Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-21
A Kittens PerpIexity


A pet kitten. owned by some children in
a house on North Green street. came to
grief Yesterday very much after the man.
ner OF the legendary dog, which. SEEING
the reflection of itself and the bone which
it carried in brook. dropped and lost the
actual IN greedy effort to secure posses
sion of the imaginary morsel. 1t was the
proVerblal curiosity of the cat. added 10
an unusual Delllgerence, that sealed the
downfall of the kitten in question. Its
owners had been playing with il. and
to elude one of them the kitten Jumped
up on dresser, opposite to which
was large mirror. Its own image was
reflected, seeing which it manifested great
delight at meeting what it doubtless sup
posed to be an actual member of its own
species, and not merely a representation,
Purring softly, it stood for moment
looking intently at the shadow. Then. as
If pleased with the appearance of a new
found brother, and deSirous of enterinp
upon more intimate relations, it strutted
about, seemingly trying by various ma
n9uvres to attract the greater attention
to points which in its superlatiye
vanity it considered nearest to feline
perfection. Noticing that its suDDo-
sititlous acquaintance conducted it.
self inc similar manner, the kitten
must have come to the conclusion that the
desired friendship might be established
without difficulty, for at this juncture it
advanced in a kind of I-know-I m-hand-
sOme-but I-can't-help-it way, and tried to
rub the side OF its head against its COM
rade. The contact with the glass had in
stantly marked effect. The kitten
sprang backward quickly, arched its
back, raised its tail stitlly, extended its
claws, and emitted a IOng-drawn howl eX-
pressive of astOnishment, fear, wounded
vanity, contempt and anger. But
after watching the mirror closely
it became convinced that its mythical
opponent was tmid, unmartial crea-
ture, deserving of castigatiOn for conduct
ing itself so cOwardly. AS confidence in
its own prOwess increased and its fear
diminished, it was not long in making an
attack. Kissing savagely, it raised its
paw and struck at the head in the glass.
Again it showed astOnishment. 1t glared
at the mirror and mewed; then gyrated
about as If uncertain as to the future
Finally it sprang from the dresser with
both front feet extended and mouth open,
and struck squarely i'll the head its re-
Election in the glass.
This last abOrtive effort at battle was
more than the kittens spirit could stand
and, thoroughly frightened at the strange
ness of its reception and hopeless of ulti-
mate success, it hung its head lowered
its tail, and, trembling III every limb,
withdrew from the room. Ten minutes
later the dainty kitten, for which the soft
est bed had been scarce soft enough, was
found crOuching tremulOusIy in the coal
bin, its fur rutfied and blackened and it's
beauty spoiled. When brought into the
room containing the mirror it repeatedly
ran out again as fast as its legs could
carry 1T, never once looking at the
glass, but showing in every mo-
tiOn its extreme terror. 1t re-
fused to be caressed by the chill
dren with whom it had formerly PLAYED.
and exhibited an inclination for repOse in
the quietude and gloom in cellar corners.
Late in the afternoon it timidly walked of
its own accord up to the dresser and sadly
peered into the glass, then slowly turned
and left the room, once again seeking sOli-
tude in the cellar. During the remainder
Of the day it kept away from the living
rooms of the house, and when taken its
usual meal of bread and milk it left the
dish untasted. The shock to the kitten
has had altogether such bad effects that
its little playmates manifest much con-
Germ lest its queerness be the precursor of
its death, and additional testimony thus
be given of the plausible proposition that
curiosity killed a cat.