The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-06-19
SNOOkS.
"A Queer Title, and How 1t Was Ac-
quired.

"A Queer Title, and How 1t Was Ac-
CURED.
Shocks did not live in the church,
but in the big, old-fashioned parson-
age, just beside it, and, from his regu-
lar attendance at church, gained the
title: 1.-The Church Cat. - When only
kitten, he once followed the minister
to church, and thereafter was always
on hand, both for morning and evening
service. At such times pussy knew
better than to frisk and gambol; as grave
and sedate as the minister, he would
walk solemnly in, jump into a corner
seat near the pulpit, where he would
sit bolt upright during the invocation
and first hymn, his eyes fixed on the
minister. Then he would curl up for a
nap, as much as to say; Things will 90
on all right now"
SnooKs was very playful cat We
had soft ball of knitted worsted, fas-
tened to string a half yard long,
which we tied to his tail. The cat
would wait quietly until he was sure
the string was secure, then off he
would spring in a circle, faster and
faster, until the ball fairly whizzed as
it struck the air. He had another game
with the ball which greatly amused the
little folks. Springing on to the seat
of straightforward chair, he would
let the ball dangle from his tail to the
floor; then he would leap over the high
back, the ball careering wildly after
him. This would brighten most cats,
but Shocks would do il over and over
again to delighted audience. Pussy
was always rewarded for his perform
ance by bit of cake, of which he was
very fond.
Snooks was never cross with the
children. Little Robin could pull his
tail, make him walk on his hind legs,
roll him over and over on the floor,
and the cat would submit quietly.
When tired of this he would bite
Robins hand SOFTLY as much as to say:
''Ihere, that will do for this time"
When the children went out to play
Snooks went with them. After stray
leaf blown by the wind he would rush
madly-his ears pointing forward, his
tail erect; or, if no better playthng
was at hand, he would toss up pebble
and run after it. Shocks added much
to the children's sports. Dandelions
and violets were thrust in his collar;
he was pulled this way and that; he
was half-buricd in dirt. All this he
bore good-humoredly. He would not,
however, allow himself to be harnessed
to the little red cart This was great
sorrow to Robin, for a little neighbor
had a dog that drew his cart, and
Robin did not see why cat would not
do as well. Pussy evidently thought
otherwise, for he would lie down, OBJ
.stinatcly refusing to bulge an inch,
and the hope of training him into
beast of burden was given up.
On the doors of the house were great
old-fashioned latches. Shocks learned
to open the doors by jumping up and
striking the latch with his paw, so that
he could come and 90 as he chose One
night new servant-girl was in the
kitchen. Shocks had been put up gar
ret to catch mice. The girl was quietly
reading, her back to the stairway, when
click, up went the latch of the door and
down sprang kitty! The book went
one way and the girl went the other,
screaming loudly. The next day she
gave notice that she must leave: 81
couldn't stay; / couldn't, ma am, with
q cat that unlatches doorsn'
There was also dog at the parson-
age. Scoot was his name. He was a
very mischievous puppy; fond of going
to church, too, only in a different way.
He used to steal into the vestibule dur
ing service and carry away any stray
rubbers he could spy, to the dismay of
those who had before them the pros
pect of long, muddy walk; for what
was most puzzling, like the women
grinding at the mill, one rubber was
taken and one was left. Scoot was not
thought the culprit until one morning,
when the kitchen door was opened at
daybreak, motley array of rubbers
ranged on the top step met our aston
ished gaze. The rubbers were returned
to their owners, and Scoot for the fut-
ure was tied up on Sunday. The dog
and cat were excellent playmates, and
their frolics were very amusing.
Snooks would not permit too much
familiarity, and when the occasion de-
manded could assert his own rights
with dignity A few lessons on be-
havior taught Scoot not to presume on
his privileges
Shocks never allowed the dog to eat
from the same dish with him. Scoot
would sometimes thrust out his nose,
and snuff at the cats dinner. No no
ticc would be taken until the dogs
nead was conveniently near, when,
quick AZ fash. Shocks would lift his
paw, its sharp ivory points unsheathed,
and box SCOTS ear so emphatically
That IL would send the dog away, yelp-
mg and rubbing his ear in rueful,
hum9n fashion.