grasp everything as his own, recognizing
+no law; certainly he did not favor our church. Perhaps,
+like the cat that a smart boy tried to sell, she
+represented the belief of the person to whom the boy
+offered her. When this enterprising boy had offered
+his cat to a member of every other denomination, he
+came to an Episcopalian. He was asked why he
+called her an Episcopalian, when he had just said
+she was a Baptist. "Oh," he answered, "but her eyes are open now."</p>
+
+<p>I think "Oliver Twist" and his mistress were born with their eyes open.</p>
+
+<p>This little item has run in my silly head ever since Miss Eleanor read it.</p>
+
+<p>I must tell you before I forget it about the friend
+with the high-stepping horses. It was not quite six
+months after her visit to us that I wrote about that she
+was taken very ill and sent for my mistress to come
+and see her just before she died. She said to her:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Milly, I have never known one moment's peace
+since you gave me such a lesson on my cruelty to my
+horses. I seemed to realize, after you had spoken,
+just how foolish I had been in following a wicked
+fashion. My husband has promised me that Aunt
+Mary shall have them, and she is so devoted to animals
+she will never allow any abuse. Though I cannot
+restore their tails, they will be made comfortable.
+Old Mike, her coachman, will make them happy if
+any one can. I realize all they suffered, and think
+I deserve to lose all I misused so thoughtlessly."</p>
+
+<p>Is not this an illustration of the good one brave
+word can do? If my mistress, fearing to offend her
+wealthy friend, had not spoken, the poor horses
+would never have been released from their suffering,
+and the conscience of her friend never awakened.
+If every one who is witness to an act of cruelty would
+remonstrate against it, there would be some chance of reform.</p>
+
+<p>Many people say, "It is no business of mine if
+people ill-treat their own animals." But it is the
+business of every one with Christian feelings to
+speak for the poor dumb animals, for they cannot
+speak for themselves. Children, if taught when young, would never be cruel.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor saw a little boy carry three little kittens
+into a lot where a house was being built. The boy
+was sent on this cruel errand by his mother. Their
+cries made Miss Eleanor's heart ache, and she had
+decided to go over for them and see what could be
+done to keep them, when a poor woman came along,
+who could not turn a deaf ear to their piteous cries,
+but went to them. They were so glad to see her, she
+said, though she was poor, she could not leave them
+alone. Miss Eleanor gave her some money, and the
+woman said she would find them good homes.</p>
+
+<p>This is only one instance of what is going on day
+by day. Is there no help for it?</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a>XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>RELIGIOUS ASPIRATIONS</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch14.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">O</span>NE ambition of my life has never been
+gratified. I have always had a desire to
+attend church. I have never been able to
+understand why restless children, who have
+no understanding of sermons, who are wretched when
+obliged to keep still, and are only kept quiet by a
+promise of something nice or a threat of punishment,
+should be taken to church and the family cat left at home.</p></div>
+
+<p>What if we <i>do</i> sleep all through the service&mdash;we
+have a precedent for it. How often we hear people
+say, "Mr. So-and-So might as well have remained at
+home, for he slept all through the sermon," or, "Mrs.
+So-and-So had to pinch herself to keep awake. She
+dare not sleep, fearing to crush her new bonnet."</p>
+
+<p>If we can believe all we hear, ministers all have
+voices "like old cows" or "dying calves." They
+never speak plain, and deaf people remain at home
+rather than look like fools when they cannot hear
+one word. Cats hear all these speeches, and wonder
+why they cannot go and judge for themselves. I
+know in our church, with the boy choir singing so
+lovely, one could not sleep.</p>
+
+<p>When I was young I brooded over this question.
+I did want to be a Christian cat, and, like most ignorant
+people, I thought I could not be good unless I
+went to church. Of course I know better now. I
+can be just as good at home. Like all young things,
+I wanted to try my wings and see a little of the world.</p>
+
+<p>Karl and Will were choir boys, and I was very
+proud of their voices. I did not understand why I
+could not march in the processional, right behind
+Karl and Will, even if my voice was not trained to sing.</p>
+
+<p>I thought it all over, and out of a multitude of
+thoughts came forth an act. Not one of the "Acts
+of the Apostles." Had it been, I might have been successful.</p>
+
+<p>One Sunday I made up my mind to try my luck.
+I had a hearty breakfast, washed myself all over, and
+cleaned my nails, for I had heard that "cleanliness
+is next to godliness." I did not mean that in my cat
+vocabulary there should be one such word as "fail."</p>
+
+<p>I hid myself when Karl and Will were ready for
+church, and after they had left the house I crept out
+after them. I followed them on the opposite side of
+the street, without being discovered, when, just as I
+was feeling sure of the situation, a dog must needs bark and make for me.</p>
+
+<p>Karl and Will turned around, and then my church-going
+was ended. Before I could run away Will
+caught me up in his arms and carried me home.</p>
+
+<p>I was very angry over it, and refused to be comforted.
+I wished I had been a heathen; then they
+would have taken the trouble to convert me. I tried
+to find a rat to kill, and crept all around the cellar.
+But no; rats must not be killed on Sunday. I was
+very unhappy. Six days of the week I could do very
+well, but oh my, the <i>seventh</i>!</p>
+
+<p>That day was a poser to me. All the family had
+gone to church. What could a poor cat do? I could
+not sleep, and, to cap the climax, a plate of beans
+and a saucer of milk had been put out for me, in
+case I wanted something before they returned.</p>
+
+<p>Now I love my beans Saturday night and Sunday
+morning, but to be expected to make a dinner of
+them, in place of the nice little lamb kidney that was
+served up for me every Sunday, was adding insult to injury.</p>
+
+<p>I dragged the beans out on the floor and threw
+over the milk saucer; then, as I could do no more
+mischief, off I went in a huff to look out for their return home.</p>
+
+<p>I did feel a little ashamed, for I remembered that
+Karl could not get a kidney. The man at the store
+told him they were all sold, adding, "If that cat of
+yours will not feed on anything but kidneys, he will
+die of kidney disease." It was not their fault, and I did feel mean.</p>
+
+<p>Every Sunday Karl and Will studied their lesson.
+They would sit at the table with their books, while I
+had a hassock in front of them, with my little Bible
+open on it. Here I would pose for an hour, with my
+paws folded on the open book, looking from one to
+the other, for I loved them dearly.</p>
+
+<p>This Sunday I would not look at my book. The
+boys tried to make me, but were obliged to give it
+up. I behaved just like a bad boy, running after
+imaginary balls, jumping over the hassock, sitting on
+the Bible, till at last Will said: "I will call Aunt
+Milly. We shall never get our lesson if she does not take Daisy away."</p>
+
+<p>This did not please me. I just picked up my
+book, and when my mistress came in I was sitting at
+my hassock, my claws clasped over my Bible (though
+it was upside down), looking as innocent as possible.</p>
+
+<p>All this naughtiness because I wanted to be a
+choir boy and walk in the processional with the rest
+of the boys. I think it would have been better if
+they had taken me to church.</p>
+
+<p>One thing always gave me great pleasure: I never
+could tire of cat stories. I think it may be a help to
+the understanding of cat nature if I give the most
+interesting ones for people to read.</p>
+
+<p>With the horrors of vivisection and other cruelties
+practised upon animals, it is time for them to assert
+themselves. Even a cat's voice may be heard. Children
+can be taught to respect the rights of animals
+if their parents will interest themselves in their dumb servants.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress met two very nice ladies one summer
+while in the country. They were cat-lovers, and
+gave many nice anecdotes of cats they had known.
+I will tell you one I particularly liked.</p>
+
+<p>A friend of theirs had a great many cats, and as
+their number increased she felt the necessity of giving
+up some of them. She found homes for all
+but one; and one day, when her friends were visiting
+her, she asked them if they would take the cat
+and drop her near some nice house, where they had
+no doubt she would soon make a home. It was not
+a very pleasant commission, but they could not very well refuse.</p>
+
+<p>Pussy had evidently heard their conversation, for
+she tried to hide from them. She was very quiet,
+never responding to their coaxing, covering her face
+with her paws in great sorrow. They drove many
+miles into the country before they could think of parting with her.</p>
+
+<p>At last a large and finely situated farmhouse attracted
+them by its homelike aspect. It was a low,
+rambling house painted red, and the barns and outbuildings
+were in keeping. Everything looked inviting.
+The large kitchen-garden at the back of the
+house seemed just the place for cats to enjoy. An
+opening in the trees gave them a glimpse of a small
+stream meandering through the country, reflecting
+the rustic scene in its clear depth.</p>
+
+<p>"Here," they said, "we will leave her. Surely
+no one in a place like this could turn away from a poor cat."</p>
+
+<p>They coaxed her, and in spite of her clinging to
+them, put her down very gently. She stood like one
+dazed. Then she turned and surveyed the house
+and its surroundings. She looked long at the clear,
+bright water, as if in deep thought. She then looked
+up at the sky, and after giving them a reproachful
+glance, she walked slowly toward the river. Reaching
+it, she paused one moment, then deliberately
+walked in. Twice she rose to the surface, then the
+waters closed over her forever.</p>
+
+<p>They could make no effort to save her. Knowing
+cats' strong dislike of water, they had no idea she
+would go near it. It was, they said, a clear case of
+suicide. Homeless, friendless, and wretched, she
+preferred death, even in the element a cat usually
+dreads, to seeking a new home.</p>
+
+<p>The people were very unhappy about it. They
+said they felt like murderers, and never had believed
+before that cats could think and suffer. They said
+that they should ever after do all they could for animals,
+particularly cats, in atonement for their share,
+though unintentional, in the death of poor pussy.</p>
+
+<p>It made me appreciate the care I had had all my
+life, when I heard such sad stories of cats.</p>
+
+<p>Cats are fond of mischief, and I fear I never
+thought of the sorrow I should cause when I saw a good opportunity for fun.</p>
+
+<p>We made a visit one summer in a family where
+the old grandfather, from Vermont, was spending a
+few weeks. He was an original character, and we
+were entertained by his quaint speeches and his old-fashioned
+manners. He thought Boston was one
+of the biggest and wickedest places in the world.
+I was the only one he seemed to be at home with,
+though I never could tell why, for I disliked him
+from the first sight I had of his horrid little eyes,
+with a real wicked expression, and his flesh looked
+just like an over-baked apple.</p>
+
+<p>The wonder of all to me was his head, which was
+the part I could not understand. It was covered by
+uneven, red-brown hair, with no seam in it, and it
+looked just like a cocoanut.</p>
+
+<p>He ate so loud I thought some one was choking,
+and when I walked over to the side of the table and
+looked in his face, I found he was eating with a big
+knife so fast it made me wink. This increased my
+dislike of him, and I refused all his overtures to make friends with me.</p>
+
+<p>He said I was "a proud critter." He guessed lots
+of time was spent on keeping my fur so nice. And
+"as to that trinket on my neck, it was too fine for a cat."</p>
+
+<p>One day I solved the mystery of his head-gear. I
+chanced to peep into his room,&mdash;as no place was
+sacred from my investigation,&mdash;and I saw another
+old man, his head as bare as the bed-post. When he
+said "Pussy, Pussy," I fled in alarm, but not before
+I had discovered that it was the same old man minus
+the top of his head. It was a wonder to me, and I
+never rested till I found that head-gear. They called
+it a wig, but I called it a "bird's nest."</p>
+
+<p>Then I made up my mind to investigate it. Soon
+my opportunity came. All the people had gone to
+ride, and I was making a tour of the house, when
+loud breathing convinced me my old man was at
+home. Bad cat that I was, I just followed the noise,
+and sure enough, there he lay, flat on his back, his
+mouth wide open, sound asleep.</p>
+
+<p>Of course I climbed up and looked into his open
+mouth. Another discovery I made: he had not one
+tooth in his head! And the wind and spray that
+covered me, from his open mouth, satisfied me with a brief investigation.</p>
+
+<p>On the floor, by his side, lay the bone of contention,
+the brown wig I had speculated on so long. I
+grabbed it, and carrying it into a corner, inspected it
+thoroughly. Then I clawed it a little, and at last
+seated myself in it. Something about it acted like a
+narcotic, and in this uncomfortable bird's nest I fell asleep.</p>
+
+<p>I dreamed that I was sitting under the piazza, when
+I heard voices. One of them said: "Why should not
+cat's fur be used for wigs and bangs? Gray hair is so fashionable."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," replied a young voice, "think of Aunt Sally
+with a maltese front-piece, and Grandpa and Uncle Jim with tiger-cat wigs!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied the first speaker, "if it were the
+fashion, we should like it. That great, pampered cat
+belonging to those two big-feeling old maids would
+make nice wigs, for his fur is as soft as silk."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and that long tail of his," said the young
+girl, "would make a beautiful tippet, with a squirrel's head on it."</p>
+
+<p>"But," lowering her voice, "if Brother Rob was
+here I would get him to coax him off, and get
+his skin. It would make a beautiful rug for my room."</p>
+
+<p>Just then a shout awoke me, and the old man
+on the lounge also. He fought wildly for his wig.
+Dazed by my dream, I sat blinking my half-open eyes
+from one to the other. They were just screaming
+with laughter at the sight I presented, seated in Grandfather's wig.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly took me out rather roughly, I thought,
+and smoothed it as well as she could. The old man
+looked on in surprise, muttering, "I knew that durned
+critter was up to mischief."</p>
+
+<p>After it was combed out and put on right, the old
+man, conciliated by a good dinner that he loved,
+invited me to a seat on his knee in token of his forgiveness.
+I declined the favor with scorn. Sit on a
+knee covered with corduroy when all my life I had
+been used to broadcloth? <i>Never!</i></p>
+
+<p>My dream troubled me very much. I am a superstitious
+cat, and believe in warnings. So I kept close
+to my mistress; for in every one that approached I
+saw an enemy ready to despoil me of my beautiful
+fur coat. Though I am a good judge of human
+nature, as silent people are apt to be, I never had
+that confidence in people, that makes life so pleasant,
+I had felt before my dream.</p>
+
+<p>When we left for home, Grandfather Tomkins said
+to Miss Milly: "You had better give that great critter
+to me. He would like my farm to run about in, and
+I have taken a liking to him." Then he added, with
+a sly wink at me, "He can sleep in an old wig I have at home."</p>
+
+<p>I trembled at the thought, and hid in the folds of
+Miss Milly's dress, as she said, "Daisy is just like a
+child to us; we could never part with him."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well," he said; "I believe the critter knows all we say."</p>
+
+<p>I was glad enough to see the last of that place. I
+preferred one room and no companions but my own
+friends. These uncongenial people had given me a good lesson.</p>
+
+<p>I was more careful about running away, for when
+one has a fur garment to protect, suspecting every
+one of a desire to make wigs, front-pieces, tippets,
+and fur rugs of it, he has a great care. I only wish
+I could tell my dream to my friends, but it is a great
+consolation to write it.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XV" id="XV"></a>XV</h2>
+
+<h3>CAT ANECDOTES</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch15.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">I</span> HAVE never been particularly fond of
+poetry; it has always, with a few exceptions,
+seemed to me to be "wishy-washy."</p></div>
+
+<p>One day when it was quite dismal and
+rainy, Miss Eleanor said, "This little poem of Tupper's
+is a real protest for the future life and immortality of animals."</p>
+
+<p>Of course that great big word was a poser, but
+after a time spent under the bed and a great deal of
+stuttering I mastered it. Then she read these lines,
+and I must quote them because they may influence
+those who never have any mind of their own, and depend
+on other people's opinions, to believe that cats have an after life.</p>
+
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">"Are these then made in vain?<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Is man alone, of all the marvels of creative love<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Blest with a scintillation of his essence?<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">"To say that God annihilated aught<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Were to declare that in an unwise hour<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">He planned and made somewhat superfluous."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>And then she read the story of the poor wretch
+whom no one followed to the grave but his faithful
+dog, who walked so mournfully behind the hearse.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, I could understand and see it all, and when
+Miss Milly wiped her eyes, and Miss Eleanor's voice
+grew tremulous, I had to wink and sneeze several
+times to conceal from them how deeply I was touched.</p>
+
+<p>And I know all that I care to about funerals.
+When I hear the roll of carriages, I mount a chair
+and look out of the window, and feel so sorry for
+them, remembering how I felt when they carried
+away our dear one, and left me alone all day, sitting
+in her easy-chair. And when I see that dreadful
+vehicle called a hearse, I am thankful that cats do
+not have to ride in them,&mdash;above all, the little white
+hearse. It does look just like the circus cars that I
+have seen pass, and the first time I saw it, I looked
+behind for the elephant, and the other beasts I had
+always seen in their train.</p>
+
+<p>It makes one a convert to cremation. If I had the
+question to decide, it would be cremation for man and beast.</p>
+
+<p>I hope women will excuse me for not mentioning
+them first. We fall into the bad habit of speaking
+of man only, as if men were the only ones worth a
+thought, but it is a question no one can answer,
+"Where would be the men, were there no women?"</p>
+
+<p>I think the heathen custom of burning wives on
+the funeral pyres of their husbands a good one. It
+would certainly help dispose of some of the "surplus
+women" men are so exercised about; for if the widows
+were all disposed of, there would be a chance
+for the single ones. And if there were no divorces,
+no second marriages, then how careful husbands and
+wives would be of each other, if they knew the survivor
+would have to do escort duty on that last, long
+journey, to the one death had marked for its own.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps all this is too deep for a cat, you think.
+Well, perhaps it is; but then, cats can't help thinking
+of all the abuse heaped upon them and the
+unjust remarks on their habits and ways of living
+and having their children: and I ask, in the name
+of slandered cats, why is such judgment passed on
+them? They are not married, so are not unfaithful,
+and they are not divorced. While they live with another
+husband they have all the children that God
+allows them, and they take care of the little ones till
+they are of an age to look out for themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Now I hope it will be handed down to posterity
+that one cat who has himself lived a blameless life
+has dared to compare the morality of cats with the
+morality of human beings, who are supposed to be
+so much more intelligent, and are bound by the laws
+of the land to be honest and virtuous.</p>
+
+<p>Please don't say, "This cat knows too much," for
+I will tell you stories, and true ones, too, that will
+make you believe in the intelligence of our race. I
+feel sure my cat stories will be appreciated; for in a
+large company of strangers, where all are sitting
+around in grim silence, just let some one have the
+courage to tell a cat story, and the ice is broken at
+once. This "one touch of nature" makes them all
+grin. It is the "open sesame"; like a hydra with
+never ending heads&mdash;they spring up. As soon as
+one is finished, another begins. The heads all have
+tails (or tales) of cats they have known. One is surprised
+at the wonderful revelation of how deep a hold
+the household pet has in the hearts of those who love him.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress had another story from the same lady
+who told her the last one I related. It was called,
+"A Confiding Cat." In 1877, says a writer in
+"Nature," "I was absent from Madras for two
+months, and left in my quarters three cats, one of
+which, an English tabby, was a very gentle cat,
+an affectionate creature. During my absence the
+quarters were occupied by two young gentlemen
+who delighted in teasing and frightening the cats.
+About one week before my return the English cat
+had kittens, which she carefully concealed behind
+the bookcase in the library. On the morning of my
+return I saw the cat and petted her as usual. Then
+I left the house for about one hour. On returning
+to dress, I found that the kittens were located in the
+corner of my dressing room, where previous broods
+had been deposited and nursed. On questioning the
+servant as to how they came there, he at once replied,
+'Sir, the old cat, taking them one by one in her mouth,
+brought them in here.' In other words, the mother
+had carried them one by one in her mouth from the
+library to my dressing room, where they lay quite exposed."</p>
+
+<p>I do not think I have heard of a more remarkable
+instance of reasoning and affectionate confidence than
+this in an animal. I need hardly say it gave me great
+pleasure. The train of reasoning seemed to be as follows:
+"Now that my master has returned, there is no
+risk of the kittens being injured by the two young savages
+in the house. So I will take them out for my
+protector to see and admire, and keep them in the
+corner where all my former children have been nursed in safety."</p>
+
+<p>I think it a lovely story. Some will say, because
+the cat was an English tabby, "So English, you
+know!"&mdash;in a sarcastic manner; but I say as the
+old man did, "Nater is nater." And a true mother
+cat will fight for her own, whatever nation she belongs
+to. I wish all professional people were like this cat's master.</p>
+
+<p>And I do think our colleges would do better to
+confer the degree of "B.A." on cats and dogs than
+on many of the brainless creatures made in the "image
+of their Maker." There is where the resemblance
+ceases, "image" is the only indication.</p>
+
+<p>If some of the students would expand their hearts
+by defending poor abused animals, it would be much
+more for the benefit of society and for their own development
+than rowing and kicking as they do. They
+kick enough between the ages of one and ten to last
+a lifetime. And I would like to ask one question
+more, while I am about it: Is there one man, woman,
+or child who can play ball equal to a cat?</p>
+
+<p>I hope the time will come when doctors will just
+as soon use the knife on their children as they now
+do on poor animals so completely in their power. I
+believe they will have to suffer for every case of cruelty
+offered up on the altar of that scapegoat called
+"science." God who made the victim will require atonement.</p>
+
+<p>In my humble opinion, if all the stories told of
+them are true, it would be no loss to the world or
+their friends if science could be benefited by the cutting
+up of a few doctors' and ministers' children.
+Perhaps by exposing their hearts (while they suffer
+the agony that poor animals do while under these
+operations) they might get at the root of wickedness
+and hardness of heart that seems to be inborn in
+them; and thus improve the morality of the coming
+generation. It would be no loss to society to sacrifice a few of them.</p>
+
+<p>I can tell all the professors, and possessors too,
+that there is no earthly use in using a cat's or dog's
+heart or liver to decide what causes diseases in human
+beings. They are no more alike than fire and water.
+The hearts of human beings are not enlarged by
+kindness, and are hard from their own wicked natures,
+while their livers would be well enough if they
+indulged in proper food and drinks.</p>
+
+<p>A cat's heart is tender and kind and gives love for
+love; and her liver&mdash;well, that is all right; she probably
+keeps that in good repair by a moderate diet of
+liver. And if a cat should have disease of the kidneys,
+why, "a hair of the same dog"&mdash;you know the old
+saying&mdash;will cure it, and a good diet of kidney will
+counteract the disease.</p>
+
+<p>Of course doctors would scorn such a suggestion
+from a cat; but it might work in the case of their
+patient as well as in animals&mdash;only a doctor who
+dares order the plebeian diet of liver or kidney would
+never prosper unless he gave a foreign name to them
+or smothered them with a title. But just think of it.
+Do you often hear of the poor laborer with either of
+these diseases? He has liver instead of turkey, and
+kidney instead of chickens, and if he is not killed
+by some modern improvement, he is likely to live forever.</p>
+
+<p>I offer this without the least expectation of a fee.
+I am no M.D. or D.D. I am "a Daisy"; but my eyes
+are open, and although I have green around me I am
+white. So if any one says in a sarcastic manner,
+"she's a daisy," I shall not be green enough to take
+it to myself in their sense, but just remember that "it
+takes a rogue to catch a rogue," and feel happy in my superiority.</p>
+
+<p>While I am moralizing I might as well give my
+readers the benefit of it. Why are not cats used as
+barometers? It would certainly save much money,
+and Blue Hill Observatory would be a good outlook
+for the weather-wise cat, and she would make an able
+assistant without a salary. Just observe her movements
+as the earlier generations did, and there is no
+doubt the weather notes will be correct.</p>
+
+<p>As early as 1643 an old book was published which
+says of the cat: "She useth to wash her face with
+her feet, which she licketh, and moisteneth with her
+tongue. And it is observed by some, that if she put
+her feet beyond the crown of her head, in this kind
+of washing, it is a sign of rain." If a cat scratches
+the furniture or frisks around more than usual, she is
+said to be "raising the wind."</p>
+
+<p>Cats are sensitive to air, full of motion and electricity,
+which seems to put them in good spirits; while
+a warm lifeless atmosphere makes them languid.</p>
+
+<p>Sailors are as a class very superstitious in regard
+to cats. Their family, when the father, son, or
+brother has gone on a voyage, watch the family cat
+to know about the absent one. If a cat sickens or
+disappears, it is looked upon as an indication of the
+illness or death of the absent one. A sailor's family
+will make a pet and companion of the family cat.
+The cat that chances to go to sea is just worshipped
+by all on board the ship and is the real captain.</p>
+
+<p>There is another little story that comes to my mind
+just now, as illustrating how much a cat notices and
+remembers. The cat in question was called Ole.
+Why, or wherefore, I cannot say. Perhaps he was
+a Norwegian, from the name, or his ancestors may
+have been Norwegians. He lived in Syracuse, New
+York, perhaps he was named for that most perfect
+musician and gentleman, Ole Bull, as people have a
+craze for naming their children for celebrated people,
+and they often name their pets for them. There is
+no doubt that animals do greater credit to their
+names than pampered children.</p>
+
+<p>The cat called Ole was a great favorite in the family
+where he belonged. He had his place at the
+table and was very fond of his master, following his
+every movement when carving, with great interest.
+Even though he craved what was being carved, he
+never made a movement to hasten his dinner. Subsequent
+events proved he had not watched in vain.</p>
+
+<p>One day the daughter of the family was attracted
+to the dining room by the loud and peremptory calls
+of Ole. She opened the door, and there sat Ole in
+his master's place at the head of the table. The
+large mat for the meat platter to rest on he had
+drawn in front of him, and on it lay a large rat.</p>
+
+<p>The satisfaction with which he greeted her was
+evident, and he purred forth his delight at having
+provided and served up a game dinner. It proved
+that he had thought about the etiquette of the table.
+Having no platter, he had taken the next best thing,
+the mat, where the platter usually rested.</p>
+
+<p>It is needless to say Ole was more petted then ever,
+though people, when told the story, would say, "How
+wonderful!" but behind their backs would say they
+guessed it was a fish instead of a rat that Ole had
+caught. But I believe in the rat. A cat detects and despises shams.</p>
+
+<p>A friend of my mistress said that in a country
+house where she was visiting they had an open fireplace
+in one of the rooms, and one of those very absurd gas-logs.</p>
+
+<p>The family cat walked in one day, and, going over
+to the rug, prepared to have a delightful snooze.
+But she no sooner approached the fireplace than the
+idea of the sham fire arrested her. She gave one
+resentful look at her mistress and walked out of the
+room. She never went into that room again, preferring
+the reality of the kitchen fire to an elegant sham.
+There is very little danger that a cat will ever be
+deceived after she has had the chance to investigate.</p>
+
+<p>If the ravens and birds were half as bright as
+Pussy, the best gotten-up scarecrow in the field
+would never cause them one moment of disquiet or
+the loss of one good meal. She has such quick ears
+that even the moving of a leaf in the wind or the
+creak of a window is enough to bring her to her feet
+ready for an encounter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XVI" id="XVI"></a>XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>CAT PRANKS</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch16.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">W</span>HAT pleasant memories I have of my early
+years! How could I be other than a very
+happy cat, with a home so pleasant, and
+dear, kind friends? With the boys to play
+with, and everything to interest me, I have nothing
+but loving words to say on my own account, and I
+feel more anxious to try to help the cats who are
+not appreciated to homes and friends like mine.</p></div>
+
+<p>With all my advantages, I must admit I was at
+times a great trial to those who loved me. If a boy
+had behaved as I did, it would have been called the
+"old Adam" in him. And with me I suppose it was
+the cat old Adam. I was full of life and fun, and a
+great hunter of everything that moved, from a leaf
+that rustled in the breeze to our natural enemy, a mouse.</p>
+
+<p>I was very smart at the business of hunting, and
+the rats and mice that I destroyed I cannot tell. I
+wish I had kept an account, but when young I did
+not know the value of a journal and account book.
+It would be a real pleasure to me now, when memory is often treacherous.</p>
+
+<p>I was never allowed to worry or torment them,
+though I had the desire, as every one has, to torment
+or worry something. Miss Eleanor would put her
+hand around my throat gently, but it would force
+open my mouth, making me drop my victim. Then it was at once killed.</p>
+
+<p>One day I chased one under the bed. I knew it
+had received its death-blow, and I wanted to go in
+and worry it occasionally. My mistress did not know
+of it; she was not in the room at the time.</p>
+
+<p>It was just about tea time, and I expected a scene
+when it should crawl out, as I feared it would. It
+was behind a box, and I could not move it or get at
+it with my paws; but I scratched on it with my claws
+to assure it of my presence and make it tremble. In
+this way I kept it all the evening, and I did dread
+their going to bed. I was so sleepy, it made me
+cross. They went to bed, and I fell asleep with a
+guilty conscience, for I knew it would be a dreadful
+fright to them if the mouse should appear.</p>
+
+<p>It must have been the middle of the night when a
+loud scream awoke me, and they both rushed out of
+the bedroom, saying, "It is a mouse! It walked over
+the bed!" Before they lighted the gas I had
+pounced upon my prey and finished it.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor took a cloth and pulled the mouse
+out of my mouth and threw it out of the window. I
+was real mad with them both, and got up on the
+table, where I never was allowed to sit, and knocked
+down a beautiful little basket that Miss Milly kept
+flosses in. The three parts of the basket separated,
+and all the little bags and balls rolled about on the
+floor. I poked them under chairs and in corners,
+and at last my mistresses were obliged to go to bed,
+leaving me with my playthings. The moonlight
+favored me, and I not only chased the bags and
+balls, but I tried to chase the moonbeams. I caught
+the playthings, but never the moonbeams, and I wondered why.</p>
+
+<p>The next day they talked seriously to me, but I
+did not care one bit. I washed my face all the time
+they were talking, and ran under the bed when they
+wanted to comb me. I chewed the red bow they had
+tied on my collar till it was black, and it tasted horrid.
+They did not scold me, for they were afraid I
+had poisoned myself with the red dye.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor found in her book an antidote, and
+Miss Milly gave me the dose. She had a hard time
+of it, for I spit out the pellets as fast as she gave
+them to me. That did provoke her, for I knew how
+to swallow them as well as a child would know. She
+took me, and, opening my mouth, she dropped them
+down my throat and held my mouth till they were
+down. I coughed and fought to get them up, but it
+was of no use. When Miss Milly was determined on
+a thing it just had to be done.</p>
+
+<p>I lived through that scare, and have chewed ribbons
+of all colors since then without harm except to
+the ribbon. It was very naughty, I know; but if I got
+mad, I would chew up my ribbon to provoke them.</p>
+
+<p>Another wickedness to record. Like all young
+cats, I loved to run away. This was before I was
+stolen that Christmas time I have already written of.
+Every day I would go out in the yard and hide, and
+I now remember with great thankfulness how wonderfully
+I was spared. Poor cats disappear, leaving
+no trace behind, and I am fortunate not to have been
+one of them, and I understand why my mistress was
+afraid to trust me out of her sight. I would hide on
+the ledge of the fence in the next yard and then
+peep over to hear them call me.</p>
+
+<p>They would scrape two knives together to call me
+in to dinner, when we were visiting or when we had
+the range of the house. Of course I responded
+promptly to the call, as cats, like children, are always
+ready for a square meal. But of late I had discovered
+their little game. There was no dinner; they scraped
+knives to get me in. They deceived me at first, but not for long.</p>
+
+<p>Now the back of the houses on our street faced the
+back of the houses on the next street, with a long
+alley between. At the windows of the opposite
+houses there were young men who were interested
+spectators of this little by-play. Very soon they
+were not content to be only lookers-on; they wanted
+to take part, and soon they appeared with knives,
+and then a fearful scraping was heard, and the cries
+of "Daisy, Daisy" resounded through the alley.</p>
+
+<p>I never turned my head or let them know that I
+noticed them, for I was very much ashamed of the
+sensation I had caused, and I crawled home, crestfallen
+enough, to meet the reproachful glances of my
+dear friends. They had not dared to appear on the
+scene. After that I went home without being called.</p>
+
+<p>I was more provoked because these were the very
+young men who had thrown bottles, old boots, and
+bootjacks at the cats that assemble nightly to talk
+over their trials and give an open-air concert occasionally.
+Were these young men asleep as they
+ought to be, not just returning at midnight from
+some junket, they would be willing to believe in the
+doctrine of "live and let live."</p>
+
+<p>These cats have no homes, no nice beds, and often
+they have empty stomachs; and if they console themselves
+with a social meeting, and end in a musicale,
+who can blame them? They certainly do not have
+empty bottles to dispose of after their meetings, as
+these young people do; and there is no uncertain
+<i>note</i> in <i>their</i> voices when they let it swell out on the
+midnight air. If it reaches a high C, it is not a
+"high seas over," as the young men's voices often indicate.</p>
+
+<p>Another proof of the superiority of the animal
+over the human race. A cat may often be sitting
+on a beer barrel, but there <i>never</i> was a cat known
+to have the contents of one inside.</p>
+
+<p>There are many shams in the world that cats would
+scorn to practise. Now I am, perhaps, about to shock
+some people by airing my opinion on "family worship."
+I can hear you say, "How irreverent!" Not
+at all. Just please read the many so-called bright
+speeches of children in the newspapers, where they
+hob-nob with their Maker just as if he were a boon companion.</p>
+
+<p>I have heard my mistress quote, "Thou shalt not
+take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." I
+never have, and it makes me shudder to hear children
+so flippant with the sacred name. And I will
+never believe that cats or dogs could be taught (even
+if they had the gift of speech) to be profane, as the
+poor parrot is. They have an evil eye, and may not be to blame.</p>
+
+<p>One year we boarded in a real country farmhouse,&mdash;at
+least, the master was a farmer; but the family
+were trying to find some more genteel name for the
+business and the place that had so long supported them.</p>
+
+<p>It was a nice, old, rambling house, with quaint little
+nooks and angles where I could hide. The kitchen
+was very large and low, and the outbuildings so
+ample that I often lost myself.</p>
+
+<p>The hay-loft was very bewildering, and after I had
+once climbed up I felt like the travellers my mistress
+loved to read of&mdash;very proud of my exploits.</p>
+
+<p>They had a great yellow cat called Tabby. Now I
+did hate yellow, and of all weak names I think
+"Tabby" the weakest. But oh my! "What's in a
+name?" Sure enough, she was just the reverse of
+her name. Although she was not "my style," I could
+not, in that lonesome place, afford to pass her over.</p>
+
+<p>After a time she became quite friendly with me,
+though at first she had resented my style, as she
+called it. She evidently thought I was a cat "Astor
+or Vanderbilt," with my collar and padlock,&mdash;that
+"bete noir" to all cats that I met. They confounded
+it with the ropes of pearls and strings of diamonds
+that society women pawn their souls for; but when
+I explained to her that it was an inexpensive badge,
+with the name engraved on it so that my friends
+could recover me when I got lost,&mdash;that it represented
+their affection instead of their dollars,&mdash;she,
+like a sensible cat, realized at once its use, and
+admired it, saying it was very becoming to the aristocratic
+bend of my neck. After this I did think she
+was a cat with good judgment and exquisite taste.</p>
+
+<p>When she saw how delighted I was with her
+kittens, she allowed me to play with them all I cared
+to. They were all colors, and the loveliest little
+creatures I ever saw&mdash;four of them. They looked
+upon me in the light of a bachelor uncle, and were
+after me all the time. They grudged me the night
+separation, for my mistress would not allow me out of her room at night.</p>
+
+<p>I was very clumsy with them at first, as old bachelors
+naturally are, but soon took them in my arms as
+deftly as their mother did. I was delighted to have
+them run after me and kick and bite me. I felt sad
+at first that I was denied this pleasure, that no little
+ones of my own would ever play about me. But,
+when Tabby told me her sad tale, I no longer
+regretted I had been spared so much sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>She said when she saw them happy and loving to
+all around, she trembled, for she knew at any
+moment they might be taken from her. She said
+she had tried to hide her other kittens in every corner
+she could find, but it was of no use; they were all sacrificed.</p>
+
+<p>They were delighted to play with my collar and
+padlock, and they scratched it so badly that my mistress
+said that if I was going to allow myself to be used
+by the "Scratch Grabble" family as a plate for their
+etchings that I had better go without a collar.</p>
+
+<p>Go without my collar! Perish the thought! I
+would tie a blade of grass around my neck rather
+than go undecorated. Daisy without a collar! The idea!</p>
+
+<p>The family allowed Tabby to go out and in as she
+pleased. She had plenty of food, and was treated
+kindly for her usefulness, for the rats she had killed
+counted into the hundreds; but petting was beyond their comprehension.</p>
+
+<p>The father of the family was a big, jolly old man.
+His only fault was his piety. Now do not misunderstand
+this remark, for I have been brought up to
+respect true religion, but I do hate bigotry.</p>
+
+<p>The farmer's wife was a large, red-faced woman,
+and very nervous and fussy. Her husband said,
+"Marier wanted to be a big bug." This gave the
+true key to her aim in life. She wanted to be fashionable.</p>
+
+<p>They had only two children. The elaborate headstones
+in the neighboring cemetery where I had
+rambled gave the names of several children they had
+buried. And after I had known them a little while
+I believed, with Tabby, that the best part of the
+family were represented by the tomb-stones. They
+fought with each other continually, and their chief
+fights were during family worship.</p>
+
+<p>The girl, Bessie, was fourteen years old, very fat,
+big-eyed, big-lipped, with tousled head; always in
+one's way, and disagreeable in the extreme.</p>
+
+<p>The boy of twelve, red-headed, freckled, and full
+of mischief, was much better than his sister. Bob, as
+he was called, had one marked individuality&mdash;that
+was his appetite. I never saw that boy without his
+mouth full, and his pockets were a storehouse to draw from.</p>
+
+<p>Their table manners were dreadful. As there
+were only two other boarders besides ourselves, the
+family were all at the table, and we had a chance to
+see them in all their glory. The food was of the best
+and well cooked; but oh, the way it was eaten!</p>
+
+<p>The breakfasts were enough to make any cat sick;
+for when the last mouthful was swallowed, a greasy,
+ragged Bible was produced. As my friends said,
+though they did not approve of the manner in which
+it was conducted, they did not think it right to turn
+away from family prayer, and of course I remained
+with them and rather enjoyed it.</p>
+
+<p>The daughter was made, by the payment of a
+weekly sum, to read the Bible. She gabbled off
+a chapter taken from any part of the book she chanced to open to first.</p>
+
+<p>Bob was making faces and kicking her all the
+time under the table. Once in a while his father
+would take him by the ear, but not often. A loud
+yell of "Lemme alone!" was not a pleasant accompaniment to a Bible reading.</p>
+
+<p>Then the father made a prayer. It certainly was
+only for his own benefit, for no one could distinguish
+one word he said. Then the children, after a long
+wrangle, engaged in a boxing match, the father and
+mother taking no notice of them unless called upon
+by one or the other to decide their dispute. It was
+very embarrassing to all but those concerned, and
+the boarders very gladly returned to their rooms.</p>
+
+<p>Just as it was getting furious and exciting, my
+mistress took me away. She said she did not care
+to have me demoralized; but I was provoked, for I
+wanted to know who was the victor.</p>
+
+<p>They were very much disgusted with the whole
+performance. Miss Eleanor said, "Why cannot
+people read one nice selection for the day, and a
+short prayer that will comprise all that one need ask
+for, instead of making such wretched exhibitions as
+we have just witnessed?" And we all agreed with her.</p>
+
+<p>It seems an insult to one's Maker to gabble over
+prayers, with one's mouth full of food. It seems
+much more appropriate to ask a blessing before one
+sits down to the table than after.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me real fun, a family circus; but then,
+I respected my friends' opinions, and knew that their
+view of the situation was right. I told Tabby what
+I thought of it, and she said, "It is a long time since
+I have attended their family prayers, and I will never
+listen to them again."</p>
+
+<p>One morning she said: "Bessie and Bob had a
+fierce battle at prayer time, interrupting their father
+several times. When he had finished, he cuffed them
+both, and it ended in a real row. Then the mistress,
+who never could be just to any one, provoked with
+her husband for punishing the children, and angry
+with them herself, turned her wrath on me.</p>
+
+<p>"'It is time Tabby's kittens were disposed of,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes,' the children yelled; 'lemme, lemme do it!'</p>
+
+<p>"But the father interposed, saying, 'No cruelty
+shall be practised in my house.'</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how frantically I tried to claw open the door
+and get at my kittens! Not that I could save them,
+but perhaps they would kill me with them.</p>
+
+<p>"The master took me and shut me into the closet,
+where I fell down broken-hearted. I mewed and
+mewed, for I knew I should never see my dear ones
+again. I could not sleep, my breasts ached from the
+milk that belonged to the poor little victims, and I
+spent the most wretched day of my life.</p>
+
+<p>"Early in the afternoon Biddy, the servant, released
+me. She looked very sorrowful at me, and
+tried to make me eat some dinner, giving me a nice
+plateful. I could not swallow, and went out to the
+barn, though I well knew I should not find my children.</p>
+
+<p>"A feeble mew greeted me, and I found, in place
+of my five beautiful kittens, only one. They said
+the prettiest, but they were all lovely to me.</p>
+
+<p>"She was a light gray and bright as a button.
+She was so glad to see me, but looked surprised, as
+if she thought I would bring her brothers and sisters with me.</p>
+
+<p>"I lay down exhausted, while she nursed, and I
+could feel the four little lips (that were now cold and
+stiff) on my breasts, and I felt too wretched to live.</p>
+
+<p>"I was in a real fever for several days, but she
+nursed me all she could, and I got better. She was
+soon bright and happy, frisking about, and grew
+large and very handsome. I did not take any comfort
+in her, for I knew she would soon be taken from
+me, and a hard life begin for her.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you wonder that after that morning's experience
+I never wanted to hear of family worship? If
+it does not teach them humanity, what is it good for?
+And if, as they read, God is so mindful of the sparrows,
+why don't he remember poor cats? Tell me that, will you?"</p>
+
+<p>I did not answer her, my heart was so sad, and I
+wished I could speak and ask my mistress that same
+question. I comforted poor Tabby all I could. I
+said perhaps God lets these people do these things
+for an example to others. She scoffed at the idea as
+she asked, "Why did he make us?" As I could not
+tell, I answered meekly, "I do not know."</p>
+
+<p>I expected every day these innocent creatures
+would go. Oh, how I did feel! Rash thoughts of
+taking them and hiding them in Miss Milly's trunk,
+filled my mind. I wanted to save them.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no use," Tabby said, "we cannot fight
+against the mighty. All that I can do is to make all
+the noise I can in the world. I join all the cats
+around and speak in all the meetings. 'Anarchists'
+probably they would call us, but we do not care.
+We caterwaul and scratch and steal, just as human
+beings in our situation would take to drink. And I
+would ask, who is to blame? We did not learn this
+of animals. We learned it of Bessie and Bob and
+the good, pious people where we live."</p>
+
+<p>I found I could do no good. Tabby was an eloquent
+speaker when the wrongs of her race inspired
+her tongue; and my heart beat, and my claws went
+out and in as I longed to fight for our down-trodden
+race. The whole barn would have been a battle-field
+strewn with the bodies of rats, could I just at this
+moment have encountered them.</p>
+
+<p>When we left this place, my mistress said: "We
+will never go to a good quiet place again. We will
+take our chances with the multitude." I fully indorsed
+this resolution. This experience had made
+me a more thoughtful and a sadder cat, for the sorrows
+of animals preyed upon me. Had not the
+thought of writing this book entered into my mind,
+thereby opening the eyes of the thoughtless, and
+helping expose the wrongs of our race, I could not have existed.</p>
+
+<p>How I hated to leave the dear little kittens, they
+were so fond of me, and ran after me when my mistress
+took me in her arms to carry me away. The
+woman told them that they were all promised to
+friends. They would have good homes; that was
+why she had kept them so long.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor talked to her beautifully about their
+duties to dumb animals, but I knew it would do her no good.</p>
+
+<p>After we were in the carriage, Miss Milly said she
+felt very sad to leave such dear little playful creatures,
+particularly as I had taken such a liking to
+them. She said she could not bear to think that
+they would go into new homes and be tormented by bad children.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor said she had often seen children
+squeeze kittens, their soft little bones almost crushed,
+in their strong hands; and if they dare scratch or bite
+in self-defence, they were called bad-tempered and abused.</p>
+
+<p>"There is nothing we can do to help them," they
+said, "but speak for them when we can, and always
+save them from cruel hands when we can do so.
+It is the duty of every man, woman, and child to
+speak for the dumb animals who cannot defend themselves."</p>
+
+<p>I did not wonder Tabby was hopeless when Miss
+Milly said she saw no chance for cats or dogs either.
+If people who profess to love them are afraid to
+speak up for them, what is to be done?</p>
+
+<p>Dogs and cats are not always enemies. They can
+be taught each other's rights, if their owners will take
+a little trouble. I will give you an illustration in favor of this theory.</p>
+
+<p>A friend of ours owned a little dog named Friskey,
+and a cat she called Flossy, because she had soft fur, like silk.</p>
+
+<p>They were very fond of each other. Flossy would
+lie down with her head on Friskey, making a pillow of him.</p>
+
+<p>Their mistress taught him to beg for food; and
+after watching him awhile, Flossy took her place
+by his side, assumed just the same position, and begged.</p>
+
+<p>They were very good to each other about sharing
+their food, furnishing an example children would do well to imitate.</p>
+
+<p>They were both of them fond of candy, and one
+day their stock had melted away, and only one little
+sugar ball was left. It was very hard. They had
+each tried to break it, but finding that impossible,
+they took turns in sucking it. Friskey would wait
+patiently till Flossy had sucked it till she was tired,
+then he would take his turn, while she would rest
+and watch him with a happy expression on her face,
+saying plainly, "Is it not nice?" They licked and
+licked, but it did not seem to grow "beautifully less,"
+and lasted them nearly one week.</p>
+
+<p>They used it as a ball, and would run after it and
+then refresh themselves with a lick or two and then
+start again. Their owner said it was the most ludicrous
+sight she ever witnessed, they were so happy with their ball.</p>
+
+<p>The mistress said one morning Friskey was in
+great tribulation, hunting for their ball of candy.
+Flossy hung around her, mewing till she got out her
+work-basket. Then Flossy made one dive and clawed
+out from the midst of cottons and silks the beloved
+ball. Friskey barked and wagged his tail, while
+Flossy licked it, and then gave it to him. She said
+the inside of her basket was rather sticky, and she
+told Flossy she must find some other hiding-place.</p>
+
+<p>At last, that ball was reduced to such a sharp
+skeleton of its former self that fearing they would
+choke over it, she took it away and gave them some
+fresh candy. But she said: "One day, they had a
+gumdrop, and Friskey could not get it off his teeth,
+they were buried so deep in it; but Flossy licked and
+clawed till she got it off. That beat all the other pranks."</p>
+
+<p>Now, how long would two children have kept that
+ball of candy? I would like to ask. If their teeth
+had not demolished it the first hour, the family
+hatchet would have been used, and a free fight have
+followed, over the fragments.</p>
+
+<p>Friskey would lie down, and his master would put
+Flossy in his arms just like a child. They were very
+devoted to each other, though Friskey did not like
+other cats, and was very jealous of Flossy. He
+seemed to wish her to have no friend but himself.
+As she was a social little creature, and a "cat flirt,"
+he had many heart-burnings.</p>
+
+<p>Friskey came to a sad end. He was run over by a
+fast team and had to be chloroformed. Flossy was
+very unhappy about him. They said she acted just
+like a widow, and, probably, like most widows, got
+another admirer in his place. He was buried down
+in the garden quite a little distance from the house,
+and Flossy was often seen sitting on his grave.</p>
+
+<p>The family thought it very pathetic, but there were
+others, people who like to destroy our best illusions
+(whom no one likes or cares for their opinions), who
+suggested an explanation of the interesting fact,
+by saying that a catmint bed was on each side of
+Friskey's grave, and Flossy went there for the catmint.</p>
+
+<p>I do, for my part, hate to be disenchanted when I
+have indulged in a little bit of sentiment. I do not
+believe any one ever thanks the person who turns the
+poetry of life into prose.</p>
+
+<p>My solution of the story is, that Flossy had often
+played with Friskey in that very catmint bed, and
+she went there to recall pleasant memories. I have
+a right to my own opinion, and I know I am very
+strange; but then, it would be a very stupid world if
+there were no variety.</p>
+
+<p>I had a singular thought the other day, and it will
+do no harm to tell it, though I do not care one pin
+whether others agree with me or not. I think my
+mistress is original, and I know I am like her. My
+idea is this: I have heard the stories of Adam and
+Eve and Noah's Ark&mdash;indeed, I was brought up on Bible stories.</p>
+
+<p>Now my thought is this: When Adam and Eve left
+the garden of Eden, there were two of their dumb
+companions whose hearts were sad for their master
+and mistress. They said, "We will not let them go
+alone." And when Adam and Eve left the garden,
+a dog walked by his master's side, and a cat by the
+side of the mistress&mdash;faithful in their misfortune.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XVII" id="XVII"></a>XVII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE STORY OF FREIDA</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch17.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">M</span>Y mistress was not silly about me. She
+would say: "I am perfectly satisfied with
+Daisy, just as God made him. I do not presume to improve what he has made
+perfect. I do all I can to bring out his good points,
+and leave the rest to nature."</p></div>
+
+<p>Then she told me the story of "Adonis." His
+mistress had his ears pierced and gold earrings put
+in them. He wore them at home only.</p>
+
+<p>That cat did suffer for his mistress's vanity, and I
+could not help wishing she had been the victim; for
+one day a lady called, bringing with her a pet dog.
+She said, "My dog has a lovely disposition, and will not touch your cat."</p>
+
+<p>She had not calculated on Adonis having a temper,
+and the consequences were disastrous. Ever since
+his ears were pierced, Adonis had been fretful and
+snappish. His beautiful earrings were no pleasure
+to him, for he could not give them a pull without making his ears sore.</p>
+
+<p>When he saw this pampered dog in his very home,
+he arose in his anger, and flew at the little pet in great
+wrath. Of course the dog retaliated, though frightened
+almost out of his skin. The result was, he tore
+out one of Adonis's earrings, making a long slit in
+his ear, and got repaid by having his own eyes almost scratched out.</p>
+
+<p>His mistress was well paid for her cruelty in decorating
+her cat in this foolish manner. From a loving,
+happy cat he was transformed into a cross, quarrelsome
+creature that no one could love.</p>
+
+<p>Then she cast him off and got a new plaything,
+this time a dog, all covered with bells and ribbons,
+that she could take around with her.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Adonis was suffered in the house, but left to
+the servants, and his nice quarters given to the dog,
+while he was left in the kitchen, where his high temper
+made him disliked, and his torn and swollen ears
+made him an object of derision.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress would say: "Never, Daisy, shall you
+be made miserable by such foolishness. People who
+treat animals in this way are not their real friends;
+they use them selfishly as a decoration for themselves
+when they might make them intelligent companions and sincere friends."</p>
+
+<p>That there are many good people who appreciate
+animals, the stories that I have given you will prove.
+The story of Freida is an instance, and I can vouch for its truth.</p>
+
+<p>Freida was a nice cat, aristocratic and refined in
+her ideas. She inherited her name from a Danish
+relative of her master, and brought the old home days back to memory.</p>
+
+<p>She had a very beautiful home not many miles
+from Boston. It was a large house, and was called
+"The Mansion." It had a cupola where Freida
+could go up and overlook the high hills and see the
+gilded dome of the State House quite plainly.</p>
+
+<p>Then there was the stable, and a beautiful flowerbed in front of the house.</p>
+
+<p>It was rightly called "The Mansion," for it stood
+alone, surrounded by beautiful trees, and looked
+down with dignity on the smaller houses around it.</p>
+
+<p>Freida was a very happy and fortunate cat. She
+had a kind master, and her mistress was very lovely
+and good. She was a very dear friend of Miss Milly,
+and was born in good old Salem, and, like all the
+people in that bewitching place, she thought a home
+was not perfect without the family cat.</p>
+
+<p>All this would have been very delightful, had not
+a great change taken place in this charming home.
+But then, there would have been no story; for
+Freida's life would have been just like that of other
+cats, pleasant but uneventful.</p>
+
+<p>The good mistress fell ill and was ordered a change
+of air, and a voyage to Europe.</p>
+
+<p>I know how I felt, for I wanted my mistress to
+go abroad; and when her friend sent her a card
+decorated with wild flowers and edelweiss from
+Chamonix, I was just crazy to see this beautiful
+place that she wrote about so charmingly.</p>
+
+<p>I was very wicked, I fear, for I got the card off of
+the table and sat upon it. I said to myself, "It is
+just as nice to sit upon the picture flowers as it would
+be to have the real ones." I thought how nice it
+would be to go with my mistress, for I was sure she
+would take me with her, and then I could run up and
+down the mountains just as I pleased.</p>
+
+<p>When she took me on her lap, showing me the
+card, and told me how many miles of ocean separated
+her from her friend, it made me shiver at the thought
+of crossing it. But then, in her arms I would not be
+afraid to go to Jericho. I do hate water; there is
+too much used on me when I am washed, and I wish
+I could be washed with land instead.</p>
+
+<p>All this is not telling about Freida, whose story I started to tell you.</p>
+
+<p>The beautiful house was closed, and Freida was
+taken to the home of her mistress's brother near Boston.
+Two of her sisters, who were very fond of Freida,
+were there, making it homelike for her. But for all
+their petting she was homesick. They were obliged
+to keep her very close, for fear she would run away.</p>
+
+<p>She was a great care to them, and one day they
+missed her, and on going to the furnace they saw a
+strange sight. A fluffy ball was turning over and
+over in the ashes, and on drawing it out they found
+it was Freida. She was almost suffocated, but the
+master, a charming man, just like his sister in kindness
+of heart, went at once for a doctor. He said
+they must take her where the air could blow over
+her, and also give her brandy.</p>
+
+<p>Her tongue was hanging out of her mouth, and
+she was a wretched creature. They worked over her
+for hours, and then the sisters brushed off the ashes
+and tended her as kindly as they would a baby.
+Soon she looked as nice as ever, and that cat never tried cremation again.</p>
+
+<p>It proves how good and kind people can be to their dumb friends.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Freida! she was destined to die in a violent
+manner. She returned to her beautiful home only to meet her fate.</p>
+
+<p>The man who carried groceries to the house had
+a very gentle and kind horse. Strange to say, a
+friendship sprang up between Freida and this nice
+horse. She was always on hand to greet him every
+day, rubbing against his legs and showing her fondness
+for him in many ways, while he would put down
+his head for her to caress. It was a very funny sight.</p>
+
+<p>One day when the man came out he turned the
+wagon quickly, and it crushed over poor Freida,
+breaking her back and killing her instantly. The
+man was very much troubled about it, and he said,
+after that, the horse would try not to go up the hill.</p>
+
+<p>She was buried near the place where she was
+killed, and they all mourned for her, and still remember
+her with affection.</p>
+
+<p>They have a cat now called Frity, a dignified
+creature, but no cat will ever take Freida's place.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress said that when she was visiting there
+she felt as if Freida's spirit was around, and at night
+she could hear her voice mingling with the voices of the pines.</p>
+
+<p>How much sorrow we could save our friends if we
+could speak! People think cats cannot understand
+and read character, but they can; and they know the
+true from the false very quickly.</p>
+
+<p>We had rooms, at one time, where everything was
+satisfactory, and the landlady said she was very fond
+of cats; for my mistress would tell the people of whom
+she engaged rooms about me.</p>
+
+<p>This woman was very nice to me before my mistress,
+but I could not like her at all. And my instinct
+was right, for when I went through her kitchen, to
+go out for my daily airing, she looked "daggers" at me, and said, "Scat!"</p>
+
+<p>I was so provoked I walked just as slow as I could
+and held up my head; but she came at me with her
+dishcloth, and as I did not care to be hit by that
+dirty thing, smelling of fish, I swallowed my pride
+and ran away. She slammed the back door after
+me, and called me a "pampered brute."</p>
+
+<p>I dared not show my head again for a long time.
+I was cold and hungry, but I had faith. I knew I
+should be looked for; and, sure enough, both of them
+came to hunt for me, the woman of the house with
+them, all smiles. She said: "Poor Pussy! Did it want to come in?"</p>
+
+<p>I just glared at her. I wanted to say, "<i>It</i> did not
+want you to let <i>it</i> in." I thought the treatment bad
+enough; but to be called <i>it</i> broke the back of my belief in her.</p>
+
+<p>I kept out of her way; but one morning she saw
+me coming in from the kitchen, and drove me upstairs
+with her duster. My mistress saw her, and was
+very indignant, though she did not say anything, but
+she never let me go down alone after that.</p>
+
+<p>This woman had a little step-son. She kept him
+in from play with his friends on Saturday afternoons,
+to get his Sunday-school lessons, and he just hated
+her and the lessons, as a matter of course.</p>
+
+<p>I used to play and chase my tail as if I did not
+know what it was, to divert his attention, for I did
+pity him. He was pleased, but it made him forget
+the long, tiresome answers. So I gave up trying to
+amuse him, for I did not want him to be punished.
+And when, after all my sympathy, he pulled and
+pinched my tail, I said, "He is a chip from the old
+block," and left him to his deceitful step-mother.</p>
+
+<p>I felt very glad that, with all their sorrows and
+wrongs, cats never have step-fathers or mothers. It
+is better never to have known your own father than
+to have one who is always bringing you a new
+mother. And I guess, after all, there is just as
+much morality among cats as there is among human beings.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes there were days when I could not contain
+myself. I wanted to run and fight, and send
+forth my voice just as other cats were allowed to.
+The Bohemian blood my poor mother suffered from
+was answerable for this state of feeling.</p>
+
+<p>At this time we lived in a flat on the fifth story of
+a very high building. It was a very small place, but
+we were passing through sad reverses just then,
+though I could not understand, else I would never
+have added to their trials.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly would go away every day, and when
+she returned at night, looked so white and tired, it
+made me very anxious. Though she petted me, and
+called me her greatest comfort, she did not play with
+me, and her brightness was gone.</p>
+
+<p>After she had gone in the morning, Miss Eleanor
+and I would go about and attend to our little work,
+and then, when she would sit down to mend the boys'
+clothes, she would take me in her lap and talk to me about their troubles.</p>
+
+<p>The boys had both found places, and were working
+very hard and away all day.</p>
+
+<p>We were lonesome. The kitchen had a large
+window, and outside there was a long wooden box
+made on it, and here the janitor brought fresh earth
+every few days, for it was my garden park and hunting
+ground. It was my only outing, for I never went
+down over the stairs. When I went out there, I was
+so near the sky that the earth seemed very far away.
+I did long for a run over the green grass.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor, when it was pleasant, would take me
+up through a boxed-up stairway to the top of the
+house, where I could run a long time. It was very
+large, for the building covered a great space, and
+was gravelled over like the street. A very high wall
+surrounded it, so there was no chance to run away.</p>
+
+<p>One night I could not sleep. I was possessed to
+go out. The window of our bedroom was open, and
+I got out into the gutter and walked along. It ran
+around the building and was very narrow, and I half
+drew back. Then I said, "Courage!" and went on
+till I reached the corner where the pointed tower
+cut me off. Then I realized my situation. I could
+not turn around in this narrow space, and I closed
+my eyes in horror. I dared not look below, the distance
+was so great. Above, the beautiful stars
+seemed to look down on me and my wickedness.</p>
+
+<p>How sorry I was! No one could see me, a little
+gray speck, way up so high. I remained there till
+the morning light gave me a little courage. I tried
+to think of good things, and I remembered about the
+little sparrows that God cared for, and I trusted he
+would not let me "fall to the ground" for my dear mistress's sake.</p>
+
+<p>She had suffered so much I did not want her to
+have the pain of losing me. So I just shut my eyes
+and turned very slowly and painfully, with many
+slips and strains; but my face at last was turned
+homeward. Then I cowered down with real vertigo.
+I could not take one step; but soon I braced up and
+crawled along till I reached the bedroom window, where I was safe.</p>
+
+<p>The delight of my friends may be imagined. They
+had hunted everywhere for me, and Miss Milly had
+had almost a nervous fit, for she said: "He has fallen
+down and has been dashed to pieces by this time."
+They did not go to bed, and were waiting for the
+morning light to search the building.</p>
+
+<p>Of course I was very much ashamed, though it
+proved how much they loved me. I promised myself
+I would never try them again; and I was frightened
+when I realized what a narrow escape I had had.</p>
+
+<p>Then I enjoyed my good breakfast, washed myself
+thoroughly, and getting into my nice basket, slept all day.</p>
+
+<p>But there are moments now when the horror of
+my situation overpowers me, and I always hear with
+pity about the men who mount the high buildings
+and church steeples. And I never, though I am a
+patriotic cat, desire to go to the top of Bunker Hill
+Monument. The picture of it satisfies me. It makes
+my head spin, and I have vertigo of the mind; just
+to think of it makes me lose my head. For a cat to
+lose his head is a serious matter. We might spare a
+piece of tail, but we need every bit of the head.</p>
+
+<p>That reminds me of a cat of Miss Eleanor that
+really lost half of its tail. Her name was "Persimmon."</p>
+
+<p>The family all laughed at Miss Eleanor for her
+romantic idea, and very soon the name degenerated
+into "Sim"&mdash;a much more appropriate one for the
+wild and homely creature who answered to it. She
+was one of Miss Eleanor's many pensioners. Somehow
+the mean-looking and abused always were those she selected for pets.</p>
+
+<p>After they had in vain tried to find a home for
+Sim, she at last settled down as one of the family, to
+the disgust of their old and well-bred cat.</p>
+
+<p>Sim had no manners, and was not in the least degree
+sensitive. She was a dirty white, with pale greenish
+eyes; and a dark shadow under them gave her a
+weird aspect. Miss Milly said the dark shadow was
+"ashes," but Miss Eleanor said it was the "shadow
+of deep thought." More people, however, believed
+in the ashes than in the thought.</p>
+
+<p>She would crowd herself in where there was no
+room for her; and after the loss of her tail, she was
+more determined to assert her position than before.</p>
+
+<p>It happened in this wise: Sim had a very high
+temper, and in a quarrel with a bigger cat than herself
+she was vanquished. In trying to run away she
+climbed the fence. The cat following could only reach
+her tail. It was a long one, and she struck her
+claws into it with such force that she nearly tore
+it off. Sim went about, for a few days, a sorry
+object, till it fell off. The remains of it only measured about two inches.</p>
+
+<p>She exhibited herself on the front doorstep whenever
+any one called, in an unblushing manner. A
+friend of my mistresses, a professor of music, asked
+what kind of animal she was, saying he had never met just her like.</p>
+
+<p>At last she made herself so disagreeable that the
+mother said they must dispose of her. They felt
+badly, but their mother's decision they never questioned.</p>
+
+<p>Sim was put into a bag and given to two boys of
+kind and reliable natures, who promised to care for her
+very kindly. She was taken to the Juniper, and
+drowned. The boys said they would take a boat out
+into deep water and drop her in. The society with
+the long name had not then been organized, and
+dear good Dr. Angell had not entered upon his life-long
+work of protecting animals, so this method of
+getting rid of them was thought the most humane.</p>
+
+<p>The children had been sent to Beverly, to their
+elder sister's, to spend the day, and their mother
+hoped by her cheerfulness to make them forget the cat.</p>
+
+<p>About five o'clock they returned home, and on
+going into the sitting room who should they see but
+Sim, or Bobtail, as she was called, sitting by the fire, washing her face.</p>
+
+<p>Their mother laughed at their surprise. She said
+the cat was taken away at ten o'clock, and at four
+she saw a shadow on the window and heard a loud
+mew, and on her opening the door, Sim walked in.
+She fed her, and since then she had spent the time
+washing herself&mdash;a thing she never was willing to do.</p>
+
+<p>It was too late, however, for her to reform. The
+mother had decided on her fate, and she was doomed.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall see the next time that it is a sure thing,"
+their mother said; "as to her return, we must investigate that matter."</p>
+
+<p>Later on, the boys came in. They were not told
+of Sim's return. They were not exactly untruthful
+about it, but evaded the true story. They said,
+when asked how far out they had taken her, that
+they could not get a boat, and had got rid of her on the rocks.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure she is dead?" asked the girls.</p>
+
+<p>"Dead? I guess so! Dead enough!" they both answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Then here is an instance of one returned from
+the dead," said Miss Eleanor, bringing in Sim, who
+yelled and scratched as soon as she saw her would-be executioners.</p>
+
+<p>Their faces were a study. "Is it Sim?" they
+asked in such real astonishment that no one could doubt them.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, boys," the mother said, "you have deceived
+us; but we will listen to your story if you will tell the truth."</p>
+
+<p>With shamefacedness they said they did not mean
+to be deceitful; they really believed she was dead.
+They took her down to Juniper, and while they were
+trying to find a boat she had burst open the bag and
+run off over the rocks. They followed her, and she
+disappeared under a rock into the water. They
+heard a splash, and waited some time to make sure
+that she was gone. It must have been a stone that
+fell in, while Sim escaped. They were very honest
+in telling their story, and they were forgiven and
+received their money, though the mother decided to
+attend to the business in her own way.</p>
+
+<p>When, some days after, Sim was missing, no one
+asked any questions, believing that everything had been done for the best.</p>
+
+<p>But how that cat found her way home is a question
+no one could ever answer. The boys carried
+her down in a wagon. The Juniper (now called the
+"Willows"&mdash;a famous Salem resort) was about a
+mile from the home she was taken from. It is a
+rather crooked road for one to remember. She probably
+hid herself and followed the boys at a distance.
+My opinion is that Sim just used her wits, and
+thought it out as we all do, and followed the trail of the wagon.</p>
+
+<p>It is really a cat tail we are all sure of.</p>
+
+<p>The family said that they never could go down to
+that pleasant resort, in after years, without thinking
+that Sim was hovering around in spirit. Had she
+been black, a witch cat, they would have felt sure of it.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XVIII" id="XVIII"></a>XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THANKSGIVING</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch18.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">I</span> SUPPOSE I am growing old and forgetful,
+for memory brings things to me upside down, as I have heard old people say.
+All I can do about it is to tell the little
+incidents relating to the past as they come back to me.</p></div>
+
+<p>For the last few days Thanksgiving has been in
+my mind more or less all the time, and I think you will
+be interested if I tell you about one that I enjoyed very much.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress took me in her arms one day, saying,
+"Daisy, you are going to have a real Thanksgiving."</p>
+
+<p>I opened my eyes wide (I know that I have very
+handsome eyes, and love to show them off, just as
+boys and girls do); for I did not know what a thanksgiving meant.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said, "I have just received a note from
+our friend, Miss W. You know her." (I winked
+in answer, for I did admire her.) "Every year she
+sends us a turkey, with a basket of goodies all
+cooked, ready to eat. This note tells me that she
+will send the basket Thursday morning. Now
+you do not understand what 'Thanksgiving' means,
+and I will explain it to you."</p>
+
+<p>I settled myself comfortably on her lap; she always
+put on a clean white apron to keep the hairs
+from my coat off of her dress. I resented this, for I
+could not see, for the life of me, why cats' hair was
+not quite as good as camels' hair that her dress was
+made of. And I just crawled under her apron one
+day when she was reading, and I liked the feeling of
+the soft wool better than I did the cambric apron, it
+was so woolly and warm.</p>
+
+<p>I had just snoozed off, dreaming that I was asleep
+between the camel's humps she had told me of, when
+all at once she dropped her book, saying, "Oh,
+Daisy, just look at my dress!" And sure enough, it
+was covered all over with gray hair, for I was shedding my fur fast.</p>
+
+<p>I was really ashamed of myself, and said: "I am
+just like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. So I will just go
+under the bed, the best place for a 'Hyde,' and repent
+of my wickedness. I do not know why I do these
+things, but my mistress loves me all the same."</p>
+
+<p>So this afternoon I sat on her nice apron, listening
+to her story of Thanksgiving like a well-behaved cat.</p>
+
+<p>This is what she told me: That on the last Thursday
+of November it usually occurred. The Governor
+of the State made a proclamation, which was read in
+all the churches and published in the papers. The
+day was set apart for giving thanks for all the blessings
+God had bestowed on us during the year.</p>
+
+<p>Of course I had to listen to all this, but I was awful
+anxious for her to get to that basket. But for once
+she was very tiresome, and now I am glad she was,
+for I have an idea of Thanksgiving I shall never forget.</p>
+
+<p>Once, she said, people invited all their family, no
+matter how many or how poor they were, to dine.
+They always attended church, and then returned to
+a bountiful dinner of turkey, chickens, plum puddings
+of mammoth size, and pies of every variety. All the
+poor of the family would eat all they could for the
+present, and then fill in for the future.</p>
+
+<p>The children, who never get too much, had nuts
+and candy in plenty, and the day was altogether
+lovely to them all, more particularly to those who gave
+than to those who received.</p>
+
+<p>Now, she said, things were changed. No one invited
+or thought of the poor of the family, and no
+one went to church but the poor relations who had nowhere else to go.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the minister preached from the text, "In
+my Father's house are many mansions;" that is, if
+he had an idea of the fitness of things,&mdash;that it would
+give the poor homeless ones a sure hope of the future,
+where perhaps those who have such nice homes here
+would not be as well off as the poor would be; and
+this Christian thought would help them bear their slights with patience.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the rich do not go to church. They
+give dinner parties to those who have money and a
+higher rank in society; and if one thought is given
+to their own flesh and blood who are poor, they
+wish that all the old grandfathers and grandmothers,
+uncles and aunts and cousins were old turkeys and
+chickens; then their necks would be wrung, and
+they would be rid of them forever, and would never
+be called upon to remember kindness rendered to
+them in the past by these same old relatives.</p>
+
+<p>The sons of the family celebrate the day by a
+grand carousal, which leaves its mark on them for many days.</p>
+
+<p>"But," she said, "we have no such days to remember,
+we are very quiet and sad, but very thankful for
+all our blessings; and you are one of the greatest.
+I have told you all this because I know you understand
+it, and I love to talk to you." (Oh my! how
+my heart did swell with pride when she said that.)
+"I want you to have a lovely time this year&mdash;a real Thanksgiving."</p>
+
+<p>Of course I was all ready for it. I did not sleep
+much that night, and was early at the window to see
+the arrival of that basket. Long before it arrived
+I had thought long and seriously of all my mistress had told me.</p>
+
+<p>I was perfectly wild when that basket came and
+they unfolded the turkey. I could have hugged him
+at once, he did smell so good, but I never moved from
+the hassock where my mistress placed me.</p>
+
+<p>I never saw such a lot of nice dishes and beautiful
+things on them. Even the dessert had not been forgotten.
+There was such a big bunch of celery. I
+thought it was a tree, and that I could run up in it.</p>
+
+<p>At last, after the inward cravings after that fowl
+had torn me almost to pieces, and my desire to be
+polite and good had been almost upset by the inclination
+to rush in and devour right and left, they carved
+up the turkey, and I had so many tidbits I did not
+know which to eat first, the head or the tail, for I had both of them.</p>
+
+<p>I did do justice to that dinner, and, like a child, as
+I did not know when to leave off, they had to take
+it from me. I then laid down and slept so sound
+that I had the nightmare. I thought I was beset by
+poor relations: that an aunt was sitting on my head,
+an uncle on my tail, and cousins on my stomach, and
+they pressed me so hard that I yelled out loudly.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor came to me, saying, "What is the
+matter?" Of course I could not tell her, but I did
+not want to have such visitors again. I would rather give them my dinner.</p>
+
+<p>We had a very light supper, and my mistress promised
+me the sequel to my Thanksgiving the next day.
+Indeed, the sequel beat the beginning, and I thought
+how nice it would be always to live on sequels.</p>
+
+<p>They took a big platter, and stood it on a newspaper
+on the floor. In it was the carcass of the
+turkey and all the giblets. Miss Milly said I should,
+for once, have a real low-minded junket.</p>
+
+<p>And I did. It was like a bone-yard, with the
+remains all around me. I felt so generous that I
+would willingly have said "come" to all the poor
+relations in the world. They would be welcome to
+all the bones I had picked and all of the quack. It
+was lovely, but I was greased from head to foot.
+When tired, I seated myself on the bones, in the
+midst of the carcass, and my fur was glued together in places.</p>
+
+<p>The work of cleaning me was something fearful.
+I was as patient as I could be, though I could not
+help jerking away a few times. Miss Milly said,
+"You do not look like my lovely Daisy," and it was
+many days before I looked like myself again.</p>
+
+<p>That evening my mistress let me look at the photograph
+of our nice young friend. I thought it lovely
+and a very good likeness. I gave a little purr at it,
+but I suppose a gobble or a crow would have been more appropriate.</p>
+
+<p>She is a very dear friend to my mistress, and I
+am very fond of her. When she comes in, I always
+keep awake to hear her talk. She is very fascinating.
+I do not think she cares very much for cats.
+I suppose it is because she does not know much
+about them. One thing I do know: she would be
+kind to them, for when I am left alone with her, she
+smiles at me and says, "Daisy, you are a nice cat,"
+just the same as if my mistress were here.</p>
+
+<p>Some people make so much of me before my mistress,
+but behind her back say, "Scat, you old cat!"
+There is no need for them to speak. I know them,
+and would not go near them on any account. Then
+I do wish I could speak and warn my mistress of their falseness.</p>
+
+<p>One of these people called one day and brought
+her great boy with her. He could hardly keep his
+hands off of me. When my mistress took his mother
+into the next room, to show her some work, he lingered
+behind, thinking, "Now is my opportunity."</p>
+
+<p>He pulled my ear and yelled "Sassage meat" in it.
+Whatever he meant by his "sassage meat" I did not
+know, but I saw my opportunity and gave him a good
+dig with my claws and made his cheek bleed. He
+bellowed well, like a real calf, and his mother looked
+daggers at me, for I boldly stood my ground. I
+would not go to my retreat under the bed, for I was not to blame.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly was very sorry, and helped his mother
+wash his cheek and got court-plaster for her. After
+he had been coaxed and comforted, he poured forth
+his wrongs, saying that he was sitting quietly, when I
+rushed upon him and without the least provocation clawed his face.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor came forward then, saying, "You
+are mistaken. I was in the alcove, and saw you pull
+Daisy's ear and yell 'sassage meat' in it, and he
+scratched you in self-defence." The mother was
+very indignant. She said, "I have always told Harold
+never to touch such spiteful creatures as cats."
+No one answered her, and she soon left with her
+pretty boy, and she never came again.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Eleanor said she thought, as Harold was to
+be a lawyer,&mdash;so his mother had told her,&mdash;he
+would never let truth stand in his way in gaining a case.</p>
+
+<p>My ear did burn from the sharp nails he had
+pinched it with, and I was not sorry that I defended
+myself, and I made up my mind that when children
+came to the house, particularly if they were with their
+parents, I would keep out of their way.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly came to the same conclusion. She
+said: "Daisy shall not be subjected to a trial of this
+kind again; it spoils his temper and makes him rude,
+and then he is unhappy about it."</p>
+
+<p>And I was. I had reason to remember it, for my
+ear was swollen, and they were obliged to put salve on it to make it heal.</p>
+
+<p>Some time after this we went into the country for
+a short time. While there I made the acquaintance
+of a very intelligent cat. His name was Pedro. He
+was very hard to get acquainted with at first, and I
+was just wild to know him, for he was very handsome and dignified.</p>
+
+<p>I thought of every reason why he was so cool to
+me. At last I said to myself: "It is my collar and
+padlock. He thinks I am proud." So I worked
+and worked till I got the padlock up on my back, and
+then I licked down my fur to cover my collar. Then
+I walked out, and after a few turns in the garden I
+saw Pedro on the grounds. He belonged to a very
+wealthy man, and the house and grounds were quite lovely.</p>
+
+<p>I walked to meet him very humbly. When I said,
+"Good morning, Pedro," he looked me all over, and
+instead of answering me, he said with a scoff, "Oh,
+you are in disgrace, are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No indeed," I answered; "what makes you think so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because you are not in full dress, and I miss that
+trinket you are so proud of."</p>
+
+<p>This did provoke me, and I said, "The 'trinket,'
+as you call my nice padlock, is on my back. I supposed
+it was that that made you so against me. All
+the cats are envious and jealous of that."</p>
+
+<p>"Envious! jealous!" he hissed. "I guess I am
+not a mean fellow enough to be jealous of a trumpery
+bit of finery on a stuck-up cat."</p>
+
+<p>I had to swallow to keep down my temper. As I
+did want his friendship, I passed over his insolence in silence.</p>
+
+<p>As I turned to go home I said: "I cannot understand
+why you dislike me; I have been anxious to be
+friends with you, and have wondered if my collar and
+padlock had made you think I put on airs. I tried
+to hide this gift of my dear mistress, though it seemed
+treachery to her, thinking perhaps you would then
+be pleased with me. Now, of course, I shall never
+try for your friendship again."</p>
+
+<p>He had been silent, but he moved about uneasily.
+Then he winked very fast, and at last said: "Is
+that really so? Did you want to be friends with
+me? Why, I thought of all the blue-bloodedest, old-familiest,
+aristocratical creeters, you were the biggest.
+I thought you were a cat duke or a count, and
+them's the creeters I despise, for I am a real democrat."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," I joyfully said, too much delighted to
+notice Pedro's bad grammar. "There is my paw on
+it, and I do hope we shall be good friends. We ought
+to be <i>fast</i> friends. As for the dukes and counts, I
+spell them without capitals. That is how I value
+them. The only likeness they have to us is that we
+have whiskers, with this difference: the barber makes
+theirs, while God made ours."</p>
+
+<p>We laughed and had a jolly time over the dukes
+and the counts; the rest of the rabble we did not give
+even a small-lettered title to.</p>
+
+<p>After this we met every day, and our friendship
+increased till Pedro confided his history to me. If
+ever a cat had cause to mistrust the whole world, he
+had, and my heart ached with pity.</p>
+
+<p>It was one very pleasant morning when we had
+met and walked down and seated ourselves on a nice
+grassy mound at the end of the garden, that Pedro
+said, "If you would like to hear my story, I will tell
+it to you this morning."</p>
+
+<p>Of course I expressed my pleasure, and, making
+myself comfortable, I prepared to give my best interest to the story.</p>
+
+<p>"My mother was born in New York. While quite
+a small kitten she was given a nice home with people
+who believe that no home is complete without the
+family cat. She was a very large cat, striped like a
+tiger, with a beautiful long tail. She was amiable and affectionate.</p>
+
+<p>"The people were very kind to her, and she was
+quite happy. They were not very wealthy, but they
+had great expectations. An old uncle, a very Cr&#339;sus,
+owned the estate they lived on, and a magnificent one
+adjoining, where he lived with a widowed sister. He
+was a childless widower, and made no secret of his
+intentions in regard to them.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course they were not sure of his millions. He
+had given them a life interest, but should the children
+offend him, he would wash his hands of them at once.
+He was a rough, irascible, outspoken old man, despising
+shams, and a falsehood he would never forgive.
+He was a tender-hearted friend to animals, but his
+special favorites were cats.</p>
+
+<p>"He was very fond of my mother, and she returned
+his affection. Tige, as she was called from
+her beautiful stripes, would run to meet him when
+he came to the house, walking very proudly by his
+side. He always noticed her kittens, always taking
+one for his own, while he would see that the rest
+were disposed of in a humane manner.</p>
+
+<p>"When I was born, he made me his favorite.
+There were three besides myself, and we were called
+a very handsome family. My little brothers and sister
+were to be kept. Some friends of the family,
+who were cat lovers, were to have them, while I was
+to be the pet of my mother's old friend.</p>
+
+<p>"My mother enjoyed us, for she was allowed to
+nurse us all till we were old enough to be weaned.
+Three of them were striped like my mother. I alone
+was Maltese. Probably I favored my father; never
+having seen him, I cannot tell.</p>
+
+<p>"It was the first of July, and two of the boys
+belonging to the house were at home on a vacation.
+They were not bad boys, but were full of life. Boys
+will be boys, you know. They had been kind to my
+mother, though rather rough, and she kept her kittens out of their reach.</p>
+
+<p>"We all found them changed for the worse, and
+I was sorry they had a long vacation. They were
+never still. They drove the pony in a reckless manner,
+and gave the poor dogs no rest.</p>
+
+<p>"Tige, my mother, had always been a favorite;
+now, though they seemed fond of her, they were
+teaching her tricks all the time, making her jump
+over strings and hoops when she was sleepy and
+did not want to be troubled. And then they would
+take up the kittens by the tails, to hear them squeal,
+saying, when their mother remonstrated, that it did not hurt them.</p>
+
+<p>"But I can tell you it <i>did</i> hurt. Imagine being
+taken up by the feet, the blood rushing to the head,
+and then put down with a jerk, while everything
+would look dark around, as the blood, in flowing
+back, seemed to settle around the eyes. It was fearful
+suffering, and we did squeal well. They were
+never caught by the uncle in such pranks, you may
+be sure; they were too sly.</p>
+
+<p>"My mother dreaded them and would hide us the
+best she could under her fur. She had no peace,
+for her anxiety made her afraid to leave us alone
+long enough to get her dinner. I know it all now,
+but then we were so young we did not care for anything
+except to cuddle up together and see which
+one could get the most milk out of our mother.</p>
+
+<p>"The boys were to have two cousins to spend the
+Fourth of July with them. We could hear, from our
+nice basket home, all about the great preparations
+the boys were making to celebrate the day. All the
+young people living in the homes near were invited,
+and the uncle had spent no end of money in fireworks
+and Chinese lanterns and all the things boys love.</p>
+
+<p>"He said, 'This is the one day of the year when
+children should be made happy, and they will be
+more likely to remember its meaning.'</p>
+
+<p>"The two cousins who came were disagreeable-looking
+boys. All the animals on the place, from
+the horses and dogs down to my mother, instinctively
+distrusted them, for animals find out their enemies
+very quickly. They soon found they would have no
+peace while these boys were here, for the visitors
+were not afraid of the uncle.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot tell you the horror of the night before
+the Fourth of July. The boys were out till very
+late, and by five o'clock were again on their feet.
+The yelling, blowing of horns, and firing of crackers
+made us almost crazy. My mother would jump at
+every fresh noise, for, like all cats, she was of a very
+nervous temperament. I now believe she had a presentiment of coming events.</p>
+
+<p>"We could not get one square meal. Just as we
+would get our lips on her breast, ready for a good
+mouthful, she would jump and jerk away from us;
+and as we had no teeth, we could not hold on;
+besides, the worry and fright prevented the milk
+from coming. My poor mother, how she suffered that night!"</p>
+
+<p>Pedro paused, overcome by his feelings, while I
+ventured a word of sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>"We had been removed from the house into one
+of the outbuildings, quite a good distance from where
+the fireworks were to be, close to the stable; and we
+enjoyed seeing the horses and pony come out to the
+great trough to drink. It was exactly opposite where
+we were, and was very cool, the drop by drop sounding
+very soothing, though we did not exactly like the
+water. Our removal had been the work of our kind
+friend, the uncle. He knew, however delightful the
+noise was to young America, that we did not enjoy it at all.</p>
+
+<p>"All day they were around the grounds with their
+crackers and pistols, and the din and smell of powder
+made all the animals in the stable wretched; but my
+poor mother suffered more than all the others, with
+four refractory kittens to care for.</p>
+
+<p>"The family had a great supper, and then, about
+eight o'clock, the fireworks began. They were
+a great success, and when nothing was left but
+crackers, the elder people went into the house,
+where the windows opening on the veranda gave
+them a fine view of the grounds.</p>
+
+<p>"The old uncle had entered with boyish delight
+into all the fun, and was supposed by the boys to be
+in the house resting. There was a ripple of excitement
+as some of the boys left the fireworks to the
+younger ones, and stole away, as they thought, unnoticed.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the cousins, a great big fellow of sixteen
+or seventeen, came, and taking the basket containing
+my mother and her four little kittens, carried it out
+of the shed, and put it on a rock by the side of the
+pump. Next, he took some straw and stuffed it in
+all around the sides of the basket. From behind a
+hedge one of the boys got a can and handed it to
+him, and from it he poured kerosene over the straw
+and all over the sides of the basket.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw all this with wonder. When he took up the
+basket, I was hanging over the side, and fell out just
+before he put it down. He had not missed me, and
+my mother was probably so frightened and choked
+by the smell of the kerosene that she could not think.
+I was quite pleased with my liberty, though I did not
+know how much it would influence my fate.</p>
+
+<p>"Before my mother could start up and try to remove
+her kittens a tramp of feet made her aware that
+her tormentors were approaching. She could have
+jumped and saved herself, but, like a true mother, she
+cowered down over her kittens.</p>
+
+<p>"The boys were all in high glee, while the big
+fellow yelled out, 'Here we are, and we will show
+you a piece not on the bill.'</p>
+
+<p>"Quick as thought he applied a match to the
+basket in front, while another great fellow held a
+burning paper to the straw at the back of the basket,
+and all fell back as a loud report was heard, and a
+volume of flames sprang up around the basket."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Pedro paused, overcome for a moment, while
+I almost gasped for breath, soon he continued in a trembling voice:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"One shrill scream from my mother, and the last
+sight I had of her was in the midst of the flames, her
+fur all ablaze, her eyes starting from her head, and
+magnified to three times her size, while three little
+flames around her repeated the dreadful picture in her three kittens.</p>
+
+<p>"A fearful oath rent the air, and powerful hands
+cleared a passage and seized the basket and plunged
+it into the trough that chanced to be filled to the
+brim with water, and held it there till the flames died
+out, and the last sobbing breath was still forever.</p>
+
+<p>"The flames had enveloped his arms, his sleeves
+were burned to flinders, and his hands were a fearful
+sight. But to me his face looked like the face of an
+angel, and I crawled up on his boot, with one little
+mew. He heard it, and in spite of his maimed hands
+took me up and dropped me into the pocket of his
+loose coat, where I knew nothing more, for my little
+brain was dazed at the fearful sight I had been witness to.</p>
+
+<p>"He was a profane man, and they said the air was
+blue with the language he used. Doctor L., his
+great friend and physician, chanced to be near. He
+said, 'My dear friend, you must not get so excited;
+you will have apoplexy. You will never be able to use
+your hands again if they are not attended to at once.'</p>
+
+<p>"In his anxiety to end my mother's sufferings, he
+had held the basket down with both hands, never
+thinking of his burned hands or the pain.</p>
+
+<p>"'No matter,' he answered, as he glared around on
+all the people assembled; 'I do not need to write,
+to demolish all your hopes.' And he looked at the
+boys with hatred. 'I have but to serve a few papers
+as you have these poor creatures, and the money you
+have looked upon as your own goes to charity.&mdash;'Not
+one cent,' he said, while the veins in his forehead
+swelled up like cords, with the anguish he was
+suffering, 'shall ever go to one of you, for you were
+all in the secret, though all may not yet have reached
+the fearful state of cruelty of your ringleader. Call
+John,' he said, and when his faithful servant came,
+he gave him his orders, then said, 'Now, Doctor, get
+your things ready; you can torture me as soon as John returns.'</p>
+
+<p>"An easy-chair, table, and the lotions and bandages
+ordered by Doctor L. were brought out, as the
+patient refused to move from the spot till his work was completed.</p>
+
+<p>"Soon John appeared with a small iron box in his
+arms, taken from the safe. His master's eyes brightened
+when he saw him, for he was suffering great pain.</p>
+
+<p>"'Now, John, take my keys from my pocket and
+open that box. Jane,' he said, addressing his sister,
+who stood by his side, anxiety for him expressed in
+her face, 'take from that box the package marked
+"My last will and testament." Now, John, clear a
+space, then burn every inch of that paper in the
+presence of these murderers and their abettors; for
+it is a cruel murder, and Tige shall be avenged.'</p>
+
+<p>"It was done, and no one dared interfere, though
+some of them knew they were seeing the hopes of
+years fade away and perish in that heap of ashes.</p>
+
+<p>"'Now,' he said to the doctor, 'dress my burns. I
+am satisfied.' Just then I mewed, and he exclaimed,
+'Poor little orphan! Take him out of my pocket,
+Jane; he shall have such tender care that this dreadful
+scene may be forgotten.'</p>
+
+<p>"The sister took me out of his pocket very tenderly,
+and I clung to her, while she stood by her brother
+and tried to help him bear the suffering caused by the
+dressing of his wounds. The pain was fearful, but
+he said it was a pleasure to bear it, knowing that he
+had spared poor Tige and her kittens by ending their suffering at once.</p>
+
+<p>"When the basket was taken out, my poor mother
+was found, her fur singed off, while one side of
+her was completely roasted. My little brothers and
+sister were just singed, for their mother had tried to
+cover them with her body. The water had ended
+their lives at once. I did not see them, but I heard
+the people describe the horrible sight.</p>
+
+<p>"By his master's orders John carried them home
+and buried them, after putting them in a nice box on
+the grounds. I will show you their grave some day before you leave.</p>
+
+<p>"The uncle never forgave them. He allowed his
+nephew and his wife the use of the house and an
+annuity for life; but not one cent of his money could
+be used for the children.</p>
+
+<p>"Their own means being small, they were obliged
+to give up the thought of a profession for their sons
+and put them into business. The uncle said very
+justly that no one ought to be a doctor who had no
+love in his heart for the dumb creatures so dependent
+on him for their welfare.</p>
+
+<p>"He lived but two years after this, and he made
+me his special care. Nothing was too good for me,
+and I loved him with all my heart, and I know I was
+a great comfort to him. When I would lick the
+scars on his hands, I have seen the tears in his eyes,
+and he would smooth my fur, and say, 'Poor Tige! poor Tige!'</p>
+
+<p>"He never quite recovered the use of his left hand,
+but he never complained; and when I was big enough
+I would walk out with him every day, for I distrusted
+every one, and made very few friends. He named
+me Pedro for a friend of his, a Spanish gentleman
+from whom he inherited some of his wealth.</p>
+
+<p>"At his death he gave me to his sister, and left a
+large sum to be used for my benefit. He had given
+her a fine property and the estate where we now live.
+After her death it is to be used for charity and a home for animals.</p>
+
+<p>"She has been very kind to me. The friends whom
+she has taken to live here and keep the home for her
+are very nice, and they understand just how I am
+situated. They are fond of animals, and make a
+great deal of me; but I can never care for people
+again. My mistress is not very strong, probably will
+not live much longer, and I hope when she dies I
+shall soon follow her. The horrible scene of my
+mother's death has taken all the pleasure of life from
+me. Do you wonder I do not make new friends or trust people?"</p>
+
+<p>I assured him of my sympathy, saying that I
+hoped there were no such wicked people about now.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't think that," he said; "there are hundreds
+of just such wicked, cruel acts committed all the
+time. Something should be done to stop the work
+now, and save the children from being murderers and criminals."</p>
+
+<p>I was very unhappy over Pedro's story. I did
+wish my mistress could hear this sad tale, for I know
+that she would try to help the poor abused creatures.</p>
+
+<p>I had quite an ill turn from worry of mind over
+this sad story, and from the internal injury that I
+received from the encounter with that bulldog.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress was quite anxious about me. She
+gave me catmint tea and made me a lovely little
+blanket, and this with a thick shawl folded under it was
+placed on the lounge for my bed. I was very comfortable,
+and I hope a grateful cat, when I contrasted
+my lot with others. I did not feel (even to the dog
+that attacked me) any bitterness, for had he been
+taught better by his master, he would not have treated me like an enemy.</p>
+
+<p>How can we expect a life-long prejudice, such as
+dogs and cats have for each other, to be uprooted,
+unless they are taught better by their owners and by
+the good examples that ought to be set before them?
+How can human beings boast of being better than animals?</p>
+
+<p>Think of the heathen cannibals, eating human
+flesh. To them the fat little baby is just like a
+chicken. Then the Indians&mdash;did a cat ever worry a
+rat worse than they tortured the white men? When
+you think of this, can you conscientiously say we
+are worse, or even as bad as human beings?</p>
+
+<p>There is money, and eloquence, and sympathy for
+the heathen; but the poor animals are left to learn
+without teachers what ought to be taught them, to
+make them the faithful servants and intelligent companions of man.</p>
+
+<p>I trust the day will come when these humble
+friends will be as much thought of in the family as
+the children; there is no doubt they will fully repay
+all kindness done them.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XIX" id="XIX"></a>XIX</h2>
+
+<h3>MEWS AND PURRS</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch19.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">I</span>N my humble opinion no one ever told
+stories to equal those of my friends. Miss
+Eleanor could tell the cutest little fox and
+pig stories, while Miss Milly excelled on cat stories.</p></div>
+
+<p>During my sickness they entertained me finely.
+Miss Eleanor used to tell a story of the "Pig Family,"
+and the boys were wild over it. No matter how
+many new ones were told, they never were satisfied
+to go to sleep without hearing the well-worn pig story.</p>
+
+<p>One night when Miss Eleanor was away, Miss
+Milly put the children to bed, and of course told
+them stories. They were not satisfied without the
+pig story. She was in a hurry, and preferred to tell
+stories out of her own head, saying she did not know
+the Pig Family; that was Aunt Eleanor's story.</p>
+
+<p>At last, as they would not go to sleep without it,
+she told it to them as she remembered it. When it
+was finished, she looked at Willie, and saw that his
+lip was quivering and his eyes were full of tears.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?" she said.</p>
+
+<p>"You haven't told about the little blue pig," he sobbed.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, nonsense!" she said; "he is dead probably."</p>
+
+<p>This finished him. He cried as if his heart would
+break. She said she never killed a pig before, and
+had such a hard time bringing that blue one to life,
+she never would kill another.</p>
+
+<p>Now I am just like the children. I love to hear
+the same stories over and over, and feel really acquainted
+with the little creatures that they tell about.
+And I take after my mistress. I build "castles in
+the air," though I have heard her say she always got
+an axe ready to demolish them, for she knew they
+would have to go. I wish I did know what an axe is. I would have one too.</p>
+
+<p>One day there was a real big snowstorm. I looked
+out of the window, and when I saw the big white
+snowflakes coming down, I did wonder about them.
+Miss Eleanor read one day of a little girl who, on
+seeing the snowflakes, asked her mother if the angels
+were shaking their feather beds.</p>
+
+<p>What a little silly she was, for I know better than
+that. I do not believe even an angel would throw
+away feathers. They are so nice, I do love to sleep
+on them. But then cats know more; only they keep it to themselves.</p>
+
+<p>We had a good fire in the grate, and it crackled
+and spluttered, and looked, as Miss Eleanor said,
+very homelike. Just then a young lady called at
+the door to return a book my mistress had loaned
+her. They asked her to come in and have tea with them.</p>
+
+<p>She had a room in the upper story, and they had
+frequently invited her in to warm her, for she had no
+fire, and they feared she was not very well off, and
+they tried to befriend her without hurting her pride.</p>
+
+<p>She was very pretty and well educated, and I liked
+her very much. She petted me and told me stories
+of cats she had known in her home before her father
+and mother had died, for she was an orphan.</p>
+
+<p>She was very sad, and Miss Milly took out all her
+pictures and treasures to amuse her. At last she
+said: "I will tell you about the first cat I ever
+remember. He belonged to my father, and his name was Tom."</p>
+
+<p>I pricked up my ears, for I was wild to hear the
+story of Tom. All the little anecdotes I had heard
+of him pleased me very much.</p>
+
+<p>I think my mistress's father and mother were lovely
+people, and when any one comes in and speaks of
+having known them, I listen with all my heart. And
+now I was to hear all about Tom. So I got up on
+Miss Milly's lap, ready to devour every word.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress said she did not know where Tom was
+born. He first made his début in one of the good
+old-fashioned houses now standing in Salem, of witchcraft fame. She said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My father petted him with his children, and he
+was the ruling spirit of the house. Though not a
+handsome cat, he could be very fascinating. He
+was so coy of his marks of favor that one valued
+them more for their rarity. That he had blue blood
+in his veins no one could doubt, from the supreme
+contempt he evinced toward poor alley cats. He
+always perched himself on the highest place on the
+fence and looked down upon them. They looked up
+to him in the most abject manner, for they knew he
+was generous and had the right to give the contents
+of the swill house to them, if he pleased."</p>
+
+<p>He was very fond of Miss Milly, and as she was
+the youngest, and not very strong, he made it his
+special duty to amuse her.</p>
+
+<p>After having stolen a squab that had been cooked
+for her, and persuaded her to pretend she had eaten
+it, he ever after was a devoted friend to her. When
+they had company, Tom was a study. He inspected
+them with a critical eye. If satisfied, he allowed himself
+to be petted by them. Often, however, he would
+reject the offered attention, with a hiss of scorn, and
+make himself scarce while they remained. Their
+father said Tom was a good judge of character, for
+he turned a "cold shoulder" where he himself would
+have been pleased to do the same.</p>
+
+<p>They had an old bachelor cousin, and their mother
+was his favorite aunt. The son of her eldest brother,
+naturally he was a welcome guest with all the family.
+Having no brothers of their own, they were inclined
+to receive Cousin Robert's oddities with favor. He
+would come in of an evening, and if not noticed by
+them would remove his wraps and soon make himself at home.</p>
+
+<p>One evening, to his sorrow, Cousin Robert made
+them a visit. After a short conversation with his
+aunt, he drew near the table where his cousins were
+playing games. One or two smothered sounds proved his enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p>Cousin Robert was rather fond of cats, but his advances
+to acquaintance with Tom had met with poor
+success. His gentle "Pussy, Pussy" and extended
+hand had been met with disdain. Their father said
+he thought that Tom resented the "Pussy" as too
+weak a name for his majesty.</p>
+
+<p>He never approached his would-be friend and
+cousin or accepted his flag of truce. Their father,
+later on, did remember that Tom had cast unfriendly
+glances at Cousin Robert from his corner where he
+could overlook all their movements. Subsequent
+events explained their meaning in a manner most
+unfavorable to their object.</p>
+
+<p>This evening the children were full of fun. The
+game was very attractive, and Cousin Robert never thought of Tom.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly their mother exclaimed, "What a strong
+smell of medicine!" Then remembering that Cousin
+Robert had rheumatism, and very likely it was liniment
+he had used, she tried to pass it over. Too late,
+however, for they were all sensible of a very strong
+medicinal smell by this time.</p>
+
+<p>A low laugh from their father, who was seated in
+his armchair by the fire, called our attention to Tom.
+He was in his usual corner, engaged in a furious battle
+with some dark object. Just as they asked, "Is it
+a mouse," one fierce tug dislodged the cork from a
+bottle from which he had just torn the paper, and
+they all cried out "Valerian!"</p>
+
+<p>Tom bounded out of his corner, crushing in his
+grasp the dark object he had battled with, and drunk
+with the valerian, he turned over and over in perfect abandonment.</p>
+
+<p>Cousin Robert gazed with dazed eyes upon the
+scene; then he rushed forward, saying, "Good Godfrey! it's my&mdash;my hat!"</p>
+
+<p>The shouts of laughter and the fiendish leer of Tom's
+eye, as he gazed upon him, rendered their poor cousin
+speechless, after having aired his only approach to profanity.</p>
+
+<p>After a time he made grab after grab at his poor
+old hat. In vain, however; for Tom turned over and
+over, crushing it out of shape, flourishing such formidable
+claws every time he tried to rescue it, serving
+friend and foe alike, when the children tried to help
+their cousin, that they were obliged to give up the attempt.</p>
+
+<p>Tom held the fort, and knew how to keep it; and
+the children were too well aware of Tom's power as
+an illustrator to desire to represent etchings, even by
+their "own artist, taken on the spot."</p>
+
+<p>When at last the bottle was taken from him, only
+one-half of the valerian was left.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as their father could command his voice,
+he said, "I will make good the loss of the hat, and
+keep Tom on short rations to pay for it."</p>
+
+<p>The children were bursting with suppressed laughter
+at the sight of Cousin Robert, in one of their
+father's old hats. When they said good night to him,
+Tom got up, and, walking around him, cocked up his
+eye as if to say, "How funny you do look!"</p>
+
+<p>Tom went in for his full share of the fun, when
+they all drew near the fire, laughing over the funny
+features of the scene. If his tongue was silent, his
+eyes were eloquent with a language they all understood.</p>
+
+<p>After a time he went to his corner and returned
+with the poor old hat, which he laid with great dignity
+at his master's feet. "That settles the question," he seemed to say.</p>
+
+<p>It did settle it with Cousin Robert. Though he got
+a new hat, it was months before he visited them again,
+and then Tom was put out of the room&mdash;an indignity
+he resented by stealing a neighbor's chicken.</p>
+
+<p>It was pure wickedness, for he did not care for it
+himself, but gave it to the poor alley cats to devour;
+for he patronized them and had many disreputable
+pensioners. All his master said, when told of Tom's
+wickedness, was, "Pay for it." And to Tom he
+would say, "If you go on this way, you bad boy, we
+shall end our days in the poorhouse."</p>
+
+<p>Tom looked as if he did not care where we ended
+our days, if we took him with us. And he was very
+sure his master would never go without him.</p>
+
+<p>Tom carried the old felt hat up into his den in the
+attic, and when any unusual noise was heard, his master
+would say, "Tom is rehearsing his play of 'Valerian, or The Old Felt Hat.'"</p>
+
+<p>I thought the story of Cousin Robert very nice, and
+when I lie on the lounge, looking in the fire, I can see
+all these scenes, and I do enjoy it. Miss Eleanor
+says she thinks I have a great deal of imagination.
+I suppose it is something nice, so I guess I have. I
+don't feel a bit jealous, for Miss Milly was a child
+then, and Tom was not her special pet, as I am; for
+I know that I am the "very apple of her eye," as I
+have heard people say, and it sounds big because I
+don't know what it means.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly said she would tell more about Tom
+some day, for the young lady was very much pleased
+with his story. She looked warm and happy, and
+drank lots of tea, and ate crackers and had a good time generally.</p>
+
+<p>Some time after, a friend called who had known
+them from childhood and knew Tom. Such nice reminiscences
+I never heard before. When she noticed
+me, she began talking about cats, and I thought she would never stop.</p>
+
+<p>They invited her to take tea, though they laughingly
+said, "We have no two dishes alike, and very humble fare."</p>
+
+<p>She enjoyed it, however, though she had a lovely
+home, servants and carriages at her command. This
+little bit of Bohemianism, as they called it, was a delight
+to her. She made them promise to spend the
+day with her, saying, "You can bring Daisy, for I
+will send a carriage for you, and my Priggy will be delighted with him."</p>
+
+<p>I was pleased with the invitation, but took a dislike
+to Priggy at once. Such a name! Just think of it!
+To be called Priggy, when there are beautiful flowers
+and places that cats can be named for. To call a
+poor creature Priggy was weakness personified. I
+was disgusted, and refused to believe in Priggy.</p>
+
+<p>As we never went to see him, my mistress not
+being well enough to visit, I never had the chance to
+express my indignation to him. Perhaps it is just as
+well. Poor little fool! He may think Priggy is a lovely name.</p>
+
+<p>Some time after, when it stormed very hard, and
+the young lady upstairs was cold and low-spirited,
+my mistress invited her down and entertained us with more of Tom's history.</p>
+
+<p>She said Tom was very fastidious in regard to
+dress. He despised anything ragged, and a dirty
+swill man (waste merchants they are called now)
+aroused his deepest anger. Beggars of all ages and
+sex he ignored. The children's dresses he looked
+over with a critical eye, and if he detected a rag, he
+would make mending impossible.</p>
+
+<p>What he would have done in these days of sewing
+machines cannot be imagined, for he was frantic over
+a thread of cotton or silk, and only a knot kept the
+whole work from being torn to pieces by his sharp teeth.</p>
+
+<p>They had one of the best-natured Pats to do their
+outdoor work that could be found. Pat Ryan was a
+faithful soul. His one great fault was his love of the bottle.</p>
+
+<p>He very soon gave up the attempt of making
+friends with Tom, for he answered all his advances
+with hisses and growls, loud and deep. His tail
+would swell up, and he would bristle all over when
+Pat tried to pet him; just as human beings do when
+they are presumed upon by those they think beneath
+them in the social scale.</p>
+
+<p>Pat had truly to earn his living by "the sweat of
+his brow." No modern helps for him. His whole
+stock in trade consisted of two large firkins on a
+rough wheel-barrow, to transport the waste that he
+went from house to house collecting.</p>
+
+<p>He would have thought the millennium had come
+could he have looked forward to the progress of
+to-day,&mdash;the strong blue carts, with their well-fed
+high-steppers, and the Patricks of the period, seated
+with pipes in their mouths, and leather lap-robes, in
+imitation of their employers, going their rounds,
+pounding back gates, and bullying the servants if
+they were not prompt to greet them.</p>
+
+<p>This improvement in the swill business might have
+made Pat give up his bottle and take to the nearly as
+demoralizing vice of smoking all the time. But his
+heavy wheel-barrow had no horse but himself, and
+the overflowing firkins were a load for him, particularly
+when, as was often the case, he was as full as his firkins.</p>
+
+<p>It was then that Tom saw his opportunity. When
+Pat's gait was unsteady, his vision oblique, when he
+magnified his load by double firkins, double barrow,
+double people, and double street, Tom would swoop
+down upon him, and by some dexterous movement,
+known only to himself, cross Pat's path and overthrow
+his load. Then, reaching the highest place on the
+fence, he would look down, as if to say: "Well, you
+have come to grief. How did you do it?"</p>
+
+<p>Pat was not deceived. Drunk or sober, he recognized
+his enemy, and gave him the full measure of
+his wrath. "Ye limb of Satan," he would say, "ye'll
+get it yet!" Such promises were never realized.
+Old Cloven-foot only could compete with this clever cat.</p>
+
+<p>One unlucky day Pat came earlier than usual, and
+finding the gate closed, had to reach his arm over to
+unfasten it. It was quite a stretch over the top of
+the fence, and Pat's head did not come even with the
+top, so that he could not look over.</p>
+
+<p>Tom, who was looking on, at once took in the situation.
+He crawled on his belly on the ledge of the
+fence just below the top, and every time Pat would
+reach over his hand, Tom would grab it with his
+open paws, his claws as sharp as needles.</p>
+
+<p>Yelling with rage and pain, realizing that it was
+his enemy, Tom, poor Pat, unwilling to give up,
+tried and tried again, only to be served in the same manner.</p>
+
+<p>At last he mounted on the barrow, bringing his
+head on a level with the fence. Before he could gain
+advantage from this move Tom had grabbed with
+both paws Pat's old straw hat, rushing like mad up to the house.</p>
+
+<p>Pat had by this time forced an entrance, and ran
+after him, in pursuit of his old hat, calling on all the
+saints to demolish Tom. Bareheaded, with torn and
+bleeding hands, witnesses of his wrongs, Pat poured
+forth his tale of woe to his friends in the kitchen,
+where he found sympathy, for Tom was feared by
+all the servants. Of course the culprit was nowhere to be seen.</p>
+
+<p>Their mistress soon healed the breach, if not the
+wound, by giving Pat an old hat. To be sure, it was
+rather too respectable looking for his calling, but
+then, he was satisfied even if it did not accord with
+the rest of his outfit. No salve for his wound would
+have equalled that hat.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly said as she watched him from her window,
+walking off with his new hat on, Tom crawled
+out from under the sofa, and, mounting the arm of
+her chair, said in cat language, "Don't he look just like Cousin Robert?"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Milly said that when her father came home,
+Tom ran to meet him; then he took his master's
+slippers, and carried them to his chair.</p>
+
+<p>"What means this unusual demonstration?" asked
+his master. Tom hung his head and walked under
+the chair. Then, when his master was seated, he
+crawled out, and, mounting to the arm of his chair,
+rubbed against his shoulder. Secure of his position,
+he looked around on them, as if to say, "Now tell all
+you know." With his large eyes fixed on their faces,
+he enjoyed over again his adventures, wagging his
+tail in recognition of the telling points in the story
+they related to their father.</p>
+
+<p>His master said: "Tom's ancestors must have
+been in the hat trade, he is so fond of hats. We
+shall have to establish a branch of the business, and
+make Tom the head. If he goes on in this way, we
+cannot find hats enough to pay his debts."</p>
+
+<p>Tom enjoyed it, looking at Miss Milly as if to say,
+"Don't I do it to keep up her spirits?"</p>
+
+<p>He did not come in contact with Pat for some
+time, for Pat prudently kept out of his way. His
+cunning only slumbered, however. They called it
+turning over a new leaf; but one day he came out with a new joke on Pat.</p>
+
+<p>"Looking from my window," Miss Milly said,
+"one morning, I saw quite an army of cats assembled
+around the plank walk leading to the swill
+house. Tom, seated on the highest post in the yard,
+surveyed them with great satisfaction, which was
+shown by the proud elevation of his head.</p>
+
+<p>"His most gracious manner was explained when
+Pat, coming in, dispersed them, and a long array of
+bones was exposed to view&mdash;the remains of the
+feast Tom had invited them to partake of.</p>
+
+<p>"Pat could not do justice to the subject. Shaking
+his fist at Tom, who never winked, but gazed with
+solemn eyes at him, he said: 'Ye mane crathur, ye
+are a human for spite, picking out the best for the
+old alley cats ye hates. I will get a dog.' Tom only
+yawned, and said as plain as cat could say, 'How
+tiresome!' After he had watched poor Pat picking
+up the leavings, muttering all the time hatred of his
+enemy, he came to me for approval. My mother
+being in the room, she put him in the attic, telling
+him he ought to be punished by solitary confinement.</p>
+
+<p>"He soon procured his release by making such a
+racket over my head, running about, upsetting
+marbles, then chasing them about, that I was very
+glad to open the door and say, 'You bad cat, come
+down.' He came when he got ready, very slowly,
+and was quite cool to me, though I told him he had
+made my head ache with his racket.</p>
+
+<p>"He was not a neighborly cat, never visiting, as
+cats often do, the neighbors' houses, and he treated
+their cats with the greatest disdain. He often fed
+them. I have seen him pick open the waste-house
+door, claw out a lot of bread and bones for the benefit
+of the hungry crowd. Then he would mount the
+fence and look on. 'With them, but not of them,' was his motto.</p>
+
+<p>"Though he did not visit around, he knew everything
+going on in the street. He overlooked the
+butcher, baker, and grocer, and knew every grain of
+provision carried into the houses, even going so far
+as smelling of the meat; but when offered anything,
+he refused with such contempt that one and all came
+to look upon him as a very aristocratic cat.</p>
+
+<p>"Every carriage that came to the street was received
+by him. He always waited till the trunks
+were carried in, the driver paid, and then he would come home satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>"A friend of ours, who boarded in the next house,
+had just returned from her country home. Tom,
+being a favorite of hers, received her, and superintended
+the removal of her trunks with great interest.
+He followed her into the house and remained some
+time. When my mother called him home, he came very unwillingly.</p>
+
+<p>"The next morning after breakfast he disappeared.
+This was nothing unusual, as my father said, 'Probably
+Tom had some business needing his attention daily.'</p>
+
+<p>"In the afternoon, when my mother called on our
+friend, she found Tom had dined there.</p>
+
+<p>"After a time, this lady, remembering that she had
+brought me a book from her home, proposed going up
+to her trunk for it. Shortly after, she called my mother,
+who, with the lady of the house, went up to the attic
+where the trunks were kept. There they found Tom
+with two of the house cats seated on a huge trunk
+that had not been opened. The trunk bore marks of
+their claws, as scratches long and deep had torn and
+disfigured the leather.</p>
+
+<p>"The scene was most laughable. Tom looked
+wise (nothing could embarrass him), while the others
+looked sheepish. They could not be induced to leave
+their perch, and at last light dawned on the situation,
+when the friend said, 'Do you think Tom remembers
+that I promised him some fresh catmint from the
+country?' 'Undoubtedly,' said my mother; 'he not
+only remembers, but he smells it.'</p>
+
+<p>"The catmint was soon produced, and they all had
+a feast. Tom wanted to stay and have a free fight
+after he had eaten his fill; but my mother let him see
+the large bag she carried home, and he followed her
+unwillingly. He knew where it was kept, and would
+go and mew before the closet door till he got his catmint.
+After it was gone, on seeing the empty bag,
+he went over to our friend's, and up to the trunk.
+Nothing would satisfy him but looking in and seeing it was empty.</p>
+
+<p>"For some time he was cool to our friend, but
+after a few days, remembering perhaps that she might
+go home and get him more, he accepted her marks
+of affection with quiet dignity.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom was very thoughtful. When told not to do
+certain things, he was very ready to obey. His
+master would say, 'Tom, did I not tell you never to
+get into my chair unless there is a covering on it?'
+and Tom would look as ashamed while the hairs were
+brushed off, and would avoid the chair for a long
+time, and once he was seen to pull the tidy down
+from the back, and sit on it. As it was lace, and he
+tore a hole in it, his thoughtfulness was appreciated only by his master.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom was not a cat for every one to love. He
+had very little reverence in his composition. My
+father and mother," Miss Milly continued, "were
+very hospitable, and always at the church gatherings
+entertained all they could accommodate. Unlike
+the children of to-day, we were kept in the background.</p>
+
+<p>"One of our guests was an old travelling preacher&mdash;'colporteur,'
+as he was called, since he carried about
+religious books for sale. There is no doubt he sold
+many, for buying a book was a more simple thing
+than arguing with him, his tongue being one of the most aggressive.</p>
+
+<p>"Every morning the family were early called to
+prayers, kneeling down before chairs in the long
+room, having to remain in that position while this
+old man prayed for every one around, calling them
+by name. All fared alike. Though I do not believe
+he remembered our faces, he never forgot our names.
+My name, unfortunately, was taken from Shakespeare,
+and not from some heroine of religious fiction;
+and I suffered more when mine was called than my
+sister did, nearly all of the family having good Bible
+names that he enjoyed repeating. It is not necessary
+to say how long he lingered over it to impress its
+worldliness on his listeners. It was to me like opening
+a wound every morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom, however, paid him for it. Perhaps he did
+not like his own name being left out. An additional
+cause for revenge, no doubt, was that when once he
+passed the reverend gentleman, the humane Christian
+put out his foot, giving Tom a slight kick, and said,
+'What a great beast!' This was enough to arouse
+Tom's ire, even if not mentioning him with the family
+had not been enough. So one morning Tom attended family prayers.</p>
+
+<p>"Now this old man wore shoes tied with good strong
+strings, with little tags on the ends. Tom looked at
+them and saw his opportunity. Just in the middle of
+the prayer he pounced upon one of the long strings,
+giving a pull with his sharp, strong teeth that made
+the words in the mouth of his victim come out with a jerk.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course Tom fled at the sound, and after a time
+the prayer continued. Finally, just as we were hoping
+for the last clause, it came in the shape of Tom,
+who rushed out from under the sofa, and with one
+wrench untied the other shoe, while the amen came
+out with a bound. Then we had to listen to a long
+harangue on the sin of keeping animal pets where
+we could feed poor children.</p>
+
+<p>"My father and mother listened respectfully, but
+made no promise of turning God's dumb creatures
+out to starve. My elder sister quoted to us:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">"'He prayeth best who loveth best<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">All things, both great and small;<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">For the dear God that loveth us,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">He made and loveth all.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p class="noi">But then, the 'Ancient Mariner' himself could not
+have convinced this ancient bigot.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom kept out of the way for some time, but we
+did not trust him. After untying his enemy's shoes,
+we were afraid he would attack his brown wig. My
+mother every morning made sure he was out of the
+way before we went to prayers.</p>
+
+<p>"How it happened, we never knew, but Tom outwitted
+her, and one morning, the last of the visitor's
+stay at our house, Tom made his mark, gaining a place
+in our memory never to be filled by any other cat.</p>
+
+<p>"Just at the close of a long prayer Tom crept along
+stealthily toward the chair of his enemy. No one was
+in a position to see him; but when he crawled by the
+lounge where I was lying, I felt his presence, and my
+heart seemed to stand still, for I knew he was bent on
+mischief. I dared not move, and had to watch him
+with bated breath as he gained on his unconscious
+prey. Now his noble enemy never bowed his head
+in prayer, but, kneeling before a chair, his hands
+spread out, his eyes closed, his body swaying to and
+fro, presented a very undignified appearance.</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt Tom thought so, for he walked around
+and faced him, looking in his face through the opening
+in the back of the chair for a long time. Suddenly
+he made a grab (I think he intended to catch
+the fluttering end of the necktie), but just then the
+preacher lowered his head, and Tom's claws came
+down full on the bridge of his nose with such force
+that the words of the prayer were shouted in a manner suggesting profanity.</p>
+
+<p>"All was confusion, as the enraged old man started
+to his feet, prayer and religion alike forgotten in his
+desire for revenge. Too late, however; for Tom
+rushed from the room, his tail up in the air, like a
+flag of victory. He did not appear again until all
+trace of our visitor was removed.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor old man! He did look abject, with the blood
+dripping over the end of his nose, and tears of rage
+and pain in his eyes. Never did piety disappear so
+quickly as it did from this good old man, in view of
+his wrongs. One would have thought Tom possessed
+of human intelligence to hear him denounced. My
+sister said she believed he was sorry that Tom had
+no soul to be lost, thus to appease his wrath.</p>
+
+<p>"My mother produced salve and some court-plaster
+and made him as comfortable as possible, but without
+receiving any thanks. He left us, very indignant
+that my father would not promise to have Tom killed.
+He refused to remain to breakfast, saying he would
+not take another meal in the house with that 'ungodly cat.'</p>
+
+<p>"As my father paid all his expenses, and my mother
+gave him new and warm clothing, he had no reason
+to be offended. My sister said he was a 'wolf in
+sheep's clothing,' and Tom knew it, and had been
+trying to protect us against him.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom spent the night at a neighbor's, coming home
+the next day in a most amiable frame of mind and a
+very (for him) humble air. Instead of running to
+meet my father as usual, he kept in his corner, pretending
+to be asleep. No one spoke to him, and he
+bore it as long as he could; then he walked over to
+my father, and, putting a paw on each knee, looked
+up in his face with a piteous mew.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor father could not bear that. His tender
+heart was touched, and he put his hand on Tom's
+head, saying, 'Oh, Tom, I am so sorry you are such
+a wicked boy!' but the tone assured Tom, who at
+once jumped up on my father's shoulder and kissed his face with delight.</p>
+
+<p>"All through the long sermon preached to him of
+his sins he sat very quiet, and never once winked,
+but kept his wide-open, wise eyes on his master; at
+last he yawned two or three times, and then washed
+his face. But peace was established.</p>
+
+<p>"'What a character that man will give you, Tom,
+wherever he goes,' said my mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom shook his head as if to say: 'Such is fame.
+I always wanted to be famous. Then, I love to etch,
+particularly on noses, and that was a good big one. I enjoyed it.'</p>
+
+<p>"Poor Tom! I can hardly tell of his death even
+now, after so many years, without the swelling in my
+throat, to keep back the tears caused by deep sorrow for my pet.</p>
+
+<p>"One night he went out and did not return till
+morning. The door of one of the outbuildings was
+left open for him to go in if he pleased, but he never
+came home till morning; then, as we learned from
+the servants, he went up to his den in the attic. At
+noon time he did not come down, and my sister went
+in search of him and found him dead.</p>
+
+<p>"He was not in his nice little basket bed, of which
+he was very proud; but lay on some old relics,
+among the most noticeable of which was the old hat of Cousin Robert.</p>
+
+<p>"He had been poisoned. His bright face was all
+green, and his brilliant eyes were glassy. We could
+not even rub and kiss his dear old nose as he liked
+us to, for drops had run down from his mouth and
+stained the beautiful fur coat we loved so well, and
+my mother said we must not touch him.</p>
+
+<p>"Under the pile of things where he lay was an
+open map of the United States; he had trampled it
+down some time before. We often said he studied
+it when alone. Tom was closed up in this map, with
+a large rug outside, and buried in the river.</p>
+
+<p>"How we mourned for him and how changed was
+that lovely river view to me! I could never have
+been consoled, had not a dear old lady said to me,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Why do you mourn so for your precious pet?'</p>
+
+<p>"'Ah,' I said, 'I shall never, never see him again.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Why not?' she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"'Because cats have no souls, no after life.'</p>
+
+<p>"'My child,' she answered, 'God never gave us
+these dear, affectionate creatures to care for and
+then part with forever. You will have your dear
+Tom again where perfect happiness is secured by just such meetings.'</p>
+
+<p>"I think she was right; and as good Dr. Watts
+so beautifully describes in that well-known Baptist
+hymn, 'Sweet Fields beyond the Swelling Flood,'
+there is no doubt there we shall find our faithful dumb friends.</p>
+
+<p>"My father never recovered from Tom's loss. He
+would not take his accustomed place by the fire
+where Tom had been his companion for so many
+years, and he never made a pet of any of the many
+cats we had, though they were very bright ones.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear good father! I have very little recollection
+of him, as he died while I was quite young.
+But I never remember him without Tom seated in all his glory by his side."</p>
+
+<p>When Miss Milly had finished her story we were
+all subdued by the death of Tom; but then he had
+a happy life, so I just winked off my tears and hoped
+I should know him in heaven.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XX" id="XX"></a>XX</h2>
+
+<h3>HEADS AND TALES</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch20.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">I</span> DID not recover my cheerfulness after hearing the story of Tom, and Miss
+Eleanor said she hoped Miss Milly would never repeat it again.</p></div>
+
+<p>The young lady friend had wiped her eyes often,
+and I was very glad when they made her some hot
+ginger tea and packed her off to her room. They
+said she had a cold in her head, but I know better.
+It was Tom and his death that had gone to her head
+and made her eyes water. It was what made me
+cough and sneeze and wink, to keep from the womanish weakness of tears.</p>
+
+<p>Good gracious! I shall have hysterics next, if I
+have got to hear such doleful things. I am ashamed
+of myself. I thought I had more dignity. Pshaw!
+I was not crying. It is that horrid musk that I smell;
+it always makes my eyes water. I am glad my mistress
+never uses it, and I do wish, if people come
+here to be warmed and comforted and entertained,
+they would not wear perfume. I do despise it. I
+shall have to chew a lot of catmint and roll in it
+before I feel like myself again.</p>
+
+<p>I know that when I went to Beverly I rode over
+that very river where Tom was buried. I am very
+glad I did not know it then, and I am very glad that
+some day I shall see all these dear people. Of course
+I know just how indignant some will be to read this.
+I think it very strange that there are so many who
+do not want any one to go to heaven but those they
+approve. They scorn the idea that God should save
+the creatures he has made, because they call them a lower order of beings.</p>
+
+<p>I have said more than I ought to on this subject,
+for my mistress always says when any one begins
+upon it, "We will not discuss it, if you please, for we
+shall not agree." And I always like to please her
+and do as she says; and then, I do lose my temper
+and have such bad feelings that I fear I shall be
+counted with the bad ones, whom Dante says are
+shadows in the other world. And of all things I
+think a shadow is a "little too thin." I am glad my
+mistress cannot hear this, for she hates slang.</p>
+
+<p>Some days ago a lady was here, and she started
+that endless subject of "servants." My mistress
+tried to turn the conversation, but it was of no use.
+The servant question, when one gets on it, is like a
+brook; it goes on forever. To be sure, I did hear a
+young man once say something that would stop it,
+and my mistress hushed him up at once; but not
+before I had heard it, and it sounded so forcible that
+I went under the bed and said it, and wondered if it
+would stop the women from talking about their servants.
+They did not say it often, as my mistress did not know I had heard it.</p>
+
+<p>Always after the people who discussed their servants
+had gone, Miss Eleanor would say, "Now I
+will read something to take away the disagreeable impression."</p>
+
+<p>It was usually Dickens, for he seems to have got
+at the very heart of things, and his poor are shown
+up with hearts, while the higher classes are heartless oftentimes.</p>
+
+<p>Of course this is only given you second-hand, but
+I comprehend it, else I should not repeat it.</p>
+
+<p>I do dote on Dickens, and I think "David Copperfield"
+is my special favorite. Aunt Betsey Trotwood
+seems like a real aunt to me. Dear little Dora! I
+was very wretched when she died, and I loved
+Jip. I know he would have played with me very nicely.</p>
+
+<p>When Miss Eleanor read about his death, there
+was a lump in her throat, and Miss Milly's eyes were
+full of tears, and I thought it was time for me to go
+under the bed, not for any particular reason, only
+there are times when one likes to be alone.</p>
+
+<p>While I am writing I would like, if possible, to
+correct any bad impression regarding cats and their
+habits. It has been said that cats will draw the
+breath of an infant and sometimes of older people
+while sleeping. I deny this, and will tell you a story
+which illustrates the superstition, and was told by one of our friends.</p>
+
+<p>This lady visited us one day, and while talking
+about me and cats in general, she said she had
+always thought cats were not to be trusted, and
+never allowed her children to play with one, for the
+very foolish beliefs of which I have spoken. "But,"
+she said, "I have changed my opinion, and now think
+a cat properly trained is a noble creature." Then she told us this story:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You remember my cousin, of course, for I know
+you probably have visited at my uncle's. They were
+very fond of cats, always keeping two or three. When
+my cousin was married, she took with her one of her
+old cat's kittens. She was quite well grown, and was
+called Dido. She was a great pet with my cousin's
+husband, and as it was his first experience of cats, he
+was delighted with her playfulness.</p>
+
+<p>"They were fortunate in having servants who were
+kind to cats. Just after the first child was born one
+of the husband's relatives died, leaving him a large
+old country place&mdash;a farmhouse with a great many
+acres of land. He was very much pleased, for he
+said the country air would be good for baby and its
+mother, for she was very delicate since the birth of her beautiful boy.</p>
+
+<p>"The house had not been occupied for some time,
+and was one of those old, rambling, picturesque
+places, a delight to lovers of the olden times. The
+furniture was substantial, but very severe in style.</p>
+
+<p>"'You need not take the boy's bassinet,' said the
+father, laughing; 'for there was a cradle that looked
+as if it had come from Noah's Ark, and Shem, Ham,
+and Japhet, not to speak of all the two-by-twos, had been rocked in it.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh,' said his wife, 'how lovely that will be! we
+can fill it with pillows, and baby will be delighted with it.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Nonsense,' said her husband; 'don't go and build
+"castles in the air" out of that old cradle. It will
+do for Dido to sleep in; but on the whole, you had
+better take the bassinet and all the other folderols for
+Baby, else you will be homesick.'</p>
+
+<p>"She decided, however, that she would take nothing
+with her, but enjoy all the old-fashioned surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>"The place proved very satisfactory, and she found
+a nice large room leading out of hers for the baby's nursery.</p>
+
+<p>"The large pointed-top mahogany cradle was duly
+polished and installed in the room, making a royal
+bed for his highness the baby. With its wealth of
+pillows and lace coverings it looked quite regal.</p>
+
+<p>"The nurse girl was very devoted to Baby, always
+watching him while he slept. Dido had appropriated
+the baby ever since his birth, and would allow his
+little soft hand to take liberties with her, pulling
+her tail, when she would resent it in others. She
+spent much of her time in the house, watching the baby.</p>
+
+<p>"About a week after they had settled comfortably
+at home they were called up from the piazza by the
+screams of the husband's sister, who was visiting
+them. All she could say was, 'That cat&mdash;that cat&mdash;has killed the baby!'</p>
+
+<p>"They rushed into the room, and a strange sight
+met their eyes. Standing in the cradle, with a paw
+each side of the baby, was Dido.</p>
+
+<p>"The poor mother rushed to the cradle, crying, 'Oh, my baby, my baby!'</p>
+
+<p>"Her husband drew her back, saying, 'Look
+there.' At the side of the cradle were two great
+rats that Dido had killed just as they were about to attack the baby.</p>
+
+<p>"Dido was bleeding from a wound in the neck,
+where they had bitten her, but she kept her watch
+over the baby till her friends arrived. She mewed
+out her thanks when they petted her and praised her.
+The baby had slept through it all.</p>
+
+<p>"The aunt said she was just coming out of her
+room when she heard Dido give a shrill cat call, and
+she went in, but seeing her over the baby, supposed
+she had drawn its breath and killed it.</p>
+
+<p>"They were so grateful to Dido that they would
+not rest till the doctor had been sent for to dress her
+wounds. They soon healed, and after this Dido
+seemed to have the care of the baby on her mind;
+and the cradle being long, a rug was put in at the
+foot, and after the matting was put over the top Dido
+would lie on it to keep it down. That she slept with
+one eye open, they were sure; for if the baby opened
+his eyes, Dido would either mew or go for them.</p>
+
+<p>"They found the large closet in the room full of
+rat holes, and as the room had been unused for so long, they infested it.</p>
+
+<p>"They removed to a smaller room, and as they
+took precautions, were soon free from rats. Probably
+the latter knew they had a powerful enemy in Dido, and left.</p>
+
+<p>"There were three cats belonging to the house
+that had left when it was closed; but on finding it inhabited
+again, they had returned, as cats love to keep
+to one home. They were well treated, and repaid
+the kindness by clearing the house of rats.</p>
+
+<p>"As the family left the man and his wife who had
+worked for them in the house during the winter,
+they never had trouble with rats again.</p>
+
+<p>"They had a picture of Dido taken with the baby,
+and all their friends made a great fuss over her."</p>
+
+<p>I did wish I could see this picture; for Miss Milly
+always shows me pictures, and I enjoy them very
+much. Why, I could take the photograph cases and
+tell you every one, if I could speak.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes we have real fun over the old-fashioned
+ones. My mistress laughs with us, and says, "This
+is the family 'Rogues' Gallery,' they do look so
+funny." And they never show them to strangers,
+for they say we love them too well to let any one else
+laugh at their old-fashioned looks.</p>
+
+<p>I do love pictures, but I have been taken to places
+where they had horrid crayons on the walls, and the
+eyes stared at me so I did want to scratch them out.
+I hate a chromo, but a nice, peaceful landscape makes
+me happy; and I often see one where I would like to
+lie down and dream, for a cat can have real artistic taste.</p>
+
+<p>I don't think I care much for babies. I suppose
+it is because I have never been around them; and
+when I have been, the mothers have never allowed
+me to get acquainted with them.</p>
+
+<p>I was very cross one day when a friend of my mistress
+brought her baby to see us. It was all dressed
+in white, with a white astrachan hood with goats' hair
+fringe, and it looked just like a little poodle. I
+wanted to lick it all over when Miss Milly said,
+"Here, Daisy; come and see this dear baby." But
+its mother cried out, "Oh, don't let that horrid cat
+touch my baby!" just as if I was a bear or a tiger.</p>
+
+<p>I was so insulted I just walked into a corner. But
+the baby had seen me, and held out its little hand
+and crowed. I looked away, but my mistress said,
+"Daisy will not hurt your baby," and she took me in
+her arms and let the baby put his soft little hand on
+my ear. It laughed and crowed, while I licked its
+hand. The mother looked as if she thought I would devour it.</p>
+
+<p>When Miss Milly put me down, seeing the mother's
+uneasiness, the way that innocent little creature yelled,
+kicked, and beat his mother was dreadful. I fled
+under the bed, saying to myself, "How glad I am that
+we are unmarried people, with no children to raise a tempest for nothing."</p>
+
+<p>The mother excused him by saying, "He was excited
+seeing that great cat." I thought, "And the
+great cat was excited seeing and hearing the Old Adam in that child."</p>
+
+<p>I know my mistress was glad to get rid of them,
+and Miss Eleanor, who is very fond of children, said,
+"How beautiful that child would have been had it
+not been for its mother's foolishness."</p>
+
+<p>Before I get too stupid or too old, I must tell you a
+delightful story of one of the witch cats of old Salem
+and her little mistress, sweet Hope Farley, a little
+lame girl my mistress knew and loved.</p>
+
+<p>After I have had my "forty winks" and my nerves
+forget that baby, I shall remember it all.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XXI" id="XXI"></a>XXI</h2>
+
+<h3>JETT</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch21.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">T</span>HE story I am about to tell you has for its
+chief interest a little lame girl, very sweet
+and lovely, who died in old Salem many years ago. I think good children are
+almost as nice as good little kittens.</p></div>
+
+<p>As Jett belonged to this little girl, I must tell you
+about her, that you may know how devotedly a cat
+can return affection and kindness. This is the moral
+of my story, and I tell it to you in the beginning,
+though I know morals usually come on the end.
+And then people have got all the interest of the
+story and they skip the moral. It is better that it
+should leaven the whole story.</p>
+
+<p>Everything about Salem has a fascination for me,
+and I often think how nice it would be to fly through
+the air and take a peep at the people beneath me;
+but then, this pleasure is given only to black cats,
+and there is no use for any other colored cat to wish for it.</p>
+
+<p>Little Hope Farley lived in a big, old-fashioned
+house, with a lovely garden around it. All the
+rooms were long and wide, with deep window seats,
+cushioned, and very comfortable&mdash;a nice place for
+a cat to sleep and enjoy herself.</p>
+
+<p>In one of these nice roomy window seats little
+Hope would lie, with Jett curled up by her side.
+But I must not anticipate; I will tell the story just
+as I heard it from Miss Milly.</p>
+
+<p>Hope was motherless; her father's sister had
+made up to her as well as any one ever can the loss
+of her mother. Aunt Martha was a charming woman
+of about forty-five, and she took little Hope into her heart at once.</p>
+
+<p>(Dear me! How I wish cats had aunts! I do
+think they are just the nicest people to care for the
+unfortunate that can be found.)</p>
+
+<p>Hope's father was a literary man, buried in his
+studies and books. When a man is that way inclined,
+he might, for all the good he is to his family, be
+buried in earnest. Then they would have his memory,
+and one could read on his tombstone how great
+a man he was, and the papers could praise him and
+speak of virtues that nothing but his death would
+ever have brought to light.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Martha was abroad when his wife died, and
+Hope, who was but three years old, was left to the care of a nurse.</p>
+
+<p>Some carelessness caused her to fall, and a curvature
+of the spine and lameness for life were the consequence.</p>
+
+<p>Dear me! These "curvatures" and such big
+words will kill me; but I must tell this story just as
+my mistress told it to me, for if ever she reads this
+little book, I want her to know how well I remember all she said.</p>
+
+<p>After Hope met with the accident that crippled
+her for life, her father wrote to his sister to return
+and care for his unfortunate child and his helpless self.</p>
+
+<p>She willingly accepted the charge, and soon found
+she had a "white elephant" on her hands. Her
+brother buried himself in his books, and to her care
+was left not only his child, but the whole household.
+He did pay the bills, but it was because he had the
+money; else he would have left even that to her, for
+she had a good fortune of her own.</p>
+
+<p>Hope repaid her for her care by loving her with
+all her heart, and they were very happy together.</p>
+
+<p>The beautiful garden was a great source of pleasure
+to them all. Even the father would walk up and
+down with his hands behind him; and although he
+did not seem to notice anything, the air, the fragrance
+of the flowers, and the peace of the scene probably gave him strength.</p>
+
+<p>Around the sides of the garden, by the high fence,
+were currant bushes thick and plenty. The fruit was
+large, red, and tempting, and the flowers of every
+kind growing in their native beauty made the spot
+an earthly paradise. There were tall hollyhocks,
+double leafed, red and white, bachelors'-buttons, beds
+of pinks, and roses of every variety, lilies of the
+valley, modest but bound to be noticed for their rare
+fragrance, and beds of pansies that would have made
+the fortune of the florist. But here no thought of
+money crept in to mar the beauty of God's free gift, the beautiful flowers.</p>
+
+<p>The garden sloped down, joining the land belonging
+to the next house, that faced on the side street.
+The low fence was broken, and just where the gate
+had hung, a hedge fence supplied its place, as the
+gate had fallen to pieces. The rank weeds and
+flowers grew in tangles; Nature seemed to have
+fought with Art, and to have gained the victory.</p>
+
+<p>The estate had been unoccupied for years, the
+owner having just died far away from home, where
+he had been for years in pursuit of health. His heir,
+a distant cousin, was expected to make his home here;
+as his business was in Boston, it would be very convenient.</p>
+
+<p>Great curiosity was expressed regarding the newcomers,
+particularly as there was a mystery regarding
+the neglect of the place for so many years; and a
+mystery in old Salem always wore a bewitching air.</p>
+
+<p>About ten days after their arrival my story commences.</p>
+
+<p>It was way down near the broken gate, under
+the sheltering boughs of an old apple tree, that a
+most luxurious seat had been contrived. Like a
+couch, it was protected at the back by cushions like the seat.</p>
+
+<p>It was high noon of a sultry day in June, yet the
+thick leaves of the old apple tree formed a perfect
+shade for the dear little child reposing in this lovely
+retreat. The little silent figure and the crutches,
+leaning against the seat, told the whole melancholy
+tale: little Hope Farley was a cripple.</p>
+
+<p>The soft hum of bees and insects filled the air, and
+the scent of flowers perfumed all around, and the
+bright blue sky above, lending its soft light, made
+her seem a part and portion of this charming picture
+of nature. Her doll, her dearest companion, was by
+her side. She had given her the quaint old-fashioned
+name of Joanna, and never suffered it to be abbreviated.</p>
+
+<p>She held conversations with her, and confided all her
+little troubles to her wooden ear. (It would be well if
+wooden ears and cats' ears were the only ones to hear
+secrets, would it not? I must put in my cat's oar once
+in a while, for, you see, this story is a big one for a cat to remember.)</p>
+
+<p>This day Joanna was particularly unsatisfactory,
+and Hope, getting tired of her airs, said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Joanna, why are you so silent? Don't you hear
+the bees, and can't you see that great speckled toad
+under the currant bushes, hopping about? Oh, no,
+you don't like such things. You prefer flowers.
+Well," after a pause, "so do I. And I do love you,
+you dear, dear dolly." And she hugged her in her arms.</p>
+
+<p>A slight crackling of the bushes and a scornful
+laugh caused Hope to start and look up, just as a lad
+of about twelve years of age presented himself on
+the other side of the hedge. He was a big, fair-haired
+boy, handsome, but rough looking, and rude as a young bear.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you do that for, you little silly? That
+old doll don't know anything! Come, and let's play something."</p>
+
+<p>Hope looked at him with wide-open eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Sulky little monkey!" he indignantly exclaimed,
+"why don't you speak? Say," after a pause, while
+he regarded her with surprise, "why don't you want to play?"</p>
+
+<p>She looked at him in pathetic silence, then her
+eyes glanced at her crutches.</p>
+
+<p>As he followed her glance, surprise, sorrow, and
+pity transformed his face. After a time he said in a subdued voice:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry I was so rude. I did not know. May I come over there?"</p>
+
+<p>Hope saw how sincere he was, and in her quaint
+way welcomed him. He soon cleared the barrier,
+and seated on the stump of a tree they were very soon acquainted.</p>
+
+<p>Every day after that they met, and soon became fast
+friends, exchanging childish confidences and mutually
+petting Joanna, for Jack was loyal to all of Hope's belongings.</p>
+
+<p>(Now I must draw a breath, and put in my cat's
+oar. I have made you acquainted with Jett's two
+stanch friends, and you will better understand the
+story. I do pity Hope, for my shoulder troubles me
+very much, and I have to wait before I jump as I
+used to, and I know that she suffered, and I am
+very glad she had a cat to comfort her. I think
+sometimes if I could see these beautiful places and
+run around among the flowers, how happy I should
+be; but that is one of my air castles. But in the
+hereafter I know it will all be mine, and the gardens
+and fields of Paradise compensate for those we have
+not here. Now I will return to my story.)</p>
+
+<p>One day, after Jack had been a long time silent,
+he suddenly said, "Have you got a step-mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"A step-mother? What is that? My mother is
+an angel. She died when I was two years old."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," he said, "you will have one, never fear;
+your father will get one. My mother died when I
+was five years old, and now&mdash;a year ago&mdash;my
+father went and got one. So will yours."</p>
+
+<p>"You bad boy! He won't. My Aunt Martha
+won't let him. You are a dreadful boy to talk so!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be down on a fellow so. Much you know
+about men. Your father's no better than mine.
+He'll get a wife yet, see if he don't; and you will
+hate her just as I do my step-mother.</p>
+
+<p>"My father loved me till this woman came. He
+used to take me everywhere with him, and he cried
+when I begged for my mother after she died; he
+hugged me and called me his poor little chap. And
+<i>now</i> it is all over. I have never called her mother,
+and I never will. She killed Pipkin, my mother's
+cat, just as soon as she came. She made the servant
+drown her, because she was treacherous and broke
+a saucer, and she was afraid of her.</p>
+
+<p>"She is a beast. Dear old Pipkin is better off
+away from her; but I do miss her and will never forgive
+that woman. My mother would kiss me, and
+then Pipkin and the kitty would lie beside me for
+company; and after my mother died that cat was all
+the comfort I had. The servants loved her. Not
+one of them would have killed her, but this woman
+has servants who will do her dirty work.</p>
+
+<p>"She has red cheeks and a white skin, and a big
+mouthful of teeth that she is showing all the time,
+just like old Towzer, the bulldog."</p>
+
+<p>"Why does she hate you?" Hope asked. "Can't you make her like you?"</p>
+
+<p>"What a little goose you are! Like me? Not she.
+She wants me to die, to get my money that my mother
+left me. She told my father he ought to take board
+for me, for I had more money than they had.
+'What,' he said, 'take board for my own son?' This
+did touch poor dad; but she soft-sawdered him. And
+then I wanted to run away, and I will some day, and
+join Uncle Jack, for whom I am named. He is in
+India. He loved my mother, his sister, and he would
+care for me. But you see I do love dad; and now I could not leave you."</p>
+
+<p>Hope smiled such a sweet look upon him, saying,
+"You are a dear good boy, and my Aunt Martha will
+be a mother to you just as she has been to me."</p>
+
+<p>And in truth this childish friendship had worked
+wonders in Hope. She was able to walk about the
+garden with her crutches and his help, for he was
+very careful of her, and proud to be of use in amusing
+her. Aunt Martha took the bright, honest boy
+into her heart, and he loved her dearly.</p>
+
+<p>One day when Jack came over the hedge he found
+Hope in great excitement. Her apron covered some
+mystery that was very soon revealed&mdash;a coal-black
+cat, perfect in every way, a real witch cat, with not
+one mark about her from the tip of her ear to the end
+of her tail. Yellow eyes of the most unfathomable
+depth and a spasmodic wag of the tail proved her
+temper to be of the peppery kind.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get her?" asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"She came to us. When Aunt Martha opened the
+door this morning to take in the paper, she walked
+in. She came into the dining room, and when I
+called her, she jumped up in my lap and drank milk
+from a saucer. She bites and claws the rest if they
+touch her, but licks my hands and purrs when I talk
+to her. Where she came from I do not know, but
+I love her already almost" (with a remorseful look at
+Joanna) "as well as I do my dear dolly."</p>
+
+<p>"I should think so," replied Jack. "I can't see
+how you can care so much for that old doll."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't, Jack! She is a dear, lovely, good old
+girlie" (with a hug and a kiss on Joanna's old battered face).</p>
+
+<p>This Jett resented. Flying at Joanna, she stuck
+her sharp claws in her blond hair, dragging out a big tuft of it.</p>
+
+<p>Jack shouted, "Go it! go ahead! tear her old wig off!"</p>
+
+<p>Hope relieved and comforted her dear dolly, pushing
+the black termagant from her lap, and saying to
+Jack: "You are a cruel boy. I will have nothing to do with you."</p>
+
+<p>This Jack could not bear, for he was a tender-hearted little fellow.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, come now," he said, "don't be so hard on a
+fellow. I never knew anything about dolls. I daresay
+Joanna is very nice. See here, perhaps I can
+mend her head." And he did very skilfully, and thus restored peace.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the question of naming the cat.</p>
+
+<p>"How would Nig do?" said Hope.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't! <i>She</i> had a dog called Nig, and it
+died. I was glad of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no; if <i>she</i> had anything named Nig I will
+not have Kitty called so." Hope was firm in her
+belief in Jack's wrongs, and disliked his step-mother
+with all her heart. "We must call her something of
+that kind, for she is jet-black."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Jack, "you have just said it. Why not call her Jett?"</p>
+
+<p>So Jett she was named, to their great satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"She must be half mine, and I will bring her all
+the scraps I can, for cats want no end of meat. That
+is," he said, "if I can get anything. <i>She</i> would like
+to starve me. She says I have such a rude appetite that it makes her sick."</p>
+
+<p>"What a horrid woman! I don't believe your
+appetite is big; and if ever you are hungry, just let
+me know, and my Aunt Martha will give you all you
+can eat, for she loves to see me relish anything."
+And it was quite noticeable how often little nice
+things were brought out for Jack, quite accidentally, to save his pride.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, never mind," he said; "only it's a bothering
+shame father is so generous he never can see what
+is going on. We never had such meanness and
+scrimping before. There was always enough and
+to spare. Now there is not enough to feed a cat on.
+And a dog she will not let me have. She says that they are gluttons."</p>
+
+<p>But I must curtail my story; it is getting too long.</p>
+
+<p>Jack had a parrot called Bimbo. As it was a gift
+from his rich uncle, he was allowed to keep it.</p>
+
+<p>With Joanna, Jett, and Bimbo the children were
+very happy. Bimbo was very happy on the bough
+of the old apple tree. He was deeply interested
+in Hope, and eyed her in a most sympathizing manner.</p>
+
+<p>The first time he saw her use her crutches he gave
+vent to a succession of groans, and moved first one
+foot and then the other as if in pain, and after that
+he would move to a branch over her couch, and look
+down upon her in the most affectionate manner.
+Often he would astonish them by some remark
+drawn from the storehouse of memory.</p>
+
+<p>No wonder Jett was jealous of him. When she
+first heard him speak, she opened wide her eyes, and
+stared at him in astonishment. The children shouted
+with laughter, and Bimbo kept up a silly cackle, encouraged
+by their approval. This was very provoking
+to Jett, as cats do not like to be laughed at, and
+she resented it in Bimbo.</p>
+
+<p>After she had given him a scratch that he remembered
+he looked at her with fear and trembling. He
+soon learned to say "Jett." Though he said it in a
+soft, hesitating manner, she was deeply offended.
+She would give him a look that would keep him silent for hours.</p>
+
+<p>She never could understand why such an uncouth-looking
+bird should have the power of speech given
+to him, while a handsome, intelligent cat could not
+speak at all; and the mystery of it made her very savage to poor Bimbo.</p>
+
+<p>Of course the children shared their confidences
+with their pets, and if Mrs. Thornton had fallen into
+the clutches of Bimbo or Jett, she would probably
+have borne marks of the encounter. Joanna's wrath
+was suppressed; sometimes, however, silent wrath is the deepest.</p>
+
+<p>One day they were in earnest conversation, Jack
+relating his wrongs; while Bimbo, seated on his
+bough, listened in silence. Suddenly, to their surprise,
+he said in a subdued voice: "She's an old
+devil! so she is! how droll! Ha! ha! ha!" ending with, "Well, I never!"</p>
+
+<p>The children were convulsed with laughter. Even
+Aunt Martha could not resist the ludicrous situation.
+Bimbo, in great delight, gave a succession of
+"ha-ha's," ending with "Oh, she's a devil!" Aunt
+Martha covered him with her apron, and silence at
+once ensued; for he knew that was a mark of disgrace.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Aunt Martha," said Jack, in a whisper,
+"don't you think it strange that Bimbo knows all about her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!" she replied. "Did you ever hear Bimbo swear before?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never. He used, when I first had him, to say a
+few bad words, but covering him up made him know
+he must not repeat them; but to-day he has applied
+them where they are true. Whenever she is around,
+he swears all the time, and I keep him out of her
+way, for he knows her. She says I taught him. It
+is false. Uncle Jack bought him of some sailors. They
+gave him a good character, and Uncle Jack said if he
+ever used bad words, it would teach me a lesson never
+to say anything I did not want him to repeat."</p>
+
+<p>"Very wise of your uncle. You must do as he has
+advised, and you will soon teach him better."</p>
+
+<p>Just here, Jett, who had been a silent witness of
+the scene, could bear it no longer. She flew up the
+tree and out on the bough where Bimbo sat in disgrace,
+and drawing off the apron with sheathed
+claws, she boxed him right and left.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Bimbo retreated to the very edge of the
+bough, screaming "Jett, Jett! oh, oh, Jett!" This
+offended her so much that Jack had to pull her down
+by her tail, to save Bimbo's life.</p>
+
+<p>She was of course very much disgusted at such
+unusual treatment, and went off in the sulks. After
+a time peace was restored, and Bimbo was happy,
+for they were all very kind and sympathizing, and
+Hope smoothed his feathers where Jett had attacked
+him, and Jack told him he was forgiven provided he never swore again.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Martha told the children a nice, interesting
+story, while Jack held Bimbo on his arm, and Hope
+cuddled Joanna in her lap.</p>
+
+<p>This home picture was interrupted by Bridget, the
+cook. She came, full of wrath, to enter her complaint
+of Jett, who followed in the distance as bold as a
+lion. Bridget said she put some squash pies she had
+made to cool for dinner, and she found Jett sitting in
+the middle of one while she was eating from the
+other, her paws and tail going as fast as her tongue.</p>
+
+<p>Jack shrieked with laughter when he saw her
+glossy black fur covered with squash. Her nose
+and whiskers were dotted with it, and even her ears
+had little yellow decorations.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Aunt Martha could command her voice,
+she consoled Bridget by telling her she would make
+a dessert in place of the pies. Then she told Jett
+she had better go and get into the waste barrel. And
+a sight she was&mdash;a picture in yellow and black.</p>
+
+<p>She went away, ashamed,&mdash;not, however, without
+casting a look of fury at Bimbo, who was whispering
+with a smothered chuckle, "Oh, she's a dear! she's a
+dear! Oh, oh, Jett! I shall die!"</p>
+
+<p>Jett preferred a crooked path. Stealing was her
+delight, for boldly, in the face of all, she would bring
+home a chicken she had stolen. No one molested
+her, for Aunt Martha paid for the chicken, and as
+Hope said, perhaps Jett thought it was like having a
+bill at a store. She had a running account at the
+neighbor's hen-coops, knowing the bill would be paid.</p>
+
+<p>The children called her a "grave robber." For
+once one of the neighbors lost a little bird. Their
+little boy was very fond of it, and was allowed to
+bury it in the garden. He folded it up in his little
+pocket-handkerchief, and put it into the hole he had
+dug, and covered the earth over it. He put up a little
+wooden paper-knife over the grave, making a nice
+tombstone, and the design was very appropriate.
+The top of the knife was carved with a bush, and
+a bird was sitting on the branches. The point of the
+knife was down deep in the earth, and he thought everything secure.</p>
+
+<p>Now Jett knew everything going on in the neighborhood.
+The bird's empty cage had been cleaned,
+and was standing on a bench outside the kitchen
+door. Jett had interviewed the cage and tried to
+get in, but finding the door too small, she had seated
+herself to think it out, wondering in her mind where
+the bird had gone. When she heard footsteps, she
+mounted to her post of observation on the fence; and
+when she saw the boy bring out the bird and bury it, she was perplexed.</p>
+
+<p>A cat never allows a mystery to go unsolved.
+After it was all over she waited a suitable time,
+and then she made an investigation. She walked
+around the monument, she smelt of it, and she clawed
+it a little. By the time she had satisfied her curiosity
+it looked like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. That it
+moved was probably a suggestion to her, for she
+began scratching the earth; and it soon fell over,
+leaving a bit of the grave clothing of the poor little
+bird exposed. This at once was proof positive, and
+after scratching away the earth she found the mystery.</p>
+
+<p>Jerking up the handkerchief, she soon landed the
+little corpse, and then she examined it with a critical
+eye. No coroner inquiring into the cause of a sudden
+death could have been more careful. After she had
+inspected it thoroughly she took one claw in her
+mouth and started for the house, and never rested
+till she had with great difficulty deposited that bird
+in its cage and pushed to the door. Then she went
+home, satisfied that she had done an act of justice and humanity.</p>
+
+<p>It is needless to say how surprised the family were
+to find the dead returned to them, and they suspected
+a mischievous boy who lived near; but when Jett
+dug up that bird for the second time, there were
+witnesses, and the deed was brought home to her.</p>
+
+<p>The last burial took place while Jett was shut up.
+They dared not put up the monument, for they knew
+she would discover the grave by that. She hunted
+for a week, but she never found that bird again.</p>
+
+<p>All the neighbors looked upon her as a mysterious
+element that had come into their midst. They believed
+in the witches having unlimited power over
+black cats, and never dared interfere with her; indeed,
+her good will they were very glad to gain.</p>
+
+<p>Jett was devoted to Hope. She never killed a rat
+without bringing it with a purr of satisfaction, and
+was not satisfied till her little mistress had noticed
+her, and said, "What a good kitty to catch the naughty rats."</p>
+
+<p>There was one place the children called the "cats'
+paradise." It was down in the corner of Jack's
+garden. Here catmint grew in rank profusion.
+The place was neglected, but nature had rioted
+there, and it was all abloom with wild flowers and weeds.</p>
+
+<p>Here Jett held her afternoon teas and musicales,
+and she would frolic with her friends in the sweet-smelling
+grass. Her high soprano would mingle
+with the contralto and other nondescript parts till
+they produced a "passion music" so terrible in its
+results that it required all Jack's strength to separate them.</p>
+
+<p>Why these musicales always ended in a free fight,
+Hope wondered. Jack suggested that the catmint
+intoxicated them, for they were usually captured with
+their mouths and paws full of it, and as much on
+their fur coats as they could hold. But this state of
+happiness was not quite as satisfactory to others as
+it was to the cats and the children.</p>
+
+<p>Jack announced one day that <i>she</i> had been disturbed
+by the musicales, and the catmint period was
+drawing to an end. Jack said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"She won't outwit me. Aunt Martha will let me
+plant some over behind your large barn, in that field,
+and we will dry all we can. Jett shall have her
+winter supply, and I will treat every cat in the neighborhood."</p>
+
+<p>Jack worked with a will, and before the man Mrs.
+Thornton had hired to remove and destroy the catmint
+bed had arrived, it was nearly all transplanted
+or cut off to dry. They did enjoy that work.</p>
+
+<p>Hope was seated in a wheel chair her father had
+bought for her, and Jack delighted in wheeling. She
+superintended all the work.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Martha allowed the man of all work to plant
+all that Jack brought him, though she did not think
+it best for him to take the catmint from Jack's garden.</p>
+
+<p>Jett and Bimbo were very much interested. Bimbo
+eyed them in solemn silence for a while, then he
+yelled, "Go ahead! Hurry up! hurry up! She'll
+get you!" till it did seem as if that clever bird knew everything.</p>
+
+<p>Jett's help was rather doubtful, though her interest
+was not. She followed Jack back and forth, and at
+every fresh root he would take up she would turn a
+somersault in the hole, scratching the earth with all
+her might; then she would rush back&mdash;a picture of
+yellow earth, black fur, and catmint.</p>
+
+<p>These were happy days, too soon followed by sorrowful
+ones. As summer waned, and autumn advanced,
+the first frost cast a blight on the little life
+so fondly cared for by her friends.</p>
+
+<p>Jack's sorrow, when he was made to realize her
+danger, was pathetic. He was now constantly with
+his little playfellow when she was able to see him.
+It was a picture to see her propped up in bed, Jack
+sitting by the side, in a little rocker, Joanna in her
+arms, or if too feeble to hold her, lying by her side,
+while Jett was curled up at her feet.</p>
+
+<p>Poor, sorrowful Aunt Martha hovered around her
+darling, ready to attend to her slightest wish. Jett
+was devoted to her. In this case can be seen what
+devoted creatures cats and dogs can be if they are
+made friends of. They seem to realize the approach
+of that dread messenger, and to be "faithful unto death."</p>
+
+<p>Jett only left the sick child long enough to take a
+constitutional and her meals. Then she would go
+back and mew piteously, if the door was closed, to
+get in to her little mistress. If Hope was asleep,
+she would jump up on the bed, stand and look at
+her a little while, perhaps lick her hands, and then
+lie down where she could watch every movement.
+If Joanna had fallen on the floor, she would pick her
+up with her teeth, give her a real shake, as if to say,
+"What did you fall down for?" and then, jumping
+up on the bed, deposit her in Hope's arms or by her side.</p>
+
+<p>Never was there a case of greater devotion. She
+was always pleased to see Jack. She would lick his
+face and sit in his arms, but on the least movement
+of her little mistress back she would go and watch
+her with the deepest affection.</p>
+
+<p>The end came very suddenly. Just at the close
+of a lovely October day sweet little Hope Farley fell
+asleep. She had seemed to know that the end was
+near. She had spoken of her death to her Aunt
+Martha, saying, "I am so tired, but I do not want to
+leave you and my dear ones."</p>
+
+<p>She had made her auntie promise that Joanna
+should be dressed just as they dressed her, and be
+buried in her arms, saying, "I shall not be so lonesome
+with my dear dolly, and I know Jack and Jett will come and see me often."</p>
+
+<p>So Joanna had a white cambric embroidered dress
+just like her little mistress's, that Aunt Martha made
+(with tears falling on her work), and she was laid in
+her little mistress's arms. Aunt Martha covered her
+with flowers, and sheltered her under the sleeve of
+her little mistress's dress as well as she could, knowing
+how much would be said about her indulging such
+a queer fancy of the dear child. As Jack said to her,
+"I do feel glad Joanna is with her. It seems so hard
+to put her away alone;" and Aunt Martha agreed with him.</p>
+
+<p>They had the greatest trouble with Jett, to keep
+her out of the room. Every time the door was open
+she would hide under the bed. She had taken
+Joanna twice out to the seat in the garden, where she
+had so often seen her in Hope's arms, and Aunt
+Martha had to shut her out doors while she dressed Joanna.</p>
+
+<p>Hope looked lovely, with beautiful flowers around
+her, and leaves from the plants she had loved. Her
+father was dazed at her loss, but Aunt Martha and
+Jack were the real mourners.</p>
+
+<p>How it happened they never knew. They had
+kept track of Jett all they could, and Jack had petted
+her, and tried to comfort her, but all to no purpose.
+She was like a wild cat, crouching down in corners
+and watching them all. The last night before the
+funeral Hope was placed in the casket, and it was
+closed. Jett must have crawled into a corner under
+the sofa when the door was open, for she was found
+in the morning, sitting on the head of the casket, as
+solemn as if she knew she had been watching her dear little mistress.</p>
+
+<p>She was not willing to go to any one, and disappeared
+till just as the funeral left the house, when
+she was seen on the opposite side of the street.
+When they reached the old cemetery, she was noticed behind some shrubs.</p>
+
+<p>Jack got out of the carriage to see if it was Jett,
+and take her home, but could not find her. They
+thought it could not be she; but when days passed
+away and she did not return, they were sure it was
+Jett who had followed to her little mistress's grave.
+They sought her everywhere, leaving the outbuildings
+open, so in case she returned she could get in; but
+they never found any trace of her again.</p>
+
+<p>There were stories, that they did not give credence
+to, of a cat's being seen hovering around the grave;
+but many people did believe that it was Jett guarding
+the grave of her dear one.</p>
+
+<p>Superstitious people said that she was a ministering
+spirit sent to guard and comfort the life of that
+dear little child. That her mission being fulfilled, she
+went back to those who sent her, perhaps to be still
+with the dear child in Paradise. Others said she was
+a witch cat, spared for a little while, to be happy in
+this beautiful home; but her mission being over, the
+witches called her back. That perhaps at night she
+was allowed to visit the grave of the one she had served so devotedly.</p>
+
+<p>But my opinion is, she was just a good, loving cat.
+She was grateful for all their kindness, and loved little
+Hope just as all cats love those who are kind to
+them. She had not been born in that home, as one
+would know by the strange way she often behaved that she had no training.</p>
+
+<p>Of course her disappearance is hard to account for;
+but I do believe she could not bear to live in that home
+after Hope had left it, and she found another one for
+herself. Of course a cat has a right to an opinion. This is mine.</p>
+
+<p>But does it not show how kind, loving, and faithful
+cats can be? If properly trained, they make the best
+companions for children.</p>
+
+<p>Who that ever has seen dear little kittens, so loving
+and trusting, climbing in the arms of those who
+are kind to them, can doubt they are given to them for friends?</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XXII" id="XXII"></a>XXII</h2>
+
+<h3>WATCH AND CHLOE</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch22.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">M</span>UCH has been said of the benefit of example.
+Why, then, when a cat follows the example
+of the people with whom she lives,
+should she be called "bloodthirsty" if she
+kills a chicken? She follows her master to the hen-coop,
+and looks on in wonder when he wrings the
+neck of one of the chickens he has fed daily. Then
+when she takes her own method of killing a chicken
+for her own eating, where is the harm? She could
+be taught better, of course.</p></div>
+
+<p>Dogs are taught not to touch game, even when it
+falls at their feet, till their master gives them permission.
+Cats would never steal if they knew it was wrong.</p>
+
+<p>Look at my case. After the theft of that meat
+from the good "philanthropist," I never took anything
+else. My mistress made me understand wherein
+it was wrong. I felt very much ashamed, though I
+could not be blamed. It was one of the most delicious morsels I ever had.</p>
+
+<p>If a cat is not well fed, she will help herself, just
+as, under the same circumstances, human beings
+would do the same. It is astonishing how many
+peculiar traits are brought out when one studies animals.</p>
+
+<p>I heard a story of a cat called Tinker, who lived
+with a very nice family. They were country people,
+with a large farm, with horses, cows, dog, and cat, all
+well cared for, and favorite companions of the children.
+Nothing was ever killed on that place except rats.</p>
+
+<p>Tinker was a ferocious mouser. She was, however,
+very fond of all the animals, and the horses would
+put their heads down to her when she rubbed against
+their legs. Even the cow did not resent it when she
+would lick her after she had been milked. They did
+say that Tinker had been known to help herself to
+a little, sometimes, before the good Brindle had been milked.</p>
+
+<p>They had hens and chickens in plenty. But they
+never killed one of their own, always buying their
+poultry of the farmers around. They were content
+with selling the eggs in great quantities, for the hens
+were so well kept that they laid a great many.</p>
+
+<p>Tinker was well fed; and as she had never seen
+hens and chickens killed, she treated them as if their
+right to live could not be questioned. She walked
+out and in the hen-coop whenever she pleased. She
+had very nice ways, and was never known to go near
+the pig-pen, that being, in her opinion, not exactly a pleasure ground.</p>
+
+<p>One day the hens were all out in the large field
+back of the house, when Tinker was walking about
+on a voyage of discovery. She soon espied three little
+chickens of a very tender age shivering with cold
+and sending forth feeble little peeps. She looked
+around; then mounting on the nest, she sat over
+them, and they nestled in her warm fur.</p>
+
+<p>Soon a great clacking announced the return of
+their mother. She was telling all the gossip of the
+farm to the other hens. She was just as surprised
+as she could be to see her place filled. She flew at
+Tinker in great wrath. Tinker just raised her paw
+and kept her back and sat there as long as she
+pleased. The mother hen ran about, telling her
+story to all the coop assembled to see the fun. Even
+the lordly rooster cocked his comb about, in wise
+deliberation, over this most unusual occurrence.</p>
+
+<p>The unusual noise drew out the master, who was
+so well pleased that he called his wife to see Tinker
+in her position as chicken nurse.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as she saw she was appreciated, Tinker
+left her post, and there is no doubt the chickens
+wished their mother had fur on her rather than stiff feathers.</p>
+
+<p>Does not this prove that a cat would be kind to all
+creatures, were the example before her such as she
+could follow? Animals learn to kill by seeing man
+kill everything he is allowed to without drawing
+upon himself the penalty of the law.</p>
+
+<p>It has often been said that women care more for
+pets, particularly cats, than men do. I do not think
+it is true. Men do not make such open demonstrations
+and decorate their pets in the absurd way that
+women do, but where they do love them, it is a very lasting affection.</p>
+
+<p>If you follow the course of children who are cruel
+to animals, you will find they meet with their punishment
+oftentimes in this world. I have a story to tell
+in illustration of this fact.</p>
+
+<p>A very charming family lived not very far from
+Boston, though their home was in quite a country
+place. The family was composed of a widow with
+four sons and an only daughter. The eldest son was
+really the flower of the family. The boys were all
+full of life, but very unlike their elder brother. Robert
+was a gentleman and a scholar. Mary, the sister,
+was his special friend, and he made of her a real chum,
+telling her all his plans and in every way making a friend of her.</p>
+
+<p>They lived in a grand old house. It had been built
+by their ancestors some two hundred years. The
+land about was very beautiful, and they lived in comfortable
+style, though not really wealthy. They loved
+the old family horse, and the cow would follow every
+member of the family. They had a good, big dog;
+and last but not least a great, dignified cat called Bruno.</p>
+
+<p>The cat was the special pet of Robert and Mary.
+The younger boys teased him, and he kept out of
+their way. He well knew how to defend himself,
+and they were rather afraid of him.</p>
+
+<p>There were no near neighbors. The grounds of their
+nearest companions met theirs, but nearly half a mile
+away. As they were not congenial, the distance was rather satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>Bruno would not notice the poor, wretched, hunted-looking
+cat belonging to the other place, and she was
+afraid of every moving thing. The people were very
+mean, though they kept up a great show of wealth;
+the servants and the animals about the place were half starved.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Mossy had no one to love her. She had never
+been petted, and her life was made still more wretched
+by the loss of her many kittens. At last she disappeared.
+Then they realized her value, for she was a
+great mouser, and the place was infested with rats and
+mice. Knowing their enemy had gone, they returned
+in full force, and the people tried in every way to find
+Mossy, but in vain.</p>
+
+<p>After a time the chickens on our friend Robert's
+place disappeared. They could find no trace of the
+robber, though they watched very carefully.</p>
+
+<p>Max would bark nights, and Bruno, the cat, seemed
+to be very uneasy at the same time, as if he heard
+some intruder. One of the boys would stay out at
+night till quite late, but the hen-coop was peaceful; and
+though they tried every means, they never caught the
+intruder. And the chickens disappeared, all the same.</p>
+
+<p>At last the boys discovered a hole in the back of
+the hen-coop, where the earth had been dug down
+and room made large enough for a cat to enter. The
+boys declared they had seen a cat that looked like
+Mossy come out of the pine woods at the back of
+the hen-coop, and they believed she had stolen the chickens.</p>
+
+<p>Robert said, "If it is Mossy, do not harm her, but
+coax her here and feed her."</p>
+
+<p>Robert had always petted her when he could get
+the chance, but she seemed to shrink from and distrust every one.</p>
+
+<p>The boys were not of the same mind. They had
+no love for Mossy, and believed in punishing the one
+who had stolen the chickens. So they baited a trap
+with poisoned meat, just outside of the hole, and poor
+Mossy was caught. She was quite dead; but, not
+satisfied, they battered her head with stones.</p>
+
+<p>Robert's wrath was terrible when he learned of
+poor Mossy's fate. He not only cuffed them right
+and left, but he told them they had forfeited the
+right to the pleasure trips and fun he had promised
+them. Robert had a scientific turn of mind, and his
+experiments were a great wonder and pleasure to
+the boys, and the loss of his favor was a severe punishment.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, when they went out, they said, "We
+will take the body of Mossy into the woods and bury
+it, and perhaps we shall find out where she made her home."</p>
+
+<p>They had laid down the body of Mossy on the
+grass while they went to dig a grave for her, when
+a mewing, shrill but feeble, greeted their ears. They
+looked back, and a most pathetic sight greeted them:
+the dead body of poor Mossy was completely covered
+by five little kittens. They were half starved, and
+were trying to nurse their dead mother. "Oh, ho!"
+said the boys, "this is what she was up to! She
+wanted to raise a family all by herself."</p>
+
+<p>The three boys each took a kitten, and, whirling it
+around, dashed its little life out against a tree, saying,
+"We will send her orphans after the chicken stealer."</p>
+
+<p>Robert and Mary had followed them, wanting to
+see that they buried Mossy as they ought to. They
+arrived on the scene just at the moment when the
+poor little kittens were killed. Robert rushed forward
+and with one blow felled one cruel wretch to
+the ground, while the others fled.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Mary almost fainted at the dreadful sight;
+but Robert put the two little kittens (that he took
+from their mother's dead body) into her arms, and as
+she wrapped them in her shawl, they cuddled up to
+her so confidingly that it comforted her, for she said,
+"They shall never know sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>Robert was moved almost to tears. As soon as he
+could command his voice he said: "God will punish
+this act of cruelty, this crime. They are my brothers,
+but I would not lift up my hand to save them from prison."</p>
+
+<p>He then made a grave, and Mary helped as well as
+she could (with the little kittens in her arms) to put
+in leaves, and Robert spread out his handkerchief
+and tenderly laid in poor Mossy and her three kittens.
+It was a solemn sight. Mary covered them
+with her handkerchief and a few more leaves, and
+then Robert filled in the grave.</p>
+
+<p>They carried home the two little orphans in silence.
+The poor things were very hungry, and Mary fed
+them and put them into a basket with soft white
+wool, and as soon as they opened their eyes she was
+ready with milk and petting, that they might not feel their mother's loss.</p>
+
+<p>Robert was very fond of them. As soon as they
+could run about he took them up to his den, where
+all his time was spent in study, and they were perfectly
+at home. They would dart about, over books,
+papers, and table, and there was so much electricity
+about them that Robert named them Castor and
+Pollux, for he said they were like a flash of lightning
+in their movements. Of course they were called Cassy
+and Polly. They were the exclusive property of Robert
+and Mary, and the boys never dared touch them.</p>
+
+<p>The mother, a confirmed invalid, was never told
+of the boys' wickedness; for her sister, who had the
+care of her, with the help of Mary, kept everything
+of a disturbing nature from her.</p>
+
+<p>Strange as it may appear, their instinct taught the
+kittens to shun their mother's murderers. They
+would never go near them; and another very strange
+thing&mdash;they would never, even when hungry, touch
+a bit of chicken. They never went near the hen-coop,
+and would run and hide when the hens and chickens were around.</p>
+
+<p>Is there not some psychological explanation of this
+fact? Did not the spirit of the mother in some
+mysterious way influence her children?</p>
+
+<p>It was supposed that Mossy, after losing her kittens
+so often, decided she would take the matter into her
+own hands and save those she was expecting. She
+went away, when near the time of their birth, and
+hid herself in a cave in the rocks, for it was found
+some time after that she had made a deep cave, digging
+it out patiently till it was large enough for comfort.
+Chicken feathers were found spread all around,
+proving she had thought about the comfort of her
+children and herself, and provided them a good home.
+She stole chickens from the neighboring coops, and
+feasted herself and used their feathers. She certainly
+displayed human intelligence in her work.</p>
+
+<p>Castor and Pollux grew up to be very fine cats.
+They were very smart mousers, like their mother,
+and they were devoted to Robert and Mary. Bruno
+was quite jealous of them at first; but after a time,
+finding his importance was not lessened, he gave in,
+and treated them with politeness. When, one day,
+Cassy brought a mouse he had killed, and laid it in
+his arms when he was asleep, he adopted Cassy at
+once. It was a real picture to see that big, dignified
+cat with the plump little kittens playing around him.
+They had no respect or veneration in their intercourse
+with him. They just loved him as they did everything around them.</p>
+
+<p>Mary would take them in to see her mother sometimes
+when she had a few hours' relief from pain.
+The mother would say: "What will you do, Mary,
+if Robert or you should marry? You cannot both
+have the kittens, and you surely cannot separate them."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," she answered, "I shall never marry, and
+Rob may get a wife who will not love cats, and I
+shall have them all my own."</p>
+
+<p>When she repeated this to Robert, he said: "I
+shall never have a home where Castor and Pollux are
+not welcome. It will be the test I shall apply to the
+woman, if I ever find one, whom I propose to make
+my wife, whether she loves cats and is kind to dumb animals."</p>
+
+<p>"You had better not announce the fact; for there
+are hundreds who would tolerate even a gorilla and
+pretend to be fond of it for the sake of being the
+wife of my elegant brother Robert."</p>
+
+<p>He laughed, saying, "Perhaps, in that case, as there
+are sixty thousand single women to be provided for,
+it would be better not to advertise."</p>
+
+<p>He was truly in earnest, as was soon proved. The
+young friend of his sister that he had been very much
+pleased with, and had paid more attention to than to
+any other he had met, came to visit Mary soon after
+this conversation had taken place. She was very
+pretty and charming, trying to please Robert in
+every way. Finding he was fond of cats, and hearing
+with sympathy the story of Mossy, she was very
+affectionate to Cassy and Polly; but they did not
+reciprocate, and kept away from her when it was possible.</p>
+
+<p>One day Cassy sat upon her beautiful new hat
+and crushed the flowers. She flew at him in a great
+rage, saying: "You horrid old cat! I would not
+have you around in a house of mine."</p>
+
+<p>She slashed him over with her bag, while he slunk
+under the sofa in fear and trembling. It was the
+first abuse he had ever known.</p>
+
+<p>She thought she was alone, and soon left the room
+with her precious hat. But she had forever ruined
+her chance of being Robert's wife; for as soon as
+she left the room he moved the Turkish screen that
+formed a protection for the window seat where he
+was lounging with a book, and stooping down he
+took poor Cassy from under the sofa and carried him
+up to his den, where he remained with his two pets.
+They were the only witnesses of the death of his
+fancy for his sister's friend. When she called Cassy
+and Polly to her, he well understood why Cassy crept
+under the table out of her sight.</p>
+
+<p>He became a very successful scientific man, but
+the brothers met with retribution for their cruel
+crime. Two of them were victims of a railroad
+accident, while the third died from blood-poisoning
+from the bite of a rat he had caught in a trap.
+Justice was dealt out to them in full.</p>
+
+<p>If young people would test each other's natures by
+their treatment of animals, there would not be so
+many deceived and repentant married people.</p>
+
+<p>Castor and Pollux lived to be twenty years old.
+They seemed to bear a charmed life. They were
+very fond of each other, but often they would have
+a pitched battle and retire to separate corners for a
+while, but it never lasted long. They were soon as good friends as ever.</p>
+
+<p>The lady Robert married was very fond of cats.
+When she was married, she could not be separated
+from her pet dog Fido; but she was mistress and
+soon made them understand they must be friends.</p>
+
+<p>She never allowed either the dog or the two cats to
+be unjust to each other. It took time and patience,
+but she persevered, and was successful at last. By
+judicious treatment she made them the best of friends.
+It was a very funny sight when Fido would carry
+some of his candy and put it on Cassy's and Polly's
+paws, and then bark with delight at his own generosity.</p>
+
+<p>And when her little girl, named Mary, after Robert's
+sister Mary, who had died just before his marriage,
+was born, the two cats and the dog were her earliest
+friends, and they often fought for her favor, each seeming
+to believe her to be his own special property;
+but she kissed and cuffed alike, so they were a very happy family.</p>
+
+<p>Cassy and Polly were always to be found in their
+master's study when he was engaged in absorbing
+work. They would quietly pore over maps and
+charts, as full of interest as they would have been
+had he been their teacher. Their master said he had
+solved many hard questions while smoothing their soft
+fur and meeting their intelligent glances. And he
+could not help saying, "What do you think of it, my friends?"</p>
+
+<p>I think a man like the master of Castor and Pollux
+a true and grand gentleman. How many might be
+happy if, like him; they would care for their humble
+friends. There is no doubt that a cat oftentimes helps out some problem.</p>
+
+<p>My mistress would sometimes take me in her arms
+and look into my eyes. I could feel that look right
+into my heart, and I know that I answered it, for she
+would say, "Oh, Daisy, you have given me an idea."
+And I would advise my friends, both young men and
+women, when you have some difficult problem or
+study, take your faithful friend, the cat, look deep
+into her eyes while you tell her your perplexity, and
+see if she does not help you solve the difficulty.
+There is an electric current that passes into your
+brain from hers, and clears away the mists from your
+understanding. Then your kindness to your dumb
+friend is rewarded by the success you deserve.</p>
+
+<p>There is another story I like very much. It is
+about a cat and a dog, and they lived in Beverly, in a
+very beautiful place quite near the shore.</p>
+
+<p>The dog's name was Watch, and the cat was named
+Chloe. Watch was not a handsome dog, but he was
+a faithful, good little fellow. He had very short
+legs (my mistress said, just like a cricket). He was
+a dark yellow, or what now is called a dull old gold.
+He had a very broad back, where Chloe could sit
+comfortably whenever she pleased.</p>
+
+<p>Watch was very humble, and believed in "woman's
+rights" evidently, for he never offered any resistance
+when Chloe saw fit to use him for an easy-chair. He
+would crouch down on his short legs, and solace himself
+with a good sleep&mdash;that was his panacea for
+every ill. But he never allowed his master, whom
+he worshipped, to take one step without rising and
+standing in respectful silence or following him at a
+distance. This was very exasperating to Chloe, for
+he would shake her off with scant ceremony to do honor to his master.</p>
+
+<p>But Chloe had no reverence or respect for anything
+but a good dinner. Many were the cuffs she
+gave poor Watch, which he bore meekly, because he
+would rise when his master appeared and disturb her sleep.</p>
+
+<p>He was really a refrigerator color. His fur was
+short and stiff, his ears were large and prominent,
+drooping, unless something unusual aroused him.
+Then his interest only lasted for a moment. He
+would relapse into the stolid, silent dog they all believed
+him to be. He identified himself with the
+family, though he did not join in their sports; but
+he always knew just what was going on, and would
+follow them at a distance wherever they would go.</p>
+
+<p>His master was his idol. He seemed to live for
+him alone. His bright, beadlike black eyes were
+always fixed on his master's face, and he knew every
+change of expression. His master would say, "Watch
+is the only one of my children with black eyes; he
+takes after me." Years after Watch died there were
+two little black-eyed girls born, but Watch could not
+enjoy the sight of them.</p>
+
+<p>Chloe was a calico cat, yellow, with patches of
+dark and white spots. She was not much prettier
+than Watch, but the children thought her beautiful and loved her dearly.</p>
+
+<p>Their father had made them a wooden doll, and
+they were as pleased with it as children of to-day
+are with the elegant creatures who can open and
+shut their eyes and squeak out "mamma" and
+"papa." The children had been brought up to
+enjoy and believe Bible stories, and they thought
+the highest honor they could give that doll was to
+call it by a Bible name. So, after a discussion, they
+named it Amminadab, for the very reason that it was
+very hard to pronounce and impossible to understand.</p>
+
+<p>Chloe and Watch were very good friends. To be
+sure, Watch never dared say his soul was his own in
+Chloe's presence. Possibly that was the reason they had peace.</p>
+
+<p>Chloe had a very roving disposition. Day after
+day she would go off into the woods near by, and
+then Watch would suffer great anxiety. He would
+go out into the road, and look up and down, and
+then indulge in a mild bark. He never would go to
+sleep till she returned, and would meet her with the
+greatest satisfaction, wagging his short tail and walking
+around her as if to say, "You <i>have</i> come back,
+haven't you?" He delighted to see her run up
+trees, and would look up at her, and bark with
+pride, never at all jealous of her superiority.</p>
+
+<p>When the children went down to bathe, Watch
+would attend them as body-guard. They always
+carried their doll and gave her to Watch to take
+care of. They would place her on a high rock, while
+Watch would sit down beside her, with his paws on
+her dress, to keep her from falling off. They would
+say, "Watch, take good care of her," and then they
+were sure he would never leave her. Chloe did not
+often go with them, for cats do not like the water
+as dogs do; but she knew where they were and
+was very impatient for them to return.</p>
+
+<p>One day when their mother said, "Chloe, where
+are the children?" she ran down toward the water
+and back again several times.</p>
+
+<p>Their mother laughed, saying, "Go and bring them
+home." And sure enough, the children were amused
+to see Chloe on the rock by Watch's side. She took
+hold of Amminadab by her dress, and tried to pull
+her away from Watch. But here she was mistaken
+in thinking he would give her up. He held his
+ground. He had been told to guard that doll, and
+guard her he would. Chloe tugged at her dress,
+tearing it with her teeth, but he held on. Then she
+fell upon him, and cuffed and clawed him, while he
+tried to dodge her all he could; but at one hard blow,
+in defending himself, he loosened his hold a bit on
+Amminadab, and Chloe, with one good pull, gained
+the victory and ran home, dragging the poor doll
+over the ground, bumping her poor wooden head
+without mercy. This was too much for Watch.
+He ran in pursuit, but his short legs were no match
+for her long ones, and she reached home, dropping
+Amminadab on the threshold long before he arrived.</p>
+
+<p>Then ensued a fight to carry her back, and the
+master, who always took the part of Watch, had to
+separate them. He took the bone of contention into
+the house, and that settled it.</p>
+
+<p>They were sincere friends, however, and later on,
+when poor Watch was unfortunate, the good heart
+under Chloe's rough exterior was shown. Watch
+lost his hearing and then his eyesight, and it was
+then Chloe came to his aid. She helped him and
+seemed always to have the care of him on her mind.
+She hovered around him when carriages drove by,
+and he, not seeing or hearing them, would sit in their
+track. She would drag him away by the ear or push
+him away and share his danger. And he soon followed her slightest touch.</p>
+
+<p>She would often put his food under his nose, for
+he at last lost even his sense of smell. The sense of
+feeling he never lost, and would put out his paw, and
+his poor old heart would beat while he would give
+forth a cracked and feeble bark when his master
+touched him&mdash;loyal and faithful unto death!</p>
+
+<p>His master could not bear the thought of parting
+with him, though he knew it must be, for he was in
+danger of being killed all the time, and, having lost
+all his senses, he at last refused food, and they were
+obliged to "put him to rest." Chloe was inconsolable.
+She wandered about everywhere, searching for him.</p>
+
+<p>One day they saw her lying down on some shining
+object. They found it was an old collar belonging
+to Watch that she had found in the attic. She fought
+when they took it away from her; and when they
+returned it, she carried it out to the barn and put it in
+the corner where Watch used to lie.</p>
+
+<p>There were warm sunny places he had selected to
+rest himself in when he grew tired and sick, and
+Chloe went to every one of his old haunts and made
+her bed. She attached herself to the master just as
+Watch had done, and seemed overjoyed if he noticed
+her. Very soon the sympathy between them in their
+mutual loss made them real friends. He would talk
+to her about Watch, and she seemed to understand
+all he said. It was a real comfort to him.</p>
+
+<p>It is often said that a dog is more companionable
+than a cat, and has higher intelligence. That is not
+true. Cats fully understand everything that a dog
+does; but a dog is trained, and no one but a real cat
+lover would ever think of training a cat.</p>
+
+<p>Chloe never regained her bright spirits after the
+death of Watch. She did not wander off into the
+woods so often, attaching herself more to the children
+and her home. She followed the children like
+a shadow. She could play hide-and-seek in and out
+the pine trees, jumping out on them in real earnest,
+and was always the first one to find the hiding place.</p>
+
+<p>On the place was a real old-fashioned well. Chloe
+was very fond of that well, and the bucket was a real
+friend. Warm days she would lap the drops of water
+from its sides, for it was like ice water.</p>
+
+<p>One day a kitten belonging to a neighbor mounted
+on the side of the well and looked down with wonder
+into the boundless depth. It was a perilous seat.
+Chloe, not pleased at the kitten's rashness, ran
+around the well and in every way tried to call her
+down from her perch; but she was an obstinate little
+creature and took no notice of Chloe's evident distress.
+Finding moral suasion of no avail, quick as a
+flash she flew up, and, taking her by the nape of the
+neck, deposited her in safety on the grass, where
+they had a good romp together; and she never
+allowed that kitten to go near the well again without her company.</p>
+
+<p>The master would say, "We need not fear for the
+children; Chloe will never let them approach the well without her company."</p>
+
+<p>It was very funny, one day when the children,
+returning from a long tramp in the woods, discovered
+they had left Amminadab behind. There were lamentations
+loud and long; they were sure they would
+never again see their dear dolly. Their father asked
+them if Chloe was with them. Yes, they said, but
+they did not notice her coming home. Their father
+walked out into the road, looking in the direction the
+children had taken. Soon he espied a small cloud of
+dust and, as it came nearer, a small yellow object,
+dragging in its mouth something that retarded its
+progress very much. Soon poor Chloe arrived and
+laid Amminadab at the feet of her master. She had
+walked all the way from the pine woods, dragging
+that heavy wooden doll by the dress, which bore
+marks of her teeth, having to shut them tight to bear
+the strain of that weight. She had to take frequent
+rests, and Amminadab's head was covered with
+scratches from the stones she had bumped; but she
+was all there, and when Chloe laid her on the doorstep,
+she sat down panting and tired, but with the
+satisfaction of having done her duty just as Watch would have done.</p>
+
+<p>She was petted and praised. Her master brought
+her out a nice supper of fried fish, and she was perfectly
+happy. After she had acknowledged all their
+thanks, she washed her face (cats never pick their
+teeth in company) and laid herself down on a rug
+where Watch had enjoyed lying, and slept "the sleep of the just."</p>
+
+<p>She was faithful to the end. To the last day of
+her life she would never allow Amminadab to be left
+out of the house without the children, but, taking her
+in her mouth, would carry her in to her place in the
+playroom. She would pick up the children's clothes.
+If they dropped a ribbon or a bit of paper, she would
+be sure to pick it up and put it on a chair or sofa.</p>
+
+<p>She died peacefully, and her grave was made by
+the side of her friend Watch.</p>
+
+<p>It is certain that the family never had truer friends
+than this dog and cat. They all remember them, and
+count them with those loved ones of whom it is so
+comforting to say, "Not lost, but gone before."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XXIII" id="XXIII"></a>XXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE STORY OF BLACKIE</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch23.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">O</span>NE of our friends boarded in a family
+where cats were treated in a cruel manner.
+Often when my mistress visited her,
+the tales of woe about poor, ill-used cats
+made her very sad. Cats always found our friend's
+room, and proved very loving and grateful for her
+care. She kept them in her room all she could,
+always feeding them; and as she had her meals
+sent to her rooms, she had pieces of meat and
+always a plenty of milk to give them, and they
+were very thankful; they loved her dearly. She
+said they were hunted about, and never knew what
+it was to have a kind word spoken to them.</p></div>
+
+<p>One nice cat had several kittens that were kept
+for the little son of the family to abuse. One of
+them ran away from him, and was jammed into the
+crack of a door and killed. Another had its back
+broken under the rockers of a chair; while the boy
+had the third one by the tail, swinging it about, banging
+its head against door-steps, till its feeble moans
+made the neighbors call to him; and as he paid no
+heed to them, one good-hearted Irish girl rushed out
+and, with a good shake, took the kitten in, and ended
+its sufferings in a pail of water. You do not often
+see a real, true-hearted Irish girl that is cruel to animals.</p>
+
+<p>The mother of that boy never noticed any complaints
+made to her of her child's cruelty to animals.
+She allowed him to do as he pleased with his living
+playthings, regardless of their suffering.</p>
+
+<p>At last the cat ran away or was stolen, and my
+mistress's friend said she hoped they would never have another.</p>
+
+<p>A little sister had been born, and at an early age
+developed the same cruel traits that made her brother
+a terror to all animals. At last, after some months,
+they had a black kitten given them. She was about
+six months old, a beautiful black, and she had very
+sharp claws. Though the boy was obliged to keep
+away from her,&mdash;for she defended herself with her
+sharp claws,&mdash;her life was wretched. The first lesson
+she learned was to defend herself, and look upon every one as her enemy.</p>
+
+<p>She had not one friend. No one ever spoke a kind
+word to her, and she was given wretched food and
+bones, for the boy devoured every scrap usually given
+to a cat. Then she was hunted into the cellar to find
+rats, and her life was one long punishment. No resting
+place, no nice corner, or bed to call her own&mdash;she
+was an object of pity indeed.</p>
+
+<p>At last a gleam of light dawned on her darkened
+life. A mouse had been heard in the room of our
+friend, and Blackie was sent up to catch it. She
+cowered down in one corner, trembling all over, not
+knowing what would be done to her. When the
+lady took her on her lap, smoothed her soft fur, she
+seemed to realize that there was something besides
+kicks and blows for her. When laid on a soft wool
+shawl on the lounge, she testified her delight by
+"kneading up bread" on the shawl with her claws,
+till she was tired, then purred out her satisfaction,
+and at last indulged in a good sleep, though starting
+and trembling at every sound, for cats are all
+nerves and sensitive in the highest degree. That
+night she caught a mouse, and after that was allowed
+to sleep in the room for a long time, and she effectually
+cleared the place of them.</p>
+
+<p>When she slept downstairs again our friend had
+given them a box for her to sleep in, with old blanket
+pieces folded to make her comfortable. This was to
+be kept in the passageway just out of the kitchen,
+that she might keep the rats away.</p>
+
+<p>She had got so attached to her friend by this time
+that she did not relish being out of her room at all,
+and early in the morning she would be up at the
+door, crying like a child to be let in, if the door was closed.</p>
+
+<p>It was a very great trial to this kind-hearted lady,
+for she could not keep Blackie all the time, and
+knowing she would be away in summer some months,
+she was very unhappy about leaving Blackie. She
+tried to interest the people in the house in her, but
+it was of no use. The mistress of the house hated
+Blackie, frequently threatening to get rid of her.
+She dared not offend her boarder, so she contented
+herself with abuse of the poor cat on the sly. She
+did not half feed her, but the cat knew where she
+could always get food, for the kind friend would buy
+meat for her and feed her well. Blackie turned from
+them all. She did not believe in any one but her
+kind friend, so it was impossible to help her.</p>
+
+<p>All the lady could do when she went away was to
+speak for her to all of the people she could in the
+house, and to give the servants money to buy meat
+and to be kind to her. But she always left with a heavy heart.</p>
+
+<p>At last Blackie was to have her first kittens. She,
+with that rare instinct that cats have at such times,
+established herself on the lounge in her friend's room,
+and if not forcibly removed, would ignore her hunger
+rather than go down in quest of food. She was
+determined her kittens should be born in luxury and
+under the care of her kind friend. Her friend did
+not fail her. She provided a nice box, all lined and
+made soft inside; and although she could not have
+it in her room, she went down every night to see that
+Blackie was made comfortable.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Blackie! She had a determined will, and
+escaped from her box the night her kittens were
+born, and got up to her friend's door, where she
+cried, and then lay down as near the door as she
+could, and bore her pains in silence, like the patient creature she was.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as morning came she was carried down
+and put in her nice box with the seven little kittens
+she had borne. Her friend took care that they disposed
+of them humanely, keeping only one. Blackie
+never rested till she brought up that kitten and laid
+it in a large chair; then she felt relieved. She would
+take it up the two flights of stairs, then put it down
+at her friend's door, while she mewed and scratched
+till it was opened to her. She was very happy with
+her dear little kitten, and truly it was a lovely little
+creature&mdash;a real tiger-striped gray.</p>
+
+<p>Blackie was perfectly at home; she cast off the
+care of her kitten, and rested and got up her strength
+in this peaceful element. She had avoided the boy
+tyrant and hid her kitten away from him, and his
+mother dared not help him find it, fearing Blackie's friend.</p>
+
+<p>The kitten was just the smartest little creature.
+She soon got big enough to go up to her friend's
+door, and mew just like her mother, and she cuffed
+and fought Blackie in a way that proved she would
+be able to defend herself. Her mother was not so
+fond of her after she began to show her independence.
+She tried to keep her in subjection, but found her to
+be unmanageable. When she went out to parties
+nights, her mother was very morose over it; and
+when her first kittens were born, she disowned her
+altogether. She never would stay in the room with her.</p>
+
+<p>The little kittens were all four allowed to live, and
+were around the kitchen, under people's feet, abused
+by the children, and Kitty Gray, as the friend called
+her, was just wild to get them up into her room. But
+Blackie, their grandmother, drew the line here. She
+stood on the stairs, and Kittie Gray with her "No
+Name Series" (as Miss Milly called the kittens) were
+never allowed up there.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Kittie Gray! She could not understand it.
+She had had such a happy childhood, and now the
+change was fearful. From a bright, happy cat she
+became a snappish, nervous creature, all the time in
+fear for her kittens. Sometimes Blackie did try to
+save the poor little creatures from the children, but
+it was of no use. Their mother hated her because
+she had defended herself from that boy, and they
+kicked and cuffed her till she was obliged to abandon
+the wretched little creatures to their fate, and
+the boy and girl tortured them just as they pleased.
+Their mother said Blackie was a thief, stealing things
+to eat all the time, and she hated her. She said, as
+soon as her kittens were born, she would get rid of her.</p>
+
+<p>When the good friend of Blackie heard of it, she
+talked seriously to the woman. She told her that
+with her feelings she never ought to keep a cat. She
+said that Blackie had well paid for her home in keeping
+them free from rats. She said, "The cat would
+not steal if you would give her enough to satisfy her
+hunger." Then she tried superstition as a reason to be kind to her.</p>
+
+<p>"She is a black cat," she said, "and they are supposed
+to have the power of making or injuring your
+fortunes. There are people who would never dare
+turn a black cat from their home, and would consider
+it a mark of good fortune to have one an inmate of
+their family. If you get rid of Blackie, you will
+never prosper. At least," she said, "have it done mercifully."</p>
+
+<p>It did seem as if poor Blackie knew she was
+doomed. She never was like herself. Though she
+would go up to her friend's room and cry to be let
+in, she was very unhappy, and if any friends came
+in, she would run and hide, instead of remaining to
+be noticed as she had before. She was the most
+wretched cat, and all the petting her friend gave her
+was no comfort to her. She had a premonition of her
+fate. Kitty Gray dared not go near her, and it was between
+two fires that their kind friend lived at this time.</p>
+
+<p>She was away for two days, but the servant had
+promised to look after the cats and earn the money
+given her for that purpose. On the lady's return at
+night, as she had company, she had no chance to ask
+after Blackie. In the morning no little voice greeted
+her; and later, when she opened her door, Kitty Gray
+crept in alone. She looked frightened, and began
+hunting around the room, mewing piteously. She
+was dazed, poor little creature! by the scene she had witnessed.</p>
+
+<p>The lady said all at once a faintness came over
+her, and as she fell back on the lounge she seemed
+to realize what had taken place. She had not believed
+they would dare do this thing. She rang the bell several
+times; then the servant came up, looking very much frightened.</p>
+
+<p>"Maggie," said the lady, "where is Blackie?"</p>
+
+<p>The girl hesitated, but at last said, "She is given away."</p>
+
+<p>"That is not true; I want the whole story," said our friend.</p>
+
+<p>Maggie then said she had promised not to speak of Blackie.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; you can send Miss M. to me, if she is in the house."</p>
+
+<p>Very soon the young lady from the next room
+came in. She said: "I was just coming in to tell
+you this sad story. I leave the house next week to
+go West. Had I not proposed going there, I should
+not have remained in this house another day. As it
+is, I have never been downstairs since you left, and I
+never shall go to that table again."</p>
+
+<p>Then she told her story. She said the night after
+our friend went away she saw Blackie at her door,
+and petted her and carried her down to her box and
+helped the girl give her some food. In the morning
+she did not get down to the table till late, and then
+there seemed something very unusual in the atmosphere
+of the house. She went out as usual to see
+Blackie, but the mistress of the house shut the door,
+saying, "That old black cat is dead, and I want to
+hear nothing about her." The young lady said she
+was so faint she ran upstairs to her room and burst out crying.</p>
+
+<p>Later, when the servant girl came up, she made
+her tell the story. She said the girl had been told
+that if she should let Blackie's friend know how she
+died, that she should lose her place, but the girl said,
+"I don't care. I hate her; and as soon as I can I will leave here."</p>
+
+<p>She said Blackie had four kittens. As soon as
+the last one was born, and poor Blackie lay back
+exhausted, this fiend in human shape, this cruel
+woman, took her and thrust her into a tub of water,
+holding her down with all her strength till her struggles
+and shrieks ended. It was a wholesale slaughter.
+Next she put the two good-sized kittens of Kitty Gray
+in, and then the four helpless ones of Blackie. The
+boy and girl looked on, dancing and yelling till the
+cries of the kittens were all still.</p>
+
+<p>The girl said she thought <i>Hell</i> could not be worse
+than that scene. They were thrown into the city
+cart, a dreadful sight, and one calculated to harden
+the hearts of the children, who looked on at the
+exhibition of these neglected remains.</p>
+
+<p>The lady was speechless. She said she could not
+bear even to see Kitty Gray, and she wished the poor
+little creature had been destroyed with the others. She
+wrote a note, giving a week's notice that her rooms
+would be at liberty, sent for a carriage, and left the
+house. She sent a friend to pack her things, and
+never entered the house again. But she wrote a note
+to the woman, saying that she knew the laws of the
+land did not punish such crimes, but she said: "God
+will avenge that poor black creature; and the sight
+that you allowed your children to look upon, of
+wholesale cruelty, will prove a curse to them. You will never prosper."</p>
+
+<p>And she never has. The loss of her two best
+boarders, then the sickness and death of her husband,
+the children both of them with some troublesome
+disease all the time, filled her cup of woe. In
+one year's time her house was empty, and she was
+obliged to give it up. Wherever she is, the curse
+she brought on herself, in the murder of Blackie, will
+follow her forever; and she will yet see her children
+made to suffer for the cruel natures she encouraged in them.</p>
+
+<p>Many a murderer can trace back his first wrong
+act to just such crimes as this one. The first lessons
+in cruelty are the ones to be dreaded; the children
+cannot reason, and they follow the example of those
+older than themselves, and their hearts harden, and
+no later instructions will ever counteract their influence.
+And soon the teaching in our institutions supplement
+their home lessons of cruelty, and they are
+ready for the pastime of vivisection. No wonder
+that they are adepts in this criminal abuse of creatures
+in their power. And God suffers it just as he
+allows men and women to follow their wicked natures
+and commit crimes for which they have to pay the
+penalty. I heard my mistress say this, and I did
+comprehend it; therefore I do not hesitate to write
+it even if it does sound too deep for a cat. There
+are cats&mdash;and <i>cats</i>, and I am of the second kind.</p>
+
+<p>I have told you the story of Blackie that you may
+know what is passing around you all the time. It is
+heartrending to see the poor cats stealing about,
+trembling and hiding at the sound of a footstep.
+Half starved and homeless, what can they do but
+steal, to satisfy the pangs of hunger? Think how
+many people steal dress and jewels to decorate their
+sinful bodies, while cats are satisfied with the forms
+and clothes their Maker gave them; and they keep
+themselves clean without the expense of a ticket to the public bath-houses.</p>
+
+<p>There is much said about not giving to the poor,
+for fear of encouraging laziness. There, again, cats
+are superior to the human race. You never find a
+lazy cat. Give a cat a home, enough to eat, and then
+give her work to do, to clear your house of rats, and
+she will spend days patiently watching, allowing nothing
+to divert her attention till she has accomplished
+her task, and the rats are all killed or driven away.</p>
+
+<p>And they feel well paid by kind words. Cats are
+invaluable to amuse babies, if you will trust them. I
+heard a lady say that her baby she left for hours,
+with the cat sitting on its little crib. She did not
+like the idea of nurse bottles, as she nursed her baby
+(that being the fashion at that time); and as baby
+must have something to go to sleep on, she made of
+pounded cracker and sugar a pap and put it into
+little pieces of muslin tied around with a string. It
+was about as big as a cherry, and the long ends of
+muslin would prevent the baby from swallowing it.
+He would go off to sleep contentedly with that comforter
+in his mouth. Nino had looked on with wide
+open eyes and even ventured to smell of the little comforters.</p>
+
+<p>One day, hearing the baby cry after a good long
+hour's sleep, the mother went in, and saw one of the
+funniest sights. She said the baby was crying, but
+Nino was lying on her side, with the little comforter
+in her mouth. From the noise she made and the
+satisfied expression on her face there is no doubt she
+enjoyed it, just as one does a new discovery in cooking.
+When her mistress took it away from her, she
+made great resistance. After that, when the baby
+had his comforter, she always laid a fresh one by
+the side of Nino&mdash;a very satisfactory move for her.</p>
+
+<p>She trusted Nino with the children, and Pussy
+seemed to find as much pleasure in playing with
+them as she would have found with cats. There was
+never any nice thing given to the children of which
+Nino was not given her portion. They never enjoyed
+their own unless Nino had her full share.</p>
+
+<p>Cats are invaluable in stores. There is no doubt
+they often prevent robberies and protect their master's
+property. In a grocery store they do good service.
+They keep away rats and save a great deal from destruction.</p>
+
+<p>A nice grocer told my mistress that he would not
+take any sum of money for his cat. He had a very
+large gray cat, and he might always be seen walking
+about as if master of the store. His bright ribbon
+bow on his neck made him doubly attractive to all
+the children around. He walked over the boxes and
+cases, with velvet paws, and never was known to
+break or destroy anything. He would lie quite happy
+in the window where the sun came on him and would
+sleep for hours. But let any one presume on his not
+hearing, and he would find a very wide-awake cat.</p>
+
+<p>Dick never allowed cats to visit at the store. He
+would drive them out with tooth and nail. But he
+evidently visited his own friends, for some days he
+would be away for hours, though he never was absent
+nights, his master seeing that Dick was in his box,
+on his rug, before he closed the store.</p>
+
+<p>The grocer's daughter was very fond of cats, and
+Dick was a prime favorite. One evening, on returning
+home, she found a little kitten on the doorstep.
+It was not more than two days old. It appealed to her
+heart at once, and she decided to keep it. She gave
+it some milk in a saucer, but it did not know how to
+lap it, and she gave it a few drops on her finger.
+From the way it drew her finger into its mouth she
+got an idea. She had seen dolls' nurse bottles, and
+she bought one, filled it with milk just warm, and the
+little kitten took to it at once. It was so happy,
+sleeping peacefully with that bottle in its mouth, that
+every one who saw it was delighted. One friend
+suggested that the girl should exhibit the kitten in
+the window of her father's store.</p>
+
+<p>It was a dear little black and white kitten, and
+lying in a basket lined with blue, a blue ribbon on
+its neck, and the nurse bottle in its mouth, it was
+a lovely sight. A place was made in the large window,
+a big box put in, and the basket put on it, and
+then the crowd were treated to this little show. Not
+only children, but men and women, crowded the sidewalk;
+and the exclamations of delight and admiration
+proved how deep a hold cats have on real true hearts.
+The grocer facetiously reminded them that as they had
+all enjoyed this free show, they might now come in and
+patronize him, saying milk was expensive, and nurse
+bottles consumed a great deal of the best; that now
+he had an extra mouth to feed, he must get more custom.
+His joke was appreciated, and in a very few
+days he found that the increase of trade, due to the
+charming picture in his window, was really worth the
+experiment. And after the people had once bought
+of him, his kind heart and the very nice quality of
+his goods made them friends and customers from that time.</p>
+
+<p>But Dick! Wasn't he as mad as a March hare.
+He looked upon the nurse bottle as an infernal
+machine, and the little orphan as a fraud. He would
+not go near the basket, but took a seat where he could
+measure every drop of milk that was consumed; and
+although he had always scorned milk as too weak for
+him, he would hang around the milk-can, and once,
+when it was not given to him, he threw over the can,
+spilling all the milk, and then walked away, as if to
+say, "Now I hope you will give me my share." And
+they never after that overlooked him, for he developed
+quite a love for what he had before despised.</p>
+
+<p>His master said he had every reason to be grateful
+to cats as well as fond of them, for they cleared his
+store of rats; and one large yellow cat he had when
+he first kept a store, had saved him from being
+robbed. The thief had got in through a window,
+and had made some excellent selections from the
+boxes and cases, when the cat, seated on a high
+shelf, knocked over a tin cracker box, and that fell
+against another, and down went the whole shelf of
+tins, with a noise like thunder. The man fled, leaving
+his tools behind him, probably thinking the store
+was filled with armed men. Pretty good work for one cat!</p>
+
+<p>It seems to me the best combination a safe could
+have would be a dog and a cat. At the least provocation
+they would fight, and this would intimidate intruders.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XXIV" id="XXIV"></a>XXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>RETRIBUTION</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch24.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">A</span> GREAT deal has been said about chloroforming
+animals. I should prefer this mode of leaving the world to any other. Miss
+Eleanor was so unhappy over hanging,
+that the desire to have criminals disposed of in that
+way was one of her often expressed wishes. If it
+must be that one murder should follow another,&mdash;"a
+life for a life,"&mdash;why should it be a cruel one?
+Justice would be satisfied.</p></div>
+
+<p>Miss Milly said, "Oh, that would not be satisfactory
+to those who delight in punishing their fellow-creatures."</p>
+
+<p>While the law will allow such exhibitions, reserved
+seats, and tickets to witness the taking of life, and
+all the etiquette of a first-class bull fight in Spain,
+just so long will they persevere in the most barbarous
+way of taking life. It is murder just the same, however it is done.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes we really see retribution follow crime.
+There is no doubt it is always punished, though it is
+not given to us to know how it is done. In the
+story I am about to relate we can plainly see just
+how swiftly retribution followed the sin.</p>
+
+<p>A friend told my mistress the tale, and it made my
+hair stand on end. I suffered so deeply in thinking
+about it that I know I can tell it in a forcible manner.
+Tales of this kind, however we may dislike to hear
+them, must be put in black and white before we can
+reach the hearts of those in whose power rests the
+future of that crime called vivisection.</p>
+
+<p>Millions of innocent victims are offered up every
+year in the name of science. It is simply pandering
+to the low animal craving for cruelty. No man or
+woman can witness the torturing of helpless creatures
+and come out of the ordeal innocent. Why is the
+cannibal worse than the doctor who uses his knife on
+helpless creatures, teaching a class of young people
+to do likewise? Is life safe when the fiendish craving
+to operate comes upon him? Would his wife or his
+child be sacred? Would he not practise on them?</p>
+
+<p>And now, as this all-absorbing subject has driven
+me all around "Robin Hood's barn," I will tell my
+story. An elderly lady who was very fond of cats
+told the story to her daughter, and from her it came
+to my mistress. A niece of this lady, a beautiful
+girl, had married a young doctor. Her friends were
+not pleased with the match, but could not influence
+her. She was young, beautiful, and rich. She was
+her own mistress, being an orphan, and under no
+obligation to obey her aunt unless she would do so
+willingly. It is a very true saying that love is blind.
+She could see no flaw in her idol.</p>
+
+<p>For two years she travelled in Europe with her
+aunt, the separation being a great trial to the lovers.
+On her return they were married, and his devotion
+made her life perfect. When their first child was
+expected, they felt that nothing would be wanting to
+complete their happiness.</p>
+
+<p>One year from the date of their marriage she died,
+and a few hours after her beautiful little son followed
+her. Her husband was prostrated with grief, and in
+two months from the day of her death he left his
+home and sought in travel to forget his sorrow.
+Three years after, he died in Rome, of fever.</p>
+
+<p>His friends believed he had recklessly thrown
+away his life. Without his wife he cared not to
+live. But there was a mystery that many friends
+suspected, but the truth was never made public.
+The aunt held the key to the mystery and revealed
+the sorrowful secret to her daughter.</p>
+
+<p>Alice was one of the most sensitive girls. She
+never would tolerate a falsehood. She had one master
+passion, and that was love of animals. Her horse
+knew her voice and would follow her about like a
+dog. But of all her pets, she loved cats the best.</p>
+
+<p>Some time before her engagement to Dr. G. she
+had a beautiful little kitten. She seemed to live for
+that little creature. It was always in her arms and
+seemed to know as much as a child. When it was
+eight months old it disappeared under the most
+mysterious circumstances. Search was made, and
+great rewards were offered, but all of no avail. She
+mourned for it, and had it been a child she could not have suffered more.</p>
+
+<p>She fell ill of low fever, and her friends were very
+anxious about her. They never mentioned Little Blossom
+to her, and she never had another cat. After
+her engagement and marriage she was very happy,
+but never could speak to her husband about her loss,
+and he knew nothing of her love for Little Blossom.
+They were seldom separated, but two months before
+her death her husband left her to visit a patient in a neighboring town.</p>
+
+<p>As she was well and cheerful, he did not feel any
+hesitation at leaving her, though he expected to be
+away all day. He was surprised, on his return, that
+his wife was not watching for him as usual. He ran
+up to their room and, finding the door locked, called
+to his wife to open the door. Receiving no answer,
+he was alarmed and, going through his dressing-room,
+entered the room. The odor of chloroform caused
+his heart to stand still with fear. His wife lay on the lounge insensible.</p>
+
+<p>He threw open the windows and used every means
+in his power to restore her, and she at last revived.
+With a look of horror she recoiled from him, releasing
+herself from his arms in frantic haste. He thought
+she had lost her reason, and when she again became
+unconscious he took her in his arms and carried her
+into her room, where he laid her on the couch, and
+she soon revived. Very tenderly he soothed her, asking
+her why she had used a dangerous thing like
+chloroform so recklessly. He remembered that
+she had, before her marriage, used it for neuralgia,
+but since he had the care of her he had never allowed it.</p>
+
+<p>She looked with a dazed expression. She trembled
+all over if he touched her, and made no answer to his
+words of tenderness. He telegraphed for one of the
+best physicians and a nurse. And then, with the aid
+of her maid, who was very much attached to her mistress,
+he made her as comfortable as possible.</p>
+
+<p>The maid could give no explanation of the cause
+of her sickness. Her mistress had received several
+letters, and had been shut up in her room writing for
+some hours. She had taken her some toast and tea,
+though she did not care to take it. She thought she
+had taken a chill, for she was shivering and looked
+very white. She said she would sleep, and did not
+wish to be disturbed. So the maid left her, and had
+heard nothing of her since, till called by him on his return.</p>
+
+<p>Though conscious when the doctor and nurse came,
+she closed her eyes and never spoke a word. After
+an examination the doctor said, "She has evidently
+received some shock that has unbalanced her mind."
+He advised her husband to keep away from her, as
+the moment he came near her she trembled and shrunk away from him.</p>
+
+<p>It was torture to her husband, but his knowledge
+taught him that the doctor was right&mdash;that the nearest
+and dearest are always turned from by the diseased
+mind. Though he never left the dressing room, he kept out of her sight.</p>
+
+<p>Two days from the time she was taken sick she
+died, and her little son followed her a few hours after.
+She never spoke to them, though they believed her
+to be conscious. Their agony and grief did not move
+her at all, and in the last few hours convulsions prevented
+any attempt to make her speak.</p>
+
+<p>This was a crushing blow to her husband. To lose
+her without one word prostrated him. He was to know
+a deeper sorrow&mdash;one that would admit of no consolation.
+It was a long time before he could look
+over her papers; but at last it was necessary, and
+he aroused himself. Then came retribution indeed.</p>
+
+<p>A package met his eye, on opening her desk,
+directed to him in the handwriting of his wife. The
+date on the outside convinced him that she had written
+it soon after he had left her that fatal morning.
+It contained a letter in a masculine hand, but the
+letter from his wife he read first.</p>
+
+<p>From that moment his life was ended. He spoke
+to no one of his friends of his sorrow, giving the
+charge of their home into the hands of the aunt with
+whom his wife had lived, and then he left his home, to travel alone.</p>
+
+<p>The letter from his wife, and the one she had received
+that had caused all her sorrow, was sent to her
+aunt, at his death, with a letter he had also written.
+The letter from his wife explained all. She wrote
+him that after reading the enclosed letter all love for
+him had died out of her heart, leaving only disgust.
+She could not endure the thought of him as her husband.
+She was determined rather than live with him
+she would take her own life and her child's. She
+could read only cruel thoughts in his face, and her
+life would be filled with the dread that she and her
+child would be subjects for his knife.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Little Blossom was like a child, and I
+can see her delicate limbs quivering while you tortured
+her. I should go mad to live with you, for
+her dear little face would always be before me."</p>
+
+<p>She had evidently fought with her weakness, to
+finish her letter, for the writing was almost unintelligible.</p>
+
+<p>He at once recognized the handwriting of the
+other letter, and he knew that there was no appeal
+from the truth. He could only say in anguish of
+heart, "It is just." The letter was directed to her,
+in her maiden name, and had been forwarded to
+her by her aunt. By some mistake it was over a
+year since it had been written, and with other papers
+was found by her aunt when she opened her house after a long absence.</p>
+
+<p>It was from one of her old friends, a gentleman
+of high standing, holding a very important position
+in a neighboring city. The news of her marriage had
+never reached him, else the letter would never have
+been written. He had known her from childhood
+and had loved her hopelessly. His letter stated the
+fact that a power stronger than his own will obliged
+him to write to her, and save her from marriage with
+a man who would surely make her unhappy.</p>
+
+<p>"If I cause you great sorrow, in this terrible relation,
+it may save you from a life-long unhappiness.
+Doctor L., my cousin, whom you well know, is my authority,
+and will swear to the truth of my story. Willard
+C., your little friend and neighbor, will also
+vouch for its accuracy, for he took an active part
+in the scene of which I write.</p>
+
+<p>"Dr. L., as you well know, is a classmate of the
+man to whom you are engaged. And as he was a
+frequent visitor at your home, and a great friend of
+your aunt, you will know there is no appeal against
+his report. He returned from Germany last week,
+and when he asked my sister regarding news of his
+old friends, she spoke of your engagement.</p>
+
+<p>"'Impossible,' he exclaimed, 'of all things this is
+the most unaccountable.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Why?' said my sister; 'they are very fond of
+each other, and you are not so shabby, because you
+have broken with him, to grudge him his happiness,
+for he is devoted to her. You will admit it is a good match.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes,' he said, 'so it looks to the world, but he
+never ought to marry her.'</p>
+
+<p>"Then he changed the subject, though my sister
+tried to get at his reason for speaking in this manner.
+After she left us, I at once insisted on an explanation.
+Then to my horror and disgust I heard this fearful story.</p>
+
+<p>"My cousin said: 'You know my love of animals
+and my opposition to vivisection. I have never
+allowed myself to listen to or assist in any act of this
+nature. You know my intimacy with Dr. G., and I
+never for one moment suspected him of the cruelty
+of which I proved him guilty.</p>
+
+<p>"'Visiting Alice M. so often, I knew all her
+feelings in regard to animals, and I knew that her
+love for cats was the master passion of her life.
+Her last pet was a beautiful little kitten. You surely
+remember it? She called it Little Blossom.</p>
+
+<p>"'One evening I called on her and learned from
+the servant that Miss Alice had been ill for some days.</p>
+
+<p>"'On my way home I had to pass Dr. G.'s office,
+and as I had some business with him, I thought I
+would call. I found him very busy. Two young
+students were waiting to accompany him to the
+classroom. He invited me to go with them, saying,
+"We have a most interesting subject to-night."
+I never thought to ask the nature of the study, and
+finding an old friend in the outer room, I remained talking with him.</p>
+
+<p>"'Soon cries the most agonizing came from the
+next room, and my friend, an old physician said:
+"This is hellish work! G. is a fiend when he is
+at it. I must go and prevent all the cruelty I can."</p>
+
+<p>"'Some power stronger than my own will made
+me follow him. Dr. G. was the actor in one of
+the cruellest cases of vivisection. A lovely little
+kitten about eight months old, a pet kitten evidently,
+he was torturing, without the least pretence of anæsthetic.
+Its cries were fearful, but there was no release
+for it. I cried to him to give it something to
+deaden the pain, but he was deaf to my request.
+If ever a man's face was transformed to that of a demon, it was that man's.</p>
+
+<p>"'Two of the students, to their credit be it said,
+turned away sick and faint, while one of them,
+Willard C. cried out, "My God! it is Alice M.'s pet, Little Blossom."</p>
+
+<p>"'I gave one spring forward, and&mdash;yes, it indeed
+was dear Little Blossom, her lovely eyes starting
+from her head, her soft fur matted with blood, while
+her intestines were exposed to his cruel hand, to be
+tortured. I tore a long scarf from my neck, and
+finding a bottle of chloroform near, I saturated it
+with it and covered the dear little kitten, holding
+it down with my breast till every sound was still.
+It was a fearful task, for I was almost overpowered
+by the chloroform, and Dr. G. fell upon me like a
+madman despoiled of his prey. But others came to
+my aid, and Willard C. took the body of the little
+victim, saying he would bury it himself.</p>
+
+<p>"'To Dr. G. I said: "I will never take your
+hand again in friendship. Professional honor requires
+silence, and in this case sympathy with the
+owner or the victim will allow you to escape punishment.
+You know there is a law against taking a pet animal."</p>
+
+<p>"'He was in a great rage, saying, "That is not
+your business. I bought her of a boy, supposing
+she was his property. I do not think you are
+much of a doctor if you shrink from procuring the
+knowledge so necessary to science, however painful the ordeal."</p>
+
+<p>"'"Never would I be a doctor," I answered, "if I
+must also be a fiend. Heaven grant you may never
+have wife or child, for they would not be safe from
+you, if you needed subjects."</p>
+
+<p>"'He laughed a scornful laugh, saying, "My wife,
+if I ever have one, will be obliged to you."</p>
+
+<p>"'And now, great Heaven! he is engaged to the
+loveliest and dearest woman I ever knew, and she is
+the mistress of Little Blossom whom he murdered.'</p>
+
+<p>"'It must be prevented,' I said, as soon as I could
+control my feeling, for the fearful tale my cousin had
+so feelingly related, made me sick. 'She shall never
+be his wife. I will prevent it, even though I have to
+tell her this heartrending story. If she should discover
+the truth after her marriage, it would kill her.'</p>
+
+<p>"I could not sleep that night. I could see Little
+Blossom in your arms, with her blue bow on her neck,
+just under one ear, and I could feel her soft little
+paws, when she would give them to me when you told
+her to. I could hear you say: 'Jack, I love her
+better than I could love a child. If anything should
+happen to her, it would kill me, for I mean to keep her all my life.'</p>
+
+<p>"And then the face of that man, as he bent over
+that innocent little creature! Even when she tried
+to lick his hand it did not touch his heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you blame me for telling you this? I know
+you so well that I do not fear that the loss of such a
+fiend will ever trouble you. I know your love will
+die at once, and Little Blossom will be avenged.
+And I cannot answer to my conscience if I allow you
+to marry this man. Wife or child would not be safe
+with a man who has entered into this compact with
+Satan, called vivisection. Let no mother ever trust
+her boy after he has willingly assisted in this cruel pastime.</p>
+
+<p>"Show him this letter, if you wish, and Willard
+C. will tell you where he made the grave of your dear little pet."</p>
+
+<p>After Dr. G. read that letter he no longer needed
+a clew to the loss of wife and child. Little Blossom
+was avenged. But at what a fearful cost!</p>
+
+<p>There are often advertisements seen in the daily
+papers and great rewards offered for lost pets,&mdash;dogs
+and cats. Never expect to find them. The doctors
+will pay more than the offered reward for nice, well-cared-for
+dogs and cats; and boys have no regard
+for those who feel the loss of their pets. It is to get the highest price.</p>
+
+<p>Is it not the duty of every one who can have influence
+to use it in behalf of the dumb creatures who
+appeal to their mercy? They cannot speak for themselves.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="XXV" id="XXV"></a>XXV</h2>
+
+<h3>EVENTIDE</h3>
+
+
+<div class="drop">
+<img src="images/dropcap_ch25.jpg" alt="I" class="cap" />
+<p class="cap_4"><span class="allc">W</span>E are still in our pleasant rooms, and life
+is very quiet and happy. Each day I grow less able to go about. I have no
+inclination to leave our nice room. It is
+really true I am growing old. I can hear only in one
+ear; but, oh my, don't I hear quickly in the other!
+The sense of smell has grown stronger. I think I
+could smell a rat one mile away. My eyesight is
+good. I do not believe even a Boston-born cat ever
+wears glasses. Their literary tendencies do not need
+to be advertised by glasses.</p></div>
+
+<p>But alas! there are other indications of old age.
+I love to lie quiet, looking in the fire, where I see
+pictures of the past. My appetite is good, but I am
+very particular about my food, and if it does not
+please me, I am irritable. Unless the boys or some
+friends I love come in, I do not feel inclined to make
+myself agreeable. It is a real pleasure when Will
+takes me on his knee, and I can stick my claws in,
+just as I used to, scratching gently, while he says,
+"Oh, Daisy, you are at your old tricks!"</p>
+
+<p>But it makes me sad after they have gone. I look
+in the fire and see the dear little boys of long ago,
+dressed so cunning and always so full of fun. To
+know that they are no longer mine! These smart
+young men have taken their places. Then, indeed,
+I feel I am an old cat and nearing the end. I have
+learned now the meaning of "the beginning of the
+end." I realize that I must finish my book at once,
+before I get too old to write at all. My thumb is
+rather stiff and rheumatic, and my "index claw" not
+quite as sharp a pen as it used to be, but I think I
+shall be able to finish my work.</p>
+
+<p>There is one thing very true. No one realizes my
+great age. Friends come in daily, and say, "Oh,
+Daisy, how lovely you are! and your tail is just perfect."
+Of course I know it is true. My tail is just
+lovely, and my fur is as soft and luxuriant as it was
+years ago. But when they say, "<i>She</i> is beautiful,"
+that arouses all the "old cat Adam" in me, for I
+suppose that is the part of us that dies last. After
+having all my life behaved like a gentleman, with all
+his virtues, and none of his vices, now, in my old age,
+to be called "She" is more than I can bear. The
+advanced woman cat may, like her superiors, have a
+desire to be men; but no gentleman cat would ever
+care to change his nature or sex. Just because my
+name is Daisy, they seem to think I am a "Miss
+Nancy," and adapt their conversation to suit an inferior intellect.</p>
+
+<p>One young girl came to visit us one day, and we
+were tired enough of her. She had no brains and
+soon used up all her small talk. Then she gushed
+over me. It made me sick. I opened my eyes wide
+at her. This pleased her so much that she nodded
+just like a donkey, and clucked at me just as if she
+thought me a hen. Then she repeated that awful
+silly thing with no sense in at all:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">"'Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, where have you been?'<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">'I've been to London to see the Queen.'"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>Her voice was thin and pitched high, and it made
+me tired and cross. She looked for approval and
+got disappointed. I backed away from her and
+swelled up my tail till it was as big as a muff. She
+was rather frightened, but my two friends laughed.
+They understood that I was insulted by such childish
+nonsense. As if I had a mind no deeper than that silly stuff!</p>
+
+<p>I wanted her to know that "Washington" and the
+"President of the United States" and his wife would
+be much more attractive to me.</p>
+
+<p>London and the Queen! There are snobs enough
+to visit them without a cat joining the crowd. I
+have no doubt the Queen is a nice old lady, but then
+there are so many nicer ones who earn their own living
+that I can see every day. Such a journey would
+be useless. I have never heard she was fond of cats.
+If she had been, they might be treated better by
+those who follow after and pin their faith on royalty.</p>
+
+<p>I did get very nervous over that silly "Pussy Cat."
+It ran in my head, and my nice fire pictures were
+filled with the maudlin trash. And I was heartily
+glad when Miss Eleanor said, "Now we will have a
+little of Dickens to clear the atmosphere." That
+calmed my nerves, and I fell asleep, and I also fell
+off of the hassock, where I had perched myself.</p>
+
+<p>The other day I heard Miss Milly say that she
+scarcely ever took up a paper without finding some
+interesting anecdote of a dog or cat. Miss Eleanor
+said, "What interesting stories we could tell of the pets we have known!"</p>
+
+<p>I just laughed to myself, thinking how surprised
+they would be when they found my manuscript containing
+many of their nice stories. I never forget
+stories I hear, and I hear many I would like to repeat
+if I had space. Here is one, however, I cannot overlook.</p>
+
+<p>A friend of ours had a beautiful maltese cat named
+Primrose. Primrose had four kittens. They were
+just perfect, and she was very proud of them. The
+mistress decided to keep them all, for the children
+were delighted with them. As they were living that
+summer in a large old farmhouse, they had plenty
+of room. Primrose had a large clothes-basket for her
+nursery, with a nice rug inside. A more luxurious
+place could not have been found for a home. Indeed,
+had she been a society cat, feeling the necessity of
+giving importance to her home, she would, like
+"human society people," have called her home "Catmore,"
+"The Mewes," or "Pussy Villa." But she
+was content to call it what it really was,&mdash;a good
+homelike clothes-basket, with beauty and goodness
+enough inside to allow of its being nameless.</p>
+
+<p>One day one of the children tied a red ribbon
+around the neck of Primrose. She looked so charming
+that the other children gave up their pretty hair
+ribbons to decorate the kittens. There were pink,
+blue, and yellow. The fourth one was red, like the
+mother's. It was a beautiful sight. The basket
+looked like one huge bouquet.</p>
+
+<p>Primrose was away when they were decorated, and
+on her return she looked with surprise at the brilliant
+objects in her home. She gave one "cat call" of
+surprise. This aroused the kittens, and they climbed
+up the side of the basket and mewed for their dinner.
+Primrose looked at each one, as if to make sure they
+were her kittens. Then she jumped into the basket,
+boxed all their ears, and tore off every ribbon, with
+the exception of the red one like her own. This was
+her way of saying; "Stick to your mother's color; it
+is red. I will not allow children of mine to indulge
+in such foolish masquerading!" She only made
+them naughty little kittens, for they did crowd their
+little sister, with the red ribbon, almost out of the
+basket. They whispered and licked and played with
+each other, but would not speak to her.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, however, the children, finding that
+Primrose preferred her own taste in ribbons to theirs,
+brought red ribbons for them all. Then the mother
+was satisfied. Was not that a proof that Primrose
+could tell one color from another?</p>
+
+<p>I have one great pleasure&mdash;I can go out every
+fair day. I climb on the fence, but do not go away
+from our garden: for in the next house is a dog, and
+he is a poor, evil-dispositioned creature. He seems
+to hate me. Why he should want to make me answerable
+for his unhappiness, I cannot understand.
+Just as soon as I appear on the fence, he barks and
+barks till all the neighborhood is disturbed. I do
+not notice him, for I know it is a free country, and I
+have as good a right to the fence as he has to his garden.</p>
+
+<p>Norah, the girl where we live, is very kind to me.
+She keeps the window open, and I can jump in just
+when I please. The good kind old "gentleman of the
+house" speaks very kindly to me, and I know he understands
+me, for one day when I reached over when
+that dog was barking, and hissed right in his face
+once or twice just to aggravate him, this nice old
+gentleman laughed, and said, "Smart Daisy!" And
+I enjoyed it. When I got over my madness at night,
+all alone in my basket, all asleep around me, I did
+think how sad it was, when I ought to be at peace
+with all the world, knowing that my life would soon
+end, to go and irritate that poor dog by hissing at
+him; it made me feel ashamed. But then, I suppose
+I shall do it again unless I stay in when he barks.</p>
+
+<p>There was a very nice cat belonging to some people
+who had recently moved into one of the houses
+near. He was a real "out and outer." I never heard
+such a voice or such sentiments before. He said he
+wanted to kill! It was his mission! Let the rats
+and mice in the neighborhood beware! He was
+there. That was enough; they were doomed. He
+would make that back yard a battle-field.</p>
+
+<p>I was carried right off my feet by his eloquence.
+"Good heavens!" I thought, "is his name 'Gladstone'
+or 'Bismarck'? What a loss to me! I shall
+never find another rat; he will kill them all."</p>
+
+<p>When weeks and weeks passed on, and I had killed
+a few, though I did not tell him, he blustered so, I
+thought he had killed dozens. The nice cat in the
+next house told me that he had never killed one.
+She said, "He is a real coward." He is just like
+some men&mdash;all talk and brag, "great cry and little wool."</p>
+
+<p>I did like that cat. She said she was very soon
+going into the country to live. She preferred it to
+the city. She said where she had lived there were
+six cats. She liked them, but preferred a change.
+They were all old cats and did not care to play.
+Three of them had no teeth, and all the soft pieces
+of meat were given to them. But they were very
+poor company. She could not help them, and was
+glad of a change; it was too much like "The Old
+Ladies' Home" for her. One of them, she said, was
+so crazy after valerian that it was given to her all the
+time, and it made her just ugly and very quarrelsome.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," I remarked, "I am very glad to know of
+cats that are cared for. There are enough suffering
+around us to make our hearts ache."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said, "and I could tell you tales that would chill your blood."</p>
+
+<p>I begged her not to. I told her I had seen enough
+to make me very unhappy, as I could not help them;
+but she would tell me one.</p>
+
+<p>She said: "On this very street I saw a nicely
+dressed young man chase a poor cat, a half-starved
+creature, into a sewer hole and beat her in with his
+cane; then some boys joined him, and the boys filled
+in the opening and stayed there shouting and yelling
+till she must have been suffocated. And this fiend
+in shape of man came away, laughing. If we could
+read the papers and knew his name," she added,
+"probably we should read he had battered his wife's
+head with a shovel or killed his old father."</p>
+
+<p>I went home with a heavy heart. I had not felt
+well for some time, and I could not bear to live in
+such a wicked world. I did not look out of the window
+very often, for fear I should see that sewer hole
+and the ghost of that poor cat peeping out.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot help them. All I can think of to comfort
+me is that I am with people who have all their lives
+done all they could to help and protect the poor
+and afflicted, and every animal they could do for has
+been made happy. And I rest in peace, for I believe
+that a higher power has guided me, a poor cat, to
+write this little book, that my life and the many tales
+of woe I have listened to and here repeat may go
+forth and do their mission.</p>
+
+<p>I feel that the end is near, and I know that the
+loving care I have had through my happy life will
+be mine, for I know we shall meet again. I shall
+watch for my loved ones at the gate of Paradise.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>It is eventide. The glowing tints have faded from
+my life picture, but the beautiful twilight remains.
+And when I have crossed to the "golden shore," I
+hope my memory will come back to my loved ones
+like the beautiful afterglow of a perfect sunset.</p>
+
+<p>To all the dear friends who have known and loved
+Daisy I would say an affectionate good-by till we meet again.</p>
+
+
+<p>THE END</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<div class="tr">
+<h3>Transcriber notes</h3>
+
+<p>Obvious spelling and punctuation errors repaired.</p>
+
+<p>Both "boot-jacks" and "bootjacks" used in this text. Bootjack used.</p>
+
+<p>Both "life-long" and "lifelong" used in this text. Life-long used.</p>
+
+<p>Numerous mismatch quote errors ignored.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Daisy, by Miranda Eliot Swan
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+</body>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Daisy, by Miranda Eliot Swan
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Daisy
+       the autobiography of a cat
+
+Author: Miranda Eliot Swan
+
+Release Date: October 23, 2011 [EBook #37826]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAISY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Adam Buchbinder, Mark Young and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+book was produced from scanned images of public domain
+material from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "DAISY." (FROM THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH.)]
+
+
+
+
+  Daisy
+
+  _The Autobiography of a Cat_
+
+  BY
+  MIRANDA ELIOT SWAN
+
+  Boston
+  NOYES BROTHERS
+  PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+  COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY NOYES BROTHERS.
+
+  Norwood Press
+  J.S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & Smith
+  Norwood Mass. U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+This little story of one cat's life has been written during the
+intervals of a long and painful illness, when I missed the love and
+sympathy of my little four-footed friend of eighteen years, now, alas!
+nothing but a memory. Indeed, so vividly did his spirit speak to me,
+that I readily acknowledge him the author of this book, being myself his
+amanuensis.
+
+From my earliest childhood the love of animals, particularly cats, has
+been inherent with me. One tale of cruelty, heard by me when a child,
+distressed me and made me ill, and nightly the panorama of the
+disgusting crime would haunt my pillow. But I never regret the suffering
+it caused me, for it taught me my duty to our dumb friends so dependent
+on us.
+
+If the little stories in this book touch the hearts of its readers as
+that story touched mine, it will indeed have accomplished its mission.
+Just such stories are needed to create interest in the many societies
+now forming in aid of dumb animals.
+
+There are cases where one must not spare the knife, even though our
+tenderest and most sensitive feelings recoil, for the cure will be sure.
+There are crimes perpetrated every day, in the name of Science, that
+need just such stories to expose their iniquity. For I believe ignorance
+is the cause of cruelty in many instances, and a little story told
+attractively, where retribution follows the deed, will have more effect
+than reproof. I do not believe there are many hearts so callous, that a
+little anecdote of cruelty to these helpless creatures will not touch
+them.
+
+There are many who will read this book who have lost dear little pets,
+and I would say to them that the dear Father has them all in his care.
+In the boundless and beautiful fields of Paradise they will find the
+dear little friends they have lost waiting for them.
+
+I trust my readers will pardon the many imperfections of this little
+book, believing that an earnest wish to help our dumb animals is my
+heart's desire.
+
+                                                    MIRANDA ELIOT SWAN.
+
+    BOSTON,
+    December 11, 1899.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+  CHAPTER I                                                 PAGE
+  EARLY DAYS                                                   1
+
+  CHAPTER II
+  MY MOTHER'S STORY                                            4
+
+  CHAPTER III
+  MY HOME                                                     17
+
+  CHAPTER IV
+  DAISY'S PARTY                                               21
+
+  CHAPTER V
+  REVERSES                                                    28
+
+  CHAPTER VI
+  DAISY'S ADVENTURE                                           36
+
+  CHAPTER VII
+  CAT MEMORIES                                                46
+
+  CHAPTER VIII
+  AN ACCIDENT                                                 50
+
+  CHAPTER IX
+  CAT TALES                                                   61
+
+  CHAPTER X
+  LITTLE PEARL                                                66
+
+  CHAPTER XI
+  REMINISCENCES                                               73
+
+  CHAPTER XII
+  CAT TALES                                                   83
+
+  CHAPTER XIII
+  MY FIRST THEFT                                              90
+
+  CHAPTER XIV
+  RELIGIOUS ASPIRATIONS                                       96
+
+  CHAPTER XV
+  CAT ANECDOTES                                              106
+
+  CHAPTER XVI
+  CAT PRANKS                                                 115
+
+  CHAPTER XVII
+  THE STORY OF FREIDA                                        132
+
+  CHAPTER XVIII
+  THANKSGIVING                                               145
+
+  CHAPTER XIX
+  MEWS AND PURRS                                             165
+
+  CHAPTER XX
+  HEADS AND TALES                                            187
+
+  CHAPTER XXI
+  JETT                                                       195
+
+  CHAPTER XXII
+  WATCH AND CHLOE                                            216
+
+  CHAPTER XXIII
+  THE STORY OF BLACKIE                                       235
+
+  CHAPTER XXIV
+  RETRIBUTION                                                249
+
+  CHAPTER XXV
+  EVENTIDE                                                   261
+
+
+
+
+DAISY
+
+THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CAT
+
+
+
+
+DAISY
+
+_AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY_
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+EARLY DAYS
+
+
+I have no doubt people will wonder that a Cat should write a story. Of
+course, fighting is more in their line.
+
+However pleased I might have been to help my fellow-sufferers, and use
+my natural weapons in their defence, a remark I heard made by a very
+learned man decided me to use my brains instead of my claws.
+
+He quoted:--
+
+    "The _pen_ is mightier than the _sword_."
+
+Taking this quotation for my text, I have written my own story, hoping
+it will benefit the poor cats who are made the victims of great cruelty.
+No other animal has to suffer like the household pet, the cat.
+
+I am a Boston boy, born eighteen years ago, in one of the nice
+old-fashioned houses for which our quiet street was noted.
+
+I was born in a clothes-basket, and do not feel ashamed of my
+birthplace, though fire and the swill man long ago removed all trace of
+it.
+
+I cannot remember much about my home. Like all young things, my food and
+having a good frolic were all I thought of.
+
+I loved my mother, for she was very kind to me while I depended on her
+for sustenance; but when I grew large enough to lap milk, she began to
+wean me and teach me that hard lesson--self-dependence.
+
+My mother was very handsome--black as coal, with a long tail and white
+feet. She was very proud of the latter, keeping them as white as snow;
+and on account of their beauty she was called "White Foot." She was very
+graceful and slender--her fur soft and glossy as a raven's wing.
+
+She had brilliant, restless eyes, fierce in expression and watchful,
+never seeming to trust even her friends. But every one was attracted to
+her.
+
+We had not much room to boast of. The back yard was very small, but over
+the way a large unoccupied field gave us a grand opportunity to run and
+enjoy ourselves.
+
+It was a great neighborhood for cats. Though I thought them rough and
+aggressive, I enjoyed myself, for I could outrun the biggest of them,
+and never allowed myself to be defeated.
+
+One day my mother called me to her, and said: "I wish you to listen to
+what I am about to say to you. The cats who live here are rough alley
+cats, and have never learned good manners. You have a better chance than
+they have, and I hope you will grow up gentle and sweet-tempered. Never
+bite or scratch, and learn to control your angry passions. Then you will
+be a favorite and a very happy cat--happier than your mother, who never
+had a chance till now. And _now_ it is too late. I shall not be with you
+long, and you must try to do the best you can for yourself when I am
+gone."
+
+This conversation with my mother made me very sad, though I was young
+and full of frolic, and did not fully realize her true meaning. I never
+forgot her advice, for I knew she was a very wise cat, and her wisdom
+had been gained through suffering. My life with her was short, for she
+left us before I was six months old.
+
+Perhaps here I had better tell her story as she related it to me. She
+had always been very strict with me, and taught me to be very neat, and
+keep my fur and my claws clean. My claws were a great delight to me,
+they were so sharp, and I used to bite them with great satisfaction. It
+was delightful to feel how sharp my teeth were.
+
+Though I did not use a "toothpick," my nails were very useful instead,
+and I bit them and enjoyed the fun. But one day I bit them so loud that
+my mother, after reproving me many times, boxed my ears. She was very
+nervous, and the snapping provoked her very much.
+
+Of course, I was obliged to obey her; but I bit them all the same, only
+on the sly.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+MY MOTHER'S STORY
+
+
+I do not know where I was born. I can only remember a dark cellar where
+I seemed to belong, and children who drove and frightened me every time
+I went near the house. The cook was kind to me and put out scraps of
+food in an old tin plate. I was often obliged by hunger to pick from the
+swill barrel my dinners. I soon found plenty of rats, and after I
+learned to kill them, life had some charm for me.
+
+It was a dirty, damp, dark cellar, for the people who owned the house
+were of the "newly rich" class. They thought only of decorating that
+part of the house open to public inspection. Everything was made to pay
+its way, and the servants were kept on short rations.
+
+I earned my living (picked from the swill barrel) by killing rats, for
+the house was infested with them. No one ever spoke a kind word to me,
+and I often wondered why I was made. I would creep into the house like a
+criminal.
+
+Once I enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in a chair. Oh, how soft and nice
+it was, and I began to purr, with the sense of happiness. But I was
+rudely shaken from my dream of bliss, and this was the only chance I
+ever had to test the delights of easy chairs. I was driven out with
+stones and bits of wood till I gladly found refuge for my poor bruised
+body in the cellar. There I lay in hunger and pain, my heart filled with
+bitterness toward all mankind. I felt the injustice, if only a poor cat.
+
+It was a great neighborhood for cats, and I soon made friends with them.
+I was perfectly reckless, and caterwauled with them, joining their
+midnight revels with all my heart. We cared not for bottles or
+bootjacks, but made night terrible. Why should we keep quiet? We had no
+homes, no nice beds, no friend to speak to us. Why should we care to
+please those who remembered us only to abuse us?
+
+Now this is all very sad. Since I have seen what life ought to be, in
+this dear home, I wish with all my heart I had earlier known these good
+people. I am very thankful that you, my only living child, will grow up
+in this refined atmosphere.
+
+To return to my dismal history. Soon after my introduction to the
+nightly revels, I had my first kittens. I never was so happy in my life.
+Though I had suffered all alone the most severe pain, the dear little
+creatures compensated me for my hours of anguish. There were four of
+them. Two of them were black, and two of them gray. Such perfect little
+creatures, I was delighted with them. Though we had only an ash-heap for
+our bed, I kept them on my fur, and did not care for the ashes on my own
+nice fur coat. No mother on her bed of down, with laces and embroideries
+around her, could have kept her children nicer than I kept mine.
+
+I followed just the instinct my Maker gave me, and what came after was
+from no fault of mine, but from the wickedness of human nature, which
+has unsettled my beliefs and made me a sceptical and unbelieving cat.
+
+I hated to leave my kittens to take my food. How I fought for the best I
+could get, to nourish them! I swallowed things I had always disliked,
+for I was determined to carry back milk enough for all four of them.
+
+This happiness lasted but a short time. The tyrant of the family, a
+dreadful boy of ten years, discovered them one morning. With shouts of
+delight, he took them and dropped them, one by one, into a pail of
+scalding hot water.
+
+The cook called to him and tried to remove the pail, but it was too
+late; he continued his cruel work till my four dear little kittens were
+lost to me forever.
+
+When I heard their last feeble wail, I tried to save them or share their
+fate. I was driven back with laughter, and the blows from a huge stick
+in the hands of the young murderer soon drove me down to the cellar,
+where I lay bruised, and oblivious of my pain and loss, for some hours.
+
+Late at night I crawled out, faint and hungry, a hopeless outcast on the
+face of the earth. Tom, one of the neighbors' cats, shared his supper
+with me, and listened with sympathy to my sad story.
+
+"Oh, is that all?" he said, when I had finished. "You may be glad they
+are dead, and out of the reach of that boy. If he is not hung," said
+Tom, with a wise shake of his head, "I miss my guess. Why, he is the
+terror of the neighborhood. He invents cruel things to practise on
+animals. Some time ago he cut a little baby pup's throat with a
+penknife, and sewed it up with cotton and a great big needle, while he
+never winced. The little pup died in great agony. And the boy's mother
+said, 'The dear child will certainly be a doctor, he has such skill.'
+Old Tabby, who lives next door, when she heard this speech of his
+mother's, said, 'He may be, and is, a devil, but he never ought to be a
+doctor.' And as we all believed in this wise saying, we gave old Tabby
+three cheers."
+
+Tom tried to comfort me, telling such heartrending stories of the abuse
+of poor cats that my hair stood on end with horror. I then and there
+vowed hatred to all mankind. Even the peace of this dear home and the
+love of these dear people have not cured me of my distrust. I see an
+enemy on every hand.
+
+Tom could not console me, and I was too wretched to confide my plans to
+him. I was suffering intense agony. My breasts were swollen like
+crab-apples. I could not bear the pain, and dragged myself to a puddle
+of water, hoping to cool the heat in them.
+
+That night's suffering was the turning-point with me. I made up my mind
+I would take myself miles away from these cruel people, where every hand
+had been against me and mine.
+
+I started slowly, and crawled through alleys and back yards, it seemed
+to me, for miles. The sound of a human voice, particularly that of a
+child, acted like a whip on me. I would run till my breath grew short,
+and I would sink down, feeling I must die, that I could never move
+again. Then at some sound I would start once more.
+
+At last, worn out with fatigue, hunger, and fever (caused by my inflamed
+breasts), I reached a gate just as it opened to admit a man with
+groceries. I rushed in, spent and breathless, and hid myself in a dark
+corner. Here, thought I, will be a rest for one night.
+
+As I crouched down in the dark corner, the man came out of the house,
+with the servant behind him, to close the gate. What an anxious moment
+for me! She returned to the house without seeing me, and I was safe.
+
+After a brief rest, broken by the throbbing of my breast, I aroused
+myself, and, attracted by a bright light, I approached the window. The
+light came from the kitchen, where the half-curtain, open in the middle,
+gave me a glimpse of paradise.
+
+This is the picture I looked upon with longing eyes: A large,
+old-fashioned kitchen, scrupulously clean, a table covered with a red
+cloth, a shade lamp standing in the centre, and a nice work-basket by
+its side, completed this homelike picture. The servant, a woman of
+middle age, nice, fresh, and pleasant looking, sat by the table, in a
+large rocking-chair, darning stockings. A more homelike scene never
+greeted the eye of a poor outcast. But the crowning object of all was a
+large black cat, spread out on a nice rug in front of the fire.
+
+Presently she arose, walked about, swinging her tail, "monarch of all
+she surveyed," as I soon found she was.
+
+How my heart beat as I thought, "Why is this? Why am I homeless, cast
+out to starve, while this cat has a beautiful home and is well fed and
+happy?"
+
+Alas! even in the animal world is the vexed question, which disturbs
+human beings, of why one being, created by our "Heavenly Father," should
+be high in power, while others who are just as worthy are down under his
+feet. We ask, but who can answer?
+
+Very soon, while I stood looking in, shivering with envy and my bodily
+pain, a door opened, and a lady came in. She was no longer young, but
+ladylike, and very kind and pleasant looking. She sat down and called,
+"Topsy, Topsy," in such a kind voice it made my heart ache. I looked
+with surprise, for Topsy took not the least notice of her. The lady
+laughed a very pleasant laugh, as she said, "What an odd creature you
+are," as she took Topsy in her arms, and smoothed her fur. Topsy did not
+seem to care for the affection lavished on her, never responding at all.
+
+But just then another lady, somewhat younger than the other, came in.
+Topsy gave a great rush into her arms, and to my surprise, clasped her
+black paws around her neck, while the lady hugged and kissed her just
+like a child.
+
+I could watch no longer. Envy, hatred, and malice, added to my swollen
+breasts, made me too wretched to live. I just dragged myself back to my
+dark corner and closed my eyes for a long time, oblivious of everything
+around me. At intervals I slept when the violent throbbing of my breasts
+would allow me; but when I could think, one idea had taken full
+possession of me, and that was a determination to get into this home.
+
+"Surely," I said, "they have such kind hearts, they will not refuse help
+to such a miserable object as I am."
+
+This comforted me a little; and as the neighborhood was a quiet one, and
+as I was worn out by the miles I had run and the pain of my bruises, I
+was able to sleep till morning.
+
+The first thing I heard was a step approaching, and Bridget, the girl I
+had seen the night before, bent over me, saying, "Bless me! here's a
+strange cat in our yard." Then, as she looked again, she said in a
+sympathizing voice, "Poor creature! you look half starved."
+
+She ran in, and soon returned with a saucer of milk. She held it to my
+lips, and I tried very hard to move myself up, that I might swallow. It
+was impossible; for the slightest movement gave me great pain, and I
+moaned and closed my eyes.
+
+She then got an old blanket, and folding it nicely, she lifted me up
+tenderly and placed me on it. I tried to lap some of the milk, but the
+effort brought back all my pains. The anguish of my swollen breasts was
+more than I could bear, and I fell back on the blanket, hoping I should
+die. Everything was so peaceful that I had no desire to arouse myself to
+battle with life any longer.
+
+"Here," I thought, "they will care for me and bury me, then I shall be
+with my dear little kittens perhaps."
+
+I had no fear, but a great pleasure in a quiet death; for I knew that
+God would care for all the creatures He had made. I was glad to die and
+escape from persecution,--no more to be kicked and cuffed, no more be
+hunted by cruel children.
+
+As I dozed off, I heard voices, and on opening my eyes I saw Miss
+Eleanor, the lady I had first seen the night before. As she bent over
+me, I thought her face was beautiful. Her eyes were filled with tears in
+pity of my suffering. She smoothed my fur with her soft hand, and when I
+moaned as she touched my breast, she exclaimed, "You poor creature! your
+breasts are like bricks. Look here, Milly," she called to her sister,
+"just see this poor cat's condition. What brutes she must have lived
+with, to treat her in this manner, taking away her kittens, and leaving
+her to suffer."
+
+"Take her in, Bridget, and put her in Topsy's basket," said Miss Milly.
+"I wish I could deal with those people! They would never abuse another
+cat."
+
+I was lifted tenderly and placed in a large basket, with a beautiful
+soft rug inside to lie on. Miss Eleanor bathed my breasts with warm
+milk, and then applied some healing lotion after the milk had dried. It
+kept them very busy, for the heat dried the milk as soon as it was
+applied. It was very soothing, and I tried to lick her hand. She was
+delighted, and kissed me right between my eyes, saying, "She is a
+grateful creature," while tears of sympathy shone in her eyes.
+
+"This is heaven," I said to myself, "and I am perfectly happy here."
+
+When Bridget brought me some warm milk, I was able to lap it very well.
+
+"What shall you do with her?" asked Bridget.
+
+The sisters looked at each other while Miss Eleanor said: "What will
+Harrie say? We cannot keep another cat with Topsy."
+
+"We may find a good home for her, but it would be better to chloroform
+her than leave her to suffer," said Miss Milly.
+
+The warm kitchen, the soothing cream, and the soft rug made me very
+comfortable, and I slept the rest of the day, trusting myself to these
+dear, kind people.
+
+Miss Eleanor came quite often to see me, bringing me cream and soft bits
+of chicken, though, never having tasted such food before, I did not know
+what it was. I had very little desire for anything but water or milk, as
+the fever made me very thirsty.
+
+Miss Milly came down later in the evening with the elder sister, the
+mistress of the house. Mrs. Rice was a sweet-faced little woman, and
+looked with great kindness on me.
+
+"What shall we do with two cats? Topsy is a houseful. What will you do
+with her, Milly? She is so jealous if you touch another cat."
+
+"I will manage her, for we must keep this poor creature till we find her
+a good home."
+
+"You have a hard task, and when you introduce her to Topsy, 'may I be
+there to see.'" And Mrs. Rice turned away, laughing. "This bids fair to
+be the 'cats' house' that Eleanor used to tell the boys about."
+
+"There is no use waiting," said Miss Milly. "If Topsy should find a cat
+in her basket, war would be declared at once."
+
+This made me tremble a little, and subsequent events proved I had good
+reason for my fears.
+
+Pretty soon we heard Miss Milly coming downstairs and telling my story
+to Topsy in a coaxing voice. She told it in so thrilling a manner that I
+never realized I was such a sufferer before. She came in, holding Topsy
+in her arms very tightly.
+
+The moment Topsy's yellow eyes rested on me she gave a yell, and tried
+to escape, but her mistress held her fast while Miss Eleanor came over
+to me. I cowered down in the basket--not from fear, oh, no! Like the
+war-horse, I "scented the battle," and longed to measure claws with this
+proud creature. But I was wise. I knew I had a character to sustain and
+a home to earn. I kept my temper, closing my eyes as if too weak to open
+them.
+
+"I think I had better take her in my arms, as this is Topsy's basket,
+and you know she never allows any one to touch it." And Miss Eleanor
+took me on a blanket, and held me on her lap.
+
+"You are a naughty cat, and I am ashamed of you," Miss Milly said, as
+she put Topsy down.
+
+She did not care for the reproof, for she glared and scoffed at me. Then
+she went to her basket, snuffing around it, till Bridget came, and
+taking out the rug, said, "Of course I must shake it, or Madam will not
+touch it."
+
+She soon brought it back, and after a time Topsy seated herself bolt
+upright, and looked at me with such contempt, as if to say, "Never dare
+enter this basket again."
+
+I never did, and never wanted to, as they found me a very good place in
+an old clothes-basket, and, to Bridget's delight, gave her a new one
+instead.
+
+Then Miss Milly took me in her arms, in spite of Topsy's yells and
+frantic efforts to get at me, saying, "Now, Topsy, if I ever hear you
+have treated this poor creature badly, I will punish you, and love her
+best."
+
+After this, though Topsy never cared for me, she treated me like a poor
+relation, offering me all the tough pieces of meat and bones; but she
+could never see me near Miss Milly without trouble.
+
+We lived very happily in this nice house for one year. No one had cared
+for me, and I had settled down like one of the family, and soon my place
+was assured, for one day Topsy was missing. Everything was done to find
+her. Rewards were offered, and, for months, Miss Milly never gave her
+up, and it made her so ill that no one ever dared mention Topsy to her.
+I did pity them all, for they loved her dearly, but to Miss Milly it was
+like losing a child. She was always very kind to me, but she never was
+known to pet another cat till you were born. And I do think, Daisy, you
+can win her love, and in a measure console her for Topsy's loss.
+
+It was a great mystery, her disappearance, for they never got one trace
+of her. One thing was very sure; she was stolen, for she never would
+have left of her own accord. Some one suggested that, being a "Salem"
+cat, she had gone home to the "witches," as all black cats are said to
+belong to them.
+
+I missed her, but was very happy to be the only pet in the house. I had
+many kittens, and they were treated kindly, and mercifully disposed of.
+One was always kept till I could wean it, and then a good home was found
+for it. You were promised to a friend, but it was very fortunate for you
+that their delay in sending gave you such a hold upon the affections of
+these nice people that they decided not to give you away.
+
+This pleased the boys, as they did not care to lose their dear little
+playmate. Miss Milly said, "Daisy shall be mine."
+
+Great changes have come to this home. We have moved twice, and the good
+Bridget they could no longer afford to keep. We are now about to move
+again. I know they will provide for me, but I like this nice
+neighborhood, and the musicales on the back shed. The Bohemian blood in
+my veins I cannot ignore.
+
+The trouble I have passed through makes excitement necessary, and I put
+my whole heart into the fierce fights, and enjoy them.
+
+Why not? I know people say, "_Cats!_ awful fighting creatures!" Well,
+but where are the bull-fights, in which man and beast shed each other's
+gore and men and women look on? Dressed in their laces and diamonds,
+they applaud while rivers of blood flow from the poor wounded victim.
+The genteel cock-fights, and hunting down one poor little fox by a pack
+of hounds! If we are cruel, we learn it of human beings.
+
+I do wish I could be satisfied with a quiet life, but it is too late to
+reform, and I shall meet my fate here. I will not go with them. You, my
+dear child, will be the loved one to comfort them. And I charge you to
+profit by your mother's experience, and you will be a fortunate cat.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This is my mother's story as I heard it from her lips.
+
+Two weeks after this conversation we moved to a small house, with only a
+few rooms. To me the change made no difference. I was happy, petted by
+all. It was no surprise to me that at the last moment my mother was
+missing. But it was a real sorrow to them all. They searched everywhere.
+They sent to all the neighbors, asking them to feed her, and let them
+know if she came back that they could send for her. How I wished I could
+speak, and tell them that one reason why she left them was the fear of
+being a burden to them.
+
+For several weeks they never gave her up, but often went to the old
+place; but no one had seen my mother. At first food had disappeared that
+they had put out for her, but after a time it was not touched, and no
+one ever saw her again.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+MY HOME
+
+
+Years have passed since my mother left us. Though I never forget her, I
+am very happy with the dear people who were so kind to my poor mother,
+and I try to be a comfort to them.
+
+No reverses of fortune have touched me. Mrs. Rice is very kind to me,
+though she is not so fond of cats as her sisters. The boys are just
+perfect. I love them dearly. Karl, the eldest, is a real tease. He
+pretends to his aunties that he does not care for me, but no one makes
+more of me (on the sly) than Master Karl. Will is such a dear little
+fellow! His love for me made them decide to keep me.
+
+We had one long room, and the seam in the poor old carpet was very
+prominent. On this seam Will and I had our race-ground. He would run
+just on the seam, and at the end of the room would jump very high. I
+would run just behind him, and jump higher. This pleased them all, and
+we got many kisses and treats for our play. Then we would roll over and
+over, my claws and tail flying, and we did enjoy it.
+
+I was usually very obedient, but sometimes I had contrary fits. It was
+the "Bohemian" blood in my veins that my poor mother so often spoke of.
+I cannot get rid of it, and it makes me do something naughty. One cold
+day, just before Christmas, when I was nearly five years old, I ran
+away. The door of the laundry was open, and without a thought I rushed
+out. No one missed me. They supposed I was in the laundry. I mounted to
+my seat on the fence, and just turned around to find a comfortable
+place, when a strong hand seized me from the other side, and I was
+carried swiftly down the alley and taken into a strange house.
+
+I was received with open arms. Not one word of reproof was given the big
+boy who had stolen me, for the wickedness of the act. They asked him,
+"How did you manage?"
+
+"Oh," he said, "I was looking over the fence, to see if the stuck-up
+Rices were there, when I espied my Prince, and grabbed him."
+
+"What shall we do with him?" asked the boy's mother.
+
+"Shut him up till he forgets his old home."
+
+(How little they knew about a cat's nature, when they thought I could
+forget!)
+
+I rushed into a corner, and struck out with open claws at all who
+approached me, growling just as I had heard dogs growl--an
+accomplishment I had just discovered. Delighted with my success, I was
+inclined to make the most of it.
+
+"Well, I must say he has a nice temper." And the bad boy held up his
+hands, where my etchings, though painful to him, were a credit to my
+skill. "King Karl and Prince Will must be covered with scars. Who cares!
+If they won't play with me, I have got their pet cat, and will keep him,
+in spite of his beastly temper."
+
+"No, you won't," I said to myself, "if I can help it."
+
+For three wretched days I was shut up. They treated me with great
+kindness, and tried to pet me, offering me nice food. I was too homesick
+to care for anything, and too wretched to think of eating, only that I
+had sense enough to know I must take enough to give me strength. I could
+not sleep. Visions of my dear home and loved ones kept my eyes wide
+open, and I did make good resolutions never to run away again if I could
+get free.
+
+The big boy went away to spend the holidays, leaving orders with them
+all to keep me, that when he came home he might enjoy the sorrow of the
+Rices.
+
+"They have sent around slips to all the houses and have advertised, but
+they shall never get him," he said, with a horrid laugh.
+
+After he had gone, finding I was no pleasure to them, they decided to
+let me go. They could tell the boy, when he returned, that I ran away.
+They were not people who regarded truth at all.
+
+So one day I found the door open, and without waiting to say good-by, I
+ran home. I had been away three days. It was the day after Christmas,
+and it seemed to me three years since I left my home.
+
+Stacy Knight, a dear little fellow about Will's age, the son of the
+friends in whose house we had rooms, happened to be in the basement, and
+espied me when I jumped on the window. He gave a real Indian yell as I
+rushed into his arms, and we mounted the stairs, two at a time, and
+found ourselves in the midst of the family assembled in the hall,
+wondering at the war-whoop given by Stacy.
+
+My dear mistress sat down on the floor, hugging me in her arms, while
+all of them were ready to take me from her.
+
+"Oh, Daisy," she said, "what a sad Christmas we spent without our pet!
+Where were you?"
+
+I could not speak and tell her what it had been to me, and they never
+knew where I had been. After this I always looked on both sides of the
+fence before I seated myself.
+
+After they had all caressed me and expressed their delight at my return,
+dear Mrs. Knight said:--
+
+"Now that 'The Prodigal Son' has returned, he must have a party."
+
+"Yes," said Karl and Will, "we had no Christmas; let's give Daisy a
+tree."
+
+After Stacy, Karl, and Will had indulged in a war-dance, and each had
+turned me heels over head, they all decided it would be a nice plan. And
+from that time till the New Year's night, when the party was to be
+given, we could think of nothing else.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+DAISY'S PARTY
+
+
+Great preparation was made for my party. I was truly a fortunate cat. I
+could not help them work, but rushed to and fro from one to the other,
+knocking down spools of cotton and everything I could get at, jumping up
+in their arms, disarranging their work, and trying in every way to amuse
+myself; but when I was wanted to try on my clothes, I would rush under
+the bed and elude even the longest arm. Then Will would crawl under the
+bed, and, after a good frolic, would land me where I was needed.
+
+Mrs. Rice made a tall black hat with a cockade on it. She had to tie it
+on with strings, for as soon as she put it on I jerked it just as I had
+seen monkeys do.
+
+Miss Eleanor made me a pair of red pants, leaving a good slit for my
+tail, for I was to represent a monkey, and the tail was very important,
+though, as my mistress said, no monkey ever had such a beautiful tail as
+mine.
+
+Miss Milly made me a dress-coat, with white ruffles at the neck and
+wrists, brass buttons, and a white shirt front.
+
+They covered a large pasteboard box with green cloth, for the organ.
+Will and his friend Josie were to be the organ-players.
+
+The long-looked-for day came at last. I had raved up stairs and down, as
+Miss Milly said, "just like a maniac." I superintended all the
+preparations, walked over the tree that they were to decorate in my
+honor, and scratched it well, as they said, sharpening my claws for the
+evening. I was too busy to take a cat-nap or one of my "forty winks."
+
+We had before this eventful day rehearsed our parts, and I had provoked
+them with my stupidity. I did make fun enough with that hat. I hitched
+it on the back of my head, getting out first one ear, then the other;
+for they had tucked my ears in, saying my face looked so innocent
+without them. It was all mischief, for I intended to do my best.
+
+Mrs. Knight threw open her nice rooms, and in the hall room off the back
+parlor the tree was placed.
+
+They were obliged in the afternoon to keep me prisoner upstairs. I was
+disgusted, for I wanted to be in the thick of it all. I could not sleep,
+and I kept pretty near the door, ready to run out if I could get a
+chance.
+
+At seven o'clock they dressed me in all my finery, and before eight all
+our guests had arrived: Madam A., a lovely woman, and one of our best
+friends, with her three noble boys, and a sweet-faced little bit of a
+woman whom every one who knew her called cousin; then Madam M., with her
+daughter and granddaughter,--charming people, and all my dear friends.
+These, with Mr. and Mrs. Knight and their son Stacy, with ourselves,
+made a party of (reckoning myself) seventeen,--quite a roomful.
+
+I thought (and I can assure you a cat's opinion is of some value) that
+the Queen might be proud to see such beautiful, refined, and highly
+educated people at her drawing-room. To be sure, there were no decollete
+toilets, but then it was a proof of the good sense of the people. Of
+course the Queen would not admit cats to her receptions; it would not be
+safe. The bones would be a temptation, and I fear cats would not respect
+even elderly bones, or spare them though decked with diamonds. I am
+happy to say that my party was purely democratic; they were really all
+my equals.
+
+The back parlor door was thrown open, and we were in full view of them
+all. The three boys in ragged clothes, bare legs, old shoes, were as
+hard a looking crew as ever accompanied a hand-organ. Will had the organ
+strapped to his back, and I sat upright on it. I was tied to Will's arm,
+and Josie held another string, for they could not trust me, fearing I
+would run under the sofa, at the expense of my tall hat and my dignity.
+
+We were greeted with a burst of applause. The boys so successfully
+assumed the street gamin air, and looked so thoroughly demoralized, as
+they pulled their forelocks in recognition of the greeting, that no
+wonder they brought down the house, and for a short time obscured my
+august self. Stacy and Will gave a song in nasal style, pretending all
+the while to grind the organ, while I was mounted on Will's shoulder,
+swelling with importance.
+
+Then they began "Yankee Doodle." Josie shook the castanets, Stacy beat
+the drum, Will ground the organ and sang, while they all danced like
+street Arabs.
+
+I was perfectly beside myself. Oh, if I had only been Balaam's ass,
+wouldn't I have made a speech! I ran to and fro on the organ, then
+rolled over and over, my hat on one ear, my coat up my back, around my
+neck, and my tail wagging from the red pants, in fine style.
+
+The boys looked on in wonder, for it is needless to say that this act
+was not on the programme, but an impromptu act of my own--and it was the
+crown of the performance.
+
+There were a few songs after this, but nothing like our "national air."
+We could rest our laurels on that. I was handed around, kissed, and
+admired to my heart's content. My clothes were pronounced perfect; and
+then, when the boys went upstairs to change their clothes, my mistress
+removed my finery, much against my will, and I made it very hard for her
+by sticking my claws into the clothes as she tried to take them off.
+
+Chester and Henry A., with Karl, were the ushers, and they opened the
+door of the hall room, where the tree was displayed in all its beauties.
+Mrs. Rice made a little speech, while Miss Milly held me tight, for,
+regardless of etiquette, I was eager to rush for the tree.
+
+As soon as she released me I made one jump on the table, and discovered
+what my sense of smell had led me to expect,--three little fishes tied
+with a red ribbon. I soon had them off the tree and on the floor, and
+made inroads into them before I could be prevented.
+
+Karl read the labels on the articles, while Chester and Henry
+distributed them, for I was pleased to see that my dear friends had been
+remembered as well as myself.
+
+Miss Milly had a book of "Familiar Quotations." On the fly-leaf was
+written in Madam A.'s lovely handwriting:--
+
+"To my dear mistress, whose motto has always been, 'Love me, love my
+cat.' Mew translated, 'God bless her.'--DAISY.
+
+"Hang sorrow! Care will kill a cat; therefore, let's be merry."
+
+I was very much pleased that the gift, purporting to be given by me, had
+just the nice selections I should have made.
+
+The tree did look lovely. Karl had lighted all the tapers, and it was
+one blaze of light. There were very pretty paper decorations of bright
+paper. Mrs. Rice said, sometimes taste was better than money. We had
+little of that, but we had such warm friends we were very happy.
+
+I had a pack of cards a little over an inch in length. They were a great
+pleasure to us. Will would spread them on the floor, and I would roll
+over, scattering them about. Sometimes he called me a knave, sometimes a
+king or queen, but I did not care, only for a good frolic. I had a box
+of pennies for my meat, a paper of catmint that I enjoyed, and a nice
+kidney done up in pink paper, some white, soft candy I loved, and last
+of all Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly gave me a lovely collar and padlock.
+I was proud as a prince with it on my neck.
+
+There were nice little gifts for all my dear friends; but the best of
+all was, that on them were written nice little texts and--"From Daisy,"
+just as if I had given them myself. It proved that they understood how
+well I loved my dear ones, and how gladly I would have given if I could.
+It was better than all my own gifts, though I enjoyed them very much;
+but this understanding of me, making me one with them, made me feel like
+a cat-angel--and then and there I became a Christian cat.
+
+Then we had ice-cream and cake handed around by the boys. I had some in
+my own little pewter plate. Miss Milly melted it a little, but I had
+very small appetite for it. I was so excited that I could not keep still
+enough to lap ice-cream. I had licked the kidney, tasted the fish,
+chewed a little catmint and was quite hilarious over it, as it always
+went to my head. My tail had more to do with it than was agreeable to
+the company; for I whisked it about, greatly to their disgust: they did
+not like being dusted with catmint. Miss Milly said, "I shall be obliged
+to give you a dose of nux vomica, for I fear you have eaten too much of
+a mixture for even a cat's stomach to digest." I just winked at her,
+finished licking my ice-cream, then I kicked over the plate, making it
+roll under the piano. This provoked a shout of approval from the boys.
+
+Then we had a little music. Chester and Henry A---- played nicely, and
+my one dear girl friend also played, but she preferred playing with me.
+I was very fond of her and always responded to her affection.
+
+Then my nice party broke up. No one of those who were there will ever
+forget it, I know.
+
+Ah me, how long ago it seems! The boys and my one girl friend are twelve
+years older, while I am an old cat. Mamie, my friend, is a graduate of
+the Boston University. She will make her mark some day. The boys are
+Harvard graduates, while our own boys are Brimmer and High School boys.
+
+They can all talk in many languages which I, of course, can understand.
+Some of them will be smart business men. Chester, I think, will fill a
+professor's chair, while the others will represent the law. They will
+all achieve greatness if the love of one cherished cat can make them.
+
+I know there is a warm corner in their hearts for Daisy. And however
+hard the world has used them, they will read my little book and keep
+green in their hearts the memory of one who loved them dearly, when she
+is sleeping peacefully under her namesakes, the daisies.
+
+Perhaps they will tell their children about their cat friend, and read
+to them this little story of one happy cat, who was made a member of the
+family and a friend of all the nice people who visited them. It will
+teach them kindness to their little four-footed playmates, and they will
+realize that warm hearts beat under their little fur coats.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+REVERSES
+
+
+I pass over several years--very sad ones to us all. The breaking up of
+our home, the death of dear Mrs. Rice, I cannot write of, though Time,
+the true friend of the sorrowful, has laid a healing balm on our hearts.
+Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly were both prostrated by their sorrows, and
+we were obliged to go into the country for a change of air.
+
+How carelessly I looked upon the preparation for our flitting! When I
+mounted the piano, my favorite seat for many years, I little thought it
+was for the last time--that I should never hear my kind friends play on
+that dear old piano again, that I should never again arouse them in the
+morning by walking over the keys when they had left it open at night.
+
+I could not understand their tears, when the furniture and piano were
+carried away, that they were parting forever with things associated with
+their old home and those who had made their happiness, now gone forever.
+Yet when I saw only our trunks, and looked at their sad faces, I did
+wish I could be something better than a cat and be able to help them.
+
+I tried to amuse them, acting over all the little tricks they had taught
+me, and was a very happy creature when Miss Milly smoothed my fur,
+saying, "Oh, Daisy, what should we do without you!" Then I realized I
+was a comfort to them.
+
+They had bought me a large brown straw basket with a cover, and very
+strong handles, and when I walked into it, taking possession, I felt
+like a prince of the blood. I little thought how many miles I should
+travel in that basket! It was open in places to give me air, and I could
+lie down and turn around comfortably in it. When travelling, my mistress
+would keep her finger between the cover and the basket, and with my eyes
+fixed on her face I felt safe. She said she felt under a spell, to watch
+me, and my stony stare reminded her of the Stranger Guest, in the
+"Ancient Mariner."
+
+We remained only one month in our first boarding-place, for it was not
+satisfactory. The cats I could not associate with, for they were rough
+tramps, no one owning them, and they had no care. I was very sorry for
+them, knowing how care and kindness could transform them.
+
+They really hated me, and it made me very unhappy, my chief offence
+being my collar and padlock. They might have overlooked my collar, but
+the padlock was adding insult to injury. Their eyes would grow green
+with envy that one of their race should be above them. They looked upon
+my collar and padlock just as women look at each other's diamonds.
+Animals feel envy the same as human beings; only they can tear and rend
+each other, while their so-called superiors would like to do the same
+were it not for the power of the law.
+
+Cats and dogs fight, and that is the end of it; but with human beings it
+is never forgotten, and makes them bad-tempered and tyrannical.
+
+I was very sorry for these poor cats, though I could not understand such
+mean feelings. I was always pleased when I saw cats or dogs with pretty
+collars on and bows of ribbon. One lovely white cat I knew used to wear
+blue ribbons, and I always told her how nice she looked, till I found
+how vain she was; then I said no more about her good looks, for I do
+hate vain people. I would gladly have given my collar and padlock,
+though I loved it dearly, if it would have helped them.
+
+It is a problem beyond one poor cat's solution to know just how to help
+people to understand our race; but I do hope this little story will help
+a little. The life of one petted cat perhaps may make others as happy as
+I have been.
+
+We changed our rooms quite often on our return to Boston; many of them
+were so cheerless I will not speak of them. Whatever our discomforts
+were, I was always cared for; but I did wish I could provide a palace
+and servants for my dear friends. I remember the stories Miss Eleanor
+used to tell the boys, and I wished I could be Cinderella, with a fairy
+godmother to give me means to help others. I fear I should have killed
+the mice before they were changed into horses. And when the boys would
+say to their aunties, "Why don't you have horses and carriages?" I also
+asked the same question.
+
+I am an old cat now, and I know, and do not ask such questions, for I
+understand the world better, that it is not to those who deserve the
+most that luxuries are given. Why, we will never know.
+
+We lived in one house where we were very uncomfortable. Our room, to be
+sure, always looked bright and nice, but it was because we had such good
+taste in covering up our defects and making poor things look nice.
+
+The lady who owned the house was a philanthropist. It is a long name for
+me to master, but I thought it over in my waking hours, just as my
+mistress pronounced it, and I can think it quite correctly, better than
+I can understand why she was so called. She was utterly neglectful of
+the two gentlewomen in her house, who were far ahead of her in education
+and culture, if not her equals in money.
+
+I pondered the name, and its meaning, more and more. I will not say it
+made me tired, for that is slang; but it did make me sleepy, and I would
+drop into a good cat-nap right in the midst of defining
+"philanthropist."
+
+She had a cat named "Oliver Twist." One must have some companionship of
+his own kind. So Miss Milly said, "Perhaps he will be a playmate for
+Daisy."
+
+"Perhaps," Miss Eleanor said, "he also may be a philanthropist."
+
+We soon found, however, he was nothing of the kind. He proved himself a
+most depraved cat. Under the cloak of virtue he concealed a very coarse
+nature. He never came up to our room without trying to provoke a fight.
+His black, beady eyes and sleek Maltese coat always irritated me. I had
+a cattish desire to fight him and let him know his place. For my
+mistress's sake I tried to subdue this feeling, remembering he was my
+guest, and I must be polite even at the expense of comfort.
+
+It was all thrown away on him; it was "casting pearls before swine."
+When I went out into the yard, as I did every day for an outing, he
+would hunt me about, as if I had no right to be there. Not one scrap of
+food did I ever get down there, though he was always ready to have a
+feast when he came to us.
+
+One day things reached a climax. I had tried to amuse him; he had taken
+my favorite chair, and washed himself all over in it, leaving so many
+hairs on it I thought I should go wild, knowing how Miss Milly would
+have to clean it. I gave him half my milk, and though he stood with one
+leg in the saucer to keep me from eating any, I still kept my temper. I
+would not make a fuss. But when, after finishing my milk and licking his
+chops right in my face, he flew at me and knocked me down, then I threw
+all politeness to the dogs, and unsheathing my claws, I closed with him,
+rolling over and over till he yelled well. Like all bullies, he was a
+coward.
+
+My mistress said, "Daisy, I am ashamed of you." Miss Eleanor took
+"Oliver Twist," and put him out, with scant ceremony, saying, "I wonder
+what Charles Dickens would say to hear a cat like that called 'Oliver
+Twist.'"
+
+"Poor cat! You know he is disciplined by a philanthropist." And Miss
+Milly laughed at the absurd thought.
+
+I laughed also, as I crept into a corner, when I thought how nicely I
+had "Oliver Twisted" him. I slept the sleep of the victorious. I did not
+see very much of him after this, for we went early into the country for
+the summer.
+
+There were very nice people where we boarded. One dear little boy was
+very fond of me. He hugged me so hard I avoided him. My mistress told
+his mother that she did not think children should be allowed cats and
+dogs for playthings. Miss Eleanor talked quite nicely to little Alec,
+and I think when he remembers her stories of children who were good to
+animals, that it will make him careful, for he was a nice little fellow,
+and he may be a good friend to poor ill-treated dogs and cats.
+
+I enjoyed that summer very much. The cats were kind and friendly, and
+the beautiful trees on the grounds gave me a nice chance to run up and
+hide from my mistress. She was anxious about me all the time, fearing to
+lose sight of me. She used to pet all the cats that were good to me, and
+they all said, if they had a friend like her, how good and happy they
+would be. Some of them were very wild and rude, hunted as they had been
+by bad children, and scat from the door when, half starved and cold,
+they had sought shelter and friends. No wonder they were not nice
+company for well-bred cats. I did pity them and never turned away when
+they came near me.
+
+At the end of the grounds was a big bed of catmint. It was like the
+"corner grocery store" for the cats. Crowds of them would assemble there
+to talk over their affairs. And when, excited by the power of the
+catmint, they would get into a row, though there were no pistols or
+murders, such as characterize human fights, there were black eyes,
+scratched faces, and hate and rage in plenty.
+
+I kept out of it all, though I cannot deny that my heart beat faster. I
+had to sheathe my claws till they hurt me; but I thought of my position,
+for a well-brought-up cat can understand the meaning of "noblesse
+oblige." I suppose I felt just as men do (and women too, as to that)
+when they bet on the fighting parties. And I had my favorites as well as
+they, and knew who I hoped would win.
+
+I did love that catmint bed, and never for one moment doubt that in the
+boundless green fields of Paradise we shall have acres of catmint where
+we can roll to our hearts' content. I did try to encourage the poor
+neglected ones with this prospect, but they did not believe me. They
+said I was a "cat fanatic," "a fool," "a revivalist." They said, "If we
+are to be so cared for, then why don't your 'heavenly father' that you
+think so much of do something for us now?" And they all talked at once
+and were so excited, they hissed and yelled so loud, that my nerves were
+all of a quiver; but I stood my ground, though they pressed on me very
+hard, and breathed so much catmint over me I was glad when my mistress,
+hearing the row, came and took me away.
+
+It was many days before I visited that catmint bed again, for it rained
+very hard. Miss Eleanor remarked that Daisy was rather quiet; she feared
+he was sick. I could have told her my heart was sick, trying to solve
+the problem, how I could reform my race, how make people believe them
+the intelligent beings they are.
+
+After this I had to bear jeers and scoffs; but I would not give up my
+principles nor yet my catmint bed. Many were the scratches Miss Eleanor
+got, pulling me out from under the bushes, for the smell magnetized me.
+She always got me by the tail or leg, she cared not which, so that she
+carried me home and saved Miss Milly anxiety.
+
+The people were very nice to me. One quiet young man, an artist, was
+very fond of me, and said I would make a fine subject for a picture. I
+used to flourish my tail and hold my head on one side just like a fool,
+I suppose; but then I know I am a beauty. I hear it every day, and how
+can I help being vain?
+
+Before returning to Boston we paid a short visit to one of our friends.
+She had a delightful home, and the children were very much pleased to
+have me visit them.
+
+As I have quite an adventure to relate, where I did not distinguish
+myself, I will take another chapter, and give it in full, without
+extenuating my faults, leaving them to be judged by my readers.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+DAISY'S ADVENTURE
+
+
+The eldest son and daughter were very kind to me, and I thought them
+just lovely. Their mother was an old friend of mine, and always when she
+came to Boston I was delighted to see her. I would jump up in her lap--a
+favor that I did not often grant to any one. Cats can tell who are true
+and who are false. I could have given my mistress points on this
+subject, for she believed in those she loved, and was often deceived.
+
+There was a dog and cat that were great favorites with all the family.
+Spot, the dog, was very plain,--a great lanky creature,--but he had one
+virtue; that was obedience. Tom, the cat, was a hard-looking creature,
+but they all loved him dearly.
+
+Of course both dog and cat hated me. They thought I put on airs, and
+they resented the affection their mistress gave to me. I walked about
+the garden, regardless of their hisses and growls; and they very soon
+got tired of it, when they saw I did not notice them. Mr. George, the
+eldest son, had Spot in complete subjection, and Tom dared not approach
+me when the family were near.
+
+Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly were invited to the seashore. They had
+decided not to accept the invitation, as they could not take me with
+them. Mrs. H. urged their going, saying: "It is just what you both
+need,--change of air. I can take care of Daisy; it will be a pleasure."
+So it was decided.
+
+When they kissed me at parting, and said, "How can we leave you, Daisy?"
+my heart ached so that I was too wretched to live. Had not Mrs. H. held
+me tight, I would have followed the carriage that took them away from
+me. Spot and Tom looked anxiously on. They thought, "Is this upstart to
+be left here to rule over us?"
+
+Mrs. H. said that Spot must be kept at the store, only coming home at
+night. She tried her best to have Tom friendly with me, but a more
+obstinate cat I never met. He would stay in the room with me, and once
+took his dinner out of the same plate after they had kept him hungry a
+long time; but never could they make him friendly with me. I tried to be
+just to him, knowing how hard it was to have a "handsome, fashionable"
+cat, as they called me, come into their home and share their friends.
+
+And then there was that collar and padlock. How much I suffered for that
+little bit of finery! And yet I loved it dearly. I never struck an
+attitude (as my mistress called it) without my padlock was in full
+sight, just under my chin, where I had placed it.
+
+How long that one week was to me, and I am ashamed to say how many
+disgraceful acts I was guilty of. One night the climax was reached, and
+then my character was ruined for that family. I slept in the room with
+Mrs. H.--much to her husband's disgust.
+
+It was a nice lounge I had, with a blanket on it, and any cat might have
+been happy there. Tom was envious of it, for one day he walked in and
+was just about to jump up there for a nap, when I jumped up before him,
+and gave a powerful hiss right in his face. He was all ready to fight
+when his mistress came in and giving him a shake, said, "If I ever hear
+you hiss at Daisy again, I will punish you."
+
+Poor Tom! He knew he was unjustly accused, but what could he do, and I
+did feel mean, but what could I do either? I could not speak. I might
+have hissed; then, she would have known who was the offender. I did not,
+however, but just glared at Tom when she carried him off.
+
+One night I could not sleep. I was homesick. So I just walked over the
+bureau, clinking the glasses and toilet bottles, and then mounted the
+mantle, meandering about sure-footed, though I did kick over a wooden
+ball, for pure mischief. I threw it on the floor, where it crashed down
+loud.
+
+Mrs. H. started up, saying, "That cat is on the mantle; she will break
+the vases and clock."
+
+"Let her break them," Mr. H. replied; "we shall get off cheap if that is
+all the mischief she does." And he went off to sleep again.
+
+When Mrs. H. reached the mantle, no cat was to be found.
+
+"Oh, Daisy," she said, "there you are, so demure, sitting on that chair!
+You are just like your mistress, so cute, no wonder she loves you
+dearly."
+
+After coaxing me to lie down on the lounge, she went to bed, and soon
+fell asleep. I could not sleep, however. I had a restless desire to go
+and find my friends.
+
+The end window was open at the top; it faced on a narrow piazza that
+extended the length of the house. It was gravelled on the top. I was
+very agile, and giving one spring from the top of a chair, I soon
+reached the window, and overlooked the situation. A good jump, and I
+landed on my feet, and walked along, crunching the gravel as I went.
+
+I passed the bath-room window and then approached the window of Mr.
+George's room, which was open wide, but protected by a heavy screen.
+Here I planted my paws and looked in. One wild yell and a succession of
+barks rent the air, and Spot, who had been sleeping at the foot of his
+master's bed, rushed for the window and would soon have dashed through
+the screen and finished me,--for he was a powerful dog,--but his
+master's hand on his collar restrained him, with the other hand he
+reached for his pistol, thinking there were burglars about. His mother's
+voice at the door arrested him, and he opened the door, to meet her
+anxious question, "Is Daisy safe?"
+
+"She is safe enough," he said; "but are we safe with a cat like this one
+in the house?"
+
+"Take Spot into my room," said his mother, "while I get Daisy." In spite
+of her alarm, as she approached the window, she could not help laughing.
+"Oh, you cunning creature!" she said; "just as composed as possible,
+looking from one to the other, as if to say,--'Why, what is all this
+fuss about?'"
+
+Sure enough, I stood with my paws on the window-sill, and did not move
+till she came, and removing the screen took me into the room where all
+the family were assembled, in undress, while Spot's loud barking could
+be heard from the next room. I was taken into the guest chamber, where
+Mrs. H. remained with me; for she said she was convinced no one could
+govern me but my mistress.
+
+Two days more, and I was made happy by the sight of my loved ones. Mrs.
+H. did not tell them for a long time of my naughtiness. They said their
+visit was pleasant, but without me they had decided never to go away
+again. They said their friend had given them an invitation for me when
+they visited her another year. And it was really true. The next year
+they did take me; and as it is all fresh in my memory now, I will jump
+one year and tell you all about it.
+
+I saw the cats they had told me about. One was called "Forepaugh," and
+she did look just like a real circus cat. She had one brown and one blue
+eye. The other cat was called "Spring." I liked them both very much.
+They were not educated cats, but they had good manners, and were very
+kind hearted.
+
+Forepaugh told me sad stories of the cats around. She said very few
+people made them members of the family, as we were. Most of the cats
+were tramps, living in the fields and woods, afraid of every human
+being, having to steal or starve. They were naturally antagonistic to
+cats that had homes. They never had known kindness and could not believe
+in it. She said if ever a missionary was needed, she thought it was
+right here.
+
+She said that just below, near the poorhouse, was a large field called
+"Cat Swamp," because all the cats for miles around congregated here.
+Some "dudes" had altered the name to "Feline Meadow." "Cat Swamp" held
+the fort, however, as the most appropriate name. Here the cats yelled
+and caterwauled and told all their trials and sorrows caused by mankind.
+
+The fights were fearful, and the heaps of fur to be seen around after
+one of these encounters proved in reality that there was nothing ideal
+in the tongues and sounds heard in this region. They said there was no
+help for it; people could not be made to realize that cats had a claim
+on them.
+
+For several nights I had noticed one of the neighbors' cats sitting on
+the fence and listening intently to our conversation. This evening she
+came nearer, and gave a groan, while Forepaugh was speaking to me of the
+neglected cats. At last she said if she might be allowed to express an
+opinion, she had one all ready. We said at once how glad we would be to
+hear her.
+
+"Suppose," she said, "some of your good Boston people, with their little
+tracts on the treatment of dumb animals, come along! What then! We can't
+eat their tracts, or live on them, can we?"
+
+I didn't like to answer this cat, she was so big and aggressive, and
+looked at me with such spite, as if she thought I liked tracts, and the
+people who carry them about, when I do despise them. Finding I did not
+answer, she continued:--
+
+"There it all ends. A lot of women will get together, with a few men
+thrown in, and they will talk and talk, going all around Robin Hood's
+barn, till they lose the thread of their discourse, and we wish some big
+bat would rush out and catch the thread and bring them to the point.
+Then they argue and draw up resolutions, and call upon the brethren to
+agree to them, which the poor men do, because they are afraid of the
+sisters' tongues. Then they are exhausted, and are obliged, 'as weaker
+vessels,' to drink gallons of tea, and the men smoke acres of cigars,
+and it all ends in smoke and tea grounds for us poor cats. The women
+think about each other's clothes, while the men are wondering if the
+women are rich enough to support them, should they propose marriage.
+Naturally cats are forgotten.
+
+"Sometimes they find a home for a good-looking cat, but it is not a
+satisfactory one. Such people are not supposed to know much about people
+with hearts large enough to take interest in cats. They are handed over
+to high-toned servants, to pet and snub in alternation. The poor
+no-tailed horses, made wretched by the abominable check-rein and the
+flies, hate everything that moves, and kick at us. The liveried servants
+smoke in our faces, swear, and spit on us, till we hide ourselves in
+disgust and wonder if animals have dirtier habits than human beings.
+
+"When the family returns to the city the house is closed, and these
+Christian people leave poor Pussy behind to look out for herself. Is it
+any wonder that cats have no faith in any one? That they join the
+midnight revels, and fight, and steal, to keep them alive?"
+
+She was very sarcastic, but Forepaugh said it was all true; that cats
+were cast off just as if they had no right to live; then when they steal
+some bit of food, they are given a bad character and hunted about. They
+are expected to have better morals than human beings.
+
+Forepaugh said that she had a real respect for this cat, that she knew
+all the cats for miles around, and helped them all she could; she said
+that hearing their tales of sorrow had made her cynical.
+
+"I had thought her disagreeable," Forepaugh said, "till one night I saw
+her tugging along the remains of a big fish which a neighbor who had
+been out fishing had given her. I had the curiosity to follow her. She
+had to take a rest frequently, for the fish was heavy. At last, after
+walking a long distance, she dragged it over a stone wall. Soon feeble
+voices greeted her, and two half-starved cats that had been abused by
+bad boys raised themselves up, while their friend tore the fish to
+pieces with her sharp teeth. I got over the wall and helped her. They
+all were shy of me and inclined to sneer because I had a home, but I
+said I did not care; it made me mad, but I put all my madness into
+tearing up the fish, and they satisfied their hunger."
+
+Forepaugh also said that their friend, not satisfied with feeding them,
+began to lick one of the great wounds made by a sharp stone thrown by a
+boy just for fun. Then, as they were thirsty, they dragged themselves
+down to a brook at the end of the field, and after drinking they were
+very comfortable. Then they told their trials, and said, "What can we do
+to make people kind to us?"
+
+Forepaugh said she had heard of a Dr. Angell, who was devoting his life
+to helping dumb animals. They all yelled and scoffed when she said
+"Angell," saying, "Do you believe there is an angel in heaven that would
+look at a cat?"
+
+Forepaugh said (being a Christian cat) she was shocked. She explained to
+them that it was the name, though she said, "I am sure it is
+appropriate, for he has proved himself one by his help to all helpless
+creatures."
+
+"Well," they said, "we wish he could see us and help us. Why can't some
+one speak to him? Perhaps, though, he will think cats beneath his
+notice."
+
+Forepaugh said she had often thought she wished she could see him and
+tell him about their sufferings. She said, "I always respected that cat
+after that night when we walked home by moonlight, after taking care of
+those cats; and when she sat down on a stone, saying, 'I must rest, for
+I feel faint; I have had no food for some hours, for I knew that fish
+would be only enough for them,' I said, 'You shall have some of my
+supper,' and I got her some pieces of meat and gave her all my milk, and
+went to bed happy, though I was rather empty."
+
+After this I did have a real friendship for Forepaugh, and I told her if
+ever I could, I would try to interest this good man in our race. I had
+not then thought I should ever write a book, but now is my chance, and
+somehow I do feel he will help us.
+
+The cynical cat never would make friends with me, but I did admire her,
+and I feel how small my life is compared with hers. Here am I, petted
+and living in plenty, and I can only be grateful and try to be a comfort
+to my dear friend.
+
+Forepaugh told us that at one of the great shore houses they had a cat
+called Prometheus.
+
+"Oh," said our cynic, "how I wish we could get at his liver; we should
+never want for food."
+
+I pondered over that speech, and one day I heard my mistress telling her
+little niece, who was reading mythology, the story of Prometheus, "who
+was bound to a rock, vultures feeding upon his ever growing liver." It
+was very funny for a country bred cat to be versed in mythology. I
+suppose, however, she heard it, as I often do things my mistress and her
+friend talk about, and the liver made her remember it.
+
+I was heartily glad to return to Boston, and I made up my mind I would
+let cats and all the animals I could reach know that they had not met
+the true philanthropists, but the shams that take up every new cause and
+dishonor it. For there are many earnest, true philanthropists who spend
+money and publish nice tracts in behalf of animals, and thus, in a
+measure, the tracts "do feed" animals; for they open the eyes of those
+who perhaps have never thought of the matter earnestly.
+
+I determined, after my visit to Beverly, to write this book to help my
+unfortunate race.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+CAT MEMORIES
+
+
+Our new room, a very large alcove, was pleasant and comfortable. The
+people who owned the house were school-teachers, refined, and the
+atmosphere was congenial to us all. I loved to watch my friend's busy
+fingers and follow Miss Milly's pen, as she wrote for hours at her desk.
+I loved to walk over the fresh writing and flirt my tail over the
+ink-bottle. That would make her stop and scold me, then pet me till I
+was willing she should return to her work. The eyes of affection are
+sharp. I saw with pain that they were obliged often to lie down, after a
+long spell of work, but they never complained.
+
+Mrs. Knight came often to see us, but I did not see Stacy for a long
+time. He was busy with his studies at Harvard, but he sent me kind
+messages, and I knew he loved me. Our boys were not with us, and I had
+no young company; but then, I was happy for I could see and hear from
+our young friends frequently.
+
+I always greeted dear Mrs. Knight with delight. She had a camel's hair
+shawl she used to roll me in, when we lived in her house, and I loved to
+claw it and pull the wool out of it. I wondered she did not wear it, but
+then, I suppose, it was old fashioned. She told me that her cat Solomon
+was very fond of it, and she allowed him to sleep on the lounge with
+that shawl under him.
+
+I felt a little jealous of Solomon, but I doubt if they ever love
+another cat as well as they love me. They said Solomon had no
+associates, though they lived on the swell avenue.
+
+The cats belonging there were only tolerated one-half the year. The cats
+that were not boarded out were left to become tramps. Of course these
+cats were very immoral, and they did not think it would improve Solomon
+to be friendly with them. I did smile when Mrs. Knight said, "Daisy is
+such a perfect cat, we hold him up as a model for Solomon."
+
+I wondered how Sol would like that, for he told me he did not like being
+kept in. He guessed he could take care of his morals; the society cats
+could not hurt him.
+
+One day he proved himself not so wise as his name would indicate. He
+fell out of the third story window. When they gathered around him,
+thinking he would have to be chloroformed, he got up, shook himself, and
+lived.
+
+He told me very sad tales of the cats living in that vicinity. "Would
+you not think," he said, "that in these palatial houses there would be
+room for one cat?"
+
+I said I should think they would want two or three. He shook his wise
+head, saying, "Oh, no. If they see a cat that pleases them, some
+superannuated spinster will gush over her, making her a pet for a little
+while. But let poor Pussy fall ill, or get one flea on her, and out she
+goes into outer darkness."
+
+"Oh," I said, "don't speak like that! my two dear friends are 'maiden
+ladies,' and no one can be kinder to animals than they are. The sick and
+unfortunate always appeal to their sympathy, and not in vain. I remember
+Miss Eleanor washing every day a poor neglected black cat whose eye a
+rat had bitten. It was not a pleasant piece of work, I can tell you, and
+she tended that eye so faithfully that it got well. They would go hungry
+to give food to a poor animal that needed it."
+
+"Well, well, it may be so," said Sol, impressed by my indignant protest;
+"but I have heard that old bachelors and old maids are always the
+hardest on animals."
+
+I indignantly denied this. "It is married people who dislike each other
+and cannot get free, who have horrid children--they are the hard ones.
+They do not want the care of their children themselves, and expect
+animals to offer themselves to be tortured by these wretched children.
+And if they defend themselves, refusing to have their eyes poked out
+with sticks, tin pails tied to their tails, and lighted matches held to
+their noses, and bite or scratch, then they are denounced as vile, and
+are given bad characters that will follow them through life."
+
+I had spoken with real feeling, and I could see that Sol believed me.
+
+"You are right, I suppose," he said. "We are both of us fortunate cats;
+'our lives have fallen in pleasant places.'"
+
+Poor Sol! He was so wise he had to quote Scripture, even if he did not
+understand it; and in this he was no worse than human beings. Do half of
+them know the meaning of the passages of Scripture they quote so
+confidently?
+
+"We," he continued in a sentimental tone, "cannot realize how hard it is
+to be outcasts. These closed-up houses and boarded-up doors are gloomy
+enough during the summer months. At dusk the skeleton forms that steal
+out, too feeble to mew, start at every sound, fearing the stones and
+jeers they are sure to meet from the stray ragamuffin children who roam
+about this deserted region. Their hearts are broken,--for cats have
+hearts, and loving ones too,--and it is hard for them to believe that
+those who have sometimes noticed them have left them alone. I do not
+know," he continued, "where we are going, but I do not believe we were
+made in vain, and I think these heartless people will find in the
+hereafter that the animals they have abused will be avenged."
+
+"All I desire," said I, "is to be with my two dear friends." And to this
+Solomon said, "Amen."
+
+I like Sol very much. He is a very well educated cat and looks upon life
+in a serious manner. He has grown quite large and appreciates his good
+home. I think he is a Christian Endeavorer, and will do all he can for
+homeless cats. I remember his wise words; and when dear Mrs. Knight
+brings me some of his catmint, I enjoy it for itself, because I love it,
+and in memory of his friendship. One can remember his friends even if he
+does not meet them often. Perhaps if we were to see each other every
+day, we should disagree.
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+AN ACCIDENT
+
+
+We had a very nice home in the country offered us, which we were very
+glad to take advantage of. The people who owned the place, going to the
+seashore, preferred to have their house occupied rather than shut up,
+doing no one any good.
+
+It was very pleasant there, and we had a very delightful time, though
+the accident which nearly cost me my life, and from which I shall never
+recover, happened there.
+
+It was the day before the Fourth of July. Miss Milly had been to Boston
+to the funeral of our beloved Doctor. Miss Eleanor being too unwell to
+go, we kept each other company, and sad enough we were.
+
+When Miss Milly returned, she was thoroughly worn out with grief at the
+loss of her dear friend and Doctor. It was a great loss to me, for I had
+been his special pet. During our dear Mrs. Rice's sickness I watched for
+his daily visit and knew his ring always. He would say: "Well, Daisy,
+how is your health to-day? Put out your tongue." Which, with Miss
+Milly's help, I would do. Then he would take my paw and feel my pulse in
+the most sober manner.
+
+How nice it was! I would not give up this memory for a great deal of
+money. I could tell by his face just how our dear invalid was, and when
+he told them his skill was in vain, and that he could not save her, I
+saw the tears in his eyes as he took me in his arms. He was a perfect
+gentleman, and we all loved him and respected his great knowledge and
+skill.
+
+We were sitting on the piazza talking about him, when I saw something
+move over under the trees. Supposing it might be a squirrel, I went to
+interview him, thinking that if I could kill something I should feel
+better. My mistresses were so preoccupied that when they went in to tea
+they never noticed that I had not followed them.
+
+Finding no squirrel, I sat down under a pine tree, thinking about the
+beautiful flowers and the music Miss Milly had told us about, at the
+church funeral of our friend, and mourning that I should never see our
+dear Doctor again, and wondering what Miss Milly would do without him,
+when a rush, and a bark, and before I could face around a fierce bulldog
+buried his teeth in my shoulder. I fought for my life, though I felt the
+odds were against me. But let him kill me; I would die game. I did claw
+his eyes, blinding him and giving me chance to escape.
+
+I crawled over the grass, then through the fence, into the neighboring
+estate, and hid myself in the bushes and deep grass. Then I lost
+consciousness. At times I realized my pain, and my brain was clear, for
+all my past life passed before me.
+
+How beautiful seemed my dear home and friends, that I should never see
+again! Then the old childish days, when I had frolicked with my poor
+mother, came to me so vividly I could smell the sweet clover where we
+played; and then the dreadful pain and faintness made me realize the end
+was near.
+
+I said, "I shall see our dear Doctor, and he will say, 'Why, Daisy! Have
+you followed me so soon?'" It was all dreamy; another fainting spell had
+come on, and it was nearly morning before I was again conscious. Then I
+thought, "I must try to see my dear mistresses once more, even if to die
+in sight of their windows." I was half crazed when I thought of their
+sorrow.
+
+With the greatest effort I raised myself up, and it was nearly an hour
+before I reached the tree, the scene of yesterday's disaster. Inch by
+inch I crawled along, with all the courage I could command. If cats have
+nine lives, I lost eight of mine on that journey. I could not see; my
+eyes were closed up by cobwebs, from the bushes I had crawled under when
+I hid myself. I felt my way along, and when the tree was reached fell
+down exhausted.
+
+Soon I heard a soft step, and Miss Eleanor gathered me up in her arms,
+trembling with fear that she should hurt me. She cried out with pain
+when she saw my bloody side, with the skin and fur hanging down nearly a
+quarter of a yard. She folded her apron, and held me in that, as I could
+be moved easily in that way; and I never winced, though the least jar
+hurt me, closing my eyes, and feeling I could die in peace. She carried
+me upstairs to Miss Milly's bedside.
+
+Poor Miss Milly! She had not closed her eyes till toward morning, when
+she fell into a doze. She opened her eyes when Miss Eleanor spoke, and
+screamed with pleasure when she caught sight of me. She held out her
+arms; but Miss Eleanor said, "Do not move him." Then, when she opened
+her apron, and Miss Milly saw my torn and bloody side, she cried as if
+her heart would break, saying, "He will die! What shall we do?"
+
+"Dress yourself quickly, and we will see what can be done. One comfort:
+he will be with us, and will have our care, even if we must lose him."
+
+They folded a blanket, laid it on a wide lounge, then covered it with a
+clean sheet folded thick, and laid me on it. Then Miss Milly soaked off
+the cobwebs from my eyes with warm water and a soft cloth, and I could
+just see a little; but it was like a view of heaven to see their dear
+faces once more.
+
+I tried to lap some warm milk, for the fever had made me thirsty. The
+effort was too much, and I fell back, faint and dizzy. When this attack
+passed off, I took a few drops of water from a spoon, and Miss Milly sat
+for an hour patiently, giving me drop by drop, till my parched tongue
+and throat were relieved.
+
+She sponged around the wound, soaking the clotted blood from my fur so
+tenderly that I suffered very little.
+
+My heart was so full of thankfulness that I would not murmur at my
+pains. And I do not think it was such a great virtue, though the
+suffering was fearful, for I think animals bear pain always with more
+fortitude than human beings.
+
+Miss Eleanor went into Boston as soon as possible. Mrs. Knight was very
+much distressed, and at once went with her to see the great doctor for
+animals, Dr. Watts. He said he could not leave his office the Fourth of
+July. He said he thought my shoulder bone was bent, and as I was so old,
+he should advise bathing, without trying to have it operated upon. He
+gave them a liniment, saying he did not think I would ever get over it.
+
+Miss Milly said he evidently thought me an old cat, and that I had
+better die than live and suffer. "He shall not die," she added, "if we
+can save him."
+
+The liniment was just fearful, Miss Milly held my head in her arms,
+covering my eyes and nose; for it was very strong, and drew tears from
+their eyes. Miss Eleanor applied it slowly. I winced and moaned, but
+tried hard to restrain myself, for I knew they were suffering with me.
+And I was anxious to bear it; for somehow I had faith in Dr. Watts, and
+I believed it would help me.
+
+Never had a patient better care. They made me catmint tea, and rubbed it
+on their hands so I could smell of it, and never left me alone. They
+kept the sheet smooth under me, for I could not turn over. It was like
+heaven to me, and after I had slept a little while, I opened my eyes,
+and seeing Miss Milly bending over me, I purred and put out my tongue to
+lick her hand. She kissed me with delight, and both of them caressed me,
+saying, "He will live, and no matter how much trouble he is, we will be
+only too glad to do for him."
+
+It was very true. From that day I got better slowly. I could turn over,
+and the hanging skin and fur fell off; and they kept soft greasy
+handkerchiefs on the wound till it closed over and healed. In two weeks
+the fur began to grow, and soon I had as lovely a coat as before my
+accident.
+
+Just one week did I keep good, because I could not help myself. Then,
+one day, they went down to dinner, leaving me asleep on the lounge.
+
+I said to myself when I awoke, "This has lasted long enough; I will not
+be an invalid longer." I crawled down and surprised them. They gathered
+me up, and carried me back, saying: "You will not get well so soon if
+you behave like this. We will close the door when we leave the room
+after this, for we see that you are not to be trusted."
+
+It did put me back, but my one desire was to get about, and I was soon
+able to. My shoulder was stiff, and it was a good six weeks before I
+could walk about with comfort. I limped a little, but my mistress
+laughed over it, saying it was an aristocratic limp--like some old
+gentleman leaning on his gold-headed cane.
+
+It was due to the love and care of these dear friends that my life was
+saved--another debt added to the long list of favors I received from
+them. I hope my little book will be successful and prove how much I
+loved and appreciated them.
+
+I have never been strong since my accident. There were internal
+injuries, and I often have an inward fever and great pain. I keep it to
+myself when I can, for if they find my breath feverish and my paws hot,
+they are very anxious and dose me with aconite and sometimes oil.
+Aconite I can take, but I do just hate oil. I act like a bad boy when it
+is given to me.
+
+My misfortune had one bright side; it gave us nice neighbors. Very
+congenial ones they were.
+
+When my mistress left me, to go in to tea that afternoon, they thought I
+had followed them, and had not missed me. Two tramp children shouted at
+the window, "Missus, your cat's killed! We seed a dog kill him."
+
+They ran out to question the children, but could get no satisfaction.
+Then they called, "Daisy, Daisy!" all around the house and grounds; for
+they could not believe I was lost. The children must be mistaken.
+
+There were some young people playing tennis on the Anchorage
+grounds,--the Admiral's place opposite,--and they came over when they
+saw Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly, and said they had seen the attack. They
+said the loud barking of a dog and a scream from the girl who was
+wheeling a baby carriage called their attention. They thought Daisy was
+killed; they saw him move, but could not tell in what direction; they
+said they did not believe it could be far off, as he must have received
+his death wound. The dog was a fierce bulldog, and belonged to the girl
+who had screamed. She had wheeled the carriage off quickly and called
+the dog, who was howling and bleeding from the encounter. They said, had
+they only been able to get a pistol, they would have shot the dog at
+once; but no one dare interfere with an enraged bull dog. And they had
+no time, for it all passed so quickly.
+
+They came over and very kindly helped in the search, going down cellar,
+looking in the cold air box, and over the grounds. Where I could have
+taken myself so quickly, they could not understand. After their dinner
+they searched again--without success, however.
+
+The Admiral's charming daughter, with her friend from a neighboring
+place, was very kind, calling the next day, trying to comfort my
+distracted friends.
+
+It was after twelve o'clock before they went into the house; then they
+could not rest, walking out on the piazza, or sitting in the bay-window,
+and starting at every sound or shadow. Miss Milly said if they could
+only give me Christian burial, she could bear it better. It was a night
+never to be forgotten by them, and they loved me more, if possible, for
+what they had suffered when they thought they had lost me.
+
+The young ladies I was soon quite intimate with. They brought ice-cream
+and jelly to me, and beautiful flowers. Of course we understood it was a
+delicate attention offered through me; in fact, it was using me as a
+"cat's paw." We had nice times sitting in the porch or on the piazza.
+They were so bright and chatty, talking about books they had read. I
+could not read books, but I could sit on them and look wise, and I never
+was known to scratch one.
+
+In the next house were two pet cats. One was Maltese, the other black,
+with white breast and paws. They were very large and dignified. There
+was one singular feature about them: both had double thumbs. After I
+became acquainted with them I asked them why they did not join a circus
+or museum. Oh, my! how mad they were, for they were very proud and
+exclusive; and at first were very shy of associating with me till they
+saw what nice company we had. They said they thought we must be poor,
+for we kept no servant.
+
+I told them we were poor, but we did not judge people by their money;
+that I guessed that so far as brains and culture and good breeding were
+concerned, my mistresses could beat the neighborhood, if we did not keep
+help. Then I pushed open the screen door and banged it in their faces. I
+was so very mad I never looked at them for a long time, and kept on the
+piazza at the other side of the house.
+
+I did forgive them, however, but it was after their pride had a fall.
+The family, went away for some weeks, and the house was closed. They
+left the small door in the barn open, and a heap of straw, with a
+blanket over it, for them to sleep on. They engaged the man who cared
+for the places around to provide them with milk and food; and he was
+very faithful to them.
+
+How we did pity them! I held up my head and walked away when I saw them,
+and Miss Eleanor said she did not think I could be so hard-hearted; but
+I could not stand it when I heard a piteous mew and saw a sad face
+looking at me, and I at once threw all resentment to the winds and went
+out with them.
+
+After this they were in our house all the time. As soon as it was light,
+over they would come, and wait till we came down to breakfast. They went
+home reluctantly at night, and Miss Eleanor was so good to them she went
+with them and poked up the straw and shut them in for the night. Miss
+Milly would say to her: "Did you tell them a bear story? And did they
+say their prayers?" Miss Eleanor would laugh, and say: "I did pity the
+poor lonely things; they looked like the babes in the wood when I
+covered the old blanket over them. Only I thought they had a good, nice
+auntie instead of a wicked uncle." For, as you will see, I had been told
+all these stories, or the boys had, and I listened to them.
+
+These cats were very nice to me. They would run up the trees and on top
+of the bay-window to amuse me; for I could not run or climb very well,
+though the next year, when we were out there, I could run with them very
+easily. We had such nice dinners together; for I enjoyed sharing my good
+things with them, and they were very nice about eating. They did not
+snort and growl as some cats do, or pick for the best. My mistress used
+to put down one large platter, and would give each of them the end,
+while I had the middle. Each shared alike.
+
+We had a great deal of company. I enjoyed them all, particularly the
+artists. I had an eye for color, though I could not make a telescope of
+my paw and put it over my eye, exclaiming: "What perspective! What
+color! What technique!" But I could open both eyes and see if the
+pictures were true to nature.
+
+Many offers were made by the artists to paint my picture; but my
+mistress refused them, saying: "Should I lose my Daisy, I could not bear
+to see a picture of her. I should always carry one in my heart, and
+would need no other."
+
+Our pleasant home we left the last of September, just when the autumn
+foliage was in a blaze of color, giving us a delightful picture to
+remember through the winter. We carried home some pine-cones for our
+grate, and bright leaves to put in our vases--a very pleasant reminder
+of our summer home.
+
+We made a pine pillow. I say _we_ because I pulled out the pine as fast
+as they picked it. At last they were obliged to put me in the closet. I
+climbed on the shelf and knocked down boxes till, in self-defence, they
+released me.
+
+But the pine pillow was finished, and I had many good naps on it,
+remembering those with whom I had played under the pines.
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+CAT TALES
+
+
+I had always felt desirous of hearing the history of Topsy. My mother
+lived one year in the house with her, on good, if not friendly, terms.
+Her disappearance was a subject I pondered over quite often. Naturally,
+having taken her place in Miss Milly's affections, I wondered about her.
+
+One day my curiosity was gratified. A friend, very fond of cats, who had
+known Topsy very well, called. Miss Milly told her this interesting
+story.
+
+Topsy was a Salem cat, and no one could doubt her being a real witch
+cat. She was nervous, always on the jump, and "such a smart temper!"
+Miss Milly said: "I had always been very fond of black cats, but it so
+happened, though we had cats of all colors, we had never a black one,
+till the arrival of Topsy. You know," she laughed, "I have always been
+very proud of calling myself a Salem witch. I have a mole on my left
+shoulder, and now that the black cat had arrived, I felt that I had all
+the requirements needful to make a veritable 'Salem witch.' I believe
+there is some superstition about a black cow, also; but one could not go
+about leading a black cow quite as well as a cat, and I felt satisfied
+that would entitle me to the name."
+
+This is the way Topsy came to my mistress: One summer evening a friend
+drove up to the door with a basket of flowers. Miss Milly was pleased
+with them, but when under the flowers a little fluffy ball revealed
+itself, and when the little ball had brilliant yellow eyes, she was
+delighted. She smoothed its soft fur, saying: "What a lovely kitten! Is
+it for me?"
+
+As she asked the question, the kitten gave one spring and landed on her
+shoulder, where she secured her position by sticking her sharp claws
+into Miss Milly's shoulder. At every attempt to dislodge her, she
+asserted herself with tooth and nail; having undoubtedly a claw hold,
+she would never resign.
+
+This was Topsy's first claim on my mistress, and she made a slave of her
+ever after. All the family were pleased with Topsy. The advent of a
+coal-black cat into a family was looked upon as a very fortunate
+occurrence. Such cats have always been singled out from all others as
+associated with good luck. If one is driven from the house, it is
+thought to bring disaster.
+
+In northern Europe the idea of prosperity is so associated with a black
+cat that the owner of a new house often sends a black cat there, before
+he takes possession, in order to secure good luck. The Egyptians called
+the cat "Pasht" (their name for the moon) because her eyes were bright
+in the dark. Of course I heard this from my mistress, and it is probably
+more interesting to me than to my readers. Miss Milly said Topsy had
+round yellow eyes, big enough to entitle her to the name of "Pasht."
+
+She was so like Mrs. Stowe's Topsy in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" that no other
+name could be so appropriate. If standing on her head and fighting every
+thing that moved, even a leaf, could make her like Topsy, she deserved
+the name. She was full of life and electricity. If any one smoothed her
+fur the wrong way, in the dark, sparks would fly, and a snap like a
+fire-cracker would follow.
+
+We have a picture of her taken with the two boys. Karl has a great
+sleepy creature called Daisy because he was white and black and had
+green eyes. He is, as usual, asleep on the boy's knees. Will holds
+Topsy, and his face wears a distressed expression, for she is tearing
+and clawing him, trying to escape.
+
+Daisy belonged to Miss Eleanor. She brought him home one evening from a
+friend's. She put him in a closet over night, Karl slept in his aunt's
+bed, and just before morning she got Daisy and hid him at the foot of
+the bed.
+
+When Karl awoke he teased for a story. Aunt Nellie bewitched the
+children with her original tales of animals. She began the oft-told
+story of the little pig family, when Karl said,--
+
+"Hark! I hear breathing."
+
+"Nonsense," said Aunt Nellie; "perhaps it is the little pink pig."
+
+Pretty soon, however, the kitten had grown warm and comfortable, and
+ventured on a louder purr than he had given before. Karl started up
+saying:--
+
+"Oh, stop! Aunt Nellie, I do bleevs it is a kitty."
+
+There was no longer chance for concealment, and the kitten was produced,
+to the boy's great delight. When Willie came in from his mother's room
+to ask for his story, the same fun was repeated.
+
+The children were very much pleased with him, and named him Daisy. Their
+aunties remonstrated at one of his sex being called Daisy; but when the
+children asked in an aggrieved manner, "Are there no boy daisies?" as
+they were not able to answer the question in a satisfactory manner, he
+was allowed to bear the name of Daisy. (There is no doubt that since
+then they have decided that boys have as good a right to be called
+Daisies as girls, for my mistress called me Daisy, and I like it.)
+
+Three years after Daisy came to them he disappeared, and they mourned
+long for him, particularly because they thought a neighbor who disliked
+cats had killed him.
+
+Topsy quarrelled with him and drove him about, but Daisy was sweet
+tempered and bore it so quietly that Topsy despised him. She did not
+love any cat unless she could fight with him. Topsy had a great many
+kittens. Like many human mothers, she was not fond of taking care of her
+children. She was very peremptory, cuffing them right and left at the
+least provocation. She was a cat "Mrs. Jellyby," the Borrioboola-gha
+mission being more to her taste than her home. She did not care to
+chaperon sons and daughters into society, and she cast them adrift as
+soon as possible. One kitten was always kept for her, and she never
+seemed to miss the others. When she was ready to wean that one, it was
+provided with a good home, without the least interest on her part. The
+family were very fond of kittens, but dared not get interested in them,
+for they could only keep two at one time.
+
+She had one beautiful little black one, and Miss Eleanor became so fond
+of her that she decided to keep her for her own. She deserves another
+chapter.
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+LITTLE PEARL
+
+
+Little Pearl was coal-black, with one little white star under her chin.
+She was the only one of all Topsy's kittens that was black. Topsy did
+show more affection for her than for any of the others. She had bright
+yellow eyes like her mother's, and her fur was soft and glossy as silk.
+She was very sweet tempered, and never would strike back, as her
+brothers and sisters had done when their mother washed them, cuffing
+them if they dared move.
+
+Miss Eleanor was devoted to little Pearl, but all her care could not
+keep her. She died from some internal disease when she was about four
+months old. She was a perfect skeleton, and her mother nursed her out of
+pity because she could not take much food.
+
+One evening Miss Milly returned home from a visit, and on going to Miss
+Eleanor's room saw something in the middle of the floor covered with an
+apron. Miss Eleanor sat by the window, in great affliction. She lifted
+the apron, and there lay little Pearl, looking just like a lovely piece
+of sculpture.
+
+Miss Eleanor said: "I had her in my lap, when Topsy came in, and as she
+seemed to be amiable, I laid little Pearl by the side of her. Topsy
+began to lick her fur, and then she allowed her to nurse. But it was
+only a feeble effort; her little lips fell away from her mother's
+breast, and with one soft sigh little Pearl's short life ended."
+
+Topsy looked at her for one moment, then, with a piteous mew, she rushed
+out of the room and never returned till Miss Milly found her, and,
+taking her in her arms, comforted her.
+
+They took a strong pasteboard box and laid in some wool and a soft
+handkerchief, and little Pearl looked lovely on the soft white bed. They
+put geraniums and white flowers around her; for she had played often in
+the fragrant beds they plucked them from. Then the box was closed up and
+put in a back room till morning. They made Topsy keep an unwilling vigil
+to keep away rats.
+
+In the morning they engaged three children belonging to a poor family
+living near them to dig a grave. They came armed with shovels and spades
+enough to dig many miles. Miss Milly said she worked harder as overseer
+than she would at digging the grave alone. They were willing to work,
+but ignorant of the way.
+
+It was a very pathetic sight,--a dark cloudy day, the sun obscured, the
+wind rustling through the trees, and even the flowers drooped their
+heads; Miss Eleanor, with the box in her arms, and Miss Milly with the
+improvised grave-diggers standing by the open grave.
+
+Miss Milly held Topsy in her arms; but it was hard work, she made such
+frantic efforts to free herself. At last she did escape, and ran up the
+apple tree, and out on the branch that hung over the open grave. Here
+she looked down on them, while they laid away her dear little kitten.
+
+After the grave-diggers had raked the earth over the spot, and received
+their money and departed, Miss Eleanor and Miss Milly put fresh flowers
+around it and a large pot containing a nice geranium in the middle.
+
+Topsy had come down from her perch and roved about the garden as if
+possessed by an evil spirit. They had gone into the house but a short
+time, when she trampled all the flowers on the grave under her feet and
+knocked over the flower pot. Then she roved back and forth till she
+found a neighbor's cat, with whom she had a feud of long standing, and
+worked off all her sorrow in a free fight, where she proved the victor,
+and at night she returned to the house just as composed as usual. She
+never visited little Pearl's grave to their knowledge again.
+
+The house where the family lived was large and old-fashioned,--one of
+the houses Salem was noted for at that time, long ago given up to the
+march of improvement. It belonged to a wealthy sea-captain in the India
+trade. Since his death it had not been cared for or repaired, and was
+therefore within the means of a small family. The remains of his
+extensive wine cellar consisted of a multitude of empty bottles.
+
+Topsy was very fond of this cellar. They often remarked that she
+probably found kindred spirits of the past, for she always surprised
+them with some practical joke on her return to the upper regions.
+
+One day, just at dusk a crash came that shook the house. The sound came
+from the cellar, and on taking a light there, they found the floor
+covered with bottles. Through some unknown agency, Topsy had moved a
+shelf, and all the bottles had fallen to the floor. There she sat on a
+barrel, looking on. If ever a cat delighted in a sensation, she did.
+
+Quite a young girl lived with them, to help the girl of all work. She
+got the impression that the house was haunted. She said the doors would
+fly open without visible agency, and the bells all over the house would
+ring, and when she answered them, every one would be surprised; they had
+not touched them. They explained to her that the wind moved the
+old-fashioned latches, and the doors, being old, would fly open.
+Possibly rats would move the bell wires and make them ring. It is
+impossible to uproot a belief in the supernatural out of the mind of an
+ignorant child.
+
+She said: "It is that black witch cat Topsy. She is an evil spirit. I
+shut her up at night in the kitchen, Molly says she never let her up;
+but there she is, upstairs, all over the house, during the night."
+
+They could not persuade her to stay, and after she left the mystery was
+solved, as such mysteries almost always can be, in a very common,
+matter-of-fact manner. Miss Eleanor said at the time that she thought
+her room was the way Topsy came, though how, she could not say.
+
+One night, about eleven o'clock, being very wakeful, she heard a slight
+scratching sound at the door. She sat up in bed and watched. She was not
+afraid, for she was sure the mystery was about to be solved. Another
+rattle of the latch, then the door opened wide, swinging back, with some
+long black thing hanging from the latch. It was Topsy. She had jumped up
+and knocked up the latch with her head, holding on the lower part with
+her paws, and in this way had entered the room every night.
+
+Changes came to their home, and the death of their mother made a break
+in the household. They moved to Boston and were perplexed about Topsy.
+What could they do with a cat of her restless nature in a few rooms?
+What could she do without a large house and garden to roam about in,
+and, above all, how could she leave that cellar? The people who took the
+house were very anxious to keep her, and at last it was decided to leave
+her on trial.
+
+Miss Milly said, "After what we have passed through, as we are breaking
+the last tie to home, one parting more we can bear."
+
+After a few weeks Miss Eleanor went down to see about Topsy. She had a
+tale of woe to listen to. They said: "Topsy searched the house after you
+left, and at night she caterwauled in the hall in the most fearful
+manner, and paid not the least attention to us, when we tried to coax
+her. She refused all food, preferring to steal all that she wanted. She
+at last took to the cellar, and would not come up. We put food and drink
+for her every day, and it was gone, so we supposed she took it."
+
+They said the night before she had made such a racket that it seemed as
+if there were a dozen cats with her. They had that day decided to write,
+asking what could be done with her.
+
+When they opened the cellar door, and called her, no answer came; but
+the moment Miss Eleanor went to the door, and said, "Topsy," she flew up
+the stairs like lightning, and into Miss Eleanor's arms, just like a
+child. She held her so tight she could hardly remove her claws from her
+shoulder.
+
+"This decides it. I shall have to take her," Miss Eleanor said; "and
+indeed I could not face Milly without her, now that we know how unhappy
+she has been."
+
+They loaned her a shawl, and in it she wrapped Topsy, who followed every
+movement with her yellow eyes, though she kept as quiet as a lamb. Her
+trust was perfect; she knew she had found her own. She made no trouble
+on the journey by cars to Boston, keeping her eye on Miss Eleanor's face
+out of one corner of the shawl.
+
+They were perfect slaves to her, keeping her in one room. Boarding was
+not very convenient, even with a quiet, well-behaved cat but with her it
+was a dreadful experience. She had come to Boston, a great and gay city,
+and she did mean to see the sights. The very first Sunday she crawled
+out of the window, though it was only open a very little; but she
+squeezed herself out on to the balcony that ran around several of the
+houses in that block, and Miss Milly went all over the street hunting
+for her. Being a stranger, it was very hard. At last Topsy was found on
+the balcony just outside the next house, all in a heap, and for once
+well frightened.
+
+After Mrs. Rice and the boys came from the South, and they had a home,
+she was very happy, and it was then my mother met her, about which event
+I have already written.
+
+I did pity them; at the last, to lose her in such a manner was very
+hard.
+
+Miss Milly was so sad after this that Miss Eleanor said she hoped she
+would never tell Topsy's story again. Miss Milly would say, taking me in
+her arms, "I never felt comforted till I had my Daisy."
+
+This pleased me, and made me very careful to do just as they told me to.
+I was very glad I had heard Topsy's story. My opinion is, that the
+witches wanted her and called her home. Very likely she rides on their
+shoulders when they go through the air on a broomstick.
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+REMINISCENCES
+
+
+I was suffering much from my shoulder just at this time, but we were
+very quiet, and I enjoyed lying on the lounge or in their laps and
+listening to the stories of the pets they had loved in their childhood.
+Miss Eleanor would read aloud, and indeed (you may laugh if you please)
+I could understand the nice things she selected.
+
+One day she found some of Martin Luther's sayings. He one day remarked
+to his dog, that was growling, "Don't growl, little Hans, for in the
+resurrection thou, too, shalt have a little golden tail."
+
+Miss Milly caught me up, saying, "Thou, too, Daisy, shalt go to heaven,
+and have golden bells on thy collar, for thy tail is more lovely than a
+golden one could be."
+
+"How absurd you are!" said Miss Eleanor.
+
+"Well, I do not think it absurd to believe we shall have our dear pets
+in the hereafter; heaven would not be heaven without them. God has not
+given them to us to love, without making provision for their hereafter.
+We have no little hands and feet waiting for us on the 'golden shore,'
+but little paws of all colors I know will be extended in welcome, and we
+shall be happy with our own again."
+
+This comfortable doctrine suited me and made me very happy. Knowing that
+I could not live many years longer, the thought of an eternal separation
+from my loved ones would have been unbearable.
+
+I did try to be good and be a comfort to them, but often my good
+resolutions were put to a hard test.
+
+My mistress had one young friend who detested cats. She was very
+beautiful, and they loved her very much. She came to see us one day, and
+after greeting them affectionately, she said as her eye fell upon me,
+"Oh! have you got that old Tom cat now?"
+
+How I bristled up! But Miss Milly was equal to her. "Would you like to
+have me speak of one of your children in this manner?" she said.
+
+"I should think not," replied her friend; "but this is only a cat."
+
+"And a cat that we both love as dearly as you love your children."
+
+My rage at being called a "Tom cat" knew no bounds; it seemed to degrade
+me, and I thought to myself, "How can I avenge this insult?"
+
+One can always find a chance to do wrong, and mine came at once. I
+espied her hat, gorgeous with feathers, birds, and wings, and brilliant
+beading. To my great discomfort--for it was very scratchy--I seated
+myself on the crown. I had no compunction when I heard the crunching of
+the beads and feathers, as I bent them under me. They seemed to say,
+"Tom cat,--indeed!"
+
+I sat there till I felt pride had been sufficiently levelled; and as I
+chewed the delicate end of one of the expensive feathers, I felt that I
+might (in vulgar phrase) call myself even with her. Then I went under
+the bed, where I could with safety witness the impending tempest.
+
+I was not disappointed. Words are powerless to express her wrath. Had
+her wishes been consulted, I should never have seen the light of another
+day.
+
+When I saw how my mistress was distressed over my wickedness, my
+conscience did prick a little, though I did not repent. I had been
+called a "Tom cat," and for once I acted like one.
+
+The climax was reached when Miss Eleanor produced a box containing a
+lovely wing and ornaments, and placed them where the broken ones had
+been. She said:--
+
+"I do not approve of such decorations. Were I young, I would never wear
+anything that had been killed to pander to a foolish vanity. These were
+given me to put with some flowers and grasses for exhibition. If you
+will accept them in place of those our naughty pet has destroyed, I
+shall feel we have atoned for his thoughtlessness."
+
+Accept! I guess she did, and in her heart thanked me for giving her such
+a treasure, though she gave me a cross look at parting, which I returned
+in full and longed to give her an etching.
+
+I was disgusted. I had been outwitted, as people often are when they
+seek for revenge. It made me cynical, and I remained under the bed,
+thinking of the wrongs that are beyond redress, going on daily. I said
+to myself:--
+
+"Just see! To gratify personal vanity how many millions of beautiful
+birds are slaughtered! Innocent creatures that God made, just like the
+lovely flowers, to make the world charming! And if a cat or any other
+animal kills a bird or chicken, their legitimate prey, knowing no
+better, they are called horrid creatures and hunted about just as if
+they were murderers."
+
+They did not say anything about my naughty act; but I heard them (after
+they had called me to come out, and I had not answered) say, "Daisy is
+asleep." Then they laughed, while Miss Milly said: "Who could doubt that
+cats can understand, if they had seen Daisy's face when he was called a
+'Tom cat.' I believe he sat on that hat to show his indignation."
+
+All our friends were not of this order. One young artist was very fond
+of me, and we were quite chummy. He was a great big fellow, with a thick
+head of hair, and a mouth like a shoe-brush. I loved to see his teeth
+gleam through when he laughed, for they were perfect and white as snow.
+I did not like to have him rub his face over mine; it was like a
+porcupine, while my fur and whiskers are as soft as silk.
+
+One day he had been fooling with me, and I gave him a good scratch. I
+raked his whiskers well, making his lip bleed. After that he called me
+his bar-ber-ous friend. Perhaps he thought I did not see the pun
+intended, but I did, and the point also.
+
+I was rather sorry, and surprised. Somehow I thought his hair was like
+grass, and I could claw it as I pleased.
+
+He brought me very nice catmint from his country home. Once he brought a
+pasteboard box with "Daisy" printed on the cover. I was very proud of
+that box, and always turned it over with the name on the top. He brought
+us a beautiful pitcher called after the Emperor Hadrian. The style of
+pitcher was taken from those found in his tomb.
+
+You will see I have a taste for history. There is no doubt, had I lived
+at that period, I should have made wonderful excavations. Mummied mice
+or rats would have had no mercy from my claws.
+
+My special interest in this pitcher was the beautiful white daisies it
+was often filled with. The contrast with the blue pitcher was perfect.
+He would bring in a bunch from his country home, and say, "Here, Daisy,
+are your namesakes; they are for you," while I would pretend to smell of
+them, delighted to make them all laugh. I would mount the table, and lie
+down by the side of the pitcher very contented.
+
+My friend went to Virginia to sketch. He wrote word that he had planted
+a large grove of catmint for me, and had called it "Daisy's Plantation."
+Was I not happy and important! As Miss Milly said, I was a real
+landowner.
+
+After his return, he went to Germany to study. In all his letters he
+remembered me. I was just as much interested in his progress as his
+other friends were, and enjoyed the photographs of his pictures he sent
+home.
+
+In my opinion he was a great artist--better than the "old masters" they
+talk so much about. The "young masters" are good enough for me. He
+wanted to paint my picture, but Miss Milly refused, just as she had all
+other offers of this kind.
+
+I did not like it, for I thought my friend would do me justice, and it
+might make his fortune, if exhibited. I used to look in the glass and
+pose, thinking what a lovely picture I would make.
+
+I say it, and I suppose you will say, "What a vain cat!" But how about
+these society women (and men, as to that) who dress in velvets and
+jewels, and exhibit their charms, and so much of them that it makes a
+modest cat blush? What if they don't say, as I do, that they would make
+a lovely picture, do they not act it? You will soon discover, if you
+never knew it before, as you read my history of many cats, that animals
+are often superior to the human race.
+
+My mistresses would often dress me and make me pose to please them, and
+for the life of me I could not see why I should not be painted for the
+benefit of others. They would tie a half-handkerchief on my head, the
+point trimmed with lace just between my ears, the ends tied under my
+chin. They called it a "Marie Stuart point." Whatever that might be, I
+knew not. I afterward learned that she was a queen, and was executed. It
+pleased my cat vanity to represent a queen.
+
+I myself performed all the tricks I could think of. One day, being in a
+large armchair, I just posed, myself. I sat down, hung my two paws over
+the arm of the chair, my head on one side, my "Marie Stuart point" all
+right, the bow tied under my chin, my collar and padlock in sight, and
+then and there I made an impression never to be forgotten by those who
+saw me. As long as memory lasts they will remember me in all my beauty.
+
+My mistress fell on her knees beside me, calling me all the pet names
+she could think of, while Miss Eleanor said, "If ever a cat lived that
+could equal Daisy, that cat I would like to see!"
+
+I remained a long time in the same attitude, proud of my success. When
+Miss Milly brought a little hand-glass for me to see myself, I did not
+wonder they were delighted, and I wished they would let me pose for the
+benefit of poor cats. I knew I could draw a crowd.
+
+I never would pose for those I did not care for. I tore off the
+handkerchief as soon as they put it on, and taking it by the lace edge,
+I shut my teeth on it and dragged it under the bed. After this they only
+asked me to pose for my friends. For them I was very willing to do my
+best. I enjoyed being called a "darling" and a "love" by pretty girls,
+just as any boy would enjoy it.
+
+One friend of my mistress, a charming little woman and a real
+philanthropist, was quite fond of me. She was the mother of my dear girl
+friend, whom I introduced to you at my party. This good little woman was
+a real friend to animals of all kinds, but she particularly loved cats.
+
+She told us one day when she came to see us about the cruel people in
+her neighborhood who went away in summer, leaving their cats to starve.
+She said she had the past summer chloroformed eighteen cats in the last
+stage of starvation and too far gone to save.
+
+She had two lovely cats named Chico and Sancho. They had very beautiful
+clear white fur and blue eyes. They were very bright, learning readily
+many little tricks. They would turn a graceful somersault for their
+food, and behaved at all times with great politeness.
+
+Chico had trouble with his teeth, and Sancho was in great distress about
+it. This sympathy was almost human. When he found he could do no good,
+he retired in deep distress to the corner of the room, where he
+preserved a grave silence. The family dentist soon made matters right by
+extracting the troublesome teeth, making both cats very happy. No doubt
+Chico disliked him just as children dislike those who operate upon them,
+even though the kindness is evident.
+
+Mrs. M. said, when she was telling my mistress about Chico, "Of course
+you will have Daisy's teeth filled with gold when they decay?"
+
+"Certainly," Miss Milly replied; "and I would hold him while it was
+done."
+
+For days after this I had no peace. Visions of doctors with horrid
+instruments were ever before my eyes. I shut my mouth tight when any one
+came in; and at the name of doctor I fled under the bed, where I
+remained with fear and trembling, fearing my teeth were to be operated
+upon. I could not clean and brush my teeth, but I got a bit of grass and
+one of my catmint stalks, and sharpened my teeth on them, keeping them
+as nice as possible, to preserve them.
+
+Last year I lost one tooth. It fell out without any pain, and I did not
+miss it; but Miss Milly did feel so badly about it, and cried when one
+of the family said, "Daisy is quite old; it is the beginning of the
+end."
+
+Miss Eleanor was very indignant, saying, "If it is not 'the beginning,'
+it is the end, of their visits here; we will not entertain such cruel
+people."
+
+They were more careful of me than ever after this. They cut up my food
+very fine, and I was very careful not to gnaw meat off of a bone, for
+fear it would injure my teeth, and bring the "beginning of the end"
+after me. Whatever that might be I did not know; but it was such a scare
+to Miss Milly that I thought it must be some monster that would devour
+me as soon as I lost my teeth.
+
+Our nice friend told us a great many stories about cats she had known
+and loved. Her charming daughter, my girl friend, could make cats
+perform tricks very easily. She seemed to charm them. There were
+photographs of cats taken in every position, and they seemed to do just
+as she wished, for she took the pictures of them herself.
+
+We had very few cats in our neighborhood, and I did long sometimes to
+see one of my own old friends. I went out every day when it was
+pleasant, and sat upon a high fence, where I could look into back
+alleys, where the poor people had one or two miserable rooms, scanty
+furniture, and probably very little food, and I noticed with pleasure
+that in every one of these poor homes a cat could be seen sitting before
+the small fire, an honored member of the family. I wished I could write
+a check for these good-hearted people. It made me laugh; for who would
+honor a cat's check?
+
+If I could talk, I know my dear friends would help them, if I could tell
+how much they need it; but as I cannot, I must content myself with good
+intentions.
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+CAT TALES
+
+
+There is no doubt that cat lovers will be interested in the true stories
+of cats that our friends related to us from time to time. I have them
+all in my memory. If they can arouse a love of cats in the hearts of my
+readers, this little work of love by one fortunate cat will accomplish
+its purpose.
+
+Our friend told us a very wonderful story of a cat named Alexander.
+There seems to be a fitness in his name; for he was, in my opinion, very
+great. It does look a good deal like a "fish story," though I know it is
+strictly true; for he was a Boston cat, and lived not half a mile from
+our home.
+
+Alexander was a prime favorite with all the family. He was the master's
+special friend and pet, while the mistress had a bird she was very fond
+of and had kept a great many years. Alexander had been taught to respect
+its rights, and ignored it as beneath his notice.
+
+They had bought a beautiful house at the seashore, reached by the boats
+every hour or two from Boston. They closed their city house, and removed
+all the family, including dogs, bird, and last, but not least,
+Alexander, to their summer home quite early in the season. They went
+down by boat, and, as one would suppose, neither dog nor cat could well
+find his way back alone.
+
+Alexander was taken in a large basket; one of the most reliable of the
+maids had charge of him, while the bird was taken by one of the family.
+Alexander had in every way protested against this move. He walked about
+the house, superintending the shutting up of rooms, with grave
+displeasure.
+
+The dogs, bird, and the family soon settled themselves, and the new
+place assumed an air altogether homelike. Alexander was restless and
+morose, and the third day he was missing. They had noticed the stolid
+air of disapproval with which he had gone around, looking with critical
+eye upon the house and its surroundings. He avoided the side of the
+house that faced the water, proving that he did not care for
+sea-bathing, and the air evidently did not agree with him.
+
+They spared neither money nor trouble in searching for him. No clew
+whatever could be found, and they mourned him as dead. They returned
+early in September to their Boston home on account of illness in the
+family.
+
+They had been at home only a few days, and the house had settled into
+that homelike air so pleasant to returned wanderers, when one day, while
+they were at dinner, Alexander walked in. He was the shadow of his
+former self, thin, rough, and gaunt looking, the very fierce expression
+of his eyes making him look like a stranger.
+
+He refused every welcome extended to him, looking at them with disdain.
+He marched to a table, mounted it, gave one spring, and before they
+could realize his purpose he put his sharp claws through the cage door
+and killed the little pet bird.
+
+He looked around upon them all with an expression of satisfaction, as if
+to say: "Now I am satisfied. You have enjoyed the company of your pets;
+you have not been satisfied with going away and leaving us in our good
+home, but you must have another. If the little fools you took with you
+were willing to stay, I was not. You left me to wander, and I have taken
+my revenge."
+
+The mistress was very unhappy at the loss of her pet, and demanded
+Alexander's life in exchange--"a life for a life." Her husband refused.
+He sympathized with her loss, but he stood by Alexander. The master was
+the only one that cat would trust. He avoided all the other members of
+the family, and never recovered his cheerfulness or his good looks. The
+iron had entered into his soul.
+
+Where he spent the summer months remains a mystery. From the change
+wrought in him, it could not have been in very elevating company. But
+the question is, Where did he spend that time, and how did he get back
+to the city? Is it not a convincing fact that cats know more than they
+are supposed to? And if they are such intelligent beings, ought they not
+to be treated with humanity?
+
+It is true they will be hunted and abused by bad children; but properly
+taught, might they not be made nice playmates for children, even taking
+the place of a nurse maid if trained to do so? It does seem right for
+all animals to be studied and their good traits encouraged.
+
+Horses have been, ever since the world was formed, the friend and
+patient slave of man. No animal has suffered more abuse patiently borne
+than the horse. And now that the fools of fashion have presumed to
+improve on their Maker's work, clipping them, cutting their tails, and
+using the abominable check-rein, they are objects of pity to every
+right-minded person.
+
+My mistress had a friend who often called to take her to ride. She had
+been away, for a long time, travelling. On her return she came to see
+us, and asked my mistress to ride with her out into the country. We were
+very much pleased, for they both needed the air; and as she said she
+would take Miss Eleanor the next day (the carriage holding only two),
+there was a pleasant prospect for both of my dear friends, and I was
+delighted, for they had stitched and stitched till I was nearly frantic,
+looking at my sharp but useless claws.
+
+I could only express my satisfaction by walking around her, and rubbing
+my head against her dress. She was quite pleased, saying, "Daisy has
+grown more lovely then ever," and she patted my head with such soft
+dogskin gloves, I did long to chew them.
+
+As Miss Milly prepared for the ride, her friend said: "Just look at my
+new horses. Are they not beauties?"
+
+"These are not your horses!" exclaimed Miss Milly, as she looked from
+the window.
+
+"Certainly they are," her friend replied, "and I knew you would admire
+them."
+
+"I am sorry to disappoint you," Miss Milly said, "but I do not admire,
+though I do pity these poor creatures. Is it possible that you had their
+tails cut in such an absurd manner? And their heads held up so cruelly?"
+
+"Of course I did," replied her friend, while her face grew red with
+anger; "and I mean to have their heads raised an inch every day till
+they get used to it."
+
+Miss Milly untied her bonnet, saying, "Much as I need a ride, I could
+never enjoy it, in sight of such cruel suffering. How could you do it? I
+thought you so kind-hearted, when we were girls together, that I cannot
+believe you have changed so sadly."
+
+"How absurd you are! I think you carry your old-fashioned notions too
+far, and I must say you are very unkind to refuse to ride with me. Every
+one has these things done, why should not I?"
+
+"You need not be cruel because others are; and I thought you had
+independence enough to do as you thought right, regardless of the weak
+and wicked who know not right from wrong. In your position, with wealth
+at your command, you could set an example that others would follow; for
+there are always those who are ready to do just as people in better
+circumstances than themselves are able to do, no matter what foolishness
+it leads to."
+
+"I hope, Eleanor," said their friend as she turned away from Miss Milly,
+"you are not going to refuse to ride with me because my horses are in
+the fashion, we all know Milly is a crank on such subjects."
+
+"And in this case, I fully indorse her," said Miss Eleanor. "It is cruel
+to cripple such noble creatures and make their lives a curse."
+
+"Well," said the other, "I have had a lesson this morning." And tears of
+vexation stood in her eyes.
+
+"My dear Laura," Miss Milly said, "just think that all we have said to
+you has been in kindness, because we believe in your real nature. Let
+your own heart speak for these poor creatures that cannot help
+themselves, so wholly in your power."
+
+"And make myself a laughing-stock! No, thank you! I shall keep my horses
+like other people's. I am very sorry not to take you to ride; it is a
+real disappointment to me."
+
+"It is an equal one to us. We fully appreciate your kindness in offering
+us a luxury beyond our means, here we recognize the Laura of bygone
+years. Come some day with 'Brown Bess,' the nice horse you used to
+drive, and we shall be glad to go with you."
+
+Laura looked very red and confused, and replied, "We did not bring her
+to the city with us."
+
+They learned some time after that the good old horse had been sold for a
+hack. My mistress was very indignant. She said she would have sold her
+own flesh and blood just as soon as a faithful old horse. She said, "If
+money hardens one's heart, as it has our friend's, we are better without
+it."
+
+I mounted a chair and saw the carriage drive off, and I did pity the
+poor horses. The foam fell from their mouths, and they pranced and
+glared about in torture from which there was no escape. I was sorry my
+friends had lost their ride, but I was very glad they acted up to their
+principles.
+
+I looked at the very pretty little woman, sitting so quietly in her
+carriage, and I said to myself, "If those poor tortured creatures should
+run away and injure her for life, could she complain? Do not animals
+have lessons of cruelty taught them every day? What reason have they for
+being better than their owners?"
+
+I was sorry I had allowed her to pat my head. It brought on a fit of
+indigestion, and I left my nice kidney; I could not swallow it.
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+MY FIRST THEFT
+
+
+Perhaps a confession of my sin may be a warning to others. I know it
+will be interesting to my friends. It was in the house of the
+"philanthropist" of whom I have written before in my book.
+
+One day when I went down for my outing I saw a door open that I had
+never noticed before. It is a well-known fact that a cat never passes an
+opening without looking in; they never leave a mystery unsolved if they
+can discover it.
+
+The conditions were favorable, no one was about; "Oliver Twist" was out
+of the way; so I just wandered in. It proved to be the store-closet, and
+on a plate unfortunately near me, within my reach, was a piece of steak.
+It was large, but I saw my opportunity. It looked very nice, just like
+the steak our good doctor ordered for Mrs. Rice. She could taste but
+little, while I could devour it all. Thought I, "This will be nice for
+my mistress." So I just jumped up, and after several ineffectual efforts
+got it in my mouth. By holding my head high I could just walk with it,
+for it was long and reached to the floor.
+
+It was some time before I could get started, for I was all of a quiver,
+starting at every sound, and in my hurry, tripping over it, getting so
+mad that I said, "Hiss! hiss!" just where an old boy of the human kind
+would have said something more to the point.
+
+Then came the greatest difficulty,--three flights of stairs to mount. I
+had to rest at every landing, and when at last, breathing hard, but
+proud and happy, I laid my offering at my mistress's feet, instead of
+the delight I anticipated she screamed out, "Oh, Daisy, what have you
+done?" I looked at her, amazed. "You naughty cat! Look Eleanor," she
+said; "see! he has stolen this piece of meat. What shall we do?"
+
+"I am very sorry. Of course we can pay for it," Miss Eleanor said, "but
+then Daisy has lost his character; they will never trust him again. Oh,
+how could you be so naughty, Daisy?"
+
+I began to realize that my little offering had not been the success I
+thought it would be. Why, I could not understand; so I just walked under
+the bed, my place of refuge, and in high dudgeon reflected on my deed of
+darkness, for such it seemed to be. Miss Milly had scolded me, Miss
+Eleanor had reproved me, and I was very much provoked.
+
+Miss Eleanor said: "I will go down and speak about it. If you go, you
+will be so provoked; if they speak one word against Daisy, you will not
+keep your temper."
+
+I waited in fear and trembling, not knowing what would be done. She soon
+returned, saying, "I have paid her for half a pound of steak."
+
+"Half?" said Miss Milly; "why, it could not be over a quarter, and old
+steak at that."
+
+"I know that, but I would have no words with her. I simply told my
+story, expressed my regrets, and asked what I should pay her, and gave
+the money in silence and disgust. She remarked she always thought Daisy
+was a sly one."
+
+This aroused a tempest of wrath. Having to pay twice the amount for a
+piece of stale meat was nothing compared to her calling me sly.
+
+"Come out, Daisy," my mistress said; "I know you are sorry, and did not
+understand how wrong it was to take that steak!"
+
+I did not go out for a long time. My feelings were hurt at the injustice
+I had suffered; and I was very dignified. My mistress took me in her
+arms, saying:--
+
+"My dear kitty, I know you did not mean to do wrong; but to take
+anything belonging to others that is not given to you is stealing, and
+people are punished for it--I do believe," she said to Miss Eleanor,
+"that this dear cat got that steak as much for us as for himself." And
+she gave me a hug.
+
+Then I could no longer control myself. I could not speak, but I got up
+and put both paws around Miss Milly's neck and licked her face. She was
+quite overcome, as she said: "I will never forget that you did this for
+me. But you now know what stealing means, and must never do it again."
+
+And I never did. But oh, how good that steak did taste! I had heard it
+said that "stolen fruit is sweet," and I found it so. I had worked hard
+over it, and I enjoyed it.
+
+I was not very unhappy that my mistress had to pay for it; for I had a
+friend who gave me pennies enough to buy all my extra food, and I said
+to myself, "She can take the money from that." So that afternoon I went
+to the table where my little tin bank was kept, and just pushed it off,
+and out came the pennies.
+
+The noise aroused my mistress. How they did laugh, saying, "Daisy is
+paying for her meat." But they put them all back and kissed me, saying I
+was a very honorable cat. I wished I could speak and ask my mistress if
+that "philanthropist" was a church member. If so, did they allow
+extortion?
+
+I think "Oliver Twist" was a free-thinker, for he seemed to grasp
+everything as his own, recognizing no law; certainly he did not favor
+our church. Perhaps, like the cat that a smart boy tried to sell, she
+represented the belief of the person to whom the boy offered her. When
+this enterprising boy had offered his cat to a member of every other
+denomination, he came to an Episcopalian. He was asked why he called her
+an Episcopalian, when he had just said she was a Baptist. "Oh," he
+answered, "but her eyes are open now."
+
+I think "Oliver Twist" and his mistress were born with their eyes open.
+
+This little item has run in my silly head ever since Miss Eleanor read
+it.
+
+I must tell you before I forget it about the friend with the
+high-stepping horses. It was not quite six months after her visit to us
+that I wrote about that she was taken very ill and sent for my mistress
+to come and see her just before she died. She said to her:--
+
+"Milly, I have never known one moment's peace since you gave me such a
+lesson on my cruelty to my horses. I seemed to realize, after you had
+spoken, just how foolish I had been in following a wicked fashion. My
+husband has promised me that Aunt Mary shall have them, and she is so
+devoted to animals she will never allow any abuse. Though I cannot
+restore their tails, they will be made comfortable. Old Mike, her
+coachman, will make them happy if any one can. I realize all they
+suffered, and think I deserve to lose all I misused so thoughtlessly."
+
+Is not this an illustration of the good one brave word can do? If my
+mistress, fearing to offend her wealthy friend, had not spoken, the poor
+horses would never have been released from their suffering, and the
+conscience of her friend never awakened. If every one who is witness to
+an act of cruelty would remonstrate against it, there would be some
+chance of reform.
+
+Many people say, "It is no business of mine if people ill-treat their
+own animals." But it is the business of every one with Christian
+feelings to speak for the poor dumb animals, for they cannot speak for
+themselves. Children, if taught when young, would never be cruel.
+
+Miss Eleanor saw a little boy carry three little kittens into a lot
+where a house was being built. The boy was sent on this cruel errand by
+his mother. Their cries made Miss Eleanor's heart ache, and she had
+decided to go over for them and see what could be done to keep them,
+when a poor woman came along, who could not turn a deaf ear to their
+piteous cries, but went to them. They were so glad to see her, she said,
+though she was poor, she could not leave them alone. Miss Eleanor gave
+her some money, and the woman said she would find them good homes.
+
+This is only one instance of what is going on day by day. Is there no
+help for it?
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+RELIGIOUS ASPIRATIONS
+
+
+One ambition of my life has never been gratified. I have always had a
+desire to attend church. I have never been able to understand why
+restless children, who have no understanding of sermons, who are
+wretched when obliged to keep still, and are only kept quiet by a
+promise of something nice or a threat of punishment, should be taken to
+church and the family cat left at home.
+
+What if we _do_ sleep all through the service--we have a precedent for
+it. How often we hear people say, "Mr. So-and-So might as well have
+remained at home, for he slept all through the sermon," or, "Mrs.
+So-and-So had to pinch herself to keep awake. She dare not sleep,
+fearing to crush her new bonnet."
+
+If we can believe all we hear, ministers all have voices "like old cows"
+or "dying calves." They never speak plain, and deaf people remain at
+home rather than look like fools when they cannot hear one word. Cats
+hear all these speeches, and wonder why they cannot go and judge for
+themselves. I know in our church, with the boy choir singing so lovely,
+one could not sleep.
+
+When I was young I brooded over this question. I did want to be a
+Christian cat, and, like most ignorant people, I thought I could not be
+good unless I went to church. Of course I know better now. I can be just
+as good at home. Like all young things, I wanted to try my wings and see
+a little of the world.
+
+Karl and Will were choir boys, and I was very proud of their voices. I
+did not understand why I could not march in the processional, right
+behind Karl and Will, even if my voice was not trained to sing.
+
+I thought it all over, and out of a multitude of thoughts came forth an
+act. Not one of the "Acts of the Apostles." Had it been, I might have
+been successful.
+
+One Sunday I made up my mind to try my luck. I had a hearty breakfast,
+washed myself all over, and cleaned my nails, for I had heard that
+"cleanliness is next to godliness." I did not mean that in my cat
+vocabulary there should be one such word as "fail."
+
+I hid myself when Karl and Will were ready for church, and after they
+had left the house I crept out after them. I followed them on the
+opposite side of the street, without being discovered, when, just as I
+was feeling sure of the situation, a dog must needs bark and make for
+me.
+
+Karl and Will turned around, and then my church-going was ended. Before
+I could run away Will caught me up in his arms and carried me home.
+
+I was very angry over it, and refused to be comforted. I wished I had
+been a heathen; then they would have taken the trouble to convert me. I
+tried to find a rat to kill, and crept all around the cellar. But no;
+rats must not be killed on Sunday. I was very unhappy. Six days of the
+week I could do very well, but oh my, the _seventh_!
+
+That day was a poser to me. All the family had gone to church. What
+could a poor cat do? I could not sleep, and, to cap the climax, a plate
+of beans and a saucer of milk had been put out for me, in case I wanted
+something before they returned.
+
+Now I love my beans Saturday night and Sunday morning, but to be
+expected to make a dinner of them, in place of the nice little lamb
+kidney that was served up for me every Sunday, was adding insult to
+injury.
+
+I dragged the beans out on the floor and threw over the milk saucer;
+then, as I could do no more mischief, off I went in a huff to look out
+for their return home.
+
+I did feel a little ashamed, for I remembered that Karl could not get a
+kidney. The man at the store told him they were all sold, adding, "If
+that cat of yours will not feed on anything but kidneys, he will die of
+kidney disease." It was not their fault, and I did feel mean.
+
+Every Sunday Karl and Will studied their lesson. They would sit at the
+table with their books, while I had a hassock in front of them, with my
+little Bible open on it. Here I would pose for an hour, with my paws
+folded on the open book, looking from one to the other, for I loved them
+dearly.
+
+This Sunday I would not look at my book. The boys tried to make me, but
+were obliged to give it up. I behaved just like a bad boy, running after
+imaginary balls, jumping over the hassock, sitting on the Bible, till at
+last Will said: "I will call Aunt Milly. We shall never get our lesson
+if she does not take Daisy away."
+
+This did not please me. I just picked up my book, and when my mistress
+came in I was sitting at my hassock, my claws clasped over my Bible
+(though it was upside down), looking as innocent as possible.
+
+All this naughtiness because I wanted to be a choir boy and walk in the
+processional with the rest of the boys. I think it would have been
+better if they had taken me to church.
+
+One thing always gave me great pleasure: I never could tire of cat
+stories. I think it may be a help to the understanding of cat nature if
+I give the most interesting ones for people to read.
+
+With the horrors of vivisection and other cruelties practised upon
+animals, it is time for them to assert themselves. Even a cat's voice
+may be heard. Children can be taught to respect the rights of animals if
+their parents will interest themselves in their dumb servants.
+
+My mistress met two very nice ladies one summer while in the country.
+They were cat-lovers, and gave many nice anecdotes of cats they had
+known. I will tell you one I particularly liked.
+
+A friend of theirs had a great many cats, and as their number increased
+she felt the necessity of giving up some of them. She found homes for
+all but one; and one day, when her friends were visiting her, she asked
+them if they would take the cat and drop her near some nice house, where
+they had no doubt she would soon make a home. It was not a very pleasant
+commission, but they could not very well refuse.
+
+Pussy had evidently heard their conversation, for she tried to hide from
+them. She was very quiet, never responding to their coaxing, covering
+her face with her paws in great sorrow. They drove many miles into the
+country before they could think of parting with her.
+
+At last a large and finely situated farmhouse attracted them by its
+homelike aspect. It was a low, rambling house painted red, and the barns
+and outbuildings were in keeping. Everything looked inviting. The large
+kitchen-garden at the back of the house seemed just the place for cats
+to enjoy. An opening in the trees gave them a glimpse of a small stream
+meandering through the country, reflecting the rustic scene in its clear
+depth.
+
+"Here," they said, "we will leave her. Surely no one in a place like
+this could turn away from a poor cat."
+
+They coaxed her, and in spite of her clinging to them, put her down very
+gently. She stood like one dazed. Then she turned and surveyed the house
+and its surroundings. She looked long at the clear, bright water, as if
+in deep thought. She then looked up at the sky, and after giving them a
+reproachful glance, she walked slowly toward the river. Reaching it, she
+paused one moment, then deliberately walked in. Twice she rose to the
+surface, then the waters closed over her forever.
+
+They could make no effort to save her. Knowing cats' strong dislike of
+water, they had no idea she would go near it. It was, they said, a clear
+case of suicide. Homeless, friendless, and wretched, she preferred
+death, even in the element a cat usually dreads, to seeking a new home.
+
+The people were very unhappy about it. They said they felt like
+murderers, and never had believed before that cats could think and
+suffer. They said that they should ever after do all they could for
+animals, particularly cats, in atonement for their share, though
+unintentional, in the death of poor pussy.
+
+It made me appreciate the care I had had all my life, when I heard such
+sad stories of cats.
+
+Cats are fond of mischief, and I fear I never thought of the sorrow I
+should cause when I saw a good opportunity for fun.
+
+We made a visit one summer in a family where the old grandfather, from
+Vermont, was spending a few weeks. He was an original character, and we
+were entertained by his quaint speeches and his old-fashioned manners.
+He thought Boston was one of the biggest and wickedest places in the
+world. I was the only one he seemed to be at home with, though I never
+could tell why, for I disliked him from the first sight I had of his
+horrid little eyes, with a real wicked expression, and his flesh looked
+just like an over-baked apple.
+
+The wonder of all to me was his head, which was the part I could not
+understand. It was covered by uneven, red-brown hair, with no seam in
+it, and it looked just like a cocoanut.
+
+He ate so loud I thought some one was choking, and when I walked over to
+the side of the table and looked in his face, I found he was eating with
+a big knife so fast it made me wink. This increased my dislike of him,
+and I refused all his overtures to make friends with me.
+
+He said I was "a proud critter." He guessed lots of time was spent on
+keeping my fur so nice. And "as to that trinket on my neck, it was too
+fine for a cat."
+
+One day I solved the mystery of his head-gear. I chanced to peep into
+his room,--as no place was sacred from my investigation,--and I saw
+another old man, his head as bare as the bed-post. When he said "Pussy,
+Pussy," I fled in alarm, but not before I had discovered that it was the
+same old man minus the top of his head. It was a wonder to me, and I
+never rested till I found that head-gear. They called it a wig, but I
+called it a "bird's nest."
+
+Then I made up my mind to investigate it. Soon my opportunity came. All
+the people had gone to ride, and I was making a tour of the house, when
+loud breathing convinced me my old man was at home. Bad cat that I was,
+I just followed the noise, and sure enough, there he lay, flat on his
+back, his mouth wide open, sound asleep.
+
+Of course I climbed up and looked into his open mouth. Another discovery
+I made: he had not one tooth in his head! And the wind and spray that
+covered me, from his open mouth, satisfied me with a brief
+investigation.
+
+On the floor, by his side, lay the bone of contention, the brown wig I
+had speculated on so long. I grabbed it, and carrying it into a corner,
+inspected it thoroughly. Then I clawed it a little, and at last seated
+myself in it. Something about it acted like a narcotic, and in this
+uncomfortable bird's nest I fell asleep.
+
+I dreamed that I was sitting under the piazza, when I heard voices. One
+of them said: "Why should not cat's fur be used for wigs and bangs? Gray
+hair is so fashionable."
+
+"Oh," replied a young voice, "think of Aunt Sally with a maltese
+front-piece, and Grandpa and Uncle Jim with tiger-cat wigs!"
+
+"Well," replied the first speaker, "if it were the fashion, we should
+like it. That great, pampered cat belonging to those two big-feeling old
+maids would make nice wigs, for his fur is as soft as silk."
+
+"Yes, and that long tail of his," said the young girl, "would make a
+beautiful tippet, with a squirrel's head on it."
+
+"But," lowering her voice, "if Brother Rob was here I would get him to
+coax him off, and get his skin. It would make a beautiful rug for my
+room."
+
+Just then a shout awoke me, and the old man on the lounge also. He
+fought wildly for his wig. Dazed by my dream, I sat blinking my
+half-open eyes from one to the other. They were just screaming with
+laughter at the sight I presented, seated in Grandfather's wig.
+
+Miss Milly took me out rather roughly, I thought, and smoothed it as
+well as she could. The old man looked on in surprise, muttering, "I knew
+that durned critter was up to mischief."
+
+After it was combed out and put on right, the old man, conciliated by a
+good dinner that he loved, invited me to a seat on his knee in token of
+his forgiveness. I declined the favor with scorn. Sit on a knee covered
+with corduroy when all my life I had been used to broadcloth? _Never!_
+
+My dream troubled me very much. I am a superstitious cat, and believe in
+warnings. So I kept close to my mistress; for in every one that
+approached I saw an enemy ready to despoil me of my beautiful fur coat.
+Though I am a good judge of human nature, as silent people are apt to
+be, I never had that confidence in people, that makes life so pleasant,
+I had felt before my dream.
+
+When we left for home, Grandfather Tomkins said to Miss Milly: "You had
+better give that great critter to me. He would like my farm to run about
+in, and I have taken a liking to him." Then he added, with a sly wink at
+me, "He can sleep in an old wig I have at home."
+
+I trembled at the thought, and hid in the folds of Miss Milly's dress,
+as she said, "Daisy is just like a child to us; we could never part with
+him."
+
+"Well, well," he said; "I believe the critter knows all we say."
+
+I was glad enough to see the last of that place. I preferred one room
+and no companions but my own friends. These uncongenial people had given
+me a good lesson.
+
+I was more careful about running away, for when one has a fur garment to
+protect, suspecting every one of a desire to make wigs, front-pieces,
+tippets, and fur rugs of it, he has a great care. I only wish I could
+tell my dream to my friends, but it is a great consolation to write it.
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+CAT ANECDOTES
+
+
+I have never been particularly fond of poetry; it has always, with a few
+exceptions, seemed to me to be "wishy-washy."
+
+One day when it was quite dismal and rainy, Miss Eleanor said, "This
+little poem of Tupper's is a real protest for the future life and
+immortality of animals."
+
+Of course that great big word was a poser, but after a time spent under
+the bed and a great deal of stuttering I mastered it. Then she read
+these lines, and I must quote them because they may influence those who
+never have any mind of their own, and depend on other people's opinions,
+to believe that cats have an after life.
+
+    "Are these then made in vain?
+    Is man alone, of all the marvels of creative love
+    Blest with a scintillation of his essence?
+
+    "To say that God annihilated aught
+    Were to declare that in an unwise hour
+    He planned and made somewhat superfluous."
+
+And then she read the story of the poor wretch whom no one followed to
+the grave but his faithful dog, who walked so mournfully behind the
+hearse.
+
+Yes, I could understand and see it all, and when Miss Milly wiped her
+eyes, and Miss Eleanor's voice grew tremulous, I had to wink and sneeze
+several times to conceal from them how deeply I was touched.
+
+And I know all that I care to about funerals. When I hear the roll of
+carriages, I mount a chair and look out of the window, and feel so sorry
+for them, remembering how I felt when they carried away our dear one,
+and left me alone all day, sitting in her easy-chair. And when I see
+that dreadful vehicle called a hearse, I am thankful that cats do not
+have to ride in them,--above all, the little white hearse. It does look
+just like the circus cars that I have seen pass, and the first time I
+saw it, I looked behind for the elephant, and the other beasts I had
+always seen in their train.
+
+It makes one a convert to cremation. If I had the question to decide, it
+would be cremation for man and beast.
+
+I hope women will excuse me for not mentioning them first. We fall into
+the bad habit of speaking of man only, as if men were the only ones
+worth a thought, but it is a question no one can answer, "Where would be
+the men, were there no women?"
+
+I think the heathen custom of burning wives on the funeral pyres of
+their husbands a good one. It would certainly help dispose of some of
+the "surplus women" men are so exercised about; for if the widows were
+all disposed of, there would be a chance for the single ones. And if
+there were no divorces, no second marriages, then how careful husbands
+and wives would be of each other, if they knew the survivor would have
+to do escort duty on that last, long journey, to the one death had
+marked for its own.
+
+Perhaps all this is too deep for a cat, you think. Well, perhaps it is;
+but then, cats can't help thinking of all the abuse heaped upon them and
+the unjust remarks on their habits and ways of living and having their
+children: and I ask, in the name of slandered cats, why is such judgment
+passed on them? They are not married, so are not unfaithful, and they
+are not divorced. While they live with another husband they have all the
+children that God allows them, and they take care of the little ones
+till they are of an age to look out for themselves.
+
+Now I hope it will be handed down to posterity that one cat who has
+himself lived a blameless life has dared to compare the morality of cats
+with the morality of human beings, who are supposed to be so much more
+intelligent, and are bound by the laws of the land to be honest and
+virtuous.
+
+Please don't say, "This cat knows too much," for I will tell you
+stories, and true ones, too, that will make you believe in the
+intelligence of our race. I feel sure my cat stories will be
+appreciated; for in a large company of strangers, where all are sitting
+around in grim silence, just let some one have the courage to tell a cat
+story, and the ice is broken at once. This "one touch of nature" makes
+them all grin. It is the "open sesame"; like a hydra with never ending
+heads--they spring up. As soon as one is finished, another begins. The
+heads all have tails (or tales) of cats they have known. One is
+surprised at the wonderful revelation of how deep a hold the household
+pet has in the hearts of those who love him.
+
+My mistress had another story from the same lady who told her the last
+one I related. It was called, "A Confiding Cat." In 1877, says a writer
+in "Nature," "I was absent from Madras for two months, and left in my
+quarters three cats, one of which, an English tabby, was a very gentle
+cat, an affectionate creature. During my absence the quarters were
+occupied by two young gentlemen who delighted in teasing and frightening
+the cats. About one week before my return the English cat had kittens,
+which she carefully concealed behind the bookcase in the library. On the
+morning of my return I saw the cat and petted her as usual. Then I left
+the house for about one hour. On returning to dress, I found that the
+kittens were located in the corner of my dressing room, where previous
+broods had been deposited and nursed. On questioning the servant as to
+how they came there, he at once replied, 'Sir, the old cat, taking them
+one by one in her mouth, brought them in here.' In other words, the
+mother had carried them one by one in her mouth from the library to my
+dressing room, where they lay quite exposed."
+
+I do not think I have heard of a more remarkable instance of reasoning
+and affectionate confidence than this in an animal. I need hardly say it
+gave me great pleasure. The train of reasoning seemed to be as follows:
+"Now that my master has returned, there is no risk of the kittens being
+injured by the two young savages in the house. So I will take them out
+for my protector to see and admire, and keep them in the corner where
+all my former children have been nursed in safety."
+
+I think it a lovely story. Some will say, because the cat was an English
+tabby, "So English, you know!"--in a sarcastic manner; but I say as the
+old man did, "Nater is nater." And a true mother cat will fight for her
+own, whatever nation she belongs to. I wish all professional people were
+like this cat's master.
+
+And I do think our colleges would do better to confer the degree of
+"B.A." on cats and dogs than on many of the brainless creatures made in
+the "image of their Maker." There is where the resemblance ceases,
+"image" is the only indication.
+
+If some of the students would expand their hearts by defending poor
+abused animals, it would be much more for the benefit of society and for
+their own development than rowing and kicking as they do. They kick
+enough between the ages of one and ten to last a lifetime. And I would
+like to ask one question more, while I am about it: Is there one man,
+woman, or child who can play ball equal to a cat?
+
+I hope the time will come when doctors will just as soon use the knife
+on their children as they now do on poor animals so completely in their
+power. I believe they will have to suffer for every case of cruelty
+offered up on the altar of that scapegoat called "science." God who made
+the victim will require atonement.
+
+In my humble opinion, if all the stories told of them are true, it would
+be no loss to the world or their friends if science could be benefited
+by the cutting up of a few doctors' and ministers' children. Perhaps by
+exposing their hearts (while they suffer the agony that poor animals do
+while under these operations) they might get at the root of wickedness
+and hardness of heart that seems to be inborn in them; and thus improve
+the morality of the coming generation. It would be no loss to society to
+sacrifice a few of them.
+
+I can tell all the professors, and possessors too, that there is no
+earthly use in using a cat's or dog's heart or liver to decide what
+causes diseases in human beings. They are no more alike than fire and
+water. The hearts of human beings are not enlarged by kindness, and are
+hard from their own wicked natures, while their livers would be well
+enough if they indulged in proper food and drinks.
+
+A cat's heart is tender and kind and gives love for love; and her
+liver--well, that is all right; she probably keeps that in good repair
+by a moderate diet of liver. And if a cat should have disease of the
+kidneys, why, "a hair of the same dog"--you know the old saying--will
+cure it, and a good diet of kidney will counteract the disease.
+
+Of course doctors would scorn such a suggestion from a cat; but it might
+work in the case of their patient as well as in animals--only a doctor
+who dares order the plebeian diet of liver or kidney would never prosper
+unless he gave a foreign name to them or smothered them with a title.
+But just think of it. Do you often hear of the poor laborer with either
+of these diseases? He has liver instead of turkey, and kidney instead of
+chickens, and if he is not killed by some modern improvement, he is
+likely to live forever.
+
+I offer this without the least expectation of a fee. I am no M.D. or
+D.D. I am "a Daisy"; but my eyes are open, and although I have green
+around me I am white. So if any one says in a sarcastic manner, "she's a
+daisy," I shall not be green enough to take it to myself in their sense,
+but just remember that "it takes a rogue to catch a rogue," and feel
+happy in my superiority.
+
+While I am moralizing I might as well give my readers the benefit of it.
+Why are not cats used as barometers? It would certainly save much money,
+and Blue Hill Observatory would be a good outlook for the weather-wise
+cat, and she would make an able assistant without a salary. Just observe
+her movements as the earlier generations did, and there is no doubt the
+weather notes will be correct.
+
+As early as 1643 an old book was published which says of the cat: "She
+useth to wash her face with her feet, which she licketh, and moisteneth
+with her tongue. And it is observed by some, that if she put her feet
+beyond the crown of her head, in this kind of washing, it is a sign of
+rain." If a cat scratches the furniture or frisks around more than
+usual, she is said to be "raising the wind."
+
+Cats are sensitive to air, full of motion and electricity, which seems
+to put them in good spirits; while a warm lifeless atmosphere makes them
+languid.
+
+Sailors are as a class very superstitious in regard to cats. Their
+family, when the father, son, or brother has gone on a voyage, watch the
+family cat to know about the absent one. If a cat sickens or disappears,
+it is looked upon as an indication of the illness or death of the absent
+one. A sailor's family will make a pet and companion of the family cat.
+The cat that chances to go to sea is just worshipped by all on board the
+ship and is the real captain.
+
+There is another little story that comes to my mind just now, as
+illustrating how much a cat notices and remembers. The cat in question
+was called Ole. Why, or wherefore, I cannot say. Perhaps he was a
+Norwegian, from the name, or his ancestors may have been Norwegians. He
+lived in Syracuse, New York, perhaps he was named for that most perfect
+musician and gentleman, Ole Bull, as people have a craze for naming
+their children for celebrated people, and they often name their pets for
+them. There is no doubt that animals do greater credit to their names
+than pampered children.
+
+The cat called Ole was a great favorite in the family where he belonged.
+He had his place at the table and was very fond of his master, following
+his every movement when carving, with great interest. Even though he
+craved what was being carved, he never made a movement to hasten his
+dinner. Subsequent events proved he had not watched in vain.
+
+One day the daughter of the family was attracted to the dining room by
+the loud and peremptory calls of Ole. She opened the door, and there sat
+Ole in his master's place at the head of the table. The large mat for
+the meat platter to rest on he had drawn in front of him, and on it lay
+a large rat.
+
+The satisfaction with which he greeted her was evident, and he purred
+forth his delight at having provided and served up a game dinner. It
+proved that he had thought about the etiquette of the table. Having no
+platter, he had taken the next best thing, the mat, where the platter
+usually rested.
+
+It is needless to say Ole was more petted then ever, though people, when
+told the story, would say, "How wonderful!" but behind their backs would
+say they guessed it was a fish instead of a rat that Ole had caught. But
+I believe in the rat. A cat detects and despises shams.
+
+A friend of my mistress said that in a country house where she was
+visiting they had an open fireplace in one of the rooms, and one of
+those very absurd gas-logs.
+
+The family cat walked in one day, and, going over to the rug, prepared
+to have a delightful snooze. But she no sooner approached the fireplace
+than the idea of the sham fire arrested her. She gave one resentful look
+at her mistress and walked out of the room. She never went into that
+room again, preferring the reality of the kitchen fire to an elegant
+sham. There is very little danger that a cat will ever be deceived after
+she has had the chance to investigate.
+
+If the ravens and birds were half as bright as Pussy, the best gotten-up
+scarecrow in the field would never cause them one moment of disquiet or
+the loss of one good meal. She has such quick ears that even the moving
+of a leaf in the wind or the creak of a window is enough to bring her to
+her feet ready for an encounter.
+
+
+
+
+XVI
+
+CAT PRANKS
+
+
+What pleasant memories I have of my early years! How could I be other
+than a very happy cat, with a home so pleasant, and dear, kind friends?
+With the boys to play with, and everything to interest me, I have
+nothing but loving words to say on my own account, and I feel more
+anxious to try to help the cats who are not appreciated to homes and
+friends like mine.
+
+With all my advantages, I must admit I was at times a great trial to
+those who loved me. If a boy had behaved as I did, it would have been
+called the "old Adam" in him. And with me I suppose it was the cat old
+Adam. I was full of life and fun, and a great hunter of everything that
+moved, from a leaf that rustled in the breeze to our natural enemy, a
+mouse.
+
+I was very smart at the business of hunting, and the rats and mice that
+I destroyed I cannot tell. I wish I had kept an account, but when young
+I did not know the value of a journal and account book. It would be a
+real pleasure to me now, when memory is often treacherous.
+
+I was never allowed to worry or torment them, though I had the desire,
+as every one has, to torment or worry something. Miss Eleanor would put
+her hand around my throat gently, but it would force open my mouth,
+making me drop my victim. Then it was at once killed.
+
+One day I chased one under the bed. I knew it had received its
+death-blow, and I wanted to go in and worry it occasionally. My mistress
+did not know of it; she was not in the room at the time.
+
+It was just about tea time, and I expected a scene when it should crawl
+out, as I feared it would. It was behind a box, and I could not move it
+or get at it with my paws; but I scratched on it with my claws to assure
+it of my presence and make it tremble. In this way I kept it all the
+evening, and I did dread their going to bed. I was so sleepy, it made me
+cross. They went to bed, and I fell asleep with a guilty conscience, for
+I knew it would be a dreadful fright to them if the mouse should appear.
+
+It must have been the middle of the night when a loud scream awoke me,
+and they both rushed out of the bedroom, saying, "It is a mouse! It
+walked over the bed!" Before they lighted the gas I had pounced upon my
+prey and finished it.
+
+Miss Eleanor took a cloth and pulled the mouse out of my mouth and threw
+it out of the window. I was real mad with them both, and got up on the
+table, where I never was allowed to sit, and knocked down a beautiful
+little basket that Miss Milly kept flosses in. The three parts of the
+basket separated, and all the little bags and balls rolled about on the
+floor. I poked them under chairs and in corners, and at last my
+mistresses were obliged to go to bed, leaving me with my playthings. The
+moonlight favored me, and I not only chased the bags and balls, but I
+tried to chase the moonbeams. I caught the playthings, but never the
+moonbeams, and I wondered why.
+
+The next day they talked seriously to me, but I did not care one bit. I
+washed my face all the time they were talking, and ran under the bed
+when they wanted to comb me. I chewed the red bow they had tied on my
+collar till it was black, and it tasted horrid. They did not scold me,
+for they were afraid I had poisoned myself with the red dye.
+
+Miss Eleanor found in her book an antidote, and Miss Milly gave me the
+dose. She had a hard time of it, for I spit out the pellets as fast as
+she gave them to me. That did provoke her, for I knew how to swallow
+them as well as a child would know. She took me, and, opening my mouth,
+she dropped them down my throat and held my mouth till they were down. I
+coughed and fought to get them up, but it was of no use. When Miss Milly
+was determined on a thing it just had to be done.
+
+I lived through that scare, and have chewed ribbons of all colors since
+then without harm except to the ribbon. It was very naughty, I know; but
+if I got mad, I would chew up my ribbon to provoke them.
+
+Another wickedness to record. Like all young cats, I loved to run away.
+This was before I was stolen that Christmas time I have already written
+of. Every day I would go out in the yard and hide, and I now remember
+with great thankfulness how wonderfully I was spared. Poor cats
+disappear, leaving no trace behind, and I am fortunate not to have been
+one of them, and I understand why my mistress was afraid to trust me out
+of her sight. I would hide on the ledge of the fence in the next yard
+and then peep over to hear them call me.
+
+They would scrape two knives together to call me in to dinner, when we
+were visiting or when we had the range of the house. Of course I
+responded promptly to the call, as cats, like children, are always ready
+for a square meal. But of late I had discovered their little game. There
+was no dinner; they scraped knives to get me in. They deceived me at
+first, but not for long.
+
+Now the back of the houses on our street faced the back of the houses on
+the next street, with a long alley between. At the windows of the
+opposite houses there were young men who were interested spectators of
+this little by-play. Very soon they were not content to be only
+lookers-on; they wanted to take part, and soon they appeared with
+knives, and then a fearful scraping was heard, and the cries of "Daisy,
+Daisy" resounded through the alley.
+
+I never turned my head or let them know that I noticed them, for I was
+very much ashamed of the sensation I had caused, and I crawled home,
+crestfallen enough, to meet the reproachful glances of my dear friends.
+They had not dared to appear on the scene. After that I went home
+without being called.
+
+I was more provoked because these were the very young men who had thrown
+bottles, old boots, and bootjacks at the cats that assemble nightly to
+talk over their trials and give an open-air concert occasionally. Were
+these young men asleep as they ought to be, not just returning at
+midnight from some junket, they would be willing to believe in the
+doctrine of "live and let live."
+
+These cats have no homes, no nice beds, and often they have empty
+stomachs; and if they console themselves with a social meeting, and end
+in a musicale, who can blame them? They certainly do not have empty
+bottles to dispose of after their meetings, as these young people do;
+and there is no uncertain _note_ in _their_ voices when they let it
+swell out on the midnight air. If it reaches a high C, it is not a "high
+seas over," as the young men's voices often indicate.
+
+Another proof of the superiority of the animal over the human race. A
+cat may often be sitting on a beer barrel, but there _never_ was a cat
+known to have the contents of one inside.
+
+There are many shams in the world that cats would scorn to practise. Now
+I am, perhaps, about to shock some people by airing my opinion on
+"family worship." I can hear you say, "How irreverent!" Not at all. Just
+please read the many so-called bright speeches of children in the
+newspapers, where they hob-nob with their Maker just as if he were a
+boon companion.
+
+I have heard my mistress quote, "Thou shalt not take the name of the
+Lord thy God in vain." I never have, and it makes me shudder to hear
+children so flippant with the sacred name. And I will never believe that
+cats or dogs could be taught (even if they had the gift of speech) to be
+profane, as the poor parrot is. They have an evil eye, and may not be to
+blame.
+
+One year we boarded in a real country farmhouse,--at least, the master
+was a farmer; but the family were trying to find some more genteel name
+for the business and the place that had so long supported them.
+
+It was a nice, old, rambling house, with quaint little nooks and angles
+where I could hide. The kitchen was very large and low, and the
+outbuildings so ample that I often lost myself.
+
+The hay-loft was very bewildering, and after I had once climbed up I
+felt like the travellers my mistress loved to read of--very proud of my
+exploits.
+
+They had a great yellow cat called Tabby. Now I did hate yellow, and of
+all weak names I think "Tabby" the weakest. But oh my! "What's in a
+name?" Sure enough, she was just the reverse of her name. Although she
+was not "my style," I could not, in that lonesome place, afford to pass
+her over.
+
+After a time she became quite friendly with me, though at first she had
+resented my style, as she called it. She evidently thought I was a cat
+"Astor or Vanderbilt," with my collar and padlock,--that "bete noir" to
+all cats that I met. They confounded it with the ropes of pearls and
+strings of diamonds that society women pawn their souls for; but when I
+explained to her that it was an inexpensive badge, with the name
+engraved on it so that my friends could recover me when I got
+lost,--that it represented their affection instead of their
+dollars,--she, like a sensible cat, realized at once its use, and
+admired it, saying it was very becoming to the aristocratic bend of my
+neck. After this I did think she was a cat with good judgment and
+exquisite taste.
+
+When she saw how delighted I was with her kittens, she allowed me to
+play with them all I cared to. They were all colors, and the loveliest
+little creatures I ever saw--four of them. They looked upon me in the
+light of a bachelor uncle, and were after me all the time. They grudged
+me the night separation, for my mistress would not allow me out of her
+room at night.
+
+I was very clumsy with them at first, as old bachelors naturally are,
+but soon took them in my arms as deftly as their mother did. I was
+delighted to have them run after me and kick and bite me. I felt sad at
+first that I was denied this pleasure, that no little ones of my own
+would ever play about me. But, when Tabby told me her sad tale, I no
+longer regretted I had been spared so much sorrow.
+
+She said when she saw them happy and loving to all around, she trembled,
+for she knew at any moment they might be taken from her. She said she
+had tried to hide her other kittens in every corner she could find, but
+it was of no use; they were all sacrificed.
+
+They were delighted to play with my collar and padlock, and they
+scratched it so badly that my mistress said that if I was going to allow
+myself to be used by the "Scratch Grabble" family as a plate for their
+etchings that I had better go without a collar.
+
+Go without my collar! Perish the thought! I would tie a blade of grass
+around my neck rather than go undecorated. Daisy without a collar! The
+idea!
+
+The family allowed Tabby to go out and in as she pleased. She had plenty
+of food, and was treated kindly for her usefulness, for the rats she had
+killed counted into the hundreds; but petting was beyond their
+comprehension.
+
+The father of the family was a big, jolly old man. His only fault was
+his piety. Now do not misunderstand this remark, for I have been brought
+up to respect true religion, but I do hate bigotry.
+
+The farmer's wife was a large, red-faced woman, and very nervous and
+fussy. Her husband said, "Marier wanted to be a big bug." This gave the
+true key to her aim in life. She wanted to be fashionable.
+
+They had only two children. The elaborate headstones in the neighboring
+cemetery where I had rambled gave the names of several children they had
+buried. And after I had known them a little while I believed, with
+Tabby, that the best part of the family were represented by the
+tomb-stones. They fought with each other continually, and their chief
+fights were during family worship.
+
+The girl, Bessie, was fourteen years old, very fat, big-eyed,
+big-lipped, with tousled head; always in one's way, and disagreeable in
+the extreme.
+
+The boy of twelve, red-headed, freckled, and full of mischief, was much
+better than his sister. Bob, as he was called, had one marked
+individuality--that was his appetite. I never saw that boy without his
+mouth full, and his pockets were a storehouse to draw from.
+
+Their table manners were dreadful. As there were only two other boarders
+besides ourselves, the family were all at the table, and we had a chance
+to see them in all their glory. The food was of the best and well
+cooked; but oh, the way it was eaten!
+
+The breakfasts were enough to make any cat sick; for when the last
+mouthful was swallowed, a greasy, ragged Bible was produced. As my
+friends said, though they did not approve of the manner in which it was
+conducted, they did not think it right to turn away from family prayer,
+and of course I remained with them and rather enjoyed it.
+
+The daughter was made, by the payment of a weekly sum, to read the
+Bible. She gabbled off a chapter taken from any part of the book she
+chanced to open to first.
+
+Bob was making faces and kicking her all the time under the table. Once
+in a while his father would take him by the ear, but not often. A loud
+yell of "Lemme alone!" was not a pleasant accompaniment to a Bible
+reading.
+
+Then the father made a prayer. It certainly was only for his own
+benefit, for no one could distinguish one word he said. Then the
+children, after a long wrangle, engaged in a boxing match, the father
+and mother taking no notice of them unless called upon by one or the
+other to decide their dispute. It was very embarrassing to all but those
+concerned, and the boarders very gladly returned to their rooms.
+
+Just as it was getting furious and exciting, my mistress took me away.
+She said she did not care to have me demoralized; but I was provoked,
+for I wanted to know who was the victor.
+
+They were very much disgusted with the whole performance. Miss Eleanor
+said, "Why cannot people read one nice selection for the day, and a
+short prayer that will comprise all that one need ask for, instead of
+making such wretched exhibitions as we have just witnessed?" And we all
+agreed with her.
+
+It seems an insult to one's Maker to gabble over prayers, with one's
+mouth full of food. It seems much more appropriate to ask a blessing
+before one sits down to the table than after.
+
+It seemed to me real fun, a family circus; but then, I respected my
+friends' opinions, and knew that their view of the situation was right.
+I told Tabby what I thought of it, and she said, "It is a long time
+since I have attended their family prayers, and I will never listen to
+them again."
+
+One morning she said: "Bessie and Bob had a fierce battle at prayer
+time, interrupting their father several times. When he had finished, he
+cuffed them both, and it ended in a real row. Then the mistress, who
+never could be just to any one, provoked with her husband for punishing
+the children, and angry with them herself, turned her wrath on me.
+
+"'It is time Tabby's kittens were disposed of,' she said.
+
+"'Yes,' the children yelled; 'lemme, lemme do it!'
+
+"But the father interposed, saying, 'No cruelty shall be practised in
+my house.'
+
+"Oh, how frantically I tried to claw open the door and get at my
+kittens! Not that I could save them, but perhaps they would kill me with
+them.
+
+"The master took me and shut me into the closet, where I fell down
+broken-hearted. I mewed and mewed, for I knew I should never see my dear
+ones again. I could not sleep, my breasts ached from the milk that
+belonged to the poor little victims, and I spent the most wretched day
+of my life.
+
+"Early in the afternoon Biddy, the servant, released me. She looked very
+sorrowful at me, and tried to make me eat some dinner, giving me a nice
+plateful. I could not swallow, and went out to the barn, though I well
+knew I should not find my children.
+
+"A feeble mew greeted me, and I found, in place of my five beautiful
+kittens, only one. They said the prettiest, but they were all lovely to
+me.
+
+"She was a light gray and bright as a button. She was so glad to see me,
+but looked surprised, as if she thought I would bring her brothers and
+sisters with me.
+
+"I lay down exhausted, while she nursed, and I could feel the four
+little lips (that were now cold and stiff) on my breasts, and I felt too
+wretched to live.
+
+"I was in a real fever for several days, but she nursed me all she
+could, and I got better. She was soon bright and happy, frisking about,
+and grew large and very handsome. I did not take any comfort in her, for
+I knew she would soon be taken from me, and a hard life begin for her.
+
+"Can you wonder that after that morning's experience I never wanted to
+hear of family worship? If it does not teach them humanity, what is it
+good for? And if, as they read, God is so mindful of the sparrows, why
+don't he remember poor cats? Tell me that, will you?"
+
+I did not answer her, my heart was so sad, and I wished I could speak
+and ask my mistress that same question. I comforted poor Tabby all I
+could. I said perhaps God lets these people do these things for an
+example to others. She scoffed at the idea as she asked, "Why did he
+make us?" As I could not tell, I answered meekly, "I do not know."
+
+I expected every day these innocent creatures would go. Oh, how I did
+feel! Rash thoughts of taking them and hiding them in Miss Milly's
+trunk, filled my mind. I wanted to save them.
+
+"There is no use," Tabby said, "we cannot fight against the mighty. All
+that I can do is to make all the noise I can in the world. I join all
+the cats around and speak in all the meetings. 'Anarchists' probably
+they would call us, but we do not care. We caterwaul and scratch and
+steal, just as human beings in our situation would take to drink. And I
+would ask, who is to blame? We did not learn this of animals. We learned
+it of Bessie and Bob and the good, pious people where we live."
+
+I found I could do no good. Tabby was an eloquent speaker when the
+wrongs of her race inspired her tongue; and my heart beat, and my claws
+went out and in as I longed to fight for our down-trodden race. The
+whole barn would have been a battle-field strewn with the bodies of
+rats, could I just at this moment have encountered them.
+
+When we left this place, my mistress said: "We will never go to a good
+quiet place again. We will take our chances with the multitude." I fully
+indorsed this resolution. This experience had made me a more thoughtful
+and a sadder cat, for the sorrows of animals preyed upon me. Had not the
+thought of writing this book entered into my mind, thereby opening the
+eyes of the thoughtless, and helping expose the wrongs of our race, I
+could not have existed.
+
+How I hated to leave the dear little kittens, they were so fond of me,
+and ran after me when my mistress took me in her arms to carry me away.
+The woman told them that they were all promised to friends. They would
+have good homes; that was why she had kept them so long.
+
+Miss Eleanor talked to her beautifully about their duties to dumb
+animals, but I knew it would do her no good.
+
+After we were in the carriage, Miss Milly said she felt very sad to
+leave such dear little playful creatures, particularly as I had taken
+such a liking to them. She said she could not bear to think that they
+would go into new homes and be tormented by bad children.
+
+Miss Eleanor said she had often seen children squeeze kittens, their
+soft little bones almost crushed, in their strong hands; and if they
+dare scratch or bite in self-defence, they were called bad-tempered and
+abused.
+
+"There is nothing we can do to help them," they said, "but speak for
+them when we can, and always save them from cruel hands when we can do
+so. It is the duty of every man, woman, and child to speak for the dumb
+animals who cannot defend themselves."
+
+I did not wonder Tabby was hopeless when Miss Milly said she saw no
+chance for cats or dogs either. If people who profess to love them are
+afraid to speak up for them, what is to be done?
+
+Dogs and cats are not always enemies. They can be taught each other's
+rights, if their owners will take a little trouble. I will give you an
+illustration in favor of this theory.
+
+A friend of ours owned a little dog named Friskey, and a cat she called
+Flossy, because she had soft fur, like silk.
+
+They were very fond of each other. Flossy would lie down with her head
+on Friskey, making a pillow of him.
+
+Their mistress taught him to beg for food; and after watching him
+awhile, Flossy took her place by his side, assumed just the same
+position, and begged.
+
+They were very good to each other about sharing their food, furnishing
+an example children would do well to imitate.
+
+They were both of them fond of candy, and one day their stock had melted
+away, and only one little sugar ball was left. It was very hard. They
+had each tried to break it, but finding that impossible, they took turns
+in sucking it. Friskey would wait patiently till Flossy had sucked it
+till she was tired, then he would take his turn, while she would rest
+and watch him with a happy expression on her face, saying plainly, "Is
+it not nice?" They licked and licked, but it did not seem to grow
+"beautifully less," and lasted them nearly one week.
+
+They used it as a ball, and would run after it and then refresh
+themselves with a lick or two and then start again. Their owner said it
+was the most ludicrous sight she ever witnessed, they were so happy with
+their ball.
+
+The mistress said one morning Friskey was in great tribulation, hunting
+for their ball of candy. Flossy hung around her, mewing till she got out
+her work-basket. Then Flossy made one dive and clawed out from the midst
+of cottons and silks the beloved ball. Friskey barked and wagged his
+tail, while Flossy licked it, and then gave it to him. She said the
+inside of her basket was rather sticky, and she told Flossy she must
+find some other hiding-place.
+
+At last, that ball was reduced to such a sharp skeleton of its former
+self that fearing they would choke over it, she took it away and gave
+them some fresh candy. But she said: "One day, they had a gumdrop, and
+Friskey could not get it off his teeth, they were buried so deep in it;
+but Flossy licked and clawed till she got it off. That beat all the
+other pranks."
+
+Now, how long would two children have kept that ball of candy? I would
+like to ask. If their teeth had not demolished it the first hour, the
+family hatchet would have been used, and a free fight have followed,
+over the fragments.
+
+Friskey would lie down, and his master would put Flossy in his arms just
+like a child. They were very devoted to each other, though Friskey did
+not like other cats, and was very jealous of Flossy. He seemed to wish
+her to have no friend but himself. As she was a social little creature,
+and a "cat flirt," he had many heart-burnings.
+
+Friskey came to a sad end. He was run over by a fast team and had to be
+chloroformed. Flossy was very unhappy about him. They said she acted
+just like a widow, and, probably, like most widows, got another admirer
+in his place. He was buried down in the garden quite a little distance
+from the house, and Flossy was often seen sitting on his grave.
+
+The family thought it very pathetic, but there were others, people who
+like to destroy our best illusions (whom no one likes or cares for their
+opinions), who suggested an explanation of the interesting fact, by
+saying that a catmint bed was on each side of Friskey's grave, and
+Flossy went there for the catmint.
+
+I do, for my part, hate to be disenchanted when I have indulged in a
+little bit of sentiment. I do not believe any one ever thanks the person
+who turns the poetry of life into prose.
+
+My solution of the story is, that Flossy had often played with Friskey
+in that very catmint bed, and she went there to recall pleasant
+memories. I have a right to my own opinion, and I know I am very
+strange; but then, it would be a very stupid world if there were no
+variety.
+
+I had a singular thought the other day, and it will do no harm to tell
+it, though I do not care one pin whether others agree with me or not. I
+think my mistress is original, and I know I am like her. My idea is
+this: I have heard the stories of Adam and Eve and Noah's Ark--indeed, I
+was brought up on Bible stories.
+
+Now my thought is this: When Adam and Eve left the garden of Eden, there
+were two of their dumb companions whose hearts were sad for their master
+and mistress. They said, "We will not let them go alone." And when Adam
+and Eve left the garden, a dog walked by his master's side, and a cat by
+the side of the mistress--faithful in their misfortune.
+
+
+
+
+XVII
+
+THE STORY OF FREIDA
+
+
+My mistress was not silly about me. She would say: "I am perfectly
+satisfied with Daisy, just as God made him. I do not presume to improve
+what he has made perfect. I do all I can to bring out his good points,
+and leave the rest to nature."
+
+Then she told me the story of "Adonis." His mistress had his ears
+pierced and gold earrings put in them. He wore them at home only.
+
+That cat did suffer for his mistress's vanity, and I could not help
+wishing she had been the victim; for one day a lady called, bringing
+with her a pet dog. She said, "My dog has a lovely disposition, and will
+not touch your cat."
+
+She had not calculated on Adonis having a temper, and the consequences
+were disastrous. Ever since his ears were pierced, Adonis had been
+fretful and snappish. His beautiful earrings were no pleasure to him,
+for he could not give them a pull without making his ears sore.
+
+When he saw this pampered dog in his very home, he arose in his anger,
+and flew at the little pet in great wrath. Of course the dog retaliated,
+though frightened almost out of his skin. The result was, he tore out
+one of Adonis's earrings, making a long slit in his ear, and got repaid
+by having his own eyes almost scratched out.
+
+His mistress was well paid for her cruelty in decorating her cat in this
+foolish manner. From a loving, happy cat he was transformed into a
+cross, quarrelsome creature that no one could love.
+
+Then she cast him off and got a new plaything, this time a dog, all
+covered with bells and ribbons, that she could take around with her.
+
+Poor Adonis was suffered in the house, but left to the servants, and his
+nice quarters given to the dog, while he was left in the kitchen, where
+his high temper made him disliked, and his torn and swollen ears made
+him an object of derision.
+
+My mistress would say: "Never, Daisy, shall you be made miserable by
+such foolishness. People who treat animals in this way are not their
+real friends; they use them selfishly as a decoration for themselves
+when they might make them intelligent companions and sincere friends."
+
+That there are many good people who appreciate animals, the stories that
+I have given you will prove. The story of Freida is an instance, and I
+can vouch for its truth.
+
+Freida was a nice cat, aristocratic and refined in her ideas. She
+inherited her name from a Danish relative of her master, and brought the
+old home days back to memory.
+
+She had a very beautiful home not many miles from Boston. It was a large
+house, and was called "The Mansion." It had a cupola where Freida could
+go up and overlook the high hills and see the gilded dome of the State
+House quite plainly.
+
+Then there was the stable, and a beautiful flowerbed in front of the
+house.
+
+It was rightly called "The Mansion," for it stood alone, surrounded by
+beautiful trees, and looked down with dignity on the smaller houses
+around it.
+
+Freida was a very happy and fortunate cat. She had a kind master, and
+her mistress was very lovely and good. She was a very dear friend of
+Miss Milly, and was born in good old Salem, and, like all the people in
+that bewitching place, she thought a home was not perfect without the
+family cat.
+
+All this would have been very delightful, had not a great change taken
+place in this charming home. But then, there would have been no story;
+for Freida's life would have been just like that of other cats, pleasant
+but uneventful.
+
+The good mistress fell ill and was ordered a change of air, and a voyage
+to Europe.
+
+I know how I felt, for I wanted my mistress to go abroad; and when her
+friend sent her a card decorated with wild flowers and edelweiss from
+Chamonix, I was just crazy to see this beautiful place that she wrote
+about so charmingly.
+
+I was very wicked, I fear, for I got the card off of the table and sat
+upon it. I said to myself, "It is just as nice to sit upon the picture
+flowers as it would be to have the real ones." I thought how nice it
+would be to go with my mistress, for I was sure she would take me with
+her, and then I could run up and down the mountains just as I pleased.
+
+When she took me on her lap, showing me the card, and told me how many
+miles of ocean separated her from her friend, it made me shiver at the
+thought of crossing it. But then, in her arms I would not be afraid to
+go to Jericho. I do hate water; there is too much used on me when I am
+washed, and I wish I could be washed with land instead.
+
+All this is not telling about Freida, whose story I started to tell you.
+
+The beautiful house was closed, and Freida was taken to the home of her
+mistress's brother near Boston. Two of her sisters, who were very fond
+of Freida, were there, making it homelike for her. But for all their
+petting she was homesick. They were obliged to keep her very close, for
+fear she would run away.
+
+She was a great care to them, and one day they missed her, and on going
+to the furnace they saw a strange sight. A fluffy ball was turning over
+and over in the ashes, and on drawing it out they found it was Freida.
+She was almost suffocated, but the master, a charming man, just like his
+sister in kindness of heart, went at once for a doctor. He said they
+must take her where the air could blow over her, and also give her
+brandy.
+
+Her tongue was hanging out of her mouth, and she was a wretched
+creature. They worked over her for hours, and then the sisters brushed
+off the ashes and tended her as kindly as they would a baby. Soon she
+looked as nice as ever, and that cat never tried cremation again.
+
+It proves how good and kind people can be to their dumb friends.
+
+Poor Freida! she was destined to die in a violent manner. She returned
+to her beautiful home only to meet her fate.
+
+The man who carried groceries to the house had a very gentle and kind
+horse. Strange to say, a friendship sprang up between Freida and this
+nice horse. She was always on hand to greet him every day, rubbing
+against his legs and showing her fondness for him in many ways, while he
+would put down his head for her to caress. It was a very funny sight.
+
+One day when the man came out he turned the wagon quickly, and it
+crushed over poor Freida, breaking her back and killing her instantly.
+The man was very much troubled about it, and he said, after that, the
+horse would try not to go up the hill.
+
+She was buried near the place where she was killed, and they all mourned
+for her, and still remember her with affection.
+
+They have a cat now called Frity, a dignified creature, but no cat will
+ever take Freida's place.
+
+My mistress said that when she was visiting there she felt as if
+Freida's spirit was around, and at night she could hear her voice
+mingling with the voices of the pines.
+
+How much sorrow we could save our friends if we could speak! People
+think cats cannot understand and read character, but they can; and they
+know the true from the false very quickly.
+
+We had rooms, at one time, where everything was satisfactory, and the
+landlady said she was very fond of cats; for my mistress would tell the
+people of whom she engaged rooms about me.
+
+This woman was very nice to me before my mistress, but I could not like
+her at all. And my instinct was right, for when I went through her
+kitchen, to go out for my daily airing, she looked "daggers" at me, and
+said, "Scat!"
+
+I was so provoked I walked just as slow as I could and held up my head;
+but she came at me with her dishcloth, and as I did not care to be hit
+by that dirty thing, smelling of fish, I swallowed my pride and ran
+away. She slammed the back door after me, and called me a "pampered
+brute."
+
+I dared not show my head again for a long time. I was cold and hungry,
+but I had faith. I knew I should be looked for; and, sure enough, both
+of them came to hunt for me, the woman of the house with them, all
+smiles. She said: "Poor Pussy! Did it want to come in?"
+
+I just glared at her. I wanted to say, "_It_ did not want you to let
+_it_ in." I thought the treatment bad enough; but to be called _it_
+broke the back of my belief in her.
+
+I kept out of her way; but one morning she saw me coming in from the
+kitchen, and drove me upstairs with her duster. My mistress saw her, and
+was very indignant, though she did not say anything, but she never let
+me go down alone after that.
+
+This woman had a little step-son. She kept him in from play with his
+friends on Saturday afternoons, to get his Sunday-school lessons, and he
+just hated her and the lessons, as a matter of course.
+
+I used to play and chase my tail as if I did not know what it was, to
+divert his attention, for I did pity him. He was pleased, but it made
+him forget the long, tiresome answers. So I gave up trying to amuse him,
+for I did not want him to be punished. And when, after all my sympathy,
+he pulled and pinched my tail, I said, "He is a chip from the old
+block," and left him to his deceitful step-mother.
+
+I felt very glad that, with all their sorrows and wrongs, cats never
+have step-fathers or mothers. It is better never to have known your own
+father than to have one who is always bringing you a new mother. And I
+guess, after all, there is just as much morality among cats as there is
+among human beings.
+
+Sometimes there were days when I could not contain myself. I wanted to
+run and fight, and send forth my voice just as other cats were allowed
+to. The Bohemian blood my poor mother suffered from was answerable for
+this state of feeling.
+
+At this time we lived in a flat on the fifth story of a very high
+building. It was a very small place, but we were passing through sad
+reverses just then, though I could not understand, else I would never
+have added to their trials.
+
+Miss Milly would go away every day, and when she returned at night,
+looked so white and tired, it made me very anxious. Though she petted
+me, and called me her greatest comfort, she did not play with me, and
+her brightness was gone.
+
+After she had gone in the morning, Miss Eleanor and I would go about and
+attend to our little work, and then, when she would sit down to mend the
+boys' clothes, she would take me in her lap and talk to me about their
+troubles.
+
+The boys had both found places, and were working very hard and away all
+day.
+
+We were lonesome. The kitchen had a large window, and outside there was
+a long wooden box made on it, and here the janitor brought fresh earth
+every few days, for it was my garden park and hunting ground. It was my
+only outing, for I never went down over the stairs. When I went out
+there, I was so near the sky that the earth seemed very far away. I did
+long for a run over the green grass.
+
+Miss Eleanor, when it was pleasant, would take me up through a boxed-up
+stairway to the top of the house, where I could run a long time. It was
+very large, for the building covered a great space, and was gravelled
+over like the street. A very high wall surrounded it, so there was no
+chance to run away.
+
+One night I could not sleep. I was possessed to go out. The window of
+our bedroom was open, and I got out into the gutter and walked along. It
+ran around the building and was very narrow, and I half drew back. Then
+I said, "Courage!" and went on till I reached the corner where the
+pointed tower cut me off. Then I realized my situation. I could not turn
+around in this narrow space, and I closed my eyes in horror. I dared not
+look below, the distance was so great. Above, the beautiful stars seemed
+to look down on me and my wickedness.
+
+How sorry I was! No one could see me, a little gray speck, way up so
+high. I remained there till the morning light gave me a little courage.
+I tried to think of good things, and I remembered about the little
+sparrows that God cared for, and I trusted he would not let me "fall to
+the ground" for my dear mistress's sake.
+
+She had suffered so much I did not want her to have the pain of losing
+me. So I just shut my eyes and turned very slowly and painfully, with
+many slips and strains; but my face at last was turned homeward. Then I
+cowered down with real vertigo. I could not take one step; but soon I
+braced up and crawled along till I reached the bedroom window, where I
+was safe.
+
+The delight of my friends may be imagined. They had hunted everywhere
+for me, and Miss Milly had had almost a nervous fit, for she said: "He
+has fallen down and has been dashed to pieces by this time." They did
+not go to bed, and were waiting for the morning light to search the
+building.
+
+Of course I was very much ashamed, though it proved how much they loved
+me. I promised myself I would never try them again; and I was frightened
+when I realized what a narrow escape I had had.
+
+Then I enjoyed my good breakfast, washed myself thoroughly, and getting
+into my nice basket, slept all day.
+
+But there are moments now when the horror of my situation overpowers me,
+and I always hear with pity about the men who mount the high buildings
+and church steeples. And I never, though I am a patriotic cat, desire to
+go to the top of Bunker Hill Monument. The picture of it satisfies me.
+It makes my head spin, and I have vertigo of the mind; just to think of
+it makes me lose my head. For a cat to lose his head is a serious
+matter. We might spare a piece of tail, but we need every bit of the
+head.
+
+That reminds me of a cat of Miss Eleanor that really lost half of its
+tail. Her name was "Persimmon."
+
+The family all laughed at Miss Eleanor for her romantic idea, and very
+soon the name degenerated into "Sim"--a much more appropriate one for
+the wild and homely creature who answered to it. She was one of Miss
+Eleanor's many pensioners. Somehow the mean-looking and abused always
+were those she selected for pets.
+
+After they had in vain tried to find a home for Sim, she at last settled
+down as one of the family, to the disgust of their old and well-bred
+cat.
+
+Sim had no manners, and was not in the least degree sensitive. She was a
+dirty white, with pale greenish eyes; and a dark shadow under them gave
+her a weird aspect. Miss Milly said the dark shadow was "ashes," but
+Miss Eleanor said it was the "shadow of deep thought." More people,
+however, believed in the ashes than in the thought.
+
+She would crowd herself in where there was no room for her; and after
+the loss of her tail, she was more determined to assert her position
+than before.
+
+It happened in this wise: Sim had a very high temper, and in a quarrel
+with a bigger cat than herself she was vanquished. In trying to run away
+she climbed the fence. The cat following could only reach her tail. It
+was a long one, and she struck her claws into it with such force that
+she nearly tore it off. Sim went about, for a few days, a sorry object,
+till it fell off. The remains of it only measured about two inches.
+
+She exhibited herself on the front doorstep whenever any one called, in
+an unblushing manner. A friend of my mistresses, a professor of music,
+asked what kind of animal she was, saying he had never met just her
+like.
+
+At last she made herself so disagreeable that the mother said they must
+dispose of her. They felt badly, but their mother's decision they never
+questioned.
+
+Sim was put into a bag and given to two boys of kind and reliable
+natures, who promised to care for her very kindly. She was taken to the
+Juniper, and drowned. The boys said they would take a boat out into deep
+water and drop her in. The society with the long name had not then been
+organized, and dear good Dr. Angell had not entered upon his life-long
+work of protecting animals, so this method of getting rid of them was
+thought the most humane.
+
+The children had been sent to Beverly, to their elder sister's, to spend
+the day, and their mother hoped by her cheerfulness to make them forget
+the cat.
+
+About five o'clock they returned home, and on going into the sitting
+room who should they see but Sim, or Bobtail, as she was called, sitting
+by the fire, washing her face.
+
+Their mother laughed at their surprise. She said the cat was taken away
+at ten o'clock, and at four she saw a shadow on the window and heard a
+loud mew, and on her opening the door, Sim walked in. She fed her, and
+since then she had spent the time washing herself--a thing she never was
+willing to do.
+
+It was too late, however, for her to reform. The mother had decided on
+her fate, and she was doomed.
+
+"I shall see the next time that it is a sure thing," their mother said;
+"as to her return, we must investigate that matter."
+
+Later on, the boys came in. They were not told of Sim's return. They
+were not exactly untruthful about it, but evaded the true story. They
+said, when asked how far out they had taken her, that they could not get
+a boat, and had got rid of her on the rocks.
+
+"Are you sure she is dead?" asked the girls.
+
+"Dead? I guess so! Dead enough!" they both answered.
+
+"Then here is an instance of one returned from the dead," said Miss
+Eleanor, bringing in Sim, who yelled and scratched as soon as she saw
+her would-be executioners.
+
+Their faces were a study. "Is it Sim?" they asked in such real
+astonishment that no one could doubt them.
+
+"Now, boys," the mother said, "you have deceived us; but we will listen
+to your story if you will tell the truth."
+
+With shamefacedness they said they did not mean to be deceitful; they
+really believed she was dead. They took her down to Juniper, and while
+they were trying to find a boat she had burst open the bag and run off
+over the rocks. They followed her, and she disappeared under a rock into
+the water. They heard a splash, and waited some time to make sure that
+she was gone. It must have been a stone that fell in, while Sim escaped.
+They were very honest in telling their story, and they were forgiven and
+received their money, though the mother decided to attend to the
+business in her own way.
+
+When, some days after, Sim was missing, no one asked any questions,
+believing that everything had been done for the best.
+
+But how that cat found her way home is a question no one could ever
+answer. The boys carried her down in a wagon. The Juniper (now called
+the "Willows"--a famous Salem resort) was about a mile from the home she
+was taken from. It is a rather crooked road for one to remember. She
+probably hid herself and followed the boys at a distance. My opinion is
+that Sim just used her wits, and thought it out as we all do, and
+followed the trail of the wagon.
+
+It is really a cat tail we are all sure of.
+
+The family said that they never could go down to that pleasant resort,
+in after years, without thinking that Sim was hovering around in spirit.
+Had she been black, a witch cat, they would have felt sure of it.
+
+
+
+
+XVIII
+
+THANKSGIVING
+
+
+I suppose I am growing old and forgetful, for memory brings things to me
+upside down, as I have heard old people say. All I can do about it is to
+tell the little incidents relating to the past as they come back to me.
+
+For the last few days Thanksgiving has been in my mind more or less all
+the time, and I think you will be interested if I tell you about one
+that I enjoyed very much.
+
+My mistress took me in her arms one day, saying, "Daisy, you are going
+to have a real Thanksgiving."
+
+I opened my eyes wide (I know that I have very handsome eyes, and love
+to show them off, just as boys and girls do); for I did not know what a
+thanksgiving meant.
+
+"Yes," she said, "I have just received a note from our friend, Miss W.
+You know her." (I winked in answer, for I did admire her.) "Every year
+she sends us a turkey, with a basket of goodies all cooked, ready to
+eat. This note tells me that she will send the basket Thursday morning.
+Now you do not understand what 'Thanksgiving' means, and I will explain
+it to you."
+
+I settled myself comfortably on her lap; she always put on a clean white
+apron to keep the hairs from my coat off of her dress. I resented this,
+for I could not see, for the life of me, why cats' hair was not quite as
+good as camels' hair that her dress was made of. And I just crawled
+under her apron one day when she was reading, and I liked the feeling of
+the soft wool better than I did the cambric apron, it was so woolly and
+warm.
+
+I had just snoozed off, dreaming that I was asleep between the camel's
+humps she had told me of, when all at once she dropped her book, saying,
+"Oh, Daisy, just look at my dress!" And sure enough, it was covered all
+over with gray hair, for I was shedding my fur fast.
+
+I was really ashamed of myself, and said: "I am just like Dr. Jekyl and
+Mr. Hyde. So I will just go under the bed, the best place for a 'Hyde,'
+and repent of my wickedness. I do not know why I do these things, but my
+mistress loves me all the same."
+
+So this afternoon I sat on her nice apron, listening to her story of
+Thanksgiving like a well-behaved cat.
+
+This is what she told me: That on the last Thursday of November it
+usually occurred. The Governor of the State made a proclamation, which
+was read in all the churches and published in the papers. The day was
+set apart for giving thanks for all the blessings God had bestowed on us
+during the year.
+
+Of course I had to listen to all this, but I was awful anxious for her
+to get to that basket. But for once she was very tiresome, and now I am
+glad she was, for I have an idea of Thanksgiving I shall never forget.
+
+Once, she said, people invited all their family, no matter how many or
+how poor they were, to dine. They always attended church, and then
+returned to a bountiful dinner of turkey, chickens, plum puddings of
+mammoth size, and pies of every variety. All the poor of the family
+would eat all they could for the present, and then fill in for the
+future.
+
+The children, who never get too much, had nuts and candy in plenty, and
+the day was altogether lovely to them all, more particularly to those
+who gave than to those who received.
+
+Now, she said, things were changed. No one invited or thought of the
+poor of the family, and no one went to church but the poor relations who
+had nowhere else to go.
+
+Perhaps the minister preached from the text, "In my Father's house are
+many mansions;" that is, if he had an idea of the fitness of
+things,--that it would give the poor homeless ones a sure hope of the
+future, where perhaps those who have such nice homes here would not be
+as well off as the poor would be; and this Christian thought would help
+them bear their slights with patience.
+
+Meanwhile the rich do not go to church. They give dinner parties to
+those who have money and a higher rank in society; and if one thought is
+given to their own flesh and blood who are poor, they wish that all the
+old grandfathers and grandmothers, uncles and aunts and cousins were old
+turkeys and chickens; then their necks would be wrung, and they would be
+rid of them forever, and would never be called upon to remember kindness
+rendered to them in the past by these same old relatives.
+
+The sons of the family celebrate the day by a grand carousal, which
+leaves its mark on them for many days.
+
+"But," she said, "we have no such days to remember, we are very quiet
+and sad, but very thankful for all our blessings; and you are one of the
+greatest. I have told you all this because I know you understand it, and
+I love to talk to you." (Oh my! how my heart did swell with pride when
+she said that.) "I want you to have a lovely time this year--a real
+Thanksgiving."
+
+Of course I was all ready for it. I did not sleep much that night, and
+was early at the window to see the arrival of that basket. Long before
+it arrived I had thought long and seriously of all my mistress had told
+me.
+
+I was perfectly wild when that basket came and they unfolded the turkey.
+I could have hugged him at once, he did smell so good, but I never moved
+from the hassock where my mistress placed me.
+
+I never saw such a lot of nice dishes and beautiful things on them. Even
+the dessert had not been forgotten. There was such a big bunch of
+celery. I thought it was a tree, and that I could run up in it.
+
+At last, after the inward cravings after that fowl had torn me almost to
+pieces, and my desire to be polite and good had been almost upset by the
+inclination to rush in and devour right and left, they carved up the
+turkey, and I had so many tidbits I did not know which to eat first, the
+head or the tail, for I had both of them.
+
+I did do justice to that dinner, and, like a child, as I did not know
+when to leave off, they had to take it from me. I then laid down and
+slept so sound that I had the nightmare. I thought I was beset by poor
+relations: that an aunt was sitting on my head, an uncle on my tail, and
+cousins on my stomach, and they pressed me so hard that I yelled out
+loudly.
+
+Miss Eleanor came to me, saying, "What is the matter?" Of course I could
+not tell her, but I did not want to have such visitors again. I would
+rather give them my dinner.
+
+We had a very light supper, and my mistress promised me the sequel to my
+Thanksgiving the next day. Indeed, the sequel beat the beginning, and I
+thought how nice it would be always to live on sequels.
+
+They took a big platter, and stood it on a newspaper on the floor. In it
+was the carcass of the turkey and all the giblets. Miss Milly said I
+should, for once, have a real low-minded junket.
+
+And I did. It was like a bone-yard, with the remains all around me. I
+felt so generous that I would willingly have said "come" to all the poor
+relations in the world. They would be welcome to all the bones I had
+picked and all of the quack. It was lovely, but I was greased from head
+to foot. When tired, I seated myself on the bones, in the midst of the
+carcass, and my fur was glued together in places.
+
+The work of cleaning me was something fearful. I was as patient as I
+could be, though I could not help jerking away a few times. Miss Milly
+said, "You do not look like my lovely Daisy," and it was many days
+before I looked like myself again.
+
+That evening my mistress let me look at the photograph of our nice young
+friend. I thought it lovely and a very good likeness. I gave a little
+purr at it, but I suppose a gobble or a crow would have been more
+appropriate.
+
+She is a very dear friend to my mistress, and I am very fond of her.
+When she comes in, I always keep awake to hear her talk. She is very
+fascinating. I do not think she cares very much for cats. I suppose it
+is because she does not know much about them. One thing I do know: she
+would be kind to them, for when I am left alone with her, she smiles at
+me and says, "Daisy, you are a nice cat," just the same as if my
+mistress were here.
+
+Some people make so much of me before my mistress, but behind her back
+say, "Scat, you old cat!" There is no need for them to speak. I know
+them, and would not go near them on any account. Then I do wish I could
+speak and warn my mistress of their falseness.
+
+One of these people called one day and brought her great boy with her.
+He could hardly keep his hands off of me. When my mistress took his
+mother into the next room, to show her some work, he lingered behind,
+thinking, "Now is my opportunity."
+
+He pulled my ear and yelled "Sassage meat" in it. Whatever he meant by
+his "sassage meat" I did not know, but I saw my opportunity and gave him
+a good dig with my claws and made his cheek bleed. He bellowed well,
+like a real calf, and his mother looked daggers at me, for I boldly
+stood my ground. I would not go to my retreat under the bed, for I was
+not to blame.
+
+Miss Milly was very sorry, and helped his mother wash his cheek and got
+court-plaster for her. After he had been coaxed and comforted, he poured
+forth his wrongs, saying that he was sitting quietly, when I rushed upon
+him and without the least provocation clawed his face.
+
+Miss Eleanor came forward then, saying, "You are mistaken. I was in the
+alcove, and saw you pull Daisy's ear and yell 'sassage meat' in it, and
+he scratched you in self-defence." The mother was very indignant. She
+said, "I have always told Harold never to touch such spiteful creatures
+as cats." No one answered her, and she soon left with her pretty boy,
+and she never came again.
+
+Miss Eleanor said she thought, as Harold was to be a lawyer,--so his
+mother had told her,--he would never let truth stand in his way in
+gaining a case.
+
+My ear did burn from the sharp nails he had pinched it with, and I was
+not sorry that I defended myself, and I made up my mind that when
+children came to the house, particularly if they were with their
+parents, I would keep out of their way.
+
+Miss Milly came to the same conclusion. She said: "Daisy shall not be
+subjected to a trial of this kind again; it spoils his temper and makes
+him rude, and then he is unhappy about it."
+
+And I was. I had reason to remember it, for my ear was swollen, and they
+were obliged to put salve on it to make it heal.
+
+Some time after this we went into the country for a short time. While
+there I made the acquaintance of a very intelligent cat. His name was
+Pedro. He was very hard to get acquainted with at first, and I was just
+wild to know him, for he was very handsome and dignified.
+
+I thought of every reason why he was so cool to me. At last I said to
+myself: "It is my collar and padlock. He thinks I am proud." So I worked
+and worked till I got the padlock up on my back, and then I licked down
+my fur to cover my collar. Then I walked out, and after a few turns in
+the garden I saw Pedro on the grounds. He belonged to a very wealthy
+man, and the house and grounds were quite lovely.
+
+I walked to meet him very humbly. When I said, "Good morning, Pedro," he
+looked me all over, and instead of answering me, he said with a scoff,
+"Oh, you are in disgrace, are you?"
+
+"No indeed," I answered; "what makes you think so?"
+
+"Because you are not in full dress, and I miss that trinket you are so
+proud of."
+
+This did provoke me, and I said, "The 'trinket,' as you call my nice
+padlock, is on my back. I supposed it was that that made you so against
+me. All the cats are envious and jealous of that."
+
+"Envious! jealous!" he hissed. "I guess I am not a mean fellow enough to
+be jealous of a trumpery bit of finery on a stuck-up cat."
+
+I had to swallow to keep down my temper. As I did want his friendship, I
+passed over his insolence in silence.
+
+As I turned to go home I said: "I cannot understand why you dislike me;
+I have been anxious to be friends with you, and have wondered if my
+collar and padlock had made you think I put on airs. I tried to hide
+this gift of my dear mistress, though it seemed treachery to her,
+thinking perhaps you would then be pleased with me. Now, of course, I
+shall never try for your friendship again."
+
+He had been silent, but he moved about uneasily. Then he winked very
+fast, and at last said: "Is that really so? Did you want to be friends
+with me? Why, I thought of all the blue-bloodedest, old-familiest,
+aristocratical creeters, you were the biggest. I thought you were a cat
+duke or a count, and them's the creeters I despise, for I am a real
+democrat."
+
+"So am I," I joyfully said, too much delighted to notice Pedro's bad
+grammar. "There is my paw on it, and I do hope we shall be good friends.
+We ought to be _fast_ friends. As for the dukes and counts, I spell them
+without capitals. That is how I value them. The only likeness they have
+to us is that we have whiskers, with this difference: the barber makes
+theirs, while God made ours."
+
+We laughed and had a jolly time over the dukes and the counts; the rest
+of the rabble we did not give even a small-lettered title to.
+
+After this we met every day, and our friendship increased till Pedro
+confided his history to me. If ever a cat had cause to mistrust the
+whole world, he had, and my heart ached with pity.
+
+It was one very pleasant morning when we had met and walked down and
+seated ourselves on a nice grassy mound at the end of the garden, that
+Pedro said, "If you would like to hear my story, I will tell it to you
+this morning."
+
+Of course I expressed my pleasure, and, making myself comfortable, I
+prepared to give my best interest to the story.
+
+"My mother was born in New York. While quite a small kitten she was
+given a nice home with people who believe that no home is complete
+without the family cat. She was a very large cat, striped like a tiger,
+with a beautiful long tail. She was amiable and affectionate.
+
+"The people were very kind to her, and she was quite happy. They were
+not very wealthy, but they had great expectations. An old uncle, a very
+Croesus, owned the estate they lived on, and a magnificent one
+adjoining, where he lived with a widowed sister. He was a childless
+widower, and made no secret of his intentions in regard to them.
+
+"Of course they were not sure of his millions. He had given them a life
+interest, but should the children offend him, he would wash his hands of
+them at once. He was a rough, irascible, outspoken old man, despising
+shams, and a falsehood he would never forgive. He was a tender-hearted
+friend to animals, but his special favorites were cats.
+
+"He was very fond of my mother, and she returned his affection. Tige, as
+she was called from her beautiful stripes, would run to meet him when he
+came to the house, walking very proudly by his side. He always noticed
+her kittens, always taking one for his own, while he would see that the
+rest were disposed of in a humane manner.
+
+"When I was born, he made me his favorite. There were three besides
+myself, and we were called a very handsome family. My little brothers
+and sister were to be kept. Some friends of the family, who were cat
+lovers, were to have them, while I was to be the pet of my mother's old
+friend.
+
+"My mother enjoyed us, for she was allowed to nurse us all till we were
+old enough to be weaned. Three of them were striped like my mother. I
+alone was Maltese. Probably I favored my father; never having seen him,
+I cannot tell.
+
+"It was the first of July, and two of the boys belonging to the house
+were at home on a vacation. They were not bad boys, but were full of
+life. Boys will be boys, you know. They had been kind to my mother,
+though rather rough, and she kept her kittens out of their reach.
+
+"We all found them changed for the worse, and I was sorry they had a
+long vacation. They were never still. They drove the pony in a reckless
+manner, and gave the poor dogs no rest.
+
+"Tige, my mother, had always been a favorite; now, though they seemed
+fond of her, they were teaching her tricks all the time, making her jump
+over strings and hoops when she was sleepy and did not want to be
+troubled. And then they would take up the kittens by the tails, to hear
+them squeal, saying, when their mother remonstrated, that it did not
+hurt them.
+
+"But I can tell you it _did_ hurt. Imagine being taken up by the feet,
+the blood rushing to the head, and then put down with a jerk, while
+everything would look dark around, as the blood, in flowing back, seemed
+to settle around the eyes. It was fearful suffering, and we did squeal
+well. They were never caught by the uncle in such pranks, you may be
+sure; they were too sly.
+
+"My mother dreaded them and would hide us the best she could under her
+fur. She had no peace, for her anxiety made her afraid to leave us alone
+long enough to get her dinner. I know it all now, but then we were so
+young we did not care for anything except to cuddle up together and see
+which one could get the most milk out of our mother.
+
+"The boys were to have two cousins to spend the Fourth of July with
+them. We could hear, from our nice basket home, all about the great
+preparations the boys were making to celebrate the day. All the young
+people living in the homes near were invited, and the uncle had spent no
+end of money in fireworks and Chinese lanterns and all the things boys
+love.
+
+"He said, 'This is the one day of the year when children should be made
+happy, and they will be more likely to remember its meaning.'
+
+"The two cousins who came were disagreeable-looking boys. All the
+animals on the place, from the horses and dogs down to my mother,
+instinctively distrusted them, for animals find out their enemies very
+quickly. They soon found they would have no peace while these boys were
+here, for the visitors were not afraid of the uncle.
+
+"I cannot tell you the horror of the night before the Fourth of July.
+The boys were out till very late, and by five o'clock were again on
+their feet. The yelling, blowing of horns, and firing of crackers made
+us almost crazy. My mother would jump at every fresh noise, for, like
+all cats, she was of a very nervous temperament. I now believe she had a
+presentiment of coming events.
+
+"We could not get one square meal. Just as we would get our lips on her
+breast, ready for a good mouthful, she would jump and jerk away from us;
+and as we had no teeth, we could not hold on; besides, the worry and
+fright prevented the milk from coming. My poor mother, how she suffered
+that night!"
+
+Pedro paused, overcome by his feelings, while I ventured a word of
+sympathy.
+
+"We had been removed from the house into one of the outbuildings, quite
+a good distance from where the fireworks were to be, close to the
+stable; and we enjoyed seeing the horses and pony come out to the great
+trough to drink. It was exactly opposite where we were, and was very
+cool, the drop by drop sounding very soothing, though we did not exactly
+like the water. Our removal had been the work of our kind friend, the
+uncle. He knew, however delightful the noise was to young America, that
+we did not enjoy it at all.
+
+"All day they were around the grounds with their crackers and pistols,
+and the din and smell of powder made all the animals in the stable
+wretched; but my poor mother suffered more than all the others, with
+four refractory kittens to care for.
+
+"The family had a great supper, and then, about eight o'clock, the
+fireworks began. They were a great success, and when nothing was left
+but crackers, the elder people went into the house, where the windows
+opening on the veranda gave them a fine view of the grounds.
+
+"The old uncle had entered with boyish delight into all the fun, and was
+supposed by the boys to be in the house resting. There was a ripple of
+excitement as some of the boys left the fireworks to the younger ones,
+and stole away, as they thought, unnoticed.
+
+"One of the cousins, a great big fellow of sixteen or seventeen, came,
+and taking the basket containing my mother and her four little kittens,
+carried it out of the shed, and put it on a rock by the side of the
+pump. Next, he took some straw and stuffed it in all around the sides of
+the basket. From behind a hedge one of the boys got a can and handed it
+to him, and from it he poured kerosene over the straw and all over the
+sides of the basket.
+
+"I saw all this with wonder. When he took up the basket, I was hanging
+over the side, and fell out just before he put it down. He had not
+missed me, and my mother was probably so frightened and choked by the
+smell of the kerosene that she could not think. I was quite pleased with
+my liberty, though I did not know how much it would influence my fate.
+
+"Before my mother could start up and try to remove her kittens a tramp
+of feet made her aware that her tormentors were approaching. She could
+have jumped and saved herself, but, like a true mother, she cowered down
+over her kittens.
+
+"The boys were all in high glee, while the big fellow yelled out, 'Here
+we are, and we will show you a piece not on the bill.'
+
+"Quick as thought he applied a match to the basket in front, while
+another great fellow held a burning paper to the straw at the back of
+the basket, and all fell back as a loud report was heard, and a volume
+of flames sprang up around the basket."
+
+Poor Pedro paused, overcome for a moment, while I almost gasped for
+breath, soon he continued in a trembling voice:--
+
+"One shrill scream from my mother, and the last sight I had of her was
+in the midst of the flames, her fur all ablaze, her eyes starting from
+her head, and magnified to three times her size, while three little
+flames around her repeated the dreadful picture in her three kittens.
+
+"A fearful oath rent the air, and powerful hands cleared a passage and
+seized the basket and plunged it into the trough that chanced to be
+filled to the brim with water, and held it there till the flames died
+out, and the last sobbing breath was still forever.
+
+"The flames had enveloped his arms, his sleeves were burned to flinders,
+and his hands were a fearful sight. But to me his face looked like the
+face of an angel, and I crawled up on his boot, with one little mew. He
+heard it, and in spite of his maimed hands took me up and dropped me
+into the pocket of his loose coat, where I knew nothing more, for my
+little brain was dazed at the fearful sight I had been witness to.
+
+"He was a profane man, and they said the air was blue with the language
+he used. Doctor L., his great friend and physician, chanced to be near.
+He said, 'My dear friend, you must not get so excited; you will have
+apoplexy. You will never be able to use your hands again if they are not
+attended to at once.'
+
+"In his anxiety to end my mother's sufferings, he had held the basket
+down with both hands, never thinking of his burned hands or the pain.
+
+"'No matter,' he answered, as he glared around on all the people
+assembled; 'I do not need to write, to demolish all your hopes.' And he
+looked at the boys with hatred. 'I have but to serve a few papers as you
+have these poor creatures, and the money you have looked upon as your
+own goes to charity.--'Not one cent,' he said, while the veins in his
+forehead swelled up like cords, with the anguish he was suffering,
+'shall ever go to one of you, for you were all in the secret, though all
+may not yet have reached the fearful state of cruelty of your
+ringleader. Call John,' he said, and when his faithful servant came, he
+gave him his orders, then said, 'Now, Doctor, get your things ready; you
+can torture me as soon as John returns.'
+
+"An easy-chair, table, and the lotions and bandages ordered by Doctor L.
+were brought out, as the patient refused to move from the spot till his
+work was completed.
+
+"Soon John appeared with a small iron box in his arms, taken from the
+safe. His master's eyes brightened when he saw him, for he was suffering
+great pain.
+
+"'Now, John, take my keys from my pocket and open that box. Jane,' he
+said, addressing his sister, who stood by his side, anxiety for him
+expressed in her face, 'take from that box the package marked "My last
+will and testament." Now, John, clear a space, then burn every inch of
+that paper in the presence of these murderers and their abettors; for it
+is a cruel murder, and Tige shall be avenged.'
+
+"It was done, and no one dared interfere, though some of them knew they
+were seeing the hopes of years fade away and perish in that heap of
+ashes.
+
+"'Now,' he said to the doctor, 'dress my burns. I am satisfied.' Just
+then I mewed, and he exclaimed, 'Poor little orphan! Take him out of my
+pocket, Jane; he shall have such tender care that this dreadful scene
+may be forgotten.'
+
+"The sister took me out of his pocket very tenderly, and I clung to her,
+while she stood by her brother and tried to help him bear the suffering
+caused by the dressing of his wounds. The pain was fearful, but he said
+it was a pleasure to bear it, knowing that he had spared poor Tige and
+her kittens by ending their suffering at once.
+
+"When the basket was taken out, my poor mother was found, her fur singed
+off, while one side of her was completely roasted. My little brothers
+and sister were just singed, for their mother had tried to cover them
+with her body. The water had ended their lives at once. I did not see
+them, but I heard the people describe the horrible sight.
+
+"By his master's orders John carried them home and buried them, after
+putting them in a nice box on the grounds. I will show you their grave
+some day before you leave.
+
+"The uncle never forgave them. He allowed his nephew and his wife the
+use of the house and an annuity for life; but not one cent of his money
+could be used for the children.
+
+"Their own means being small, they were obliged to give up the thought
+of a profession for their sons and put them into business. The uncle
+said very justly that no one ought to be a doctor who had no love in his
+heart for the dumb creatures so dependent on him for their welfare.
+
+"He lived but two years after this, and he made me his special care.
+Nothing was too good for me, and I loved him with all my heart, and I
+know I was a great comfort to him. When I would lick the scars on his
+hands, I have seen the tears in his eyes, and he would smooth my fur,
+and say, 'Poor Tige! poor Tige!'
+
+"He never quite recovered the use of his left hand, but he never
+complained; and when I was big enough I would walk out with him every
+day, for I distrusted every one, and made very few friends. He named me
+Pedro for a friend of his, a Spanish gentleman from whom he inherited
+some of his wealth.
+
+"At his death he gave me to his sister, and left a large sum to be used
+for my benefit. He had given her a fine property and the estate where we
+now live. After her death it is to be used for charity and a home for
+animals.
+
+"She has been very kind to me. The friends whom she has taken to live
+here and keep the home for her are very nice, and they understand just
+how I am situated. They are fond of animals, and make a great deal of
+me; but I can never care for people again. My mistress is not very
+strong, probably will not live much longer, and I hope when she dies I
+shall soon follow her. The horrible scene of my mother's death has taken
+all the pleasure of life from me. Do you wonder I do not make new
+friends or trust people?"
+
+I assured him of my sympathy, saying that I hoped there were no such
+wicked people about now.
+
+"Don't think that," he said; "there are hundreds of just such wicked,
+cruel acts committed all the time. Something should be done to stop the
+work now, and save the children from being murderers and criminals."
+
+I was very unhappy over Pedro's story. I did wish my mistress could hear
+this sad tale, for I know that she would try to help the poor abused
+creatures.
+
+I had quite an ill turn from worry of mind over this sad story, and from
+the internal injury that I received from the encounter with that
+bulldog.
+
+My mistress was quite anxious about me. She gave me catmint tea and made
+me a lovely little blanket, and this with a thick shawl folded under it
+was placed on the lounge for my bed. I was very comfortable, and I hope
+a grateful cat, when I contrasted my lot with others. I did not feel
+(even to the dog that attacked me) any bitterness, for had he been
+taught better by his master, he would not have treated me like an enemy.
+
+How can we expect a life-long prejudice, such as dogs and cats have for
+each other, to be uprooted, unless they are taught better by their
+owners and by the good examples that ought to be set before them? How
+can human beings boast of being better than animals?
+
+Think of the heathen cannibals, eating human flesh. To them the fat
+little baby is just like a chicken. Then the Indians--did a cat ever
+worry a rat worse than they tortured the white men? When you think of
+this, can you conscientiously say we are worse, or even as bad as human
+beings?
+
+There is money, and eloquence, and sympathy for the heathen; but the
+poor animals are left to learn without teachers what ought to be taught
+them, to make them the faithful servants and intelligent companions of
+man.
+
+I trust the day will come when these humble friends will be as much
+thought of in the family as the children; there is no doubt they will
+fully repay all kindness done them.
+
+
+
+
+XIX
+
+MEWS AND PURRS
+
+
+In my humble opinion no one ever told stories to equal those of my
+friends. Miss Eleanor could tell the cutest little fox and pig stories,
+while Miss Milly excelled on cat stories.
+
+During my sickness they entertained me finely. Miss Eleanor used to tell
+a story of the "Pig Family," and the boys were wild over it. No matter
+how many new ones were told, they never were satisfied to go to sleep
+without hearing the well-worn pig story.
+
+One night when Miss Eleanor was away, Miss Milly put the children to
+bed, and of course told them stories. They were not satisfied without
+the pig story. She was in a hurry, and preferred to tell stories out of
+her own head, saying she did not know the Pig Family; that was Aunt
+Eleanor's story.
+
+At last, as they would not go to sleep without it, she told it to them
+as she remembered it. When it was finished, she looked at Willie, and
+saw that his lip was quivering and his eyes were full of tears.
+
+"What is the matter?" she said.
+
+"You haven't told about the little blue pig," he sobbed.
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" she said; "he is dead probably."
+
+This finished him. He cried as if his heart would break. She said she
+never killed a pig before, and had such a hard time bringing that blue
+one to life, she never would kill another.
+
+Now I am just like the children. I love to hear the same stories over
+and over, and feel really acquainted with the little creatures that they
+tell about. And I take after my mistress. I build "castles in the air,"
+though I have heard her say she always got an axe ready to demolish
+them, for she knew they would have to go. I wish I did know what an axe
+is. I would have one too.
+
+One day there was a real big snowstorm. I looked out of the window, and
+when I saw the big white snowflakes coming down, I did wonder about
+them. Miss Eleanor read one day of a little girl who, on seeing the
+snowflakes, asked her mother if the angels were shaking their feather
+beds.
+
+What a little silly she was, for I know better than that. I do not
+believe even an angel would throw away feathers. They are so nice, I do
+love to sleep on them. But then cats know more; only they keep it to
+themselves.
+
+We had a good fire in the grate, and it crackled and spluttered, and
+looked, as Miss Eleanor said, very homelike. Just then a young lady
+called at the door to return a book my mistress had loaned her. They
+asked her to come in and have tea with them.
+
+She had a room in the upper story, and they had frequently invited her
+in to warm her, for she had no fire, and they feared she was not very
+well off, and they tried to befriend her without hurting her pride.
+
+She was very pretty and well educated, and I liked her very much. She
+petted me and told me stories of cats she had known in her home before
+her father and mother had died, for she was an orphan.
+
+She was very sad, and Miss Milly took out all her pictures and treasures
+to amuse her. At last she said: "I will tell you about the first cat I
+ever remember. He belonged to my father, and his name was Tom."
+
+I pricked up my ears, for I was wild to hear the story of Tom. All the
+little anecdotes I had heard of him pleased me very much.
+
+I think my mistress's father and mother were lovely people, and when any
+one comes in and speaks of having known them, I listen with all my
+heart. And now I was to hear all about Tom. So I got up on Miss Milly's
+lap, ready to devour every word.
+
+My mistress said she did not know where Tom was born. He first made his
+debut in one of the good old-fashioned houses now standing in Salem, of
+witchcraft fame. She said:--
+
+"My father petted him with his children, and he was the ruling spirit of
+the house. Though not a handsome cat, he could be very fascinating. He
+was so coy of his marks of favor that one valued them more for their
+rarity. That he had blue blood in his veins no one could doubt, from the
+supreme contempt he evinced toward poor alley cats. He always perched
+himself on the highest place on the fence and looked down upon them.
+They looked up to him in the most abject manner, for they knew he was
+generous and had the right to give the contents of the swill house to
+them, if he pleased."
+
+He was very fond of Miss Milly, and as she was the youngest, and not
+very strong, he made it his special duty to amuse her.
+
+After having stolen a squab that had been cooked for her, and persuaded
+her to pretend she had eaten it, he ever after was a devoted friend to
+her. When they had company, Tom was a study. He inspected them with a
+critical eye. If satisfied, he allowed himself to be petted by them.
+Often, however, he would reject the offered attention, with a hiss of
+scorn, and make himself scarce while they remained. Their father said
+Tom was a good judge of character, for he turned a "cold shoulder" where
+he himself would have been pleased to do the same.
+
+They had an old bachelor cousin, and their mother was his favorite aunt.
+The son of her eldest brother, naturally he was a welcome guest with all
+the family. Having no brothers of their own, they were inclined to
+receive Cousin Robert's oddities with favor. He would come in of an
+evening, and if not noticed by them would remove his wraps and soon make
+himself at home.
+
+One evening, to his sorrow, Cousin Robert made them a visit. After a
+short conversation with his aunt, he drew near the table where his
+cousins were playing games. One or two smothered sounds proved his
+enjoyment.
+
+Cousin Robert was rather fond of cats, but his advances to acquaintance
+with Tom had met with poor success. His gentle "Pussy, Pussy" and
+extended hand had been met with disdain. Their father said he thought
+that Tom resented the "Pussy" as too weak a name for his majesty.
+
+He never approached his would-be friend and cousin or accepted his flag
+of truce. Their father, later on, did remember that Tom had cast
+unfriendly glances at Cousin Robert from his corner where he could
+overlook all their movements. Subsequent events explained their meaning
+in a manner most unfavorable to their object.
+
+This evening the children were full of fun. The game was very
+attractive, and Cousin Robert never thought of Tom.
+
+Suddenly their mother exclaimed, "What a strong smell of medicine!" Then
+remembering that Cousin Robert had rheumatism, and very likely it was
+liniment he had used, she tried to pass it over. Too late, however, for
+they were all sensible of a very strong medicinal smell by this time.
+
+A low laugh from their father, who was seated in his armchair by the
+fire, called our attention to Tom. He was in his usual corner, engaged
+in a furious battle with some dark object. Just as they asked, "Is it a
+mouse," one fierce tug dislodged the cork from a bottle from which he
+had just torn the paper, and they all cried out "Valerian!"
+
+Tom bounded out of his corner, crushing in his grasp the dark object he
+had battled with, and drunk with the valerian, he turned over and over
+in perfect abandonment.
+
+Cousin Robert gazed with dazed eyes upon the scene; then he rushed
+forward, saying, "Good Godfrey! it's my--my hat!"
+
+The shouts of laughter and the fiendish leer of Tom's eye, as he gazed
+upon him, rendered their poor cousin speechless, after having aired his
+only approach to profanity.
+
+After a time he made grab after grab at his poor old hat. In vain,
+however; for Tom turned over and over, crushing it out of shape,
+flourishing such formidable claws every time he tried to rescue it,
+serving friend and foe alike, when the children tried to help their
+cousin, that they were obliged to give up the attempt.
+
+Tom held the fort, and knew how to keep it; and the children were too
+well aware of Tom's power as an illustrator to desire to represent
+etchings, even by their "own artist, taken on the spot."
+
+When at last the bottle was taken from him, only one-half of the
+valerian was left.
+
+As soon as their father could command his voice, he said, "I will make
+good the loss of the hat, and keep Tom on short rations to pay for it."
+
+The children were bursting with suppressed laughter at the sight of
+Cousin Robert, in one of their father's old hats. When they said good
+night to him, Tom got up, and, walking around him, cocked up his eye as
+if to say, "How funny you do look!"
+
+Tom went in for his full share of the fun, when they all drew near the
+fire, laughing over the funny features of the scene. If his tongue was
+silent, his eyes were eloquent with a language they all understood.
+
+After a time he went to his corner and returned with the poor old hat,
+which he laid with great dignity at his master's feet. "That settles the
+question," he seemed to say.
+
+It did settle it with Cousin Robert. Though he got a new hat, it was
+months before he visited them again, and then Tom was put out of the
+room--an indignity he resented by stealing a neighbor's chicken.
+
+It was pure wickedness, for he did not care for it himself, but gave it
+to the poor alley cats to devour; for he patronized them and had many
+disreputable pensioners. All his master said, when told of Tom's
+wickedness, was, "Pay for it." And to Tom he would say, "If you go on
+this way, you bad boy, we shall end our days in the poorhouse."
+
+Tom looked as if he did not care where we ended our days, if we took him
+with us. And he was very sure his master would never go without him.
+
+Tom carried the old felt hat up into his den in the attic, and when any
+unusual noise was heard, his master would say, "Tom is rehearsing his
+play of 'Valerian, or The Old Felt Hat.'"
+
+I thought the story of Cousin Robert very nice, and when I lie on the
+lounge, looking in the fire, I can see all these scenes, and I do enjoy
+it. Miss Eleanor says she thinks I have a great deal of imagination. I
+suppose it is something nice, so I guess I have. I don't feel a bit
+jealous, for Miss Milly was a child then, and Tom was not her special
+pet, as I am; for I know that I am the "very apple of her eye," as I
+have heard people say, and it sounds big because I don't know what it
+means.
+
+Miss Milly said she would tell more about Tom some day, for the young
+lady was very much pleased with his story. She looked warm and happy,
+and drank lots of tea, and ate crackers and had a good time generally.
+
+Some time after, a friend called who had known them from childhood and
+knew Tom. Such nice reminiscences I never heard before. When she noticed
+me, she began talking about cats, and I thought she would never stop.
+
+They invited her to take tea, though they laughingly said, "We have no
+two dishes alike, and very humble fare."
+
+She enjoyed it, however, though she had a lovely home, servants and
+carriages at her command. This little bit of Bohemianism, as they called
+it, was a delight to her. She made them promise to spend the day with
+her, saying, "You can bring Daisy, for I will send a carriage for you,
+and my Priggy will be delighted with him."
+
+I was pleased with the invitation, but took a dislike to Priggy at once.
+Such a name! Just think of it! To be called Priggy, when there are
+beautiful flowers and places that cats can be named for. To call a poor
+creature Priggy was weakness personified. I was disgusted, and refused
+to believe in Priggy.
+
+As we never went to see him, my mistress not being well enough to visit,
+I never had the chance to express my indignation to him. Perhaps it is
+just as well. Poor little fool! He may think Priggy is a lovely name.
+
+Some time after, when it stormed very hard, and the young lady upstairs
+was cold and low-spirited, my mistress invited her down and entertained
+us with more of Tom's history.
+
+She said Tom was very fastidious in regard to dress. He despised
+anything ragged, and a dirty swill man (waste merchants they are called
+now) aroused his deepest anger. Beggars of all ages and sex he ignored.
+The children's dresses he looked over with a critical eye, and if he
+detected a rag, he would make mending impossible.
+
+What he would have done in these days of sewing machines cannot be
+imagined, for he was frantic over a thread of cotton or silk, and only a
+knot kept the whole work from being torn to pieces by his sharp teeth.
+
+They had one of the best-natured Pats to do their outdoor work that
+could be found. Pat Ryan was a faithful soul. His one great fault was
+his love of the bottle.
+
+He very soon gave up the attempt of making friends with Tom, for he
+answered all his advances with hisses and growls, loud and deep. His
+tail would swell up, and he would bristle all over when Pat tried to pet
+him; just as human beings do when they are presumed upon by those they
+think beneath them in the social scale.
+
+Pat had truly to earn his living by "the sweat of his brow." No modern
+helps for him. His whole stock in trade consisted of two large firkins
+on a rough wheel-barrow, to transport the waste that he went from house
+to house collecting.
+
+He would have thought the millennium had come could he have looked
+forward to the progress of to-day,--the strong blue carts, with their
+well-fed high-steppers, and the Patricks of the period, seated with
+pipes in their mouths, and leather lap-robes, in imitation of their
+employers, going their rounds, pounding back gates, and bullying the
+servants if they were not prompt to greet them.
+
+This improvement in the swill business might have made Pat give up his
+bottle and take to the nearly as demoralizing vice of smoking all the
+time. But his heavy wheel-barrow had no horse but himself, and the
+overflowing firkins were a load for him, particularly when, as was often
+the case, he was as full as his firkins.
+
+It was then that Tom saw his opportunity. When Pat's gait was unsteady,
+his vision oblique, when he magnified his load by double firkins, double
+barrow, double people, and double street, Tom would swoop down upon him,
+and by some dexterous movement, known only to himself, cross Pat's path
+and overthrow his load. Then, reaching the highest place on the fence,
+he would look down, as if to say: "Well, you have come to grief. How did
+you do it?"
+
+Pat was not deceived. Drunk or sober, he recognized his enemy, and gave
+him the full measure of his wrath. "Ye limb of Satan," he would say,
+"ye'll get it yet!" Such promises were never realized. Old Cloven-foot
+only could compete with this clever cat.
+
+One unlucky day Pat came earlier than usual, and finding the gate
+closed, had to reach his arm over to unfasten it. It was quite a stretch
+over the top of the fence, and Pat's head did not come even with the
+top, so that he could not look over.
+
+Tom, who was looking on, at once took in the situation. He crawled on
+his belly on the ledge of the fence just below the top, and every time
+Pat would reach over his hand, Tom would grab it with his open paws, his
+claws as sharp as needles.
+
+Yelling with rage and pain, realizing that it was his enemy, Tom, poor
+Pat, unwilling to give up, tried and tried again, only to be served in
+the same manner.
+
+At last he mounted on the barrow, bringing his head on a level with the
+fence. Before he could gain advantage from this move Tom had grabbed
+with both paws Pat's old straw hat, rushing like mad up to the house.
+
+Pat had by this time forced an entrance, and ran after him, in pursuit
+of his old hat, calling on all the saints to demolish Tom. Bareheaded,
+with torn and bleeding hands, witnesses of his wrongs, Pat poured forth
+his tale of woe to his friends in the kitchen, where he found sympathy,
+for Tom was feared by all the servants. Of course the culprit was
+nowhere to be seen.
+
+Their mistress soon healed the breach, if not the wound, by giving Pat
+an old hat. To be sure, it was rather too respectable looking for his
+calling, but then, he was satisfied even if it did not accord with the
+rest of his outfit. No salve for his wound would have equalled that hat.
+
+Miss Milly said as she watched him from her window, walking off with his
+new hat on, Tom crawled out from under the sofa, and, mounting the arm
+of her chair, said in cat language, "Don't he look just like Cousin
+Robert?"
+
+Miss Milly said that when her father came home, Tom ran to meet him;
+then he took his master's slippers, and carried them to his chair.
+
+"What means this unusual demonstration?" asked his master. Tom hung his
+head and walked under the chair. Then, when his master was seated, he
+crawled out, and, mounting to the arm of his chair, rubbed against his
+shoulder. Secure of his position, he looked around on them, as if to
+say, "Now tell all you know." With his large eyes fixed on their faces,
+he enjoyed over again his adventures, wagging his tail in recognition of
+the telling points in the story they related to their father.
+
+His master said: "Tom's ancestors must have been in the hat trade, he is
+so fond of hats. We shall have to establish a branch of the business,
+and make Tom the head. If he goes on in this way, we cannot find hats
+enough to pay his debts."
+
+Tom enjoyed it, looking at Miss Milly as if to say, "Don't I do it to
+keep up her spirits?"
+
+He did not come in contact with Pat for some time, for Pat prudently
+kept out of his way. His cunning only slumbered, however. They called it
+turning over a new leaf; but one day he came out with a new joke on Pat.
+
+"Looking from my window," Miss Milly said, "one morning, I saw quite an
+army of cats assembled around the plank walk leading to the swill house.
+Tom, seated on the highest post in the yard, surveyed them with great
+satisfaction, which was shown by the proud elevation of his head.
+
+"His most gracious manner was explained when Pat, coming in, dispersed
+them, and a long array of bones was exposed to view--the remains of the
+feast Tom had invited them to partake of.
+
+"Pat could not do justice to the subject. Shaking his fist at Tom, who
+never winked, but gazed with solemn eyes at him, he said: 'Ye mane
+crathur, ye are a human for spite, picking out the best for the old
+alley cats ye hates. I will get a dog.' Tom only yawned, and said as
+plain as cat could say, 'How tiresome!' After he had watched poor Pat
+picking up the leavings, muttering all the time hatred of his enemy, he
+came to me for approval. My mother being in the room, she put him in the
+attic, telling him he ought to be punished by solitary confinement.
+
+"He soon procured his release by making such a racket over my head,
+running about, upsetting marbles, then chasing them about, that I was
+very glad to open the door and say, 'You bad cat, come down.' He came
+when he got ready, very slowly, and was quite cool to me, though I told
+him he had made my head ache with his racket.
+
+"He was not a neighborly cat, never visiting, as cats often do, the
+neighbors' houses, and he treated their cats with the greatest disdain.
+He often fed them. I have seen him pick open the waste-house door, claw
+out a lot of bread and bones for the benefit of the hungry crowd. Then
+he would mount the fence and look on. 'With them, but not of them,' was
+his motto.
+
+"Though he did not visit around, he knew everything going on in the
+street. He overlooked the butcher, baker, and grocer, and knew every
+grain of provision carried into the houses, even going so far as
+smelling of the meat; but when offered anything, he refused with such
+contempt that one and all came to look upon him as a very aristocratic
+cat.
+
+"Every carriage that came to the street was received by him. He always
+waited till the trunks were carried in, the driver paid, and then he
+would come home satisfied.
+
+"A friend of ours, who boarded in the next house, had just returned from
+her country home. Tom, being a favorite of hers, received her, and
+superintended the removal of her trunks with great interest. He followed
+her into the house and remained some time. When my mother called him
+home, he came very unwillingly.
+
+"The next morning after breakfast he disappeared. This was nothing
+unusual, as my father said, 'Probably Tom had some business needing his
+attention daily.'
+
+"In the afternoon, when my mother called on our friend, she found Tom
+had dined there.
+
+"After a time, this lady, remembering that she had brought me a book
+from her home, proposed going up to her trunk for it. Shortly after, she
+called my mother, who, with the lady of the house, went up to the attic
+where the trunks were kept. There they found Tom with two of the house
+cats seated on a huge trunk that had not been opened. The trunk bore
+marks of their claws, as scratches long and deep had torn and disfigured
+the leather.
+
+"The scene was most laughable. Tom looked wise (nothing could embarrass
+him), while the others looked sheepish. They could not be induced to
+leave their perch, and at last light dawned on the situation, when the
+friend said, 'Do you think Tom remembers that I promised him some fresh
+catmint from the country?' 'Undoubtedly,' said my mother; 'he not only
+remembers, but he smells it.'
+
+"The catmint was soon produced, and they all had a feast. Tom wanted to
+stay and have a free fight after he had eaten his fill; but my mother
+let him see the large bag she carried home, and he followed her
+unwillingly. He knew where it was kept, and would go and mew before the
+closet door till he got his catmint. After it was gone, on seeing the
+empty bag, he went over to our friend's, and up to the trunk. Nothing
+would satisfy him but looking in and seeing it was empty.
+
+"For some time he was cool to our friend, but after a few days,
+remembering perhaps that she might go home and get him more, he accepted
+her marks of affection with quiet dignity.
+
+"Tom was very thoughtful. When told not to do certain things, he was
+very ready to obey. His master would say, 'Tom, did I not tell you never
+to get into my chair unless there is a covering on it?' and Tom would
+look as ashamed while the hairs were brushed off, and would avoid the
+chair for a long time, and once he was seen to pull the tidy down from
+the back, and sit on it. As it was lace, and he tore a hole in it, his
+thoughtfulness was appreciated only by his master.
+
+"Tom was not a cat for every one to love. He had very little reverence
+in his composition. My father and mother," Miss Milly continued, "were
+very hospitable, and always at the church gatherings entertained all
+they could accommodate. Unlike the children of to-day, we were kept in
+the background.
+
+"One of our guests was an old travelling preacher--'colporteur,' as he
+was called, since he carried about religious books for sale. There is no
+doubt he sold many, for buying a book was a more simple thing than
+arguing with him, his tongue being one of the most aggressive.
+
+"Every morning the family were early called to prayers, kneeling down
+before chairs in the long room, having to remain in that position while
+this old man prayed for every one around, calling them by name. All
+fared alike. Though I do not believe he remembered our faces, he never
+forgot our names. My name, unfortunately, was taken from Shakespeare,
+and not from some heroine of religious fiction; and I suffered more when
+mine was called than my sister did, nearly all of the family having good
+Bible names that he enjoyed repeating. It is not necessary to say how
+long he lingered over it to impress its worldliness on his listeners. It
+was to me like opening a wound every morning.
+
+"Tom, however, paid him for it. Perhaps he did not like his own name
+being left out. An additional cause for revenge, no doubt, was that when
+once he passed the reverend gentleman, the humane Christian put out his
+foot, giving Tom a slight kick, and said, 'What a great beast!' This was
+enough to arouse Tom's ire, even if not mentioning him with the family
+had not been enough. So one morning Tom attended family prayers.
+
+"Now this old man wore shoes tied with good strong strings, with little
+tags on the ends. Tom looked at them and saw his opportunity. Just in
+the middle of the prayer he pounced upon one of the long strings, giving
+a pull with his sharp, strong teeth that made the words in the mouth of
+his victim come out with a jerk.
+
+"Of course Tom fled at the sound, and after a time the prayer continued.
+Finally, just as we were hoping for the last clause, it came in the
+shape of Tom, who rushed out from under the sofa, and with one wrench
+untied the other shoe, while the amen came out with a bound. Then we had
+to listen to a long harangue on the sin of keeping animal pets where we
+could feed poor children.
+
+"My father and mother listened respectfully, but made no promise of
+turning God's dumb creatures out to starve. My elder sister quoted to
+us:--
+
+    "'He prayeth best who loveth best
+    All things, both great and small;
+    For the dear God that loveth us,
+    He made and loveth all.'
+
+But then, the 'Ancient Mariner' himself could not have convinced this
+ancient bigot.
+
+"Tom kept out of the way for some time, but we did not trust him. After
+untying his enemy's shoes, we were afraid he would attack his brown wig.
+My mother every morning made sure he was out of the way before we went
+to prayers.
+
+"How it happened, we never knew, but Tom outwitted her, and one morning,
+the last of the visitor's stay at our house, Tom made his mark, gaining
+a place in our memory never to be filled by any other cat.
+
+"Just at the close of a long prayer Tom crept along stealthily toward
+the chair of his enemy. No one was in a position to see him; but when he
+crawled by the lounge where I was lying, I felt his presence, and my
+heart seemed to stand still, for I knew he was bent on mischief. I dared
+not move, and had to watch him with bated breath as he gained on his
+unconscious prey. Now his noble enemy never bowed his head in prayer,
+but, kneeling before a chair, his hands spread out, his eyes closed, his
+body swaying to and fro, presented a very undignified appearance.
+
+"No doubt Tom thought so, for he walked around and faced him, looking in
+his face through the opening in the back of the chair for a long time.
+Suddenly he made a grab (I think he intended to catch the fluttering end
+of the necktie), but just then the preacher lowered his head, and Tom's
+claws came down full on the bridge of his nose with such force that the
+words of the prayer were shouted in a manner suggesting profanity.
+
+"All was confusion, as the enraged old man started to his feet, prayer
+and religion alike forgotten in his desire for revenge. Too late,
+however; for Tom rushed from the room, his tail up in the air, like a
+flag of victory. He did not appear again until all trace of our visitor
+was removed.
+
+"Poor old man! He did look abject, with the blood dripping over the end
+of his nose, and tears of rage and pain in his eyes. Never did piety
+disappear so quickly as it did from this good old man, in view of his
+wrongs. One would have thought Tom possessed of human intelligence to
+hear him denounced. My sister said she believed he was sorry that Tom
+had no soul to be lost, thus to appease his wrath.
+
+"My mother produced salve and some court-plaster and made him as
+comfortable as possible, but without receiving any thanks. He left us,
+very indignant that my father would not promise to have Tom killed. He
+refused to remain to breakfast, saying he would not take another meal in
+the house with that 'ungodly cat.'
+
+"As my father paid all his expenses, and my mother gave him new and warm
+clothing, he had no reason to be offended. My sister said he was a 'wolf
+in sheep's clothing,' and Tom knew it, and had been trying to protect us
+against him.
+
+"Tom spent the night at a neighbor's, coming home the next day in a most
+amiable frame of mind and a very (for him) humble air. Instead of
+running to meet my father as usual, he kept in his corner, pretending to
+be asleep. No one spoke to him, and he bore it as long as he could; then
+he walked over to my father, and, putting a paw on each knee, looked up
+in his face with a piteous mew.
+
+"Poor father could not bear that. His tender heart was touched, and he
+put his hand on Tom's head, saying, 'Oh, Tom, I am so sorry you are such
+a wicked boy!' but the tone assured Tom, who at once jumped up on my
+father's shoulder and kissed his face with delight.
+
+"All through the long sermon preached to him of his sins he sat very
+quiet, and never once winked, but kept his wide-open, wise eyes on his
+master; at last he yawned two or three times, and then washed his face.
+But peace was established.
+
+"'What a character that man will give you, Tom, wherever he goes,' said
+my mother.
+
+"Tom shook his head as if to say: 'Such is fame. I always wanted to be
+famous. Then, I love to etch, particularly on noses, and that was a good
+big one. I enjoyed it.'
+
+"Poor Tom! I can hardly tell of his death even now, after so many years,
+without the swelling in my throat, to keep back the tears caused by deep
+sorrow for my pet.
+
+"One night he went out and did not return till morning. The door of one
+of the outbuildings was left open for him to go in if he pleased, but he
+never came home till morning; then, as we learned from the servants, he
+went up to his den in the attic. At noon time he did not come down, and
+my sister went in search of him and found him dead.
+
+"He was not in his nice little basket bed, of which he was very proud;
+but lay on some old relics, among the most noticeable of which was the
+old hat of Cousin Robert.
+
+"He had been poisoned. His bright face was all green, and his brilliant
+eyes were glassy. We could not even rub and kiss his dear old nose as he
+liked us to, for drops had run down from his mouth and stained the
+beautiful fur coat we loved so well, and my mother said we must not
+touch him.
+
+"Under the pile of things where he lay was an open map of the United
+States; he had trampled it down some time before. We often said he
+studied it when alone. Tom was closed up in this map, with a large rug
+outside, and buried in the river.
+
+"How we mourned for him and how changed was that lovely river view to
+me! I could never have been consoled, had not a dear old lady said to
+me,--
+
+"'Why do you mourn so for your precious pet?'
+
+"'Ah,' I said, 'I shall never, never see him again.'
+
+"'Why not?' she asked.
+
+"'Because cats have no souls, no after life.'
+
+"'My child,' she answered, 'God never gave us these dear, affectionate
+creatures to care for and then part with forever. You will have your
+dear Tom again where perfect happiness is secured by just such
+meetings.'
+
+"I think she was right; and as good Dr. Watts so beautifully describes
+in that well-known Baptist hymn, 'Sweet Fields beyond the Swelling
+Flood,' there is no doubt there we shall find our faithful dumb friends.
+
+"My father never recovered from Tom's loss. He would not take his
+accustomed place by the fire where Tom had been his companion for so
+many years, and he never made a pet of any of the many cats we had,
+though they were very bright ones.
+
+"My dear good father! I have very little recollection of him, as he died
+while I was quite young. But I never remember him without Tom seated in
+all his glory by his side."
+
+When Miss Milly had finished her story we were all subdued by the death
+of Tom; but then he had a happy life, so I just winked off my tears and
+hoped I should know him in heaven.
+
+
+
+
+XX
+
+HEADS AND TALES
+
+
+I did not recover my cheerfulness after hearing the story of Tom, and
+Miss Eleanor said she hoped Miss Milly would never repeat it again.
+
+The young lady friend had wiped her eyes often, and I was very glad when
+they made her some hot ginger tea and packed her off to her room. They
+said she had a cold in her head, but I know better. It was Tom and his
+death that had gone to her head and made her eyes water. It was what
+made me cough and sneeze and wink, to keep from the womanish weakness of
+tears.
+
+Good gracious! I shall have hysterics next, if I have got to hear such
+doleful things. I am ashamed of myself. I thought I had more dignity.
+Pshaw! I was not crying. It is that horrid musk that I smell; it always
+makes my eyes water. I am glad my mistress never uses it, and I do wish,
+if people come here to be warmed and comforted and entertained, they
+would not wear perfume. I do despise it. I shall have to chew a lot of
+catmint and roll in it before I feel like myself again.
+
+I know that when I went to Beverly I rode over that very river where Tom
+was buried. I am very glad I did not know it then, and I am very glad
+that some day I shall see all these dear people. Of course I know just
+how indignant some will be to read this. I think it very strange that
+there are so many who do not want any one to go to heaven but those they
+approve. They scorn the idea that God should save the creatures he has
+made, because they call them a lower order of beings.
+
+I have said more than I ought to on this subject, for my mistress always
+says when any one begins upon it, "We will not discuss it, if you
+please, for we shall not agree." And I always like to please her and do
+as she says; and then, I do lose my temper and have such bad feelings
+that I fear I shall be counted with the bad ones, whom Dante says are
+shadows in the other world. And of all things I think a shadow is a
+"little too thin." I am glad my mistress cannot hear this, for she hates
+slang.
+
+Some days ago a lady was here, and she started that endless subject of
+"servants." My mistress tried to turn the conversation, but it was of no
+use. The servant question, when one gets on it, is like a brook; it goes
+on forever. To be sure, I did hear a young man once say something that
+would stop it, and my mistress hushed him up at once; but not before I
+had heard it, and it sounded so forcible that I went under the bed and
+said it, and wondered if it would stop the women from talking about
+their servants. They did not say it often, as my mistress did not know I
+had heard it.
+
+Always after the people who discussed their servants had gone, Miss
+Eleanor would say, "Now I will read something to take away the
+disagreeable impression."
+
+It was usually Dickens, for he seems to have got at the very heart of
+things, and his poor are shown up with hearts, while the higher classes
+are heartless oftentimes.
+
+Of course this is only given you second-hand, but I comprehend it, else
+I should not repeat it.
+
+I do dote on Dickens, and I think "David Copperfield" is my special
+favorite. Aunt Betsey Trotwood seems like a real aunt to me. Dear little
+Dora! I was very wretched when she died, and I loved Jip. I know he
+would have played with me very nicely.
+
+When Miss Eleanor read about his death, there was a lump in her throat,
+and Miss Milly's eyes were full of tears, and I thought it was time for
+me to go under the bed, not for any particular reason, only there are
+times when one likes to be alone.
+
+While I am writing I would like, if possible, to correct any bad
+impression regarding cats and their habits. It has been said that cats
+will draw the breath of an infant and sometimes of older people while
+sleeping. I deny this, and will tell you a story which illustrates the
+superstition, and was told by one of our friends.
+
+This lady visited us one day, and while talking about me and cats in
+general, she said she had always thought cats were not to be trusted,
+and never allowed her children to play with one, for the very foolish
+beliefs of which I have spoken. "But," she said, "I have changed my
+opinion, and now think a cat properly trained is a noble creature." Then
+she told us this story:--
+
+"You remember my cousin, of course, for I know you probably have visited
+at my uncle's. They were very fond of cats, always keeping two or three.
+When my cousin was married, she took with her one of her old cat's
+kittens. She was quite well grown, and was called Dido. She was a great
+pet with my cousin's husband, and as it was his first experience of
+cats, he was delighted with her playfulness.
+
+"They were fortunate in having servants who were kind to cats. Just
+after the first child was born one of the husband's relatives died,
+leaving him a large old country place--a farmhouse with a great many
+acres of land. He was very much pleased, for he said the country air
+would be good for baby and its mother, for she was very delicate since
+the birth of her beautiful boy.
+
+"The house had not been occupied for some time, and was one of those
+old, rambling, picturesque places, a delight to lovers of the olden
+times. The furniture was substantial, but very severe in style.
+
+"'You need not take the boy's bassinet,' said the father, laughing; 'for
+there was a cradle that looked as if it had come from Noah's Ark, and
+Shem, Ham, and Japhet, not to speak of all the two-by-twos, had been
+rocked in it.'
+
+"'Oh,' said his wife, 'how lovely that will be! we can fill it with
+pillows, and baby will be delighted with it.'
+
+"'Nonsense,' said her husband; 'don't go and build "castles in the air"
+out of that old cradle. It will do for Dido to sleep in; but on the
+whole, you had better take the bassinet and all the other folderols for
+Baby, else you will be homesick.'
+
+"She decided, however, that she would take nothing with her, but enjoy
+all the old-fashioned surroundings.
+
+"The place proved very satisfactory, and she found a nice large room
+leading out of hers for the baby's nursery.
+
+"The large pointed-top mahogany cradle was duly polished and installed
+in the room, making a royal bed for his highness the baby. With its
+wealth of pillows and lace coverings it looked quite regal.
+
+"The nurse girl was very devoted to Baby, always watching him while he
+slept. Dido had appropriated the baby ever since his birth, and would
+allow his little soft hand to take liberties with her, pulling her tail,
+when she would resent it in others. She spent much of her time in the
+house, watching the baby.
+
+"About a week after they had settled comfortably at home they were
+called up from the piazza by the screams of the husband's sister, who
+was visiting them. All she could say was, 'That cat--that cat--has
+killed the baby!'
+
+"They rushed into the room, and a strange sight met their eyes. Standing
+in the cradle, with a paw each side of the baby, was Dido.
+
+"The poor mother rushed to the cradle, crying, 'Oh, my baby, my baby!'
+
+"Her husband drew her back, saying, 'Look there.' At the side of the
+cradle were two great rats that Dido had killed just as they were about
+to attack the baby.
+
+"Dido was bleeding from a wound in the neck, where they had bitten her,
+but she kept her watch over the baby till her friends arrived. She mewed
+out her thanks when they petted her and praised her. The baby had slept
+through it all.
+
+"The aunt said she was just coming out of her room when she heard Dido
+give a shrill cat call, and she went in, but seeing her over the baby,
+supposed she had drawn its breath and killed it.
+
+"They were so grateful to Dido that they would not rest till the doctor
+had been sent for to dress her wounds. They soon healed, and after this
+Dido seemed to have the care of the baby on her mind; and the cradle
+being long, a rug was put in at the foot, and after the matting was put
+over the top Dido would lie on it to keep it down. That she slept with
+one eye open, they were sure; for if the baby opened his eyes, Dido
+would either mew or go for them.
+
+"They found the large closet in the room full of rat holes, and as the
+room had been unused for so long, they infested it.
+
+"They removed to a smaller room, and as they took precautions, were soon
+free from rats. Probably the latter knew they had a powerful enemy in
+Dido, and left.
+
+"There were three cats belonging to the house that had left when it was
+closed; but on finding it inhabited again, they had returned, as cats
+love to keep to one home. They were well treated, and repaid the
+kindness by clearing the house of rats.
+
+"As the family left the man and his wife who had worked for them in the
+house during the winter, they never had trouble with rats again.
+
+"They had a picture of Dido taken with the baby, and all their friends
+made a great fuss over her."
+
+I did wish I could see this picture; for Miss Milly always shows me
+pictures, and I enjoy them very much. Why, I could take the photograph
+cases and tell you every one, if I could speak.
+
+Sometimes we have real fun over the old-fashioned ones. My mistress
+laughs with us, and says, "This is the family 'Rogues' Gallery,' they do
+look so funny." And they never show them to strangers, for they say we
+love them too well to let any one else laugh at their old-fashioned
+looks.
+
+I do love pictures, but I have been taken to places where they had
+horrid crayons on the walls, and the eyes stared at me so I did want to
+scratch them out. I hate a chromo, but a nice, peaceful landscape makes
+me happy; and I often see one where I would like to lie down and dream,
+for a cat can have real artistic taste.
+
+I don't think I care much for babies. I suppose it is because I have
+never been around them; and when I have been, the mothers have never
+allowed me to get acquainted with them.
+
+I was very cross one day when a friend of my mistress brought her baby
+to see us. It was all dressed in white, with a white astrachan hood with
+goats' hair fringe, and it looked just like a little poodle. I wanted to
+lick it all over when Miss Milly said, "Here, Daisy; come and see this
+dear baby." But its mother cried out, "Oh, don't let that horrid cat
+touch my baby!" just as if I was a bear or a tiger.
+
+I was so insulted I just walked into a corner. But the baby had seen me,
+and held out its little hand and crowed. I looked away, but my mistress
+said, "Daisy will not hurt your baby," and she took me in her arms and
+let the baby put his soft little hand on my ear. It laughed and crowed,
+while I licked its hand. The mother looked as if she thought I would
+devour it.
+
+When Miss Milly put me down, seeing the mother's uneasiness, the way
+that innocent little creature yelled, kicked, and beat his mother was
+dreadful. I fled under the bed, saying to myself, "How glad I am that we
+are unmarried people, with no children to raise a tempest for nothing."
+
+The mother excused him by saying, "He was excited seeing that great
+cat." I thought, "And the great cat was excited seeing and hearing the
+Old Adam in that child."
+
+I know my mistress was glad to get rid of them, and Miss Eleanor, who is
+very fond of children, said, "How beautiful that child would have been
+had it not been for its mother's foolishness."
+
+Before I get too stupid or too old, I must tell you a delightful story
+of one of the witch cats of old Salem and her little mistress, sweet
+Hope Farley, a little lame girl my mistress knew and loved.
+
+After I have had my "forty winks" and my nerves forget that baby, I
+shall remember it all.
+
+
+
+
+XXI
+
+JETT
+
+
+The story I am about to tell you has for its chief interest a little
+lame girl, very sweet and lovely, who died in old Salem many years ago.
+I think good children are almost as nice as good little kittens.
+
+As Jett belonged to this little girl, I must tell you about her, that
+you may know how devotedly a cat can return affection and kindness. This
+is the moral of my story, and I tell it to you in the beginning, though
+I know morals usually come on the end. And then people have got all the
+interest of the story and they skip the moral. It is better that it
+should leaven the whole story.
+
+Everything about Salem has a fascination for me, and I often think how
+nice it would be to fly through the air and take a peep at the people
+beneath me; but then, this pleasure is given only to black cats, and
+there is no use for any other colored cat to wish for it.
+
+Little Hope Farley lived in a big, old-fashioned house, with a lovely
+garden around it. All the rooms were long and wide, with deep window
+seats, cushioned, and very comfortable--a nice place for a cat to sleep
+and enjoy herself.
+
+In one of these nice roomy window seats little Hope would lie, with Jett
+curled up by her side. But I must not anticipate; I will tell the story
+just as I heard it from Miss Milly.
+
+Hope was motherless; her father's sister had made up to her as well as
+any one ever can the loss of her mother. Aunt Martha was a charming
+woman of about forty-five, and she took little Hope into her heart at
+once.
+
+(Dear me! How I wish cats had aunts! I do think they are just the nicest
+people to care for the unfortunate that can be found.)
+
+Hope's father was a literary man, buried in his studies and books. When
+a man is that way inclined, he might, for all the good he is to his
+family, be buried in earnest. Then they would have his memory, and one
+could read on his tombstone how great a man he was, and the papers could
+praise him and speak of virtues that nothing but his death would ever
+have brought to light.
+
+Aunt Martha was abroad when his wife died, and Hope, who was but three
+years old, was left to the care of a nurse.
+
+Some carelessness caused her to fall, and a curvature of the spine and
+lameness for life were the consequence.
+
+Dear me! These "curvatures" and such big words will kill me; but I must
+tell this story just as my mistress told it to me, for if ever she reads
+this little book, I want her to know how well I remember all she said.
+
+After Hope met with the accident that crippled her for life, her father
+wrote to his sister to return and care for his unfortunate child and his
+helpless self.
+
+She willingly accepted the charge, and soon found she had a "white
+elephant" on her hands. Her brother buried himself in his books, and to
+her care was left not only his child, but the whole household. He did
+pay the bills, but it was because he had the money; else he would have
+left even that to her, for she had a good fortune of her own.
+
+Hope repaid her for her care by loving her with all her heart, and they
+were very happy together.
+
+The beautiful garden was a great source of pleasure to them all. Even
+the father would walk up and down with his hands behind him; and
+although he did not seem to notice anything, the air, the fragrance of
+the flowers, and the peace of the scene probably gave him strength.
+
+Around the sides of the garden, by the high fence, were currant bushes
+thick and plenty. The fruit was large, red, and tempting, and the
+flowers of every kind growing in their native beauty made the spot an
+earthly paradise. There were tall hollyhocks, double leafed, red and
+white, bachelors'-buttons, beds of pinks, and roses of every variety,
+lilies of the valley, modest but bound to be noticed for their rare
+fragrance, and beds of pansies that would have made the fortune of the
+florist. But here no thought of money crept in to mar the beauty of
+God's free gift, the beautiful flowers.
+
+The garden sloped down, joining the land belonging to the next house,
+that faced on the side street. The low fence was broken, and just where
+the gate had hung, a hedge fence supplied its place, as the gate had
+fallen to pieces. The rank weeds and flowers grew in tangles; Nature
+seemed to have fought with Art, and to have gained the victory.
+
+The estate had been unoccupied for years, the owner having just died far
+away from home, where he had been for years in pursuit of health. His
+heir, a distant cousin, was expected to make his home here; as his
+business was in Boston, it would be very convenient.
+
+Great curiosity was expressed regarding the newcomers, particularly as
+there was a mystery regarding the neglect of the place for so many
+years; and a mystery in old Salem always wore a bewitching air.
+
+About ten days after their arrival my story commences.
+
+It was way down near the broken gate, under the sheltering boughs of an
+old apple tree, that a most luxurious seat had been contrived. Like a
+couch, it was protected at the back by cushions like the seat.
+
+It was high noon of a sultry day in June, yet the thick leaves of the
+old apple tree formed a perfect shade for the dear little child reposing
+in this lovely retreat. The little silent figure and the crutches,
+leaning against the seat, told the whole melancholy tale: little Hope
+Farley was a cripple.
+
+The soft hum of bees and insects filled the air, and the scent of
+flowers perfumed all around, and the bright blue sky above, lending its
+soft light, made her seem a part and portion of this charming picture of
+nature. Her doll, her dearest companion, was by her side. She had given
+her the quaint old-fashioned name of Joanna, and never suffered it to be
+abbreviated.
+
+She held conversations with her, and confided all her little troubles to
+her wooden ear. (It would be well if wooden ears and cats' ears were the
+only ones to hear secrets, would it not? I must put in my cat's oar once
+in a while, for, you see, this story is a big one for a cat to
+remember.)
+
+This day Joanna was particularly unsatisfactory, and Hope, getting tired
+of her airs, said:--
+
+"Joanna, why are you so silent? Don't you hear the bees, and can't you
+see that great speckled toad under the currant bushes, hopping about?
+Oh, no, you don't like such things. You prefer flowers. Well," after a
+pause, "so do I. And I do love you, you dear, dear dolly." And she
+hugged her in her arms.
+
+A slight crackling of the bushes and a scornful laugh caused Hope to
+start and look up, just as a lad of about twelve years of age presented
+himself on the other side of the hedge. He was a big, fair-haired boy,
+handsome, but rough looking, and rude as a young bear.
+
+"What do you do that for, you little silly? That old doll don't know
+anything! Come, and let's play something."
+
+Hope looked at him with wide-open eyes.
+
+"Sulky little monkey!" he indignantly exclaimed, "why don't you speak?
+Say," after a pause, while he regarded her with surprise, "why don't you
+want to play?"
+
+She looked at him in pathetic silence, then her eyes glanced at her
+crutches.
+
+As he followed her glance, surprise, sorrow, and pity transformed his
+face. After a time he said in a subdued voice:--
+
+"I am sorry I was so rude. I did not know. May I come over there?"
+
+Hope saw how sincere he was, and in her quaint way welcomed him. He soon
+cleared the barrier, and seated on the stump of a tree they were very
+soon acquainted.
+
+Every day after that they met, and soon became fast friends, exchanging
+childish confidences and mutually petting Joanna, for Jack was loyal to
+all of Hope's belongings.
+
+(Now I must draw a breath, and put in my cat's oar. I have made you
+acquainted with Jett's two stanch friends, and you will better
+understand the story. I do pity Hope, for my shoulder troubles me very
+much, and I have to wait before I jump as I used to, and I know that she
+suffered, and I am very glad she had a cat to comfort her. I think
+sometimes if I could see these beautiful places and run around among the
+flowers, how happy I should be; but that is one of my air castles. But
+in the hereafter I know it will all be mine, and the gardens and fields
+of Paradise compensate for those we have not here. Now I will return to
+my story.)
+
+One day, after Jack had been a long time silent, he suddenly said, "Have
+you got a step-mother?"
+
+"A step-mother? What is that? My mother is an angel. She died when I was
+two years old."
+
+"Well," he said, "you will have one, never fear; your father will get
+one. My mother died when I was five years old, and now--a year ago--my
+father went and got one. So will yours."
+
+"You bad boy! He won't. My Aunt Martha won't let him. You are a dreadful
+boy to talk so!"
+
+"Don't be down on a fellow so. Much you know about men. Your father's no
+better than mine. He'll get a wife yet, see if he don't; and you will
+hate her just as I do my step-mother.
+
+"My father loved me till this woman came. He used to take me everywhere
+with him, and he cried when I begged for my mother after she died; he
+hugged me and called me his poor little chap. And _now_ it is all over.
+I have never called her mother, and I never will. She killed Pipkin, my
+mother's cat, just as soon as she came. She made the servant drown her,
+because she was treacherous and broke a saucer, and she was afraid of
+her.
+
+"She is a beast. Dear old Pipkin is better off away from her; but I do
+miss her and will never forgive that woman. My mother would kiss me, and
+then Pipkin and the kitty would lie beside me for company; and after my
+mother died that cat was all the comfort I had. The servants loved her.
+Not one of them would have killed her, but this woman has servants who
+will do her dirty work.
+
+"She has red cheeks and a white skin, and a big mouthful of teeth that
+she is showing all the time, just like old Towzer, the bulldog."
+
+"Why does she hate you?" Hope asked. "Can't you make her like you?"
+
+"What a little goose you are! Like me? Not she. She wants me to die, to
+get my money that my mother left me. She told my father he ought to take
+board for me, for I had more money than they had. 'What,' he said, 'take
+board for my own son?' This did touch poor dad; but she soft-sawdered
+him. And then I wanted to run away, and I will some day, and join Uncle
+Jack, for whom I am named. He is in India. He loved my mother, his
+sister, and he would care for me. But you see I do love dad; and now I
+could not leave you."
+
+Hope smiled such a sweet look upon him, saying, "You are a dear good
+boy, and my Aunt Martha will be a mother to you just as she has been to
+me."
+
+And in truth this childish friendship had worked wonders in Hope. She
+was able to walk about the garden with her crutches and his help, for he
+was very careful of her, and proud to be of use in amusing her. Aunt
+Martha took the bright, honest boy into her heart, and he loved her
+dearly.
+
+One day when Jack came over the hedge he found Hope in great excitement.
+Her apron covered some mystery that was very soon revealed--a coal-black
+cat, perfect in every way, a real witch cat, with not one mark about her
+from the tip of her ear to the end of her tail. Yellow eyes of the most
+unfathomable depth and a spasmodic wag of the tail proved her temper to
+be of the peppery kind.
+
+"Where did you get her?" asked Jack.
+
+"She came to us. When Aunt Martha opened the door this morning to take
+in the paper, she walked in. She came into the dining room, and when I
+called her, she jumped up in my lap and drank milk from a saucer. She
+bites and claws the rest if they touch her, but licks my hands and purrs
+when I talk to her. Where she came from I do not know, but I love her
+already almost" (with a remorseful look at Joanna) "as well as I do my
+dear dolly."
+
+"I should think so," replied Jack. "I can't see how you can care so much
+for that old doll."
+
+"Oh, don't, Jack! She is a dear, lovely, good old girlie" (with a hug
+and a kiss on Joanna's old battered face).
+
+This Jett resented. Flying at Joanna, she stuck her sharp claws in her
+blond hair, dragging out a big tuft of it.
+
+Jack shouted, "Go it! go ahead! tear her old wig off!"
+
+Hope relieved and comforted her dear dolly, pushing the black termagant
+from her lap, and saying to Jack: "You are a cruel boy. I will have
+nothing to do with you."
+
+This Jack could not bear, for he was a tender-hearted little fellow.
+
+"Oh, come now," he said, "don't be so hard on a fellow. I never knew
+anything about dolls. I daresay Joanna is very nice. See here, perhaps I
+can mend her head." And he did very skilfully, and thus restored peace.
+
+Then came the question of naming the cat.
+
+"How would Nig do?" said Hope.
+
+"Oh, don't! _She_ had a dog called Nig, and it died. I was glad of it."
+
+"Oh, no; if _she_ had anything named Nig I will not have Kitty called
+so." Hope was firm in her belief in Jack's wrongs, and disliked his
+step-mother with all her heart. "We must call her something of that
+kind, for she is jet-black."
+
+"Well," said Jack, "you have just said it. Why not call her Jett?"
+
+So Jett she was named, to their great satisfaction.
+
+"She must be half mine, and I will bring her all the scraps I can, for
+cats want no end of meat. That is," he said, "if I can get anything.
+_She_ would like to starve me. She says I have such a rude appetite that
+it makes her sick."
+
+"What a horrid woman! I don't believe your appetite is big; and if ever
+you are hungry, just let me know, and my Aunt Martha will give you all
+you can eat, for she loves to see me relish anything." And it was quite
+noticeable how often little nice things were brought out for Jack, quite
+accidentally, to save his pride.
+
+"Oh, never mind," he said; "only it's a bothering shame father is so
+generous he never can see what is going on. We never had such meanness
+and scrimping before. There was always enough and to spare. Now there is
+not enough to feed a cat on. And a dog she will not let me have. She
+says that they are gluttons."
+
+But I must curtail my story; it is getting too long.
+
+Jack had a parrot called Bimbo. As it was a gift from his rich uncle, he
+was allowed to keep it.
+
+With Joanna, Jett, and Bimbo the children were very happy. Bimbo was
+very happy on the bough of the old apple tree. He was deeply interested
+in Hope, and eyed her in a most sympathizing manner.
+
+The first time he saw her use her crutches he gave vent to a succession
+of groans, and moved first one foot and then the other as if in pain,
+and after that he would move to a branch over her couch, and look down
+upon her in the most affectionate manner. Often he would astonish them
+by some remark drawn from the storehouse of memory.
+
+No wonder Jett was jealous of him. When she first heard him speak, she
+opened wide her eyes, and stared at him in astonishment. The children
+shouted with laughter, and Bimbo kept up a silly cackle, encouraged by
+their approval. This was very provoking to Jett, as cats do not like to
+be laughed at, and she resented it in Bimbo.
+
+After she had given him a scratch that he remembered he looked at her
+with fear and trembling. He soon learned to say "Jett." Though he said
+it in a soft, hesitating manner, she was deeply offended. She would give
+him a look that would keep him silent for hours.
+
+She never could understand why such an uncouth-looking bird should have
+the power of speech given to him, while a handsome, intelligent cat
+could not speak at all; and the mystery of it made her very savage to
+poor Bimbo.
+
+Of course the children shared their confidences with their pets, and if
+Mrs. Thornton had fallen into the clutches of Bimbo or Jett, she would
+probably have borne marks of the encounter. Joanna's wrath was
+suppressed; sometimes, however, silent wrath is the deepest.
+
+One day they were in earnest conversation, Jack relating his wrongs;
+while Bimbo, seated on his bough, listened in silence. Suddenly, to
+their surprise, he said in a subdued voice: "She's an old devil! so she
+is! how droll! Ha! ha! ha!" ending with, "Well, I never!"
+
+The children were convulsed with laughter. Even Aunt Martha could not
+resist the ludicrous situation. Bimbo, in great delight, gave a
+succession of "ha-ha's," ending with "Oh, she's a devil!" Aunt Martha
+covered him with her apron, and silence at once ensued; for he knew that
+was a mark of disgrace.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Martha," said Jack, in a whisper, "don't you think it strange
+that Bimbo knows all about her?"
+
+"Nonsense!" she replied. "Did you ever hear Bimbo swear before?"
+
+"Never. He used, when I first had him, to say a few bad words, but
+covering him up made him know he must not repeat them; but to-day he has
+applied them where they are true. Whenever she is around, he swears all
+the time, and I keep him out of her way, for he knows her. She says I
+taught him. It is false. Uncle Jack bought him of some sailors. They
+gave him a good character, and Uncle Jack said if he ever used bad
+words, it would teach me a lesson never to say anything I did not want
+him to repeat."
+
+"Very wise of your uncle. You must do as he has advised, and you will
+soon teach him better."
+
+Just here, Jett, who had been a silent witness of the scene, could bear
+it no longer. She flew up the tree and out on the bough where Bimbo sat
+in disgrace, and drawing off the apron with sheathed claws, she boxed
+him right and left.
+
+Poor Bimbo retreated to the very edge of the bough, screaming "Jett,
+Jett! oh, oh, Jett!" This offended her so much that Jack had to pull her
+down by her tail, to save Bimbo's life.
+
+She was of course very much disgusted at such unusual treatment, and
+went off in the sulks. After a time peace was restored, and Bimbo was
+happy, for they were all very kind and sympathizing, and Hope smoothed
+his feathers where Jett had attacked him, and Jack told him he was
+forgiven provided he never swore again.
+
+Aunt Martha told the children a nice, interesting story, while Jack held
+Bimbo on his arm, and Hope cuddled Joanna in her lap.
+
+This home picture was interrupted by Bridget, the cook. She came, full
+of wrath, to enter her complaint of Jett, who followed in the distance
+as bold as a lion. Bridget said she put some squash pies she had made to
+cool for dinner, and she found Jett sitting in the middle of one while
+she was eating from the other, her paws and tail going as fast as her
+tongue.
+
+Jack shrieked with laughter when he saw her glossy black fur covered
+with squash. Her nose and whiskers were dotted with it, and even her
+ears had little yellow decorations.
+
+As soon as Aunt Martha could command her voice, she consoled Bridget by
+telling her she would make a dessert in place of the pies. Then she told
+Jett she had better go and get into the waste barrel. And a sight she
+was--a picture in yellow and black.
+
+She went away, ashamed,--not, however, without casting a look of fury at
+Bimbo, who was whispering with a smothered chuckle, "Oh, she's a dear!
+she's a dear! Oh, oh, Jett! I shall die!"
+
+Jett preferred a crooked path. Stealing was her delight, for boldly, in
+the face of all, she would bring home a chicken she had stolen. No one
+molested her, for Aunt Martha paid for the chicken, and as Hope said,
+perhaps Jett thought it was like having a bill at a store. She had a
+running account at the neighbor's hen-coops, knowing the bill would be
+paid.
+
+The children called her a "grave robber." For once one of the neighbors
+lost a little bird. Their little boy was very fond of it, and was
+allowed to bury it in the garden. He folded it up in his little
+pocket-handkerchief, and put it into the hole he had dug, and covered
+the earth over it. He put up a little wooden paper-knife over the grave,
+making a nice tombstone, and the design was very appropriate. The top of
+the knife was carved with a bush, and a bird was sitting on the
+branches. The point of the knife was down deep in the earth, and he
+thought everything secure.
+
+Now Jett knew everything going on in the neighborhood. The bird's empty
+cage had been cleaned, and was standing on a bench outside the kitchen
+door. Jett had interviewed the cage and tried to get in, but finding the
+door too small, she had seated herself to think it out, wondering in her
+mind where the bird had gone. When she heard footsteps, she mounted to
+her post of observation on the fence; and when she saw the boy bring out
+the bird and bury it, she was perplexed.
+
+A cat never allows a mystery to go unsolved. After it was all over she
+waited a suitable time, and then she made an investigation. She walked
+around the monument, she smelt of it, and she clawed it a little. By the
+time she had satisfied her curiosity it looked like the Leaning Tower of
+Pisa. That it moved was probably a suggestion to her, for she began
+scratching the earth; and it soon fell over, leaving a bit of the grave
+clothing of the poor little bird exposed. This at once was proof
+positive, and after scratching away the earth she found the mystery.
+
+Jerking up the handkerchief, she soon landed the little corpse, and then
+she examined it with a critical eye. No coroner inquiring into the cause
+of a sudden death could have been more careful. After she had inspected
+it thoroughly she took one claw in her mouth and started for the house,
+and never rested till she had with great difficulty deposited that bird
+in its cage and pushed to the door. Then she went home, satisfied that
+she had done an act of justice and humanity.
+
+It is needless to say how surprised the family were to find the dead
+returned to them, and they suspected a mischievous boy who lived near;
+but when Jett dug up that bird for the second time, there were
+witnesses, and the deed was brought home to her.
+
+The last burial took place while Jett was shut up. They dared not put up
+the monument, for they knew she would discover the grave by that. She
+hunted for a week, but she never found that bird again.
+
+All the neighbors looked upon her as a mysterious element that had come
+into their midst. They believed in the witches having unlimited power
+over black cats, and never dared interfere with her; indeed, her good
+will they were very glad to gain.
+
+Jett was devoted to Hope. She never killed a rat without bringing it
+with a purr of satisfaction, and was not satisfied till her little
+mistress had noticed her, and said, "What a good kitty to catch the
+naughty rats."
+
+There was one place the children called the "cats' paradise." It was
+down in the corner of Jack's garden. Here catmint grew in rank
+profusion. The place was neglected, but nature had rioted there, and it
+was all abloom with wild flowers and weeds.
+
+Here Jett held her afternoon teas and musicales, and she would frolic
+with her friends in the sweet-smelling grass. Her high soprano would
+mingle with the contralto and other nondescript parts till they produced
+a "passion music" so terrible in its results that it required all Jack's
+strength to separate them.
+
+Why these musicales always ended in a free fight, Hope wondered. Jack
+suggested that the catmint intoxicated them, for they were usually
+captured with their mouths and paws full of it, and as much on their fur
+coats as they could hold. But this state of happiness was not quite as
+satisfactory to others as it was to the cats and the children.
+
+Jack announced one day that _she_ had been disturbed by the musicales,
+and the catmint period was drawing to an end. Jack said:--
+
+"She won't outwit me. Aunt Martha will let me plant some over behind
+your large barn, in that field, and we will dry all we can. Jett shall
+have her winter supply, and I will treat every cat in the neighborhood."
+
+Jack worked with a will, and before the man Mrs. Thornton had hired to
+remove and destroy the catmint bed had arrived, it was nearly all
+transplanted or cut off to dry. They did enjoy that work.
+
+Hope was seated in a wheel chair her father had bought for her, and Jack
+delighted in wheeling. She superintended all the work.
+
+Aunt Martha allowed the man of all work to plant all that Jack brought
+him, though she did not think it best for him to take the catmint from
+Jack's garden.
+
+Jett and Bimbo were very much interested. Bimbo eyed them in solemn
+silence for a while, then he yelled, "Go ahead! Hurry up! hurry up!
+She'll get you!" till it did seem as if that clever bird knew
+everything.
+
+Jett's help was rather doubtful, though her interest was not. She
+followed Jack back and forth, and at every fresh root he would take up
+she would turn a somersault in the hole, scratching the earth with all
+her might; then she would rush back--a picture of yellow earth, black
+fur, and catmint.
+
+These were happy days, too soon followed by sorrowful ones. As summer
+waned, and autumn advanced, the first frost cast a blight on the little
+life so fondly cared for by her friends.
+
+Jack's sorrow, when he was made to realize her danger, was pathetic. He
+was now constantly with his little playfellow when she was able to see
+him. It was a picture to see her propped up in bed, Jack sitting by the
+side, in a little rocker, Joanna in her arms, or if too feeble to hold
+her, lying by her side, while Jett was curled up at her feet.
+
+Poor, sorrowful Aunt Martha hovered around her darling, ready to attend
+to her slightest wish. Jett was devoted to her. In this case can be seen
+what devoted creatures cats and dogs can be if they are made friends of.
+They seem to realize the approach of that dread messenger, and to be
+"faithful unto death."
+
+Jett only left the sick child long enough to take a constitutional and
+her meals. Then she would go back and mew piteously, if the door was
+closed, to get in to her little mistress. If Hope was asleep, she would
+jump up on the bed, stand and look at her a little while, perhaps lick
+her hands, and then lie down where she could watch every movement. If
+Joanna had fallen on the floor, she would pick her up with her teeth,
+give her a real shake, as if to say, "What did you fall down for?" and
+then, jumping up on the bed, deposit her in Hope's arms or by her side.
+
+Never was there a case of greater devotion. She was always pleased to
+see Jack. She would lick his face and sit in his arms, but on the least
+movement of her little mistress back she would go and watch her with the
+deepest affection.
+
+The end came very suddenly. Just at the close of a lovely October day
+sweet little Hope Farley fell asleep. She had seemed to know that the
+end was near. She had spoken of her death to her Aunt Martha, saying, "I
+am so tired, but I do not want to leave you and my dear ones."
+
+She had made her auntie promise that Joanna should be dressed just as
+they dressed her, and be buried in her arms, saying, "I shall not be so
+lonesome with my dear dolly, and I know Jack and Jett will come and see
+me often."
+
+So Joanna had a white cambric embroidered dress just like her little
+mistress's, that Aunt Martha made (with tears falling on her work), and
+she was laid in her little mistress's arms. Aunt Martha covered her with
+flowers, and sheltered her under the sleeve of her little mistress's
+dress as well as she could, knowing how much would be said about her
+indulging such a queer fancy of the dear child. As Jack said to her, "I
+do feel glad Joanna is with her. It seems so hard to put her away
+alone;" and Aunt Martha agreed with him.
+
+They had the greatest trouble with Jett, to keep her out of the room.
+Every time the door was open she would hide under the bed. She had taken
+Joanna twice out to the seat in the garden, where she had so often seen
+her in Hope's arms, and Aunt Martha had to shut her out doors while she
+dressed Joanna.
+
+Hope looked lovely, with beautiful flowers around her, and leaves from
+the plants she had loved. Her father was dazed at her loss, but Aunt
+Martha and Jack were the real mourners.
+
+How it happened they never knew. They had kept track of Jett all they
+could, and Jack had petted her, and tried to comfort her, but all to no
+purpose. She was like a wild cat, crouching down in corners and watching
+them all. The last night before the funeral Hope was placed in the
+casket, and it was closed. Jett must have crawled into a corner under
+the sofa when the door was open, for she was found in the morning,
+sitting on the head of the casket, as solemn as if she knew she had been
+watching her dear little mistress.
+
+She was not willing to go to any one, and disappeared till just as the
+funeral left the house, when she was seen on the opposite side of the
+street. When they reached the old cemetery, she was noticed behind some
+shrubs.
+
+Jack got out of the carriage to see if it was Jett, and take her home,
+but could not find her. They thought it could not be she; but when days
+passed away and she did not return, they were sure it was Jett who had
+followed to her little mistress's grave. They sought her everywhere,
+leaving the outbuildings open, so in case she returned she could get in;
+but they never found any trace of her again.
+
+There were stories, that they did not give credence to, of a cat's being
+seen hovering around the grave; but many people did believe that it was
+Jett guarding the grave of her dear one.
+
+Superstitious people said that she was a ministering spirit sent to
+guard and comfort the life of that dear little child. That her mission
+being fulfilled, she went back to those who sent her, perhaps to be
+still with the dear child in Paradise. Others said she was a witch cat,
+spared for a little while, to be happy in this beautiful home; but her
+mission being over, the witches called her back. That perhaps at night
+she was allowed to visit the grave of the one she had served so
+devotedly.
+
+But my opinion is, she was just a good, loving cat. She was grateful for
+all their kindness, and loved little Hope just as all cats love those
+who are kind to them. She had not been born in that home, as one would
+know by the strange way she often behaved that she had no training.
+
+Of course her disappearance is hard to account for; but I do believe she
+could not bear to live in that home after Hope had left it, and she
+found another one for herself. Of course a cat has a right to an
+opinion. This is mine.
+
+But does it not show how kind, loving, and faithful cats can be? If
+properly trained, they make the best companions for children.
+
+Who that ever has seen dear little kittens, so loving and trusting,
+climbing in the arms of those who are kind to them, can doubt they are
+given to them for friends?
+
+
+
+
+XXII
+
+WATCH AND CHLOE
+
+
+Much has been said of the benefit of example. Why, then, when a cat
+follows the example of the people with whom she lives, should she be
+called "bloodthirsty" if she kills a chicken? She follows her master to
+the hen-coop, and looks on in wonder when he wrings the neck of one of
+the chickens he has fed daily. Then when she takes her own method of
+killing a chicken for her own eating, where is the harm? She could be
+taught better, of course.
+
+Dogs are taught not to touch game, even when it falls at their feet,
+till their master gives them permission. Cats would never steal if they
+knew it was wrong.
+
+Look at my case. After the theft of that meat from the good
+"philanthropist," I never took anything else. My mistress made me
+understand wherein it was wrong. I felt very much ashamed, though I
+could not be blamed. It was one of the most delicious morsels I ever
+had.
+
+If a cat is not well fed, she will help herself, just as, under the same
+circumstances, human beings would do the same. It is astonishing how
+many peculiar traits are brought out when one studies animals.
+
+I heard a story of a cat called Tinker, who lived with a very nice
+family. They were country people, with a large farm, with horses, cows,
+dog, and cat, all well cared for, and favorite companions of the
+children. Nothing was ever killed on that place except rats.
+
+Tinker was a ferocious mouser. She was, however, very fond of all the
+animals, and the horses would put their heads down to her when she
+rubbed against their legs. Even the cow did not resent it when she would
+lick her after she had been milked. They did say that Tinker had been
+known to help herself to a little, sometimes, before the good Brindle
+had been milked.
+
+They had hens and chickens in plenty. But they never killed one of their
+own, always buying their poultry of the farmers around. They were
+content with selling the eggs in great quantities, for the hens were so
+well kept that they laid a great many.
+
+Tinker was well fed; and as she had never seen hens and chickens killed,
+she treated them as if their right to live could not be questioned. She
+walked out and in the hen-coop whenever she pleased. She had very nice
+ways, and was never known to go near the pig-pen, that being, in her
+opinion, not exactly a pleasure ground.
+
+One day the hens were all out in the large field back of the house, when
+Tinker was walking about on a voyage of discovery. She soon espied three
+little chickens of a very tender age shivering with cold and sending
+forth feeble little peeps. She looked around; then mounting on the nest,
+she sat over them, and they nestled in her warm fur.
+
+Soon a great clacking announced the return of their mother. She was
+telling all the gossip of the farm to the other hens. She was just as
+surprised as she could be to see her place filled. She flew at Tinker in
+great wrath. Tinker just raised her paw and kept her back and sat there
+as long as she pleased. The mother hen ran about, telling her story to
+all the coop assembled to see the fun. Even the lordly rooster cocked
+his comb about, in wise deliberation, over this most unusual occurrence.
+
+The unusual noise drew out the master, who was so well pleased that he
+called his wife to see Tinker in her position as chicken nurse.
+
+As soon as she saw she was appreciated, Tinker left her post, and there
+is no doubt the chickens wished their mother had fur on her rather than
+stiff feathers.
+
+Does not this prove that a cat would be kind to all creatures, were the
+example before her such as she could follow? Animals learn to kill by
+seeing man kill everything he is allowed to without drawing upon himself
+the penalty of the law.
+
+It has often been said that women care more for pets, particularly cats,
+than men do. I do not think it is true. Men do not make such open
+demonstrations and decorate their pets in the absurd way that women do,
+but where they do love them, it is a very lasting affection.
+
+If you follow the course of children who are cruel to animals, you will
+find they meet with their punishment oftentimes in this world. I have a
+story to tell in illustration of this fact.
+
+A very charming family lived not very far from Boston, though their home
+was in quite a country place. The family was composed of a widow with
+four sons and an only daughter. The eldest son was really the flower of
+the family. The boys were all full of life, but very unlike their elder
+brother. Robert was a gentleman and a scholar. Mary, the sister, was his
+special friend, and he made of her a real chum, telling her all his
+plans and in every way making a friend of her.
+
+They lived in a grand old house. It had been built by their ancestors
+some two hundred years. The land about was very beautiful, and they
+lived in comfortable style, though not really wealthy. They loved the
+old family horse, and the cow would follow every member of the family.
+They had a good, big dog; and last but not least a great, dignified cat
+called Bruno.
+
+The cat was the special pet of Robert and Mary. The younger boys teased
+him, and he kept out of their way. He well knew how to defend himself,
+and they were rather afraid of him.
+
+There were no near neighbors. The grounds of their nearest companions
+met theirs, but nearly half a mile away. As they were not congenial, the
+distance was rather satisfactory.
+
+Bruno would not notice the poor, wretched, hunted-looking cat belonging
+to the other place, and she was afraid of every moving thing. The people
+were very mean, though they kept up a great show of wealth; the servants
+and the animals about the place were half starved.
+
+Poor Mossy had no one to love her. She had never been petted, and her
+life was made still more wretched by the loss of her many kittens. At
+last she disappeared. Then they realized her value, for she was a great
+mouser, and the place was infested with rats and mice. Knowing their
+enemy had gone, they returned in full force, and the people tried in
+every way to find Mossy, but in vain.
+
+After a time the chickens on our friend Robert's place disappeared. They
+could find no trace of the robber, though they watched very carefully.
+
+Max would bark nights, and Bruno, the cat, seemed to be very uneasy at
+the same time, as if he heard some intruder. One of the boys would stay
+out at night till quite late, but the hen-coop was peaceful; and though
+they tried every means, they never caught the intruder. And the chickens
+disappeared, all the same.
+
+At last the boys discovered a hole in the back of the hen-coop, where the
+earth had been dug down and room made large enough for a cat to enter.
+The boys declared they had seen a cat that looked like Mossy come out of
+the pine woods at the back of the hen-coop, and they believed she had
+stolen the chickens.
+
+Robert said, "If it is Mossy, do not harm her, but coax her here and
+feed her."
+
+Robert had always petted her when he could get the chance, but she
+seemed to shrink from and distrust every one.
+
+The boys were not of the same mind. They had no love for Mossy, and
+believed in punishing the one who had stolen the chickens. So they
+baited a trap with poisoned meat, just outside of the hole, and poor
+Mossy was caught. She was quite dead; but, not satisfied, they battered
+her head with stones.
+
+Robert's wrath was terrible when he learned of poor Mossy's fate. He not
+only cuffed them right and left, but he told them they had forfeited the
+right to the pleasure trips and fun he had promised them. Robert had a
+scientific turn of mind, and his experiments were a great wonder and
+pleasure to the boys, and the loss of his favor was a severe punishment.
+
+The next day, when they went out, they said, "We will take the body of
+Mossy into the woods and bury it, and perhaps we shall find out where
+she made her home."
+
+They had laid down the body of Mossy on the grass while they went to dig
+a grave for her, when a mewing, shrill but feeble, greeted their ears.
+They looked back, and a most pathetic sight greeted them: the dead body
+of poor Mossy was completely covered by five little kittens. They were
+half starved, and were trying to nurse their dead mother. "Oh, ho!" said
+the boys, "this is what she was up to! She wanted to raise a family all
+by herself."
+
+The three boys each took a kitten, and, whirling it around, dashed its
+little life out against a tree, saying, "We will send her orphans after
+the chicken stealer."
+
+Robert and Mary had followed them, wanting to see that they buried Mossy
+as they ought to. They arrived on the scene just at the moment when the
+poor little kittens were killed. Robert rushed forward and with one blow
+felled one cruel wretch to the ground, while the others fled.
+
+Poor Mary almost fainted at the dreadful sight; but Robert put the two
+little kittens (that he took from their mother's dead body) into her
+arms, and as she wrapped them in her shawl, they cuddled up to her so
+confidingly that it comforted her, for she said, "They shall never know
+sorrow."
+
+Robert was moved almost to tears. As soon as he could command his voice
+he said: "God will punish this act of cruelty, this crime. They are my
+brothers, but I would not lift up my hand to save them from prison."
+
+He then made a grave, and Mary helped as well as she could (with the
+little kittens in her arms) to put in leaves, and Robert spread out his
+handkerchief and tenderly laid in poor Mossy and her three kittens. It
+was a solemn sight. Mary covered them with her handkerchief and a few
+more leaves, and then Robert filled in the grave.
+
+They carried home the two little orphans in silence. The poor things
+were very hungry, and Mary fed them and put them into a basket with soft
+white wool, and as soon as they opened their eyes she was ready with
+milk and petting, that they might not feel their mother's loss.
+
+Robert was very fond of them. As soon as they could run about he took
+them up to his den, where all his time was spent in study, and they were
+perfectly at home. They would dart about, over books, papers, and table,
+and there was so much electricity about them that Robert named them
+Castor and Pollux, for he said they were like a flash of lightning in
+their movements. Of course they were called Cassy and Polly. They were
+the exclusive property of Robert and Mary, and the boys never dared
+touch them.
+
+The mother, a confirmed invalid, was never told of the boys' wickedness;
+for her sister, who had the care of her, with the help of Mary, kept
+everything of a disturbing nature from her.
+
+Strange as it may appear, their instinct taught the kittens to shun
+their mother's murderers. They would never go near them; and another
+very strange thing--they would never, even when hungry, touch a bit of
+chicken. They never went near the hen-coop, and would run and hide when
+the hens and chickens were around.
+
+Is there not some psychological explanation of this fact? Did not the
+spirit of the mother in some mysterious way influence her children?
+
+It was supposed that Mossy, after losing her kittens so often, decided
+she would take the matter into her own hands and save those she was
+expecting. She went away, when near the time of their birth, and hid
+herself in a cave in the rocks, for it was found some time after that
+she had made a deep cave, digging it out patiently till it was large
+enough for comfort. Chicken feathers were found spread all around,
+proving she had thought about the comfort of her children and herself,
+and provided them a good home. She stole chickens from the neighboring
+coops, and feasted herself and used their feathers. She certainly
+displayed human intelligence in her work.
+
+Castor and Pollux grew up to be very fine cats. They were very smart
+mousers, like their mother, and they were devoted to Robert and Mary.
+Bruno was quite jealous of them at first; but after a time, finding his
+importance was not lessened, he gave in, and treated them with
+politeness. When, one day, Cassy brought a mouse he had killed, and laid
+it in his arms when he was asleep, he adopted Cassy at once. It was a
+real picture to see that big, dignified cat with the plump little
+kittens playing around him. They had no respect or veneration in their
+intercourse with him. They just loved him as they did everything around
+them.
+
+Mary would take them in to see her mother sometimes when she had a few
+hours' relief from pain. The mother would say: "What will you do, Mary,
+if Robert or you should marry? You cannot both have the kittens, and you
+surely cannot separate them."
+
+"Oh," she answered, "I shall never marry, and Rob may get a wife who
+will not love cats, and I shall have them all my own."
+
+When she repeated this to Robert, he said: "I shall never have a home
+where Castor and Pollux are not welcome. It will be the test I shall
+apply to the woman, if I ever find one, whom I propose to make my wife,
+whether she loves cats and is kind to dumb animals."
+
+"You had better not announce the fact; for there are hundreds who would
+tolerate even a gorilla and pretend to be fond of it for the sake of
+being the wife of my elegant brother Robert."
+
+He laughed, saying, "Perhaps, in that case, as there are sixty thousand
+single women to be provided for, it would be better not to advertise."
+
+He was truly in earnest, as was soon proved. The young friend of his
+sister that he had been very much pleased with, and had paid more
+attention to than to any other he had met, came to visit Mary soon after
+this conversation had taken place. She was very pretty and charming,
+trying to please Robert in every way. Finding he was fond of cats, and
+hearing with sympathy the story of Mossy, she was very affectionate to
+Cassy and Polly; but they did not reciprocate, and kept away from her
+when it was possible.
+
+One day Cassy sat upon her beautiful new hat and crushed the flowers.
+She flew at him in a great rage, saying: "You horrid old cat! I would
+not have you around in a house of mine."
+
+She slashed him over with her bag, while he slunk under the sofa in fear
+and trembling. It was the first abuse he had ever known.
+
+She thought she was alone, and soon left the room with her precious hat.
+But she had forever ruined her chance of being Robert's wife; for as
+soon as she left the room he moved the Turkish screen that formed a
+protection for the window seat where he was lounging with a book, and
+stooping down he took poor Cassy from under the sofa and carried him up
+to his den, where he remained with his two pets. They were the only
+witnesses of the death of his fancy for his sister's friend. When she
+called Cassy and Polly to her, he well understood why Cassy crept under
+the table out of her sight.
+
+He became a very successful scientific man, but the brothers met with
+retribution for their cruel crime. Two of them were victims of a
+railroad accident, while the third died from blood-poisoning from the
+bite of a rat he had caught in a trap. Justice was dealt out to them in
+full.
+
+If young people would test each other's natures by their treatment of
+animals, there would not be so many deceived and repentant married
+people.
+
+Castor and Pollux lived to be twenty years old. They seemed to bear a
+charmed life. They were very fond of each other, but often they would
+have a pitched battle and retire to separate corners for a while, but it
+never lasted long. They were soon as good friends as ever.
+
+The lady Robert married was very fond of cats. When she was married, she
+could not be separated from her pet dog Fido; but she was mistress and
+soon made them understand they must be friends.
+
+She never allowed either the dog or the two cats to be unjust to each
+other. It took time and patience, but she persevered, and was successful
+at last. By judicious treatment she made them the best of friends. It
+was a very funny sight when Fido would carry some of his candy and put
+it on Cassy's and Polly's paws, and then bark with delight at his own
+generosity.
+
+And when her little girl, named Mary, after Robert's sister Mary, who
+had died just before his marriage, was born, the two cats and the dog
+were her earliest friends, and they often fought for her favor, each
+seeming to believe her to be his own special property; but she kissed
+and cuffed alike, so they were a very happy family.
+
+Cassy and Polly were always to be found in their master's study when he
+was engaged in absorbing work. They would quietly pore over maps and
+charts, as full of interest as they would have been had he been their
+teacher. Their master said he had solved many hard questions while
+smoothing their soft fur and meeting their intelligent glances. And he
+could not help saying, "What do you think of it, my friends?"
+
+I think a man like the master of Castor and Pollux a true and grand
+gentleman. How many might be happy if, like him; they would care for
+their humble friends. There is no doubt that a cat oftentimes helps out
+some problem.
+
+My mistress would sometimes take me in her arms and look into my eyes. I
+could feel that look right into my heart, and I know that I answered it,
+for she would say, "Oh, Daisy, you have given me an idea." And I would
+advise my friends, both young men and women, when you have some
+difficult problem or study, take your faithful friend, the cat, look
+deep into her eyes while you tell her your perplexity, and see if she
+does not help you solve the difficulty. There is an electric current
+that passes into your brain from hers, and clears away the mists from
+your understanding. Then your kindness to your dumb friend is rewarded
+by the success you deserve.
+
+There is another story I like very much. It is about a cat and a dog,
+and they lived in Beverly, in a very beautiful place quite near the
+shore.
+
+The dog's name was Watch, and the cat was named Chloe. Watch was not a
+handsome dog, but he was a faithful, good little fellow. He had very
+short legs (my mistress said, just like a cricket). He was a dark
+yellow, or what now is called a dull old gold. He had a very broad back,
+where Chloe could sit comfortably whenever she pleased.
+
+Watch was very humble, and believed in "woman's rights" evidently, for
+he never offered any resistance when Chloe saw fit to use him for an
+easy-chair. He would crouch down on his short legs, and solace himself
+with a good sleep--that was his panacea for every ill. But he never
+allowed his master, whom he worshipped, to take one step without rising
+and standing in respectful silence or following him at a distance. This
+was very exasperating to Chloe, for he would shake her off with scant
+ceremony to do honor to his master.
+
+But Chloe had no reverence or respect for anything but a good dinner.
+Many were the cuffs she gave poor Watch, which he bore meekly, because
+he would rise when his master appeared and disturb her sleep.
+
+He was really a refrigerator color. His fur was short and stiff, his
+ears were large and prominent, drooping, unless something unusual
+aroused him. Then his interest only lasted for a moment. He would
+relapse into the stolid, silent dog they all believed him to be. He
+identified himself with the family, though he did not join in their
+sports; but he always knew just what was going on, and would follow them
+at a distance wherever they would go.
+
+His master was his idol. He seemed to live for him alone. His bright,
+beadlike black eyes were always fixed on his master's face, and he knew
+every change of expression. His master would say, "Watch is the only one
+of my children with black eyes; he takes after me." Years after Watch
+died there were two little black-eyed girls born, but Watch could not
+enjoy the sight of them.
+
+Chloe was a calico cat, yellow, with patches of dark and white spots.
+She was not much prettier than Watch, but the children thought her
+beautiful and loved her dearly.
+
+Their father had made them a wooden doll, and they were as pleased with
+it as children of to-day are with the elegant creatures who can open and
+shut their eyes and squeak out "mamma" and "papa." The children had been
+brought up to enjoy and believe Bible stories, and they thought the
+highest honor they could give that doll was to call it by a Bible name.
+So, after a discussion, they named it Amminadab, for the very reason
+that it was very hard to pronounce and impossible to understand.
+
+Chloe and Watch were very good friends. To be sure, Watch never dared
+say his soul was his own in Chloe's presence. Possibly that was the
+reason they had peace.
+
+Chloe had a very roving disposition. Day after day she would go off into
+the woods near by, and then Watch would suffer great anxiety. He would
+go out into the road, and look up and down, and then indulge in a mild
+bark. He never would go to sleep till she returned, and would meet her
+with the greatest satisfaction, wagging his short tail and walking
+around her as if to say, "You _have_ come back, haven't you?" He
+delighted to see her run up trees, and would look up at her, and bark
+with pride, never at all jealous of her superiority.
+
+When the children went down to bathe, Watch would attend them as
+body-guard. They always carried their doll and gave her to Watch to take
+care of. They would place her on a high rock, while Watch would sit down
+beside her, with his paws on her dress, to keep her from falling off.
+They would say, "Watch, take good care of her," and then they were sure
+he would never leave her. Chloe did not often go with them, for cats do
+not like the water as dogs do; but she knew where they were and was very
+impatient for them to return.
+
+One day when their mother said, "Chloe, where are the children?" she ran
+down toward the water and back again several times.
+
+Their mother laughed, saying, "Go and bring them home." And sure enough,
+the children were amused to see Chloe on the rock by Watch's side. She
+took hold of Amminadab by her dress, and tried to pull her away from
+Watch. But here she was mistaken in thinking he would give her up. He
+held his ground. He had been told to guard that doll, and guard her he
+would. Chloe tugged at her dress, tearing it with her teeth, but he held
+on. Then she fell upon him, and cuffed and clawed him, while he tried to
+dodge her all he could; but at one hard blow, in defending himself, he
+loosened his hold a bit on Amminadab, and Chloe, with one good pull,
+gained the victory and ran home, dragging the poor doll over the ground,
+bumping her poor wooden head without mercy. This was too much for Watch.
+He ran in pursuit, but his short legs were no match for her long ones,
+and she reached home, dropping Amminadab on the threshold long before he
+arrived.
+
+Then ensued a fight to carry her back, and the master, who always took
+the part of Watch, had to separate them. He took the bone of contention
+into the house, and that settled it.
+
+They were sincere friends, however, and later on, when poor Watch was
+unfortunate, the good heart under Chloe's rough exterior was shown.
+Watch lost his hearing and then his eyesight, and it was then Chloe came
+to his aid. She helped him and seemed always to have the care of him on
+her mind. She hovered around him when carriages drove by, and he, not
+seeing or hearing them, would sit in their track. She would drag him
+away by the ear or push him away and share his danger. And he soon
+followed her slightest touch.
+
+She would often put his food under his nose, for he at last lost even
+his sense of smell. The sense of feeling he never lost, and would put
+out his paw, and his poor old heart would beat while he would give forth
+a cracked and feeble bark when his master touched him--loyal and
+faithful unto death!
+
+His master could not bear the thought of parting with him, though he
+knew it must be, for he was in danger of being killed all the time, and,
+having lost all his senses, he at last refused food, and they were
+obliged to "put him to rest." Chloe was inconsolable. She wandered about
+everywhere, searching for him.
+
+One day they saw her lying down on some shining object. They found it
+was an old collar belonging to Watch that she had found in the attic.
+She fought when they took it away from her; and when they returned it,
+she carried it out to the barn and put it in the corner where Watch used
+to lie.
+
+There were warm sunny places he had selected to rest himself in when he
+grew tired and sick, and Chloe went to every one of his old haunts and
+made her bed. She attached herself to the master just as Watch had done,
+and seemed overjoyed if he noticed her. Very soon the sympathy between
+them in their mutual loss made them real friends. He would talk to her
+about Watch, and she seemed to understand all he said. It was a real
+comfort to him.
+
+It is often said that a dog is more companionable than a cat, and has
+higher intelligence. That is not true. Cats fully understand everything
+that a dog does; but a dog is trained, and no one but a real cat lover
+would ever think of training a cat.
+
+Chloe never regained her bright spirits after the death of Watch. She
+did not wander off into the woods so often, attaching herself more to
+the children and her home. She followed the children like a shadow. She
+could play hide-and-seek in and out the pine trees, jumping out on them
+in real earnest, and was always the first one to find the hiding place.
+
+On the place was a real old-fashioned well. Chloe was very fond of that
+well, and the bucket was a real friend. Warm days she would lap the
+drops of water from its sides, for it was like ice water.
+
+One day a kitten belonging to a neighbor mounted on the side of the well
+and looked down with wonder into the boundless depth. It was a perilous
+seat. Chloe, not pleased at the kitten's rashness, ran around the well
+and in every way tried to call her down from her perch; but she was an
+obstinate little creature and took no notice of Chloe's evident
+distress. Finding moral suasion of no avail, quick as a flash she flew
+up, and, taking her by the nape of the neck, deposited her in safety on
+the grass, where they had a good romp together; and she never allowed
+that kitten to go near the well again without her company.
+
+The master would say, "We need not fear for the children; Chloe will
+never let them approach the well without her company."
+
+It was very funny, one day when the children, returning from a long
+tramp in the woods, discovered they had left Amminadab behind. There
+were lamentations loud and long; they were sure they would never again
+see their dear dolly. Their father asked them if Chloe was with them.
+Yes, they said, but they did not notice her coming home. Their father
+walked out into the road, looking in the direction the children had
+taken. Soon he espied a small cloud of dust and, as it came nearer, a
+small yellow object, dragging in its mouth something that retarded its
+progress very much. Soon poor Chloe arrived and laid Amminadab at the
+feet of her master. She had walked all the way from the pine woods,
+dragging that heavy wooden doll by the dress, which bore marks of her
+teeth, having to shut them tight to bear the strain of that weight. She
+had to take frequent rests, and Amminadab's head was covered with
+scratches from the stones she had bumped; but she was all there, and
+when Chloe laid her on the doorstep, she sat down panting and tired, but
+with the satisfaction of having done her duty just as Watch would have
+done.
+
+She was petted and praised. Her master brought her out a nice supper of
+fried fish, and she was perfectly happy. After she had acknowledged all
+their thanks, she washed her face (cats never pick their teeth in
+company) and laid herself down on a rug where Watch had enjoyed lying,
+and slept "the sleep of the just."
+
+She was faithful to the end. To the last day of her life she would never
+allow Amminadab to be left out of the house without the children, but,
+taking her in her mouth, would carry her in to her place in the
+playroom. She would pick up the children's clothes. If they dropped a
+ribbon or a bit of paper, she would be sure to pick it up and put it on
+a chair or sofa.
+
+She died peacefully, and her grave was made by the side of her friend
+Watch.
+
+It is certain that the family never had truer friends than this dog and
+cat. They all remember them, and count them with those loved ones of
+whom it is so comforting to say, "Not lost, but gone before."
+
+
+
+
+XXIII
+
+THE STORY OF BLACKIE
+
+
+One of our friends boarded in a family where cats were treated in a
+cruel manner. Often when my mistress visited her, the tales of woe about
+poor, ill-used cats made her very sad. Cats always found our friend's
+room, and proved very loving and grateful for her care. She kept them in
+her room all she could, always feeding them; and as she had her meals
+sent to her rooms, she had pieces of meat and always a plenty of milk to
+give them, and they were very thankful; they loved her dearly. She said
+they were hunted about, and never knew what it was to have a kind word
+spoken to them.
+
+One nice cat had several kittens that were kept for the little son of
+the family to abuse. One of them ran away from him, and was jammed into
+the crack of a door and killed. Another had its back broken under the
+rockers of a chair; while the boy had the third one by the tail,
+swinging it about, banging its head against door-steps, till its feeble
+moans made the neighbors call to him; and as he paid no heed to them,
+one good-hearted Irish girl rushed out and, with a good shake, took the
+kitten in, and ended its sufferings in a pail of water. You do not often
+see a real, true-hearted Irish girl that is cruel to animals.
+
+The mother of that boy never noticed any complaints made to her of her
+child's cruelty to animals. She allowed him to do as he pleased with his
+living playthings, regardless of their suffering.
+
+At last the cat ran away or was stolen, and my mistress's friend said
+she hoped they would never have another.
+
+A little sister had been born, and at an early age developed the same
+cruel traits that made her brother a terror to all animals. At last,
+after some months, they had a black kitten given them. She was about six
+months old, a beautiful black, and she had very sharp claws. Though the
+boy was obliged to keep away from her,--for she defended herself with
+her sharp claws,--her life was wretched. The first lesson she learned
+was to defend herself, and look upon every one as her enemy.
+
+She had not one friend. No one ever spoke a kind word to her, and she
+was given wretched food and bones, for the boy devoured every scrap
+usually given to a cat. Then she was hunted into the cellar to find
+rats, and her life was one long punishment. No resting place, no nice
+corner, or bed to call her own--she was an object of pity indeed.
+
+At last a gleam of light dawned on her darkened life. A mouse had been
+heard in the room of our friend, and Blackie was sent up to catch it.
+She cowered down in one corner, trembling all over, not knowing what
+would be done to her. When the lady took her on her lap, smoothed her
+soft fur, she seemed to realize that there was something besides kicks
+and blows for her. When laid on a soft wool shawl on the lounge, she
+testified her delight by "kneading up bread" on the shawl with her
+claws, till she was tired, then purred out her satisfaction, and at last
+indulged in a good sleep, though starting and trembling at every sound,
+for cats are all nerves and sensitive in the highest degree. That night
+she caught a mouse, and after that was allowed to sleep in the room for
+a long time, and she effectually cleared the place of them.
+
+When she slept downstairs again our friend had given them a box for her
+to sleep in, with old blanket pieces folded to make her comfortable.
+This was to be kept in the passageway just out of the kitchen, that she
+might keep the rats away.
+
+She had got so attached to her friend by this time that she did not
+relish being out of her room at all, and early in the morning she would
+be up at the door, crying like a child to be let in, if the door was
+closed.
+
+It was a very great trial to this kind-hearted lady, for she could not
+keep Blackie all the time, and knowing she would be away in summer some
+months, she was very unhappy about leaving Blackie. She tried to
+interest the people in the house in her, but it was of no use. The
+mistress of the house hated Blackie, frequently threatening to get rid
+of her. She dared not offend her boarder, so she contented herself with
+abuse of the poor cat on the sly. She did not half feed her, but the cat
+knew where she could always get food, for the kind friend would buy meat
+for her and feed her well. Blackie turned from them all. She did not
+believe in any one but her kind friend, so it was impossible to help
+her.
+
+All the lady could do when she went away was to speak for her to all of
+the people she could in the house, and to give the servants money to buy
+meat and to be kind to her. But she always left with a heavy heart.
+
+At last Blackie was to have her first kittens. She, with that rare
+instinct that cats have at such times, established herself on the lounge
+in her friend's room, and if not forcibly removed, would ignore her
+hunger rather than go down in quest of food. She was determined her
+kittens should be born in luxury and under the care of her kind friend.
+Her friend did not fail her. She provided a nice box, all lined and made
+soft inside; and although she could not have it in her room, she went
+down every night to see that Blackie was made comfortable.
+
+Poor Blackie! She had a determined will, and escaped from her box the
+night her kittens were born, and got up to her friend's door, where she
+cried, and then lay down as near the door as she could, and bore her
+pains in silence, like the patient creature she was.
+
+As soon as morning came she was carried down and put in her nice box
+with the seven little kittens she had borne. Her friend took care that
+they disposed of them humanely, keeping only one. Blackie never rested
+till she brought up that kitten and laid it in a large chair; then she
+felt relieved. She would take it up the two flights of stairs, then put
+it down at her friend's door, while she mewed and scratched till it was
+opened to her. She was very happy with her dear little kitten, and truly
+it was a lovely little creature--a real tiger-striped gray.
+
+Blackie was perfectly at home; she cast off the care of her kitten, and
+rested and got up her strength in this peaceful element. She had avoided
+the boy tyrant and hid her kitten away from him, and his mother dared
+not help him find it, fearing Blackie's friend.
+
+The kitten was just the smartest little creature. She soon got big
+enough to go up to her friend's door, and mew just like her mother, and
+she cuffed and fought Blackie in a way that proved she would be able to
+defend herself. Her mother was not so fond of her after she began to
+show her independence. She tried to keep her in subjection, but found
+her to be unmanageable. When she went out to parties nights, her mother
+was very morose over it; and when her first kittens were born, she
+disowned her altogether. She never would stay in the room with her.
+
+The little kittens were all four allowed to live, and were around the
+kitchen, under people's feet, abused by the children, and Kitty Gray, as
+the friend called her, was just wild to get them up into her room. But
+Blackie, their grandmother, drew the line here. She stood on the stairs,
+and Kittie Gray with her "No Name Series" (as Miss Milly called the
+kittens) were never allowed up there.
+
+Poor Kittie Gray! She could not understand it. She had had such a happy
+childhood, and now the change was fearful. From a bright, happy cat she
+became a snappish, nervous creature, all the time in fear for her
+kittens. Sometimes Blackie did try to save the poor little creatures
+from the children, but it was of no use. Their mother hated her because
+she had defended herself from that boy, and they kicked and cuffed her
+till she was obliged to abandon the wretched little creatures to their
+fate, and the boy and girl tortured them just as they pleased. Their
+mother said Blackie was a thief, stealing things to eat all the time,
+and she hated her. She said, as soon as her kittens were born, she would
+get rid of her.
+
+When the good friend of Blackie heard of it, she talked seriously to the
+woman. She told her that with her feelings she never ought to keep a
+cat. She said that Blackie had well paid for her home in keeping them
+free from rats. She said, "The cat would not steal if you would give her
+enough to satisfy her hunger." Then she tried superstition as a reason
+to be kind to her.
+
+"She is a black cat," she said, "and they are supposed to have the power
+of making or injuring your fortunes. There are people who would never
+dare turn a black cat from their home, and would consider it a mark of
+good fortune to have one an inmate of their family. If you get rid of
+Blackie, you will never prosper. At least," she said, "have it done
+mercifully."
+
+It did seem as if poor Blackie knew she was doomed. She never was like
+herself. Though she would go up to her friend's room and cry to be let
+in, she was very unhappy, and if any friends came in, she would run and
+hide, instead of remaining to be noticed as she had before. She was the
+most wretched cat, and all the petting her friend gave her was no
+comfort to her. She had a premonition of her fate. Kitty Gray dared not
+go near her, and it was between two fires that their kind friend lived
+at this time.
+
+She was away for two days, but the servant had promised to look after
+the cats and earn the money given her for that purpose. On the lady's
+return at night, as she had company, she had no chance to ask after
+Blackie. In the morning no little voice greeted her; and later, when she
+opened her door, Kitty Gray crept in alone. She looked frightened, and
+began hunting around the room, mewing piteously. She was dazed, poor
+little creature! by the scene she had witnessed.
+
+The lady said all at once a faintness came over her, and as she fell
+back on the lounge she seemed to realize what had taken place. She had
+not believed they would dare do this thing. She rang the bell several
+times; then the servant came up, looking very much frightened.
+
+"Maggie," said the lady, "where is Blackie?"
+
+The girl hesitated, but at last said, "She is given away."
+
+"That is not true; I want the whole story," said our friend.
+
+Maggie then said she had promised not to speak of Blackie.
+
+"Very well; you can send Miss M. to me, if she is in the house."
+
+Very soon the young lady from the next room came in. She said: "I was
+just coming in to tell you this sad story. I leave the house next week
+to go West. Had I not proposed going there, I should not have remained
+in this house another day. As it is, I have never been downstairs since
+you left, and I never shall go to that table again."
+
+Then she told her story. She said the night after our friend went away
+she saw Blackie at her door, and petted her and carried her down to her
+box and helped the girl give her some food. In the morning she did not
+get down to the table till late, and then there seemed something very
+unusual in the atmosphere of the house. She went out as usual to see
+Blackie, but the mistress of the house shut the door, saying, "That old
+black cat is dead, and I want to hear nothing about her." The young lady
+said she was so faint she ran upstairs to her room and burst out crying.
+
+Later, when the servant girl came up, she made her tell the story. She
+said the girl had been told that if she should let Blackie's friend know
+how she died, that she should lose her place, but the girl said, "I
+don't care. I hate her; and as soon as I can I will leave here."
+
+She said Blackie had four kittens. As soon as the last one was born, and
+poor Blackie lay back exhausted, this fiend in human shape, this cruel
+woman, took her and thrust her into a tub of water, holding her down
+with all her strength till her struggles and shrieks ended. It was a
+wholesale slaughter. Next she put the two good-sized kittens of Kitty
+Gray in, and then the four helpless ones of Blackie. The boy and girl
+looked on, dancing and yelling till the cries of the kittens were all
+still.
+
+The girl said she thought _Hell_ could not be worse than that scene.
+They were thrown into the city cart, a dreadful sight, and one
+calculated to harden the hearts of the children, who looked on at the
+exhibition of these neglected remains.
+
+The lady was speechless. She said she could not bear even to see Kitty
+Gray, and she wished the poor little creature had been destroyed with
+the others. She wrote a note, giving a week's notice that her rooms
+would be at liberty, sent for a carriage, and left the house. She sent a
+friend to pack her things, and never entered the house again. But she
+wrote a note to the woman, saying that she knew the laws of the land did
+not punish such crimes, but she said: "God will avenge that poor black
+creature; and the sight that you allowed your children to look upon, of
+wholesale cruelty, will prove a curse to them. You will never prosper."
+
+And she never has. The loss of her two best boarders, then the sickness
+and death of her husband, the children both of them with some
+troublesome disease all the time, filled her cup of woe. In one year's
+time her house was empty, and she was obliged to give it up. Wherever
+she is, the curse she brought on herself, in the murder of Blackie, will
+follow her forever; and she will yet see her children made to suffer for
+the cruel natures she encouraged in them.
+
+Many a murderer can trace back his first wrong act to just such crimes
+as this one. The first lessons in cruelty are the ones to be dreaded;
+the children cannot reason, and they follow the example of those older
+than themselves, and their hearts harden, and no later instructions will
+ever counteract their influence. And soon the teaching in our
+institutions supplement their home lessons of cruelty, and they are
+ready for the pastime of vivisection. No wonder that they are adepts in
+this criminal abuse of creatures in their power. And God suffers it just
+as he allows men and women to follow their wicked natures and commit
+crimes for which they have to pay the penalty. I heard my mistress say
+this, and I did comprehend it; therefore I do not hesitate to write it
+even if it does sound too deep for a cat. There are cats--and _cats_,
+and I am of the second kind.
+
+I have told you the story of Blackie that you may know what is passing
+around you all the time. It is heartrending to see the poor cats
+stealing about, trembling and hiding at the sound of a footstep. Half
+starved and homeless, what can they do but steal, to satisfy the pangs
+of hunger? Think how many people steal dress and jewels to decorate
+their sinful bodies, while cats are satisfied with the forms and clothes
+their Maker gave them; and they keep themselves clean without the
+expense of a ticket to the public bath-houses.
+
+There is much said about not giving to the poor, for fear of encouraging
+laziness. There, again, cats are superior to the human race. You never
+find a lazy cat. Give a cat a home, enough to eat, and then give her
+work to do, to clear your house of rats, and she will spend days
+patiently watching, allowing nothing to divert her attention till she
+has accomplished her task, and the rats are all killed or driven away.
+
+And they feel well paid by kind words. Cats are invaluable to amuse
+babies, if you will trust them. I heard a lady say that her baby she
+left for hours, with the cat sitting on its little crib. She did not
+like the idea of nurse bottles, as she nursed her baby (that being the
+fashion at that time); and as baby must have something to go to sleep
+on, she made of pounded cracker and sugar a pap and put it into little
+pieces of muslin tied around with a string. It was about as big as a
+cherry, and the long ends of muslin would prevent the baby from
+swallowing it. He would go off to sleep contentedly with that comforter
+in his mouth. Nino had looked on with wide open eyes and even ventured
+to smell of the little comforters.
+
+One day, hearing the baby cry after a good long hour's sleep, the mother
+went in, and saw one of the funniest sights. She said the baby was
+crying, but Nino was lying on her side, with the little comforter in her
+mouth. From the noise she made and the satisfied expression on her face
+there is no doubt she enjoyed it, just as one does a new discovery in
+cooking. When her mistress took it away from her, she made great
+resistance. After that, when the baby had his comforter, she always laid
+a fresh one by the side of Nino--a very satisfactory move for her.
+
+She trusted Nino with the children, and Pussy seemed to find as much
+pleasure in playing with them as she would have found with cats. There
+was never any nice thing given to the children of which Nino was not
+given her portion. They never enjoyed their own unless Nino had her full
+share.
+
+Cats are invaluable in stores. There is no doubt they often prevent
+robberies and protect their master's property. In a grocery store they
+do good service. They keep away rats and save a great deal from
+destruction.
+
+A nice grocer told my mistress that he would not take any sum of money
+for his cat. He had a very large gray cat, and he might always be seen
+walking about as if master of the store. His bright ribbon bow on his
+neck made him doubly attractive to all the children around. He walked
+over the boxes and cases, with velvet paws, and never was known to break
+or destroy anything. He would lie quite happy in the window where the
+sun came on him and would sleep for hours. But let any one presume on
+his not hearing, and he would find a very wide-awake cat.
+
+Dick never allowed cats to visit at the store. He would drive them out
+with tooth and nail. But he evidently visited his own friends, for some
+days he would be away for hours, though he never was absent nights, his
+master seeing that Dick was in his box, on his rug, before he closed the
+store.
+
+The grocer's daughter was very fond of cats, and Dick was a prime
+favorite. One evening, on returning home, she found a little kitten on
+the doorstep. It was not more than two days old. It appealed to her
+heart at once, and she decided to keep it. She gave it some milk in a
+saucer, but it did not know how to lap it, and she gave it a few drops
+on her finger. From the way it drew her finger into its mouth she got an
+idea. She had seen dolls' nurse bottles, and she bought one, filled it
+with milk just warm, and the little kitten took to it at once. It was so
+happy, sleeping peacefully with that bottle in its mouth, that every one
+who saw it was delighted. One friend suggested that the girl should
+exhibit the kitten in the window of her father's store.
+
+It was a dear little black and white kitten, and lying in a basket lined
+with blue, a blue ribbon on its neck, and the nurse bottle in its mouth,
+it was a lovely sight. A place was made in the large window, a big box
+put in, and the basket put on it, and then the crowd were treated to
+this little show. Not only children, but men and women, crowded the
+sidewalk; and the exclamations of delight and admiration proved how deep
+a hold cats have on real true hearts. The grocer facetiously reminded
+them that as they had all enjoyed this free show, they might now come in
+and patronize him, saying milk was expensive, and nurse bottles consumed
+a great deal of the best; that now he had an extra mouth to feed, he
+must get more custom. His joke was appreciated, and in a very few days
+he found that the increase of trade, due to the charming picture in his
+window, was really worth the experiment. And after the people had once
+bought of him, his kind heart and the very nice quality of his goods
+made them friends and customers from that time.
+
+But Dick! Wasn't he as mad as a March hare. He looked upon the nurse
+bottle as an infernal machine, and the little orphan as a fraud. He
+would not go near the basket, but took a seat where he could measure
+every drop of milk that was consumed; and although he had always scorned
+milk as too weak for him, he would hang around the milk-can, and once,
+when it was not given to him, he threw over the can, spilling all the
+milk, and then walked away, as if to say, "Now I hope you will give me
+my share." And they never after that overlooked him, for he developed
+quite a love for what he had before despised.
+
+His master said he had every reason to be grateful to cats as well as
+fond of them, for they cleared his store of rats; and one large yellow
+cat he had when he first kept a store, had saved him from being robbed.
+The thief had got in through a window, and had made some excellent
+selections from the boxes and cases, when the cat, seated on a high
+shelf, knocked over a tin cracker box, and that fell against another,
+and down went the whole shelf of tins, with a noise like thunder. The
+man fled, leaving his tools behind him, probably thinking the store was
+filled with armed men. Pretty good work for one cat!
+
+It seems to me the best combination a safe could have would be a dog and
+a cat. At the least provocation they would fight, and this would
+intimidate intruders.
+
+
+
+
+XXIV
+
+RETRIBUTION
+
+
+A great deal has been said about chloroforming animals. I should prefer
+this mode of leaving the world to any other. Miss Eleanor was so unhappy
+over hanging, that the desire to have criminals disposed of in that way
+was one of her often expressed wishes. If it must be that one murder
+should follow another,--"a life for a life,"--why should it be a cruel
+one? Justice would be satisfied.
+
+Miss Milly said, "Oh, that would not be satisfactory to those who
+delight in punishing their fellow-creatures."
+
+While the law will allow such exhibitions, reserved seats, and tickets
+to witness the taking of life, and all the etiquette of a first-class
+bull fight in Spain, just so long will they persevere in the most
+barbarous way of taking life. It is murder just the same, however it is
+done.
+
+Sometimes we really see retribution follow crime. There is no doubt it
+is always punished, though it is not given to us to know how it is done.
+In the story I am about to relate we can plainly see just how swiftly
+retribution followed the sin.
+
+A friend told my mistress the tale, and it made my hair stand on end. I
+suffered so deeply in thinking about it that I know I can tell it in a
+forcible manner. Tales of this kind, however we may dislike to hear
+them, must be put in black and white before we can reach the hearts of
+those in whose power rests the future of that crime called vivisection.
+
+Millions of innocent victims are offered up every year in the name of
+science. It is simply pandering to the low animal craving for cruelty.
+No man or woman can witness the torturing of helpless creatures and come
+out of the ordeal innocent. Why is the cannibal worse than the doctor
+who uses his knife on helpless creatures, teaching a class of young
+people to do likewise? Is life safe when the fiendish craving to operate
+comes upon him? Would his wife or his child be sacred? Would he not
+practise on them?
+
+And now, as this all-absorbing subject has driven me all around "Robin
+Hood's barn," I will tell my story. An elderly lady who was very fond of
+cats told the story to her daughter, and from her it came to my
+mistress. A niece of this lady, a beautiful girl, had married a young
+doctor. Her friends were not pleased with the match, but could not
+influence her. She was young, beautiful, and rich. She was her own
+mistress, being an orphan, and under no obligation to obey her aunt
+unless she would do so willingly. It is a very true saying that love is
+blind. She could see no flaw in her idol.
+
+For two years she travelled in Europe with her aunt, the separation
+being a great trial to the lovers. On her return they were married, and
+his devotion made her life perfect. When their first child was expected,
+they felt that nothing would be wanting to complete their happiness.
+
+One year from the date of their marriage she died, and a few hours after
+her beautiful little son followed her. Her husband was prostrated with
+grief, and in two months from the day of her death he left his home and
+sought in travel to forget his sorrow. Three years after, he died in
+Rome, of fever.
+
+His friends believed he had recklessly thrown away his life. Without his
+wife he cared not to live. But there was a mystery that many friends
+suspected, but the truth was never made public. The aunt held the key to
+the mystery and revealed the sorrowful secret to her daughter.
+
+Alice was one of the most sensitive girls. She never would tolerate a
+falsehood. She had one master passion, and that was love of animals. Her
+horse knew her voice and would follow her about like a dog. But of all
+her pets, she loved cats the best.
+
+Some time before her engagement to Dr. G. she had a beautiful little
+kitten. She seemed to live for that little creature. It was always in
+her arms and seemed to know as much as a child. When it was eight months
+old it disappeared under the most mysterious circumstances. Search was
+made, and great rewards were offered, but all of no avail. She mourned
+for it, and had it been a child she could not have suffered more.
+
+She fell ill of low fever, and her friends were very anxious about her.
+They never mentioned Little Blossom to her, and she never had another
+cat. After her engagement and marriage she was very happy, but never
+could speak to her husband about her loss, and he knew nothing of her
+love for Little Blossom. They were seldom separated, but two months
+before her death her husband left her to visit a patient in a
+neighboring town.
+
+As she was well and cheerful, he did not feel any hesitation at leaving
+her, though he expected to be away all day. He was surprised, on his
+return, that his wife was not watching for him as usual. He ran up to
+their room and, finding the door locked, called to his wife to open the
+door. Receiving no answer, he was alarmed and, going through his
+dressing-room, entered the room. The odor of chloroform caused his heart
+to stand still with fear. His wife lay on the lounge insensible.
+
+He threw open the windows and used every means in his power to restore
+her, and she at last revived. With a look of horror she recoiled from
+him, releasing herself from his arms in frantic haste. He thought she
+had lost her reason, and when she again became unconscious he took her
+in his arms and carried her into her room, where he laid her on the
+couch, and she soon revived. Very tenderly he soothed her, asking her
+why she had used a dangerous thing like chloroform so recklessly. He
+remembered that she had, before her marriage, used it for neuralgia, but
+since he had the care of her he had never allowed it.
+
+She looked with a dazed expression. She trembled all over if he touched
+her, and made no answer to his words of tenderness. He telegraphed for
+one of the best physicians and a nurse. And then, with the aid of her
+maid, who was very much attached to her mistress, he made her as
+comfortable as possible.
+
+The maid could give no explanation of the cause of her sickness. Her
+mistress had received several letters, and had been shut up in her room
+writing for some hours. She had taken her some toast and tea, though she
+did not care to take it. She thought she had taken a chill, for she was
+shivering and looked very white. She said she would sleep, and did not
+wish to be disturbed. So the maid left her, and had heard nothing of her
+since, till called by him on his return.
+
+Though conscious when the doctor and nurse came, she closed her eyes and
+never spoke a word. After an examination the doctor said, "She has
+evidently received some shock that has unbalanced her mind." He advised
+her husband to keep away from her, as the moment he came near her she
+trembled and shrunk away from him.
+
+It was torture to her husband, but his knowledge taught him that the
+doctor was right--that the nearest and dearest are always turned from by
+the diseased mind. Though he never left the dressing room, he kept out
+of her sight.
+
+Two days from the time she was taken sick she died, and her little son
+followed her a few hours after. She never spoke to them, though they
+believed her to be conscious. Their agony and grief did not move her at
+all, and in the last few hours convulsions prevented any attempt to make
+her speak.
+
+This was a crushing blow to her husband. To lose her without one word
+prostrated him. He was to know a deeper sorrow--one that would admit of
+no consolation. It was a long time before he could look over her papers;
+but at last it was necessary, and he aroused himself. Then came
+retribution indeed.
+
+A package met his eye, on opening her desk, directed to him in the
+handwriting of his wife. The date on the outside convinced him that she
+had written it soon after he had left her that fatal morning. It
+contained a letter in a masculine hand, but the letter from his wife he
+read first.
+
+From that moment his life was ended. He spoke to no one of his friends
+of his sorrow, giving the charge of their home into the hands of the
+aunt with whom his wife had lived, and then he left his home, to travel
+alone.
+
+The letter from his wife, and the one she had received that had caused
+all her sorrow, was sent to her aunt, at his death, with a letter he had
+also written. The letter from his wife explained all. She wrote him that
+after reading the enclosed letter all love for him had died out of her
+heart, leaving only disgust. She could not endure the thought of him as
+her husband. She was determined rather than live with him she would take
+her own life and her child's. She could read only cruel thoughts in his
+face, and her life would be filled with the dread that she and her child
+would be subjects for his knife.
+
+"My dear Little Blossom was like a child, and I can see her delicate
+limbs quivering while you tortured her. I should go mad to live with
+you, for her dear little face would always be before me."
+
+She had evidently fought with her weakness, to finish her letter, for
+the writing was almost unintelligible.
+
+He at once recognized the handwriting of the other letter, and he knew
+that there was no appeal from the truth. He could only say in anguish of
+heart, "It is just." The letter was directed to her, in her maiden name,
+and had been forwarded to her by her aunt. By some mistake it was over a
+year since it had been written, and with other papers was found by her
+aunt when she opened her house after a long absence.
+
+It was from one of her old friends, a gentleman of high standing,
+holding a very important position in a neighboring city. The news of her
+marriage had never reached him, else the letter would never have been
+written. He had known her from childhood and had loved her hopelessly.
+His letter stated the fact that a power stronger than his own will
+obliged him to write to her, and save her from marriage with a man who
+would surely make her unhappy.
+
+"If I cause you great sorrow, in this terrible relation, it may save you
+from a life-long unhappiness. Doctor L., my cousin, whom you well know,
+is my authority, and will swear to the truth of my story. Willard C.,
+your little friend and neighbor, will also vouch for its accuracy, for
+he took an active part in the scene of which I write.
+
+"Dr. L., as you well know, is a classmate of the man to whom you are
+engaged. And as he was a frequent visitor at your home, and a great
+friend of your aunt, you will know there is no appeal against his
+report. He returned from Germany last week, and when he asked my sister
+regarding news of his old friends, she spoke of your engagement.
+
+"'Impossible,' he exclaimed, 'of all things this is the most
+unaccountable.'
+
+"'Why?' said my sister; 'they are very fond of each other, and you are
+not so shabby, because you have broken with him, to grudge him his
+happiness, for he is devoted to her. You will admit it is a good match.'
+
+"'Yes,' he said, 'so it looks to the world, but he never ought to marry
+her.'
+
+"Then he changed the subject, though my sister tried to get at his
+reason for speaking in this manner. After she left us, I at once
+insisted on an explanation. Then to my horror and disgust I heard this
+fearful story.
+
+"My cousin said: 'You know my love of animals and my opposition to
+vivisection. I have never allowed myself to listen to or assist in any
+act of this nature. You know my intimacy with Dr. G., and I never for
+one moment suspected him of the cruelty of which I proved him guilty.
+
+"'Visiting Alice M. so often, I knew all her feelings in regard to
+animals, and I knew that her love for cats was the master passion of her
+life. Her last pet was a beautiful little kitten. You surely remember
+it? She called it Little Blossom.
+
+"'One evening I called on her and learned from the servant that Miss
+Alice had been ill for some days.
+
+"'On my way home I had to pass Dr. G.'s office, and as I had some
+business with him, I thought I would call. I found him very busy. Two
+young students were waiting to accompany him to the classroom. He
+invited me to go with them, saying, "We have a most interesting subject
+to-night." I never thought to ask the nature of the study, and finding
+an old friend in the outer room, I remained talking with him.
+
+"'Soon cries the most agonizing came from the next room, and my friend,
+an old physician said: "This is hellish work! G. is a fiend when he is
+at it. I must go and prevent all the cruelty I can."
+
+"'Some power stronger than my own will made me follow him. Dr. G. was
+the actor in one of the cruellest cases of vivisection. A lovely little
+kitten about eight months old, a pet kitten evidently, he was torturing,
+without the least pretence of anaesthetic. Its cries were fearful, but
+there was no release for it. I cried to him to give it something to
+deaden the pain, but he was deaf to my request. If ever a man's face was
+transformed to that of a demon, it was that man's.
+
+"'Two of the students, to their credit be it said, turned away sick and
+faint, while one of them, Willard C. cried out, "My God! it is Alice
+M.'s pet, Little Blossom."
+
+"'I gave one spring forward, and--yes, it indeed was dear Little
+Blossom, her lovely eyes starting from her head, her soft fur matted
+with blood, while her intestines were exposed to his cruel hand, to be
+tortured. I tore a long scarf from my neck, and finding a bottle of
+chloroform near, I saturated it with it and covered the dear little
+kitten, holding it down with my breast till every sound was still. It
+was a fearful task, for I was almost overpowered by the chloroform, and
+Dr. G. fell upon me like a madman despoiled of his prey. But others came
+to my aid, and Willard C. took the body of the little victim, saying he
+would bury it himself.
+
+"'To Dr. G. I said: "I will never take your hand again in friendship.
+Professional honor requires silence, and in this case sympathy with the
+owner or the victim will allow you to escape punishment. You know there
+is a law against taking a pet animal."
+
+"'He was in a great rage, saying, "That is not your business. I bought
+her of a boy, supposing she was his property. I do not think you are
+much of a doctor if you shrink from procuring the knowledge so necessary
+to science, however painful the ordeal."
+
+"'"Never would I be a doctor," I answered, "if I must also be a fiend.
+Heaven grant you may never have wife or child, for they would not be
+safe from you, if you needed subjects."
+
+"'He laughed a scornful laugh, saying, "My wife, if I ever have one,
+will be obliged to you."
+
+"'And now, great Heaven! he is engaged to the loveliest and dearest
+woman I ever knew, and she is the mistress of Little Blossom whom he
+murdered.'
+
+"'It must be prevented,' I said, as soon as I could control my feeling,
+for the fearful tale my cousin had so feelingly related, made me sick.
+'She shall never be his wife. I will prevent it, even though I have to
+tell her this heartrending story. If she should discover the truth after
+her marriage, it would kill her.'
+
+"I could not sleep that night. I could see Little Blossom in your arms,
+with her blue bow on her neck, just under one ear, and I could feel her
+soft little paws, when she would give them to me when you told her to. I
+could hear you say: 'Jack, I love her better than I could love a child.
+If anything should happen to her, it would kill me, for I mean to keep
+her all my life.'
+
+"And then the face of that man, as he bent over that innocent little
+creature! Even when she tried to lick his hand it did not touch his
+heart.
+
+"Can you blame me for telling you this? I know you so well that I do not
+fear that the loss of such a fiend will ever trouble you. I know your
+love will die at once, and Little Blossom will be avenged. And I cannot
+answer to my conscience if I allow you to marry this man. Wife or child
+would not be safe with a man who has entered into this compact with
+Satan, called vivisection. Let no mother ever trust her boy after he has
+willingly assisted in this cruel pastime.
+
+"Show him this letter, if you wish, and Willard C. will tell you where
+he made the grave of your dear little pet."
+
+After Dr. G. read that letter he no longer needed a clew to the loss of
+wife and child. Little Blossom was avenged. But at what a fearful cost!
+
+There are often advertisements seen in the daily papers and great
+rewards offered for lost pets,--dogs and cats. Never expect to find
+them. The doctors will pay more than the offered reward for nice,
+well-cared-for dogs and cats; and boys have no regard for those who feel
+the loss of their pets. It is to get the highest price.
+
+Is it not the duty of every one who can have influence to use it in
+behalf of the dumb creatures who appeal to their mercy? They cannot
+speak for themselves.
+
+
+
+
+XXV
+
+EVENTIDE
+
+
+We are still in our pleasant rooms, and life is very quiet and happy.
+Each day I grow less able to go about. I have no inclination to leave
+our nice room. It is really true I am growing old. I can hear only in
+one ear; but, oh my, don't I hear quickly in the other! The sense of
+smell has grown stronger. I think I could smell a rat one mile away. My
+eyesight is good. I do not believe even a Boston-born cat ever wears
+glasses. Their literary tendencies do not need to be advertised by
+glasses.
+
+But alas! there are other indications of old age. I love to lie quiet,
+looking in the fire, where I see pictures of the past. My appetite is
+good, but I am very particular about my food, and if it does not please
+me, I am irritable. Unless the boys or some friends I love come in, I do
+not feel inclined to make myself agreeable. It is a real pleasure when
+Will takes me on his knee, and I can stick my claws in, just as I used
+to, scratching gently, while he says, "Oh, Daisy, you are at your old
+tricks!"
+
+But it makes me sad after they have gone. I look in the fire and see the
+dear little boys of long ago, dressed so cunning and always so full of
+fun. To know that they are no longer mine! These smart young men have
+taken their places. Then, indeed, I feel I am an old cat and nearing the
+end. I have learned now the meaning of "the beginning of the end." I
+realize that I must finish my book at once, before I get too old to
+write at all. My thumb is rather stiff and rheumatic, and my "index
+claw" not quite as sharp a pen as it used to be, but I think I shall be
+able to finish my work.
+
+There is one thing very true. No one realizes my great age. Friends come
+in daily, and say, "Oh, Daisy, how lovely you are! and your tail is just
+perfect." Of course I know it is true. My tail is just lovely, and my
+fur is as soft and luxuriant as it was years ago. But when they say,
+"_She_ is beautiful," that arouses all the "old cat Adam" in me, for I
+suppose that is the part of us that dies last. After having all my life
+behaved like a gentleman, with all his virtues, and none of his vices,
+now, in my old age, to be called "She" is more than I can bear. The
+advanced woman cat may, like her superiors, have a desire to be men; but
+no gentleman cat would ever care to change his nature or sex. Just
+because my name is Daisy, they seem to think I am a "Miss Nancy," and
+adapt their conversation to suit an inferior intellect.
+
+One young girl came to visit us one day, and we were tired enough of
+her. She had no brains and soon used up all her small talk. Then she
+gushed over me. It made me sick. I opened my eyes wide at her. This
+pleased her so much that she nodded just like a donkey, and clucked at
+me just as if she thought me a hen. Then she repeated that awful silly
+thing with no sense in at all:--
+
+    "'Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, where have you been?'
+    'I've been to London to see the Queen.'"
+
+Her voice was thin and pitched high, and it made me tired and cross. She
+looked for approval and got disappointed. I backed away from her and
+swelled up my tail till it was as big as a muff. She was rather
+frightened, but my two friends laughed. They understood that I was
+insulted by such childish nonsense. As if I had a mind no deeper than
+that silly stuff!
+
+I wanted her to know that "Washington" and the "President of the United
+States" and his wife would be much more attractive to me.
+
+London and the Queen! There are snobs enough to visit them without a cat
+joining the crowd. I have no doubt the Queen is a nice old lady, but
+then there are so many nicer ones who earn their own living that I can
+see every day. Such a journey would be useless. I have never heard she
+was fond of cats. If she had been, they might be treated better by those
+who follow after and pin their faith on royalty.
+
+I did get very nervous over that silly "Pussy Cat." It ran in my head,
+and my nice fire pictures were filled with the maudlin trash. And I was
+heartily glad when Miss Eleanor said, "Now we will have a little of
+Dickens to clear the atmosphere." That calmed my nerves, and I fell
+asleep, and I also fell off of the hassock, where I had perched myself.
+
+The other day I heard Miss Milly say that she scarcely ever took up a
+paper without finding some interesting anecdote of a dog or cat. Miss
+Eleanor said, "What interesting stories we could tell of the pets we
+have known!"
+
+I just laughed to myself, thinking how surprised they would be when they
+found my manuscript containing many of their nice stories. I never
+forget stories I hear, and I hear many I would like to repeat if I had
+space. Here is one, however, I cannot overlook.
+
+A friend of ours had a beautiful maltese cat named Primrose. Primrose
+had four kittens. They were just perfect, and she was very proud of
+them. The mistress decided to keep them all, for the children were
+delighted with them. As they were living that summer in a large old
+farmhouse, they had plenty of room. Primrose had a large clothes-basket
+for her nursery, with a nice rug inside. A more luxurious place could
+not have been found for a home. Indeed, had she been a society cat,
+feeling the necessity of giving importance to her home, she would, like
+"human society people," have called her home "Catmore," "The Mewes," or
+"Pussy Villa." But she was content to call it what it really was,--a
+good homelike clothes-basket, with beauty and goodness enough inside to
+allow of its being nameless.
+
+One day one of the children tied a red ribbon around the neck of
+Primrose. She looked so charming that the other children gave up their
+pretty hair ribbons to decorate the kittens. There were pink, blue, and
+yellow. The fourth one was red, like the mother's. It was a beautiful
+sight. The basket looked like one huge bouquet.
+
+Primrose was away when they were decorated, and on her return she looked
+with surprise at the brilliant objects in her home. She gave one "cat
+call" of surprise. This aroused the kittens, and they climbed up the
+side of the basket and mewed for their dinner. Primrose looked at each
+one, as if to make sure they were her kittens. Then she jumped into the
+basket, boxed all their ears, and tore off every ribbon, with the
+exception of the red one like her own. This was her way of saying;
+"Stick to your mother's color; it is red. I will not allow children of
+mine to indulge in such foolish masquerading!" She only made them
+naughty little kittens, for they did crowd their little sister, with the
+red ribbon, almost out of the basket. They whispered and licked and
+played with each other, but would not speak to her.
+
+The next day, however, the children, finding that Primrose preferred her
+own taste in ribbons to theirs, brought red ribbons for them all. Then
+the mother was satisfied. Was not that a proof that Primrose could tell
+one color from another?
+
+I have one great pleasure--I can go out every fair day. I climb on the
+fence, but do not go away from our garden: for in the next house is a
+dog, and he is a poor, evil-dispositioned creature. He seems to hate me.
+Why he should want to make me answerable for his unhappiness, I cannot
+understand. Just as soon as I appear on the fence, he barks and barks
+till all the neighborhood is disturbed. I do not notice him, for I know
+it is a free country, and I have as good a right to the fence as he has
+to his garden.
+
+Norah, the girl where we live, is very kind to me. She keeps the window
+open, and I can jump in just when I please. The good kind old "gentleman
+of the house" speaks very kindly to me, and I know he understands me,
+for one day when I reached over when that dog was barking, and hissed
+right in his face once or twice just to aggravate him, this nice old
+gentleman laughed, and said, "Smart Daisy!" And I enjoyed it. When I got
+over my madness at night, all alone in my basket, all asleep around me,
+I did think how sad it was, when I ought to be at peace with all the
+world, knowing that my life would soon end, to go and irritate that poor
+dog by hissing at him; it made me feel ashamed. But then, I suppose I
+shall do it again unless I stay in when he barks.
+
+There was a very nice cat belonging to some people who had recently
+moved into one of the houses near. He was a real "out and outer." I
+never heard such a voice or such sentiments before. He said he wanted to
+kill! It was his mission! Let the rats and mice in the neighborhood
+beware! He was there. That was enough; they were doomed. He would make
+that back yard a battle-field.
+
+I was carried right off my feet by his eloquence. "Good heavens!" I
+thought, "is his name 'Gladstone' or 'Bismarck'? What a loss to me! I
+shall never find another rat; he will kill them all."
+
+When weeks and weeks passed on, and I had killed a few, though I did not
+tell him, he blustered so, I thought he had killed dozens. The nice cat
+in the next house told me that he had never killed one. She said, "He is
+a real coward." He is just like some men--all talk and brag, "great cry
+and little wool."
+
+I did like that cat. She said she was very soon going into the country
+to live. She preferred it to the city. She said where she had lived
+there were six cats. She liked them, but preferred a change. They were
+all old cats and did not care to play. Three of them had no teeth, and
+all the soft pieces of meat were given to them. But they were very poor
+company. She could not help them, and was glad of a change; it was too
+much like "The Old Ladies' Home" for her. One of them, she said, was so
+crazy after valerian that it was given to her all the time, and it made
+her just ugly and very quarrelsome.
+
+"Well," I remarked, "I am very glad to know of cats that are cared for.
+There are enough suffering around us to make our hearts ache."
+
+"Yes," she said, "and I could tell you tales that would chill your
+blood."
+
+I begged her not to. I told her I had seen enough to make me very
+unhappy, as I could not help them; but she would tell me one.
+
+She said: "On this very street I saw a nicely dressed young man chase a
+poor cat, a half-starved creature, into a sewer hole and beat her in
+with his cane; then some boys joined him, and the boys filled in the
+opening and stayed there shouting and yelling till she must have been
+suffocated. And this fiend in shape of man came away, laughing. If we
+could read the papers and knew his name," she added, "probably we should
+read he had battered his wife's head with a shovel or killed his old
+father."
+
+I went home with a heavy heart. I had not felt well for some time, and I
+could not bear to live in such a wicked world. I did not look out of the
+window very often, for fear I should see that sewer hole and the ghost
+of that poor cat peeping out.
+
+I cannot help them. All I can think of to comfort me is that I am with
+people who have all their lives done all they could to help and protect
+the poor and afflicted, and every animal they could do for has been made
+happy. And I rest in peace, for I believe that a higher power has guided
+me, a poor cat, to write this little book, that my life and the many
+tales of woe I have listened to and here repeat may go forth and do
+their mission.
+
+I feel that the end is near, and I know that the loving care I have had
+through my happy life will be mine, for I know we shall meet again. I
+shall watch for my loved ones at the gate of Paradise.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is eventide. The glowing tints have faded from my life picture, but
+the beautiful twilight remains. And when I have crossed to the "golden
+shore," I hope my memory will come back to my loved ones like the
+beautiful afterglow of a perfect sunset.
+
+To all the dear friends who have known and loved Daisy I would say an
+affectionate good-by till we meet again.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+  Transcriber notes
+
+  Obvious spelling and punctuation errors repaired.
+
+  Both "boot-jacks" and "bootjacks" used in this text. Bootjack used.
+
+  Both "life-long" and "lifelong" used in this text. Life-long used.
+
+  Numerous mismatch quote errors ignored.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Daisy, by Miranda Eliot Swan
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