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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=""DAISY." (FROM THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH.)" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"DAISY." (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 & Co.—Berwick & 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:—</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—self-dependence.</p> + +<p>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.</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—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,—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—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—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:—</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,—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.</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—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,—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:—</p> + +<p>"To my dear mistress, whose motto has always +been, 'Love me, love my cat.' Mew translated, +'God bless her.'—<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—"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.</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—— 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—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—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—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,—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.</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,—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.—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,—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?"</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,—'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:—</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—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,—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."</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—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—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,—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.</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—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—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,—</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:—</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,—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,—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—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!"</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:—</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:—</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—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—"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,—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:—</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—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:—</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—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,—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."</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,—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—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!"—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—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.</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—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,—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—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,—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.</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—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—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—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—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"—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—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"—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,—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—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,—so his mother had told her,—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 Crœsus, +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:—</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.—'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—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:—</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—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—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,—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—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—'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:—</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,—</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:—</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—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—that cat—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—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:—</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:—</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—a year ago—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—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—a picture in yellow and black.</p> + +<p>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!"</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:—</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—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—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—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—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,—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.</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—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—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—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—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,—"a +life for a life,"—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—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—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 anęsthetic. +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—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,—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:—</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,—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—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—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 + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAISY *** + +***** This file should be named 37826-h.htm or 37826-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/8/2/37826/ + +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.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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