The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-06-16
sNOoks.
A Queer Title, and How Il Was Ac-
.. ...I. qutred. aI

A Queer Title, and How Il Was Ac-
/. ...l quired.
Snooks 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
q 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 q
nap, as much as to say: "Things will go
on all right now"
SnooKs was a very playful cat. We
had soft ball of knitted worsted, fas-
tened to string half yard long,
which we tied to his tail. The cat
would wait quietly until he was sure
the string was secure, then of he
would spring in 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 straight-backed 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 frighten most cats,
but Snooks would do it over and over
again to delighted audience. Pussy
was always rewarded for his perform
ance by a 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:
"There, that will do for this time. "
When the children went out to play
Snooks went with them. After stray
leaf bid bn by the wind he would rush
madly-his ears pointing forward, his
tail erect; or, II no better plaything
was at hand, he would toss up pebble
and run after it. Snooks 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-buried 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 little neighbor
had 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
stinately refusing to bulge an inch,
and the hope Of training him into a
beast of burden was given up. au
On the doors of the house were great
old-fashioned latches. SnOoks learned
to open the doors by jumping up and
striking the latch with his paw, SO that
he could come and go as he chose. One
kitchen. Snooks 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 sprsng kitty! The book went
one way and the girl went the other.
screaming loudly. The next day she
gave notice that she must leave: II
couldn't stay; l couldn't, ma am, with
cat that unlatches doors!''
There was also dog at the parson-
age Scoot was his name. He was q
very mischievous puppy; fond of going
to church, too, only in q 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. Scootwas 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-
hsvior taught Scoot not to presume on
his privileges.
Snooks never allowed the dog to eat
from the same dish with him. ScO0t
would sometimes thrust out his nose.
and snuff at the cats dinner. No mo-
tice would be taken until the dog 4
head was conveniently near. when,
O. = I L =