Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-06-27
Cats and Dogs.

Naturalists, historians and writer's in
general unite in attributing to cats and
dogs an irresistible and uncomfortable
antipathy to each other. The theory
usually proves correct. They are nat
ural enemies. Carlo spies puss on the
fence. or in tile meadow, and of he
starts after her ON the run, barking as
loudly us he can, and if poor puss is
sensible she gallOps away, and, per-
haps, is fortunate enough to be the
winner Of the race, and so escapes. But
she may be very courageous, and turns
and meets him. Her keen claws and
sharp teeth sometimes scratch Carlos
nose, or bite his ears, and, perhaps,
find the way to his eyes.
In such case, however, he may
prove the stronger of the two, and she,
by some unlucky chance, gets caught
by the neck, and is shaken until her
last gasp has almostcome. Fortunate,
indeed, is she if she escapes with q
breath left in her little body.
1n the house, even on the hearth-rug
before the fire, Tabby has not mo-
ment's peace. In comes some visitor
with Towser, Tabby's back goes up,
her tail dialates with anger. and she
spits and strikes in great distress or,
If the onset is fierce, she seeks flight,
to the damage of curtains and drapery.
But it is of no use. Towser pushes
her away, rolling her over and over.
and deliberately stretches himself out
i'll her place. She may rebel-may bite
and stratch and spit at him. He only
growls, and is deferred from the shak
ing process by the presence of his mis-
tress. She is, therefore, forced to re-
tire, and leave him master of the field.
Her nimble claws and sharp teeth
prove poor weapons.
Setting all these facts aside, there
are sometimes cases where this theory
IS directly contradicted, and dog and
cat prove the warmest friends. Per.
haps, with this as with other rules, the
exception proves the rule. However
that may be, exceptions sometimes oc
cur. A case of this kind came under
the direct observation of the writer
It was this:
There had been about the house TO,
some time an old, ugly gray cat. Shs
was minus tail, OF, rather, minus al
but an inch OF this appendage. Lief
90 starve in some deserted house nea1
by, she had taken refuge where fooi
and shelter were to be obtained. Sh,
answered to any name by which sl,,
might be called-was remarkabl,
obiiging in this respect.
Everybody considered her prea
nuisance. Rats and mice looked upol
her as devoted friend, for she wa,
never known to harm any one of tn,
species rodent. Still, no one would
drive her way, to perish of hunger. ant
80 she remained. The old cat, however
proved OF some use, as my story will
show.
After she had been member of til,
funny for some time, younger son o
the house received present of littl,
Newfoundland dog. The little ANNA
was scarcely u foot long, and very young
and, wjthal, extremely babyIsh, or,
more properly speaking, puppyisll
lis entrance into the household wa,
regarded with very little pleasure, TO
who among them knew how to TAX,
care of such juvenile2
a bed OF carpets and straw wa
made, placed in an old barrel in tn,
wood-shed, and doggie was left will
only his dish of milk for company
The day passed quietly enough, bu
when night came he made the Who'll,
neighborhood echo his bowls and Ia
ments. Complaints were many ant
loud when morning dawned, and ht
WAS under imminent danger of being
'mmitted as Il dlsturber of the publ.
peace.
For several nights there was NJ
" change Of programme" The noise
grew worse instead of better. Patience
was we'll nigh exhausted, and doggie
was about to be tried by jury end sen.
fenced to immediate Punishment. But
mercy granted reprieve, and it was
decided to give him another nights
trial.
So the various members of the house
hold retired to rest. Sweet sleep vIsi
tcd them I'LL, and, strange to say, not
whlmper or whine was heard from the