The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-12-24

wno could build organs, to make one to serve as an accompaniment to the cat voices. Johnson in- ! fc med him that one of six octaves would co at least for the experiment. Curtis reekoned up the octaves, and found that four dozen cats would fill the bill. But he ordered two dozen more for fear that some might have defective voices, or prove obstinate or capricious like the op- cratic tribe generally. Six dozen were ordered. and accommodati ons prepared for the in sundry boxes, barrels, kegs, etc, in the back yard. But, bless your soul 1. six dozen were nowhere.
 All the boys in all the counties ayound, in Kentucky as we'll as in Ohio, heard of the unprecedented demand for the ani- mals, and every market day lots of them might be seen. with baskets and bags, vending their way the Western Row, to get the quarter or half-dollar, the price Curtis established for kits, as per slke In a month or less his six dozen was made up, comprising every age, size sex and color. Curtis then published that he had his full complement-could not buy any more-had no room for them. But still the boys came on, in almost un- broken file, and finding mo scale," in- oon;inently dumped the cats down At his door, whence they scattered up alleys, down cellars, over fences and into doors. as Curtis often asserted, ito the number of six hundred and fifty" he sometimes added thousands.z======-.a----
 Johnson went on with the building of the organ and the adaptation of the ex.ra blade keys to the cats tails. He ar ranged that the singers should be con- fined in narrow boxes, which, while they allowed the free play of the lungs, guarded against clawing by having four holes in the bottom through which the legs protruded. The tails were encircled in tubes provided with longitudinal slots we like to be scientific and precise in de- scription- across which the blade keys worked. These extra keys were conducted somehow with those of the organ. so that the keys and their appropriate voices should be in perfect unison. and thus pro- duce. as the inventor expected, that ''con- cord of sweet sounds that rapturous har- mony. which Is said 10 constitute the lan- guage of angels. and so forth.
 Curtis. on his part, proceeded with the musical education of the cats, aided oo casionally by Johnson. and in a month or so had a complete choir. from the kitten of two months, and his trebles and falset- toes. and his pussy sopranos. up to the venerable toms. who growled out double bass equal to Carl Formes.
 His greatest troubles arose from the prodigious number of tomCats turned loose by the reckless boys. As might have been expected in that immortal city, they soon became dissipated vagabonds, keeping late hours, visiting Curtis music al family without leave, and drawing away the thoughts of the younger ones from their professional studies.
 Bus at length the organ was completed. and the s,s octaves of cats arranged in due order. \ few rehearsals were given be- fore select audience of critics mates. pilots, etc., from the steamboats in port. and these were willing to make affidavit, if necessary, that such A concert had never been arranged since the days of Handel, Orphcus. or Tubal Cain.
 The second story of warehouse near the landing was rented a stage. drop scene and tiers of seats provided the whole intended to accommodate four or five hundred people. The organ and cat, were safely transported to the place of exhibition or performance without ao- ciden, save that the two principal bassos. being accidentally put in the same box, had an awful fight all the way up from Western Row. and were obliged 10 appear before the public with very fueial- faces and bloody noses. which, however. did no, all dc,ract from their popularity.
 Everything being in readiness. Curtis had flaming posters stuck up all about the lcvee, displaying in huge letters
 CURTIS
 CATHARMONICON,,.
 Grand Vocal