UNIVERSITE mm i$z&y UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Date Due APR 0 7 1991 *nmn — SfP j 5 fQQS — ST751 ^ 1770 00 JUN 2 0 1995 sc York Form — Cooper Graphics Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/alexandersomeothOOeddy ALEXANDER AND SOME OTHER CATS Alexander ALEXANDER AND SOME OTHER CATS Compiled and arranged by SARAH J. EDDY MARSHALL JONES COMPANY BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS COPYRIGHT 1929 BY MARSHALL JONES INCORPORATED Printed in April, 1929 THE PLIMPTON PRESS • NORWOOD • MASSACHUSETTS MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA { Dedicated TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE CATS AND TO ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT LOVE THEM BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW THEM Foreword CONTENTS What has been Said about Cats Quotations from Edward E. Whiting, Philip G. Hamerton, Agnes Repplier, Theophile Gautier, William Lyon Phelps, St. George Mivart, Professor Romanes and many others. Grace and beauty of cats — their sensitiveness and intelligence — their capacity for affection — their possession of language. Famous Persons who have Loved Cats. The Intelligence of Cats Incidents to show that cats understand human language; easily become adept at using mechanical appliances, clearly express their needs and desires and often show interest and helpfulness toward other animals. Mother Love of Cats Dr. Gordon Stables on the depth of the maternal instinct in cats. Stories to illustrate the devotion of cats to their young. Cats as foster mothers. Kittens The Poets on Kittens. Miss Repplier's description of a kitten. Kittens and little children. Affection for Persons Stories that show how much affection cats have for their owners. Individual Cats Alexander, Togo, Toby and Timothy, Tabs, Tootsie, Tom, Agrippina, Friday, Tripp, Mephisto, Thomas Erastus, John Steven McCroarty's " Yellow Cat," Fluffy, Bialka. [vii] Contents Cat and Dog Stories 113 Stories that prove the frequency of friendship and affection between cats and dogs. Timothy Goodspeed 123 The tale of a painting that traveled the country and taught the lesson of kindness. Why We Need Cats A Plea for the Cat — " Why We Need Cats " leaHet by Mrs. Anna Harris Smith — Cats and Rats — Licensing a mistake. 129 How to Treat Cats 143 Directions for the Care and Feeding of Cats. How to Travel with Cats. The Question of Meat. The Diseases of Cats. The Deserted Cat 165 The Problem of Homeless and Vagrant Cats. How to Chloro- form a Cat Humanely. How to Drown Kittens Humanely. The Prevention of Surplus Cats. Animal Rescue Leagues. Leaflets 177 The Need for Rescue Leagues; How to Organize One. How to Organize a Humane Society. Pet Animal Shows. Cat Shows. An Imaginary Conversation. A Letter to Children. " Mollie White-foot's Vacation." [viii] ILLUSTRATIONS Facing page Alexander Frontispiece A Sham Battle 6 Alexander on " Our Dumb Animals " 6 Alexander — His Mark 7 Alexander at Home *4 Alexander Asking for " More " i5 SUPPERTIME FOR ALEXANDER 22 Alexander Waiting 22 Kuni in Garden 23 Alexander Interested 23 A Well Filled Basket 30 Kittens Playing 30 Keep Your Distance 3i " How Much do I Weigh? " 3i Ready for a Ride 40 A Quiet Moment 41 A Good Time 4i The Uninvited Guests 44 Confidence 45 Excitement 45 Noonday Rest 54 Mother Cat 55 Kissing Her Kitten 55 Repose 62 A Young Family 62 What do We See? 63 A Happy Home 63 Bright Eyes 70 On Grandma's Table 70 [ix] Illustrations Morning Toilet 71 Innocence 71 A Quartette 78 New Style in Hats 79 A Peaceful Convention 79 After Dinner 84 Valuable Playthings 85 A Pleasant Reflection 96 Maternal Cares 97 Who are You? 102 The Challenge 102 Surprise 103 Chess — the Problem ho Chess — They Move hi Fast Asleep * 118 Among the Antique Treasures 118 Alexander 119 Kuni, Kito and Their Mother 126 Goldie and Brownie 126 Toby 127 Gentle Kitty Gray 136 Investigation 137 Kito — Busy 137 Meena in Garden 140 Meena on Stump 140 Meena Posing 141 "Friday" 141 Silver Laddie 150 Silver Laddie 150 Kito 151 Kuni with Antique Pitcher 151 John Steven McGroarty's " Yellow Cat " 158 Tripp — the Nineteen Year Old Cat 159 Brother and Sister 168 Goldie and Brownie 168 Kuni 169 W Illustrations Timothy 172 " Mephisto " 172 Jimmy and Jeff !73 Kitten Playing 182 A Capable Cat 182 Johnny 183 Questioning 190 Vigilant 190 Meditation 191 A Traveling Basket 200 " Please Open the Door " 201 Illustrations from Leaflets by the Animal Rescue League and the American Humane Education Society 204 [xi] FOREWORD HEN I decided to compile a book of stories to empha- size the fact that cats are very sensitive, intelligent and capable of affection, I did not realize how much had been written al- ready about them. It has been a difficult task to select from a great volume of material a comparatively few examples of genuine intelligence and of real affection in cats. In spite of a general belief to the contrary, cats do often display the warmest attachment to their owners. They even show a frequent ability to travel and to adapt themselves to new places, if only the beloved owner is there. A great many books have been written about cats. The reader will probably be surprised to learn how many famous persons have loved cats and been loved by them in return. Grateful acknowledgement is hereby made to the following named publishers for permission to quote from their publica- tions. Credit to individuals is given in connection with the articles and stories. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., Boston, Mass.; Charles Scrib- ner's Sons, New York; D. Appleton & Company, New York; The Animal Rescue League, Boston, Mass.; Our Dumb Ani- mals, published by The Massachusetts Society for the Preven- tion of Cruelty to Animals; The National Humane Review, published by The American Humane Association, Albany, New York; The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass.; The Humane Pleader, published by The Toronto Humane Society; The AnimaVs Friend, Ernest Bell, Editor, London, [ xiii ] Alexander and Some Other Qats England; Dean & Son, Publishers, London, England; Ernest Benn Limited, London, England; George Bell & Sons, Lon- don, England. The illustrations are from photographs and sketches by the author save those to which credit is given. [xiv] WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT CATS Alexander and Some Other Cats WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT CATS T^HE cat is eloquent of home. The cat is the companion of the fireside. The cat is the banisher of pessimism, the comforter of loneliness and the humbler of false pride. The cares of the day may be heavy, the problems of living may oppress and dis- courage, but come home from them in the evening, sit down with the family cat by your side and there comes a new per- spective, a new understanding of the philosophy of life itself. Edward E. Whiting The Companionable Cat OF all animals we can have in a room with us the cat is the least disquieting. Her presence is soothing to a student as the presence of a quiet nurse is soothing to an invalid. It is agreeable to feel that you are not absolutely alone, and it seems to you, when you are at work, as if the ©at took care that all her movements should be noiseless, purely out of consideration for your comfort. Then, if you have time to caress her, you know that she will purr a response; and why doubt the sincerity of her affection ? Philip G. Hamerton t3l (Alexander and Some Other Qats The Useful Cat ITS great practical usefulness is the cat's chief recommenda- tion with many, but there is also much sentiment associated with this small animal. Rich and poor alike have welcomed it to their homes, and have given it a place at the fireside, where, relieved from fear, and amid congenial surroundings, its nerv- ous sensitive nature has expanded and developed showing many charming qualities. Those well acquainted with the cat declare it to be an affectionate, intelligent and interesting com- panion. Among the poor it has pathetic interest. Often being the one bit of fun and brightness in homes where life is too grim and strenuous, and where the wolf stands too close to the door for smiles to be frequent. Because the keeping of it is so very inexpensive, the cat is here the only pet which could be afforded ; and it is indeed a luxury, its winsome playfulness be- ing a continual delight. There would be more tears than usual on the wan, sad faces of poverty's children, and less of cheer and sunshine in their barren, desolate lives, should Cat License Bills be passed, and these little dumb friends and playfellows be ruthlessly torn from their arms. Mary Craige Yarrow ^ Kindness the Key CATS vary in disposition as human beings do, but there are very few that will not respond quickly to kind treatment. In beginning with a kitten, it will be found that kindness will beget confidence. It gives an air of homelikeness to a house to have in it a large, sleek, fireside cat, who feels the security that all respectable members of a family should feel. Mary F. Lovell [4] What Has "Been Said WE do not wish to underrate the fine qualities of affection, courage and sagacity which are the dog's, but neither do we like to see widespread lack of appreciation for the cat's many admirable traits. Patience, endurance, good judgment, self- control, self-reliance, high spirits and industry — many or all of these are possessed by the average cat. Under favorable conditions she will also develop a strength of affection, not devoid of demonstration, that is equal to the dog's. The most aesthetic souls of all times have cherished the cat, Baudelaire, Von Scheffel, Poe, De Mussset, Henry Irving and a host of other lovers of the beautiful come to mind in this connection. The silky feline of padded footfall and mysterious wanderings has ever appealed to the imagina- tion, just as she has ever appealed to the sense of domestic comfort. And why is it that the world's great souls have always been animal lovers ? Whittier's most inspiring poems were writ with Puss purring on his knee. Longfellow loved his cats, and had great compassion for all sentient life. Lincoln showed as much mercy to dumb creatures as he did to humans whenever an opportunity came his way. Is there any one who can say that these advanced souls loved [10] What Has Heen Said From an Article on " Cats " THE cat is a la mode. Fashionable Paris has gone to gaze on the cat, and everybody is loud in praises of the beautiful crea- [20] What Has 'Been Said zAbout Qats ture that was the bete noire of Buffon. We admire the aristo- cratic cat, but this year we also admire the plebeian cat. Feline democracy has come into its own. If the cat of the rich and the noble, lying on satin cushions, is admitted to this show, so is the cat of the poor, and the vulgar, — the cat of the gutter. Here are the disdainful princesses of the cattish race, and here, too, are the cheerful Bohemians of Paris, with their familiar manners, their liveliness, their drollery, their sauciness. I love all the cats, the wild and the gentle, the common and the exotic, those which are clad in rich robes and those that are clad in homely broadcloth. I do not really ask why, despite the demerits which Buffon enumerates with such gusto, man- kind has adopted this charming beast. It has captured my heart as it has captured the hearts of millions of my fellows. I have had savage cats which boasted of their high standing, and cats which sprung from the street; and they have all been delightful, unexpected, fantastic, capricious and beautiful. And I think of the cats which other men have admired. Richelieu, at the height of his power, with the weight of Europe upon him, sitting at his desk amid a pile of docu- ments, disposing of the destinies of nations, would have pre- ferred to cut off a portion of his scarlet gown rather than disturb the slumber of Racan or Moussard-le Fougueux or Sou- mise or Ludovic-le-Cruel. The successor of Richelieu today is M. Poincare, who is generally pictured as stern, rigid, grave. But M. Poincare twenty years ago in his cabinet had a Siamese cat, which has perpetuated its species and M. Poincare is as fond as ever of his feline friends. He is not blind to their faults, but has expressed his pleasure in their society. " The cat," he says, " is witty, he has nerve, he knows how to do precisely the right thing at precisely the right moment. [21] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats He is impulsive and facetious and appreciates the value of a well-turned pleasantry. He extricates himself from the most difficult situations by a little pirouette. To how many timid and hesitating persons could he give useful lessons. I have never seen him embarrassed. With an astonishing promptitude he chooses instantly between two solutions of a problem, not merely that which is the better from his point of view and in conformity with his interests, but also that which is elegant and gracious." What a wonderful diplomatist the cat would have made! One detects a certain envy in this eulogy of the cat by M. Poincare. Indeed, somewhere in the volumes of M. Poincare's Memoirs, I remember how kindly he speaks of M. Briand in comparing him to the cat. . . I recall that when M. Clemenceau went to an important conference at London he bought a cat and named it Prudence. I do not know what has become of it. But George Montorgueil has made the happy suggestion, that well-known men and women who are lovers and owners of cats should bring their cats together without regard to pedigree or competitive points. This, in fact, was done a year or two ago in Paris by the artists and writers. I would like to see the idea carried out on a greater scale, with presidential cats, and ministerial cats, and sena- torial cats, economists' cats, and literary cats, — displayed for the observer's delectation. Artists and writers are particularly fond of cats. I never tire of looking at the cats which Steinlen drew so lovingly with such a deft pen. I like to think of Hamilcar, the guardian of the City of Books, which Anatole France described in Sylvestre Bonnard. There was, also Belkis, which Pierre Loti named with great pomp and ceremony. Victor Hugo was the proud posses- [22] SUPPERTIME FOR ALEXANDER Alexander Waiting What Has "Been Said ^About Qats sor of Chamoine, and Michelet, the historian; Sainte-Beuve, the critic; Merimee, the novelist; Gautier, the poet; Maupassant, the story-teller, all had their cats. Barbey d'Aurevilly with De- monette, Coppee with Isabelle, Baudelaire with his feline fam- ily, have all loved the cat. And now in Paris they are celebrating the centenary of Hip- polyte Taine, philosopher and historian, and it is good to re- member that Taine, who was not often moved to poetry, wrote twelve sonnets to his three cats — Puss, and Ebene, and Mitonne. " I have studied," he confessed, " many philosophers and several cats; the wisdom of the cats is vastly superior." That wisdom he discovered in their tranquillity and in their meditativeness. Without effort, the cat, gazing into the fire, or smoothing its fur, puts into practice the precepts of the sages. Sisley Huddleston in " Christian Science Monitor " [23] THE INTELLIGENCE OF CATS MIVART ON THE CAT St. GEORGE MIVART, Ph.D. F.R.S. has written alto- gether the most comprehensive and exhaustive scientific study of the cat ever published. His book " The Cat " is an excellent work for the earnest beginner in the study of biological science. He says that no more complete example of a perfectly organ- ized living being can be found than that supplied by the highest mammalian family " Felidae." The following is quoted from his book " The Cat." The Domestic Cat is an animal so common and familiar that its utility is sometimes apt to be lost sight of. To realise its usefulness we must imagine ourselves in a land where no such animal is known, but where the annoying creatures upon which it preys shall have multiplied with that rapidity natural to them. Its effect in putting to flight the creatures it pursues, is again far in excess of its destructive energy. Were every cat in England simultaneously destroyed, the loss through the en- tailed increase of vermin would be enormous. . . . The cat also is favored by that half of the human race which is the more concerned with domestic cares; for it is a home- loving animal and one exceptionally clean and orderly in its habits, and thus naturally commends itself to the good will of the thrifty housewife. Moreover, though it is generally much less demonstrative in its affection than is the dog, yet cats differ as men do, and some individuals manifest strong feelings of regard for one or other members of the family wherein they make their homes. . . . [27] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats Indeed the cat seems to be a much more intelligent animal than is often supposed. That it has very distinct feelings of pleasure or pain, and keen special senses, will probably be dis- puted by no one. Its sense of touch is very delicate. Its eyes are highly organized, and can serve it in the dark, and its hearing is extremely acute. . . . The ease and grace of motion in the cat, and its neat dex- terity, are a common subject of praise. Who has not observed how cleverly a cat will avoid objects in its path — walking, per- haps over a table set with glasses and ornaments in not very stable equilibrium, without over-setting any one of them. Every one knows also the great facility with which the cat so turns in falling as almost always to alight safely upon its feet. The animal's ordinary locomotion is a walk or a spring. It rarely runs, save when it is pursued or alarmed, and then it pro- gresses by a series of bounds. When driven to it, it can swim, though it takes to the water, or even endures a mere wetting, with the greatest reluctance. Yet a cat has been seen voluntarily to enter a small stream several times in order to rescue its kittens which had fallen into it. . . . As to memory, everyone knows how cats attach themselves to their homes, and how generally they recognize at least one or two of the habitual inmates of their dwelling places. . . . Many cats will readily learn the signification of certain words and will answer to their names and come when called. Very strange is the power which cats may show of finding their way home by routes which they have never before traversed. . . . In addition to all these cognitions of objects, and of the rela- tions between them, cats possess strong passions and, often at least, affectionate feelings of personal attachment. . . . Cats will sometimes (as before mentioned) show great re- [28] The Intelligence of Qats gard to individuals, and will manifest it by expressive gestures and slight, affectionate bites. These animals, then, have emo- tions, and they are able to express their feelings by external signs. Some observers have professed to detect more than half a hundred different expressions in a cat's face, but however much exaggeration there may be in such a statement, it is impossible to mistake the gestures of rage and fear at the sight of a strange and threatening dog — gestures well understood by the dog, and sufficient in most cases to keep him at a safe distance. C The Language of Cats THE cat has a language far in excess of any other domestic animal, in variation of tone. This is particularly noticeable when she has kittens. The cooing baby talk when they are very young is quite affecting and as they grow older and can play about, the mother cat has certain tones and inflections of voice which enable her to call them to her when they stray, or herd them together for a little stroll. No kitten ever misunderstands its mother's meaning when she calls. " The cat," according to the Naturalist Dupont de Nemours, " has the advantage of a language which has the same vowels as pronounced by the dog and with six consonants in addition m, n, g, h, v and f . Consequently the cat has a greater number of words." According to Abbe Galiani " there are more than twenty dif- ferent inflections in the language of cats, and there is really a * tongue,' for they always employ the same sound to express the same thing." Abbe Galiani also says: "For centuries cats have been reared, but I do not find they have ever been really studied. . . ." [29] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats Champfleury professes to have counted sixty-three varieties of mewings, the rotation of which, however, he observes, is dif- ficult. The sign and gesture language of the cat is even more copious and expressive than its audible language. As Mr. Owen has it: " What tones unheard, and forms of silent speech, Are given, that such as thee The eloquence of dumbness man might teach." ^ Cats Have a Sign Language ROMANES gives several instances to prove that cats have a sign language. A cat, observing that a terrier received food in answer to a certain gesture, imitated his begging. Another would make a peculiar noise when it wanted a door opened, and, if its wish was not attended to, would pull at someone's dress with its claws; then, having secured the person's notice, would walk to the door and stand there with a vocal request that it be opened. Other cats are mentioned that would jump on chairs and look at bells, put their paws upon them, or even ring them, when they wanted anything done for which the ringing of a bell was a signal. Lindsay has shown that, in common with other tamed and domestic animals, they understand one or more of the modes in which man expresses his ideas, wishes, or commands, as well as those ideas, wishes, and commands themselves, however expressed, particularly the calls to receive food, and their own names. They also, in common with a smaller number of ani- mals, appear to know the names of the different members of the family, and of articles of domestic use. An instance is cited from Clark Rossiter of a cat that knew the name of each mem- [30] 'How Much Do I Weigh? " The Intelligence of Qats ber of the household, and his seat at the table. If asked about an absent one, she would look at the vacant seat, then at the speaker, and if told to fetch him would run upstairs to his room, take the handle of the door between her paws, mew at the keyhole, and wait to be let in. Cats appear taciturn in ordinary life, but every one knows that they can, upon occasion, and that often, speak forcibly enough. They also have a language for their friends, varied and expressive enough to convey their wants definitely, and make intercourse with them pleasant and lively. Those who know them best may readily say with John Owen, in the Lon- don " Academy ": " Thou art not dumb, my Muff; In those sweet pleading eyes and earnest loo\, Language there is enough To fill with living type a goodly boo\." Montaigne observed, some three hundred years ago, that our beasts have some intelligence well nigh in the same measure as we: — " They flatter us, menace us, and need us; and we, them. It is abundantly evident to us, that there is among them a full and entire communication, and that they understand each other." Dupont de Nemours, who undertook to penetrate the mys- teries of animal language, recognized that animals had few wants, but that these were strong, and that their passions were few but imperious; for which they had very marked but limited expressions. He thought the cat was more intelligent than the dog, because, being able to climb trees she had sources of ideas and experiences denied to him; and, having all the vowels of a dog, with six consonants in addition, she had more words. [31] Alexander and Some Other Qats The Understanding of the Cat k AN article in the " Popular Science Monthly," on " The In- telligence of Cats," by W. J. Larrabee, gives many interesting anecdotes illustrating this intelligence. In the article, reference is made to Dr. Turton's remark about the " voluminous and expressive " vocabulary of the cat; and we are told that the expressions of the countenance are as lively and varied in the cat as in any other animal ; that a well-bred cat can use this sign language and express nearly all her wants, and a sympathetic master can learn to understand them. We quote from the article: — " The extent of a cat's understanding of human language must depend considerably on the treatment and training it re- ceives. An animal that is treated unkindly or is neglected can- not be expected to learn much beyond the knowledge which its natural instinct confers upon it. Another animal, not neces- sarily brighter but having better opportunities ard more en- couragement, may readily acquire knowledge of all the things that it is important one of its kind should know. Cats having appreciative masters and playmates will gain a really remark- able degree of knowledge of the tones, gestures, words, thoughts, and intentions of their human friends. Many of the well authenticated stories on this point reveal faculties of per- ception that must seem astonishing even to persons well in- formed respecting the mental powers of animals. Careful obser- vation of his own puss can hardly fail to convince anyone that they understand more of ordinary conversation, as well as of what is said to them directly, than we are apt, at first thought, to suspect. . . ." [32] The Intelligence of Qats What a Cat Knows ~ " KNOWLEDGE of the ways in which certain common things are done, and the capacity to apply it, are so frequently shown by domestic cats that it is almost superfluous to mention particular instances of its exhibition. Most cats know how doors are opened, and can open them for themselves, if the method of handling the latch comes within the compass of their pow- ers of manipulation. Romanes asserts, that, in the understand- ing of mechanical appliances of this character, they reach a higher level of intelligence than any other animal, except monkeys, and perhaps elephants." " It is seldom that a cat is deceived by its reflections in a mir- ror. Sometimes he will try to look behind it or feel back of it with his paw, but generally after the first surprise he seems to know it is his own image. The following account of the sagacity of a cat is credited to " Every Other Saturday ": — The Monastery Cat A cat in a monastery knew that there was never dinner to be had until the bell had been twice rung. She always answered the bell promptly, but one day when, at noon, the welcome chime was heard, found herself accidentally shut up in a cell. Left, perforce dinnerless until the tenant of the cell came back from the refectory, she went as soon as she did escape to look for her allowance. There was nothing left for her. In the course of the afternoon the monks were startled by a pertinacious sound- ing of their dinner-bell. Pussy swung on the bell-rope, ringing for her dinner. [33] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats About Cats WE all know that cats form friendships with human beings, sometimes singling out one member of the family for especial affection. They also form friendships with other animals, and some interesting instances are given in this article. A cat in a Norman chateau had every day more food than she could consume, and the waste of the surplus " seemed to weigh on her mind." So one day she brought a less well-fed cat from a roadside cottage, and, having satisfied herself, gave it what was left. Her master, observing this, gave her larger platefuls, when she brought in another cat from a greater distance. The master then determined to test how far the cat's hos- pitality would extend, and kept adding to the platefuls from time to time, as new cats were brought in, till Puss's dinner party included nearly twenty guests. " Yet, however ravenous were these daily visitors, none of them touched a mouthful till their hostess had finished her own dinner." An Angora cat belonging to M. Jumelin would often bring a poor, half-starved cat home with him, and then would see that it was fed. On the last occasion of his doing this, " Master Cat seemed nervous and excited, and behaved as if he thought the case was urgent. He became more quiet, however, as soon as the dish was set down for the other cat, and contentedly sat and watched what was going on, while the visitor was taking his meal. As soon as the dish was emptied, he showed his guest to the door, bade him good-bye with a friendly but lively stroke of his paw, and accompanied him down the stairs, addressing him with a succession of friendly mews." From " Popular Science Monthly " [34] The Intelligence of Qats Puss as a Fire Alarm A truly remarkable story of sagacity is told of an old Cam- bridge (Mass.) cat: Although where, in all America, would we expect to find cultured cats if not in that historic town? This cat rejoices in the seemingly appropriate name of John Harvard. When John was a kitten, famed for his beauty and good temper, the family adored him not only for his mental and moral qualities but for his proud, historic name; but when one day John Harvard presented her owners with a litter of kittens, it was seriously thought that John must be disposed of. Steps were being taken to that effect, when one day John left her litter of kittens, came up from the cellar in hot haste, and rushed into the kitchen. She began to mew piteously and at- tracted the attention of the cook and the family by running to the cellar door, but when it was opened for her she refused to descend. Finally she induced one member of the family to go down with her. When they got down stairs a wooden barrel close beside the box where her kittens were lying was discovered to be in a blaze: a few minutes more and the house would have been on fire. John Harvard, despite the weakness of her sex, had vindicated the honor of her name, and since then she has lived on the fat of the land. Miss Helen Winslow in " Concerning Cats " Cat Gives Rescue Signal MISS A. S., in Boston for the time being, has brought in a contribution which recounts the efforts of a cat to bring about the rescue of an adopted kitten. One day the cat ran upstairs very much excited, and stood in front of her mistress uttering an unusual cry. Then she moved toward the door and looked [35] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats back. The call was plain enough, and as the mistress began to follow, the cat led straight to the basement, where the kitten was found hanging by the neck in a torn towel. The cat's loud purring while the kitten was released spoke volumes of gratitude. Cats Give Warning of Fires HOUSEHOLD cats have so often given warning of fires that their service in this regard merit both recognition and grati- tude. They are restless at night and easily affrighted. The first puff of smoke, the first crackling of flames sends them mewing to master or mistress for explanation of these phenomena. Animals so delicately organized are necessarily sensitive to atmospheric conditions. An approaching storm starts them restlessly wandering from room to room. They have been known to exhibit signs of acute disquietude before cyclones and earthquakes. In 1783 two wise cats of Messina behaved so strangely that their master, infected by their fear, fled from his home in time to escape the first great shock, and the tumbling of his walls in ruin. Agnes Repplier Cats Give Fire Alarm A number of instances have been given in the newspapers of cats saving the lives of the occupants of houses on fire by giving alarm. Some by crying or jumping on the beds of the sleepers, licking their faces, etc. The following story is told in the " London Herald ": " Runnymede," a black cat, roused the occupants and pre- vented what might have been a serious outbreak of fire in the Hatton-garden district yesterday. [36] The Intelligence of Qats The cat's cries awakened its mistress, Mrs. Wright, of Charles street, and aroused a neighbor, who was able to summon the fire brigade in time to stop the fire from spreading. Mrs. Wright, who is 70 years of age, said: " I think all the credit for my getting off so lightly should be given to my black cat ' Runnymede.' " I was sleeping soundly, and I should have slept on if it had not been for him. I heard him crying most unusually, and at last he jumped on my face. " I got up a little angrily, and then I saw there was a glare in the window of the top floor. Then I heard a crackling and smelt smoke. The fire was in the third floor back room, which is occupied as a workshop. I dressed and rushed downstairs." A Traveling Cat MISS L. owned a cat who had traveled with her all over the continent. On arriving at a town in Switzerland, she took the basket in which he traveled to her room, opened it and puss jumped out, looked about him, investigated the locality and then walked out leisurely and spent his day in the adjacent fields and woods. At night he returned to Miss L's for his sup- per and bed. This, she said, was his invariable practice wher- ever she stopped. A Musical Cat TOM, a big black cat was noted for his affectionate disposition and his love of music. He knew good music from bad and would sit beside a piano purring with great content as long as a capa- ble performer was playing. If the execution was very good he would show his delight by arching his tail, walking across the [37] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats keys and sitting in the performer's lap. On the other hand, bad playing always drove him away. His mother was very fond of her kittens and used to tend them very closely during the first weeks; too closely, her son thought, for he has been seen more than once to go up to her as she nestled over her babies and apparently whisper some- thing; whereupon she would leave the kittens and go into the garden for a little fresh air, while Tom would take her place and lie over the kittens to keep them warm until she came back, when he would resign his charge to her. Anon Bruin and the Gas Stove A very intelligent cat named " Bruin " greatly appreciated a gas stove that was kept burning all night at half strength for his benefit, during the whole winter, and beside which he slept. One night the man of the house, who always attended to the lighting of the stove, was away, and another member of the family, in order to test the cat's sagacity, refrained from lighting the stove. When it came his hour for retiring, Bruin marched into the room, looked at the blank, cold stove and uttering an angry cry, ran out of the room to the coat-stand and sniffed at the garments hanging there. Detecting at once that his master's coat was gone he rushed up stairs, went to his master's room and cried to be let in. When the door was opened he went in, jumped on the bed, sniffed the pillow, jumped off the bed, cried again and ran down stairs. He sat for two or three minutes in front of the stove and then came into the dining room, put his paws on the knees of the member of the family he found there and gave a gasp, not a cry. She said, " You are not thirsty Bruin, what do you want ? I am to get [38] The Intelligence of Qats up and you will show me? " He went into the study, put his paws on the front of the stove and turned his head towards her with a look of content that his meaning had been interpreted. " The Spectator " A Cat Who Loved Music MR. W. had a very handsome tiger cat who was extremely fond of cello music but apparently indifferent to all other in- struments. Whenever Mr. W. began to play on the cello, Katinka would make his appearance, climb to Mr. W.'s shoulder and comfortably dispose himself, head and fore paws over one shoulder and tail and hind paws over the other, and there he would lie in the greatest content as long as the cello was being played, often for two hours at a time. Katinka also loved to ride on the street cars. He would take his place at a white post near his home, and if the car stopped he would jump on and ride a block or two, jump off and saun- ter home. If a member of the family went out for an evening stroll, Katinka went along as a matter of course, running ahead and investigating everything like a dog, but always keeping within sight. The Cat Disliked Music CLOSE observers find that all animals have their idiosyncrasies. Our cat's aversion to whistling was brought to notice by his springing into the lap of a member of the family who was softly whistling a popular air, and after locating the obnoxious sound, reaching up and firmly placing his great seven-toed foot on the lips of the offender. There was no display of temper or unsheathing of claws; merely a velvety remonstrance which [39] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats was promptly rewarded. The experiment has been tried at dif- ferent times with the same result. The cat shows a dislike for all musical sounds. Ada M. ?ec\ Stories that Show Cat Intelligence IN an old house where lived a cat, there was a staircase with a borrowed light, admitted at a considerable height from the ground, through a balustrade, beneath which hung a bell. When the cat was on this staircase without egress, the door being shut, he would lean forward through the balustrade and touch the bell. Of course, this summons always resulted in his release by one of his admirers. Cat Opens the Screen Door THE story is told of a cat crying behind the screen door of a house, wanting to get out. A neighbor cat heard her, ran to the screen door and with her paw pulled it open and let out her friend to play with her. The Will and the Way OUR neighbor's huge cat, Thomas, has transferred his affec- tions to us recently. This morning, as he sat under the table, looking like a great black lion, some one put down the baby's cup of bread and milk for him to finish. He lapped away as long as his big cheeks would permit; but he could not reach the milk in the bottom. His big appetite was by no means sat- isfied: how to get at the rest was a question. Raising one paw, he dipped it down into the milk, then licked it off. This he [40] A Good Time The Intelligence of Qats repeated; and when Georgie dropped in more crumbs he fished them out, and ate them also. Thomas taught us quite a lesson about the will and the way. I know some children who are not half so persevering. If they meet with very little difficulties, even, they say, " Oh, I can't do it, it's no use to try." Now I think it would be of advantage for them to go to school to our neighbor's old cat. From " Our Dumb Animals " A Cat Who Traveled Seventy Miles MRS. FARQUHARSON had a cat which she highly prized, and which she sent by coach in a closed bag or basket to her new home at Yatesby Bridge, in Hampshire. Five days later, a letter was received from her, bewailing the loss of her favorite who had promptly disappeared as soon as released from con- straint. On the following morning, Pussy made her appear- ance at Sanford Hall, looking very forlorn and out at elbows, but plainly delighted to be home again. She had not only traveled seventy miles over an unknown country filled with dangers; but had actually crossed or skirted London, — " threaded the Metropolis," — in the course of her adventur- ous journey. From " Animal Intelligence " THE following incident is related of a cat that had a very amiable relationship with a parrot. One evening there was no one in the kitchen. Cook had gone up stairs and left a bowl full of dough to rise by the fire. Shortly after, the cat rushed up after her, mewing and making what signs she could for her to go down; then she jumped up [41] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats and seized her apron and tried to drag her down. As she was in such a state of excitement, cook went, and found Polly shrieking, flapping her wings and struggling violently ' up to her knees ' in dough, and stuck fast. No doubt if she had not been rescued she would have been smothered. At Parara, the residence of Parker Bowman, Esq., a full- grown cat was one day accidentally locked up in a room without any other outlet than a small window, that moved on hinges and was kept shut by means of a swivel. Not long afterwards the window was found open and the cat gone. This having happened several times, it was at last found that the cat jumped upon the window sill, placed her forepaws as high as she could reach against the side, deliberately reached with one paw over to the swivel, moved it from its horizontal to a per- pendicular position, and then, leaning with her whole weight against the window, swung it open and escaped. Romanes How Cadi Got Her Fire " A most remarkable story is told in the " Revue Scientifique," by Dr. Cosmovici, of Roumania, concerning his cat Cadi. We may remark that this gentleman appears to have been a keen observer of intelligence in all animals. The winter of 1880 was very cold, fuel was high, and our doctor had to be economical. He was accustomed therefore, after his morning fire had burned out, to work during the rest of the day wrapped in furs, while Cadi sat at his feet. On one of the cold days, Cadi would every once in a while go to the door and mew, in a tone quite distinct from that of his usual requests. Dr. Cosmovici opened the door, and Cadi went halfway out, looking at him the while. He shut the door, and Cadi came back and mewed. At last he [42] The Intelligence of Qats gave himself up to the cat's desire and followed her. She led him straight to the kitchen and thence to the coal-box, and got upon it, without ceasing to look at her master. He got coal. Cadi next showed him the way to the wood-box; thence led him back to his room, and once within it, to the fireplace, where she lifted herself up and arched her back. The fire was made, while Cadi looked on, manifesting her approval of the operation by caresses. When it began to burn, she stretched herself before it, satisfied. Cat Rings Bell " OSCAR COFUS " a black cat owned by a local grocer, has been taught to ring a bell when it wants to be admitted to the dining room. The bell has been fitted up outside the dining room and Oscar claws a string when he wants to come in. How Peter Escaped WHEN Peter was a young cat he liked to follow us every- where, like a little dog. This nearly caused his death on one occasion, after which he never followed us again very far in the daytime, although he would go any distance after dark. My sister and I started for a walk one Sunday afternoon in the direction of Verdugo mountain, the foot of which was only about ten minutes walk from our house in Glendale. Peter as usual trotted along too. It was an entirely new road for him; we had never happened to take him to the mountain before. There were many vacant lots and few trees along the way at that time. We were more than halfway to the foot of the moun- tain and just passing a bungalow, when suddenly two Boston bull terriers rushed out (we were told later by their master that [43] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats they had been trained to kill cats). Along the parkway in front of the house there were a number of good-sized camphor trees in one of which Peter could have found refuge; but his first thought evidently was of home, for he whirled about and darted back in that direction, the two dogs at his heels. My sis- ter and I stood speechless with fear, hardly breathing as we watched the chase. It was all unfamiliar territory to Peter, no trees, no fences, no possible refuge. They crossed a street ; the dust they raised was so thick that we could not see them, and I was about to turn away, fearing our pet was being torn to pieces. But to our astonishment the next instant we saw Peter coming straight back toward us. Like a flash of lightning, as it seemed to us, he was back and up one of the camphor trees. The dogs taken by surprise, could not turn so quickly, and this saved Peter's life. The dogs barked their anger at the foot of the tree, but they were too late. Their master shut them up in the house; we finally coaxed Peter down and got him home. We had no relish for any further strolling that day. I have read stories of wild animals eluding their pursuers by doubling on their tracks, but this was the first and only time I ever saw a domestic animal save himself in that way. Many times I have wished I could know what was going on in that little brain; how he reasoned; what means of safety he considered. He must have remembered that there were trees right where the dogs started to chase him, although the onslaught was so unexpected and so sudden that one would not have supposed he had had time to take in the surroundings. He evidently realized that he could not reach home; he saw nothing ahead that could help him, and then he remembered the trees. It had nothing to do with us; he took not the slightest notice of us. Well, as you can imagine, we never allowed him to follow [44] Excitement The Intelligence of Qats us again in the daytime, and I do not remember that he ever offered to. He would sit on the porch rail and watch us out of sight. If we went to call on a nearby neighbor he would go too, and sit outside the door howling for us to come out. All our cats would do that, and we had five at one time. It amused the neighbors exceedingly. The cats seemed to be afraid they had lost us if they saw us disappear inside another house. /. C. L. [45] MOTHER LOVE OF CATS MOTHER LOVE OF CATS I3r. W. GORDON STABLES, who has written a book about cats, in speaking of a cat's devotion to her kitten, says: " In no case is her wisdom and sagacity better exhibited than in the love and care she displays for her offspring. . . . Cats will go through fire and water to save the life of their kittens, and fight to the bitter end to protect them. A dog will seldom dare to attack a cat while she is nursing her young." He gives instances of cats saving their kittens from drown- ing, and other stories in illustration of their affection. The fol- lowing passages are quoted from his book: — "Wherever pussy has chosen to have her kittens, there in that room or closet she prefers to nurse them, and should they and she be removed to another she will persist in carrying her offspring to the old place, however comfortable the new bed may be. This proves that pussy, like human beings of the same gender, has a will of her own. I know an instance of a cat, whose kittens were removed by her master from the attic in which they were born, to a snug little berth in the barn. The cottage doors were closed against her, but Mrs. Puss was not to be balked, and next morning found her and her family comfortably ensconced in the old quarters. During the night she had smashed the attic sky- light, and carried her kittens through one by one. Pussy gained her point and was happy. . . . [49] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats When a cat finds out that there is not room or convenience in her owner's house for the proper rearing of her family, or that there is some chance of molestation or danger from the inmates, she never hesitates to go elsewhere for the event. She generally selects an out-house or in the summer-time goes to the woods, but she never fails to return to her old abode, as soon as the kittens can take care of themselves." Dr. Stables also tells the story of a cat who left her home to find a good place for her kittens. Topsy was greatly mourned by the old lady who owned the cat. " And weeks went past, as weeks will, whether one's in grief or not, and it was well into the middle of the third, and getting near evening, when lone- some Mary, cowering over her little fire, heard a voice that made her start and listen. She heard it again, and with her old heart bobbing for joy, she tottered to the door and admitted her long lost favourite. Pussy had no time for congratulations ; she had a fine lively kitten in her mouth, which she carefully deposited in Mary's bed, and made straight for the door again. She was back again in twenty minutes with another, which she gently put beside the first, then she went back for another, then another, then a fifth. When she dropped the sixth and turned to go out again, " Lord keep us, Topsy," said old Mary, " how mony mair is there? Are ye goin' to board a' the kits in the country on me ? " But the seventh was the last, and Topsy threw herself down beside the lot, and prepared to sing herself and them to sleep. It turned out that Mary's cat had taken up her abode in a farmer's hay-loft, fully half a mile from her owner's house; but no one had seen her until the day she carried home her kittens. [50] ^Mother hove of Qats I know another instance of a cat, who saved the life of a kitten that belonged to another cat. Her own kittens had been drowned a whole week before, but evidently she had not for- gotten the loss; and one day, seeing four kittens being drowned in a pool, she plunged in, and seizing the largest brought it to the bank, and marched of? with it in triumph. She reared it carefully. The children baptized it Moses, very appropriately too; and it is now a fine large Tom-tabby. A poor cat, some time since, nearly lost her life in the Dee attempting to save the life of her kitten. The river was swollen with recent rains, and the kitten was in the middle of the stream but, nothing daunted, pussy, like the brave little heroine she was, plunged in, and finally reached it. Here her real dan- ger only began, for the current was very strong, and pussy was whirled rapidly down the river. After struggling for nearly half an hour, she succeeded in landing at a bend of the river nearly a mile below. She had stuck to her kitten all the time, but the poor little thing was dead. A family in Fifeshire were about removing to another farm, about four miles distant from the one they then occupied. Part of their household goods was a nice, large she-tabby, and being kind-hearted folks, they never thought of leaving her behind; so having found a home with a neighbor for pussy's one kitten, they took the mother with them to their new residence. Next morning pussy had disappeared, and they were just beginning to put faith in the popular fallacy that cats are more attached to places than to persons, when back came pussy, with her kitten. That kitten, pussy thought, wasn't old enough for wean- ing, and so she had gone back all the way to steal it. She was right." [51] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats Mother Love Shown by Cats EDITH CARRINGTON says: "In the whole wide world there does not exist a fonder mother than the cat. In the protec- tion of her kittens she is perfectly self-forgetful." She gives an instance of a cat who ran into a burning building and brought out one of her kittens, returned and brought a second, and in spite of the efforts of spectators to restrain her, tried to rescue her third kitten; but she lost her life in the attempt. Many similar stories are told of the devotion of mother cats in trying to save their young from burning buildings, and of going into the water to save their drowning kittens. Was It Only Instinct? WE dare not say; we do not know. But she was only a black and white alley cat that had given birth to her kittens almost simultaneously with the first explosion in the saltpeter plant in Jersey City's recent fire. Homeless, friendless, she had crawled for shelter under a porch of one of the buildings. Through an aperture in the porch a stream from a fireman's hose drenched her. Frightened, she ran out. Another stream caught her and actually lifted her up and carried her nearly across the street. Then she remembered her kittens. Meanwhile the police, who had formed a barricade through which no one was to pass, saw her trying to get back through the line to the burning building. Knowing nothing of her purpose, they tried to stop her. It was in vain. She broke through the line, ran under the porch and came back to the street with a kitten in her mouth. Three times she did this before the porch caught fire. A policeman tried to get the others that had been left. The flame was too hot. The [52] ^JVLother Love of Qats cat went back for a fourth time, but the heat compelled her to retreat. Slowly she withdrew to where she had deposited the three she had saved. By this time her devotion had attracted almost as much attention as the fire, and the crowd began to cheer her. This they did heartily. Then a little Polish girl ap- peared, herself made homeless by the fire, and insisted upon taking the mother and her babies to care for. With the babies carried in her skirt she stole away from the scene, the crying mother following at her side. A True Incident AN attractive cat one day strolled into a garage and pro- ceeded to make herself very much at home. She was promptly adopted by the employees, fed and petted. However, a garage is a cheerless place at best, so her friends were not surprised when she deserted them for a nice bed in some hay stored in a building across the way, although she still came back occa- sionally for food. Here six kittens were born, and while they were quite young and helpless the mother was seen one afternoon on the side- walk in front of the building, looking anxiously about, seem- ingly much disturbed; but what it was all about no one could guess. Finally she crossed the street to her former home, and ascended a short ladder to a loft, which she carefully inspected, apparently to her satisfaction, for braving the perils of traffic, one by one she brought her kittens from their nice bed in the hay and deposited them on the bare floor of the loft. About 9:30 that night the hay in the storage building was discovered to be on fire and before it was extinguished the building with its contents was nearly destroyed. The firemen said the fire had [53] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats been smouldering for hours. The cat sensed the danger to her babies and promptly removed them to a place of safety. Could her motive have been understood by our superior intelligence the building might have been saved. Cat Travels Sixty Miles With Kitten in Mouth DAVENPORT, IA., July 16, 1927 — (AP) — Mother love and hiking ability were shown by a Davenport maltese cat that walked 120 miles in three days, half of the distance with a kitten in her mouth. Recently the cat " adopted " a local hardware store as a home. A few days later a family of six kittens arrived. Employees gave the cat and her kittens to a farmer ten miles away. The next day the cat came back. She carried a kitten in her mouth. Later in the day she came back again. She carried an- other kitten. Yesterday it was discovered she had carried all six back, making six trips, ten miles each way, of 120 miles in all. Now Tabby and her family have a permanent home at the store. The Mother Cat LAST fall, while an old gentleman was at work in his garden, his cat came to him crying, and apparently in great distress. The old gentleman spoke kindly to her and she went away, but soon she returned and still cried; and going a little way off, would come back to him and mew as if she wanted him to follow her. It was so evident that was what she wanted, that the old man left his work and followed her. She took him to the front of the house, and there in the morning glories that were trained over the front door was her little kitten hung [54] Mother Cat Kissing Her Kitten ^Mother hove of Qats . by the neck, crying piteously and unable to extricate herself. The mother showed great joy when she saw her kitten liberated. From " Our Dumb Animals " Feeding Her Kitten A mother cat has been seen to carry a clam to her kitten. This seems remarkable, as the cat was known to be fond of clams and a clam could so easily slip down her throat. This was only one of the many ways in which she showed unselfishness, and devotion to her kitten. Keeping Her Kittens Warm MISS P. of Fall River, Mass., tells of the following incident: One early Spring, my cat, which I considered unusually in- telligent, had two kittens in the cellar kitchen of my house. It was cold there and the cat used to come to the kitchen to get warm. One day my mother found the kittens covered with an old, woolen holder, while the mother cat was warming herself upstairs, and asked if I had covered them. I had not, and hastened to see. As my mother and myself were the only per- sons in the house, there was but one explanation, — the cat, herself, had covered her babies to keep them warm while she was away from them. This is absolutely true. Mother Cat Has Right of Way AT the upraised hand of Patrolman James Cudmore, traffic on Broadway, New York City, was halted to allow a mother cat to carry her offspring safely across one of the world's busi- est thoroughfares. Back and forth five times, until her little [55] ^Alexander and Some Other Qats brood were all reassembled in a new home prepared for them, went this intrepid mother, and the huge crowds waited and watched. This one touch of humanity, like nature, goes far towards making the whole world kin. From " Our Dumb Animals " A Mother Cat Bequeaths Her Kitten ON a sultry day in July, a gentleman sits at a window, looking out upon a lawn, which has a fine growth of shrubbery. Under- neath the bushes, at a distance of half a dozen yards, he per- ceives two cats with their kittens, stretched out for rest in the shade. One of the cats rolls about uneasily, and seems drooping, as if sick. Presently she takes her kitten in her mouth, and bringing it to the other cat, lays it beside her, close to her own kittens, and then mews piteously. Now there seems to be a general excitement; the other cat mews back, lays her paw upon the newly-arrived kitten and licks it. All the kittens move, and mew faintly. The first cat then staggers off, to a distance of about ten yards, and lies down. After a minute or two, she does not move, nor seem to breathe. The gentleman goes to her and finds her dead. The story goes on to say that the other cat adopted the kit- ten and took the best of care of it, feeding, defending and caressing it as if it were her own until it reached the estate of " Cathood." Rev. Henry Voorhees in " Our Dumb Animals " Phoebe and the Chickens SOME ladies I know very well had a cat named Phoebe, who lived to be fifteen years old. She once took care of a chicken [56]