The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-03-07
& Cat Story.

The St. Michacl's talbot county, Md
Comet tells the following story, which sounds
impossible. but the COMET gives it a. true,
and We give it for what it is work.:
An enterprising Yankee has purchased an
island in the Ohio river and stocked it with
black cats, intending to oppose the nonop,
oily of the Hudson Bay Company in the far
trade A similar experiment was tried
many years ago by a gentleman who resided
in Maryland, and with as much success rs
the Ohio river \ ankec is likely to meet with
We will state the circumstances as they are
related torthe benefit Of those who desire
to make profit from Cat Islands
This Maryland gentleman took up the idoa
that as the fur trade was suvery lucrative,
it would be more profitable aud better TO
raise fur bearing animals nearer home than
the frozen regions Of the North, and accord
ingly purchased Poplar Island, in the Ches
apeake Bay--hnt II few miles from where we
now write-and stocked it with the blacklist
of black cats. He paid eXtravagant prices
for the animals, and all the boys in the sur
rounding counLry OF Baysile. Kent island
and adjacent districts went extensively into
the business al enrapping the unsus
pccting iehncs, which were uncdi
ately sent to the aforesaid island. l he gea
tlenan soon had egions Of cats on the
island-ail perfectly black, without even so
much as one white hair.
The cats were prolific, and the Gentleman
was soon obliged 10 employ two men 10 live
on the island aud fish with seine to supply
them with food. At first the fishermen had
all easy time, and readily supplied fish i'll
abundance for their charge. Bat the num-
Der daily increased, until vast regions Of
black cats trooped over the island home,
devouling everything in the shape of food,
and the fishermen found it impossible to
supply them with the requisite amount cf
nourishmcnt The two men at last became
alarmed, and determined to apply for sue
cor from their perilous situation. One of
them took q boat, returned to the main land,
and reported the alarming state OF affairs.
During the absence of the messenger, tho
cats became exceeding bold, and the re-
manning party, fearing his life, locked him
self up in the cabin, and prepared for It
siege. The enemy, cmboIdcned by this dis
play of fear, and urged on by hunger, sur.
rounded the house, climbed up the sides.
staring at the a1rightcd man through lhr
Windows aud crevicos, keeping up The while
II most hidcouS caterwaUling He carefully
stopped up every crcyico, cXcc't The CHIN
ney, but, hearing an omnous falling of SCOT.
which disclosed discrimination on The part
OF the besicgirg force TO cNect a surprise,
he closed shat opening also, and, MicuHhor-
like, waited for something to turn ~. ''-
For two days all nights he WAS kept iu}his
singular prison, with the dreadful howls Of
iamishcd cats ever rcsounling in his ears.
and with savage eyes glaruI at him con
stantly.
Al length party arrived with guns. aud
succeeded in rc,cuing thr mau from his truly
awful position, but 80 numerous were the
cats 50 fierce their aspect and threatening
their dcmeanor, that both the rcscn.rs aud
the rescued were only too glad to leave this
panacmonum Of jet black eats, gauut a"A
tcrocion> ms they were from starvation The
animals, it is stated, all persisted, and thus
ended ON" ot the most extensive cui rearing
ventures ever recorded.