Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-04-26
MagnificO the Great Cat.

TuE first cat that | shall here outline
uas c.IJ.d Naonifico. He was a creature
of lion mort. and enacted the full prince,
NOT only in his carriage, but likewise In
All his dealings with the world. ClenenI
and gracious, his justice tempered with
mercy. there was yet that hedging divlnl-
ty abo,, him which doth ever protect the
true blood-royal. With people In general,
this often amounted to awesomeness; and
even to clawsomeness he suffered no IA
miliarities at the hands of the mobile
vulqsls. The proving bow, approaching
warily to offer indignities, was visited
with swift and searching indignation the
noighbor, advancing with hollow-hearted
politeness, was received with whitening
scorn; nay, even i, a longtime occupant
of the house. and a most sincere. ana l
hope, considerable admirer, was allowed
to manifest only the most distant and for
NAL respect.
The whole current of Magnifico's affec-
tons, undiverted and undivided, set to-
ward his master. On him alone did his
four-footed noble lavish the wealth of an
affectionate heart. For him only were re-
served those caresses, those shows Of love,
by which the lower ANIMAL use the
phrase of the books-being dumb, yet
speaketh. At his approach, Magnifico
WOulu sIdTt lIOUu cpCCiOuo dhb'
erecting the honorary tail, would hasten
with ELUSIVE news to proffer tokens ofjoy-
full welcome, following up the first jubi-
liant outburst of affection by those ex-
pres i've gestures which the happy cat is
wont to use-the prolonged and brisk
rubbing to and fro, the arching back. the
quivering tail, the tip -tip-toe walk. Pur-
ring accompanied. If his masters return
was DELAYED till night, Magnifico would
at dusk. station himself on the high post
of a fence and lay along the sidewalk, and
watching the passers-by with great inter
est, would, when his master approached
lightly leip to his shoulder, present ar
affectionate chez and ride to the door
with great satisfaction and much comfort
able purring and this often on darl
nights, when his sudden and unf0rseer
impact would startle his master like an
unexpected blow. This single-hearted de
votion was wholly unmercenary and un
stomachic. Magnifico drew rations from
the house-keeper alone; and she likewis
ministered to his other temporal necessi
ties. His relations to his beloved maste
were on quite different and more spirit
ual plan.
Magnifico's mind was much given 4
Quiet and intelligent Observation-Disclosures
walton not unaccompanied with resultan
deductions. l am inclined to believe tina
he possessed also notion OF number
How else account for the following, which
may it please the honorable Court, writ
with my hand upon the Book ?-this ca
was accustomed TO go up every week-da
morning. at an early hour, to his master
door to wake him. He accomplished hi
purpose by striking his large and power
full tail against the panels, producing raj
id blows, which would rouse the sleeper
who would open unto him; when hig
links would ensue. Mote here that MAJ
nifico did not scratch for admittance, ate
the manner of his tribe, but knocked, 8
he had observed humans to do.) But, o
Suadays,-mark me well, We unbeliever
ON Sundays, MagnificO omitted his NOR
ing visits, bounded not up the seculf
stair, but decorously awaited his master
late arrival in the dining-room. Now,
can hardly suppose that this condu'
could be due to any sabbatical r. verence
it would seem rather to pertain to an ec'
nomic and sanitary than religious vie
of things. Magnifico must have observe
and approved the long Sunday-morniT
youchsafed TO this work-a-day world, ar
must have resolved that his master shou
get its full benefit. But how, We scoffer
We contenptuous, We doubling Thomase
how should mere brute Il speak as
mani kno,o that Sunday mad come? Ha
cat intellects? is it possible puss G;
count rs far as seven? Or did Magnid,
know the days of the week by name?
must We conclude, that, in this case, son
signs of the times were discerned, son
Saturday prologue, abluent, tonsori,
leguminous, BY which the coming Sund'
was apprehended? Either theory cam
but rebound to the glory of the cat.
have an opinion in the matter but hs
ard not to breach it here. "All thin
are lawful unto me; but all things a
not expedient," saith the apostle.-C
L. in Old and New for April.