New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-03
A TALE OF A FAMOUS CAT.
TOLD BY AN OFFICER OF THE UNITED
STATES COAST SURVEY.

part Of real merit is with an idea of assuagng tho
grief of Bob that write this plain story Of his syont4
full lIfe
At the early age Of hve Bob took TO the sea and foS
eleven years has plowed the raging main. Previous
to this time, he simply black cat of unusual
size, without tail Tho tail was lost u some long
forgotten accident or possibly In fight, for nom his
youth UP Bob has been a fighter Of the first proms
inence. BoBs historical began when he shppe1
on board the coast survey steamer Endeavor, elevcu
years ago, and on which ship he has remained to the
present time. From Maine to Texas, Bob has voyaged
many times, and what he doesn't know about storms
and things is not worth knowing. Many arc tbs
tales of Bob's fights with cats and dogs which had
dared to invade the decks of bis ship had Wanted
themselves docks alongside Of which the Endeavor
was moored
But his greatest fight took place some years ago
when tina Endeavor moored to the Same dock with
the Minnesota, In the North River. The captain Of
the Minnesota had remarkably largo and beiligerent
cat which had the reputation OF being able to knock
the wind out Of any cat or dog along that section Of
the water front. This cat used TO go out on tho dock
and parade up and down, putting on airs and trying
his claws, exercising his muscles But sitting On the
decks Of the Endeaycr muslng esoterc Buddhism,
Bob used to watch this cat with impaence and dis
gust and when be got TO calling out insulting remarks
and daring Bob to come out and fight him, Bob
resolved that he should die
So the first dark night that Bob heard that Mnns-
sofa cat out on the dock swearing and taking on In hs
usual manner he gently but firmly went forth to battle
The next morning at early breakfast both Bob and tbs
Minnesotas cat missing and search parties wers
sent out There on the dock, IN the light Of thu
cold, grey morning lay all that Bob had left Of the
Minnesotas champion Torn and msngled and caweds
there was scarcely enough Of him left to weep over
when the body throws the of the Hudsonj
In secluded hole In the wharf Bob found looking
as II he had Just investigated the Interior Of threshing
machine, but bearing on his face that calm, medativs
look which has characterized him amid all tbs
yicssitudes Of his stormy He had crawled In
there after the fight, too weak 70 regain hts ship.
Loving hands bore him aboard tho Endeavor and for
two weeks he was on the sick list.
Bob is a great hunter, his game being rats and
birds, and twice he has very nearly como TO grief
through those sporting procliviHes. Once when tho
Endeavor was lying at Morgan City, La, Bob saw .
steamer bound for Vera Cruz lying at the dock and IL
struck him It would be good idea to go over to her
and hunt rats. here rats on the Endeavor Bob
attended 10 that years ago. So good was the hunting
thai Bob let the time slip by without notice and when
be finally came deck the ship was under way. Bob
In for trip to Vera Cruz Great was the anguish
when the officers and Of the Endeavor found that
Bob was missing. Strict inquiry revealed the fact
that he last going aboard the steamer which
had sailed that afternoon for Vera Cruz The stean-
ship company denied any intention Of trying to abdrct
Bob, and promised that II man-ofwar was not sent In
pursuit of the steamer they would Immediately tele-
graph their agent in Vera Cruz to intercept Bob on HE
arrival and send him back BY the next steamer Sure
enough the next steamer from Vera Cruz brought him
back carefully ncosed in box with lattice front,
and he more reioined the Endeayor. Bob was in
good health and spirits, but in many ways showed that
his feelings were hurt by the ignominious way in
which he had been brought back IN box. For long
time after that he would not leave the ship and to
this day he never makes calls on strange vessels.
Once when the Endeavur was lying at little port
Chesapeake Bay Bob took II into his head TO get
the woods surrounding the village and indulge
I'm his favorite occupation Of hunting birds 1t was
beautiful day and the sport was good and IN ths
excitement of the chase Bob forgot that the EEdeavor
was to sail that afternoon until the falling shades Of
night reminded him. Meantime, after waiting and
waiting in vain for the absent ore the Eudeayor had
put TO sea- her officers first having offered reward for
the return OF the deserer When Bob got back to the
village that night and found that the Endeavor had
sailed he felt as much like swearing as he ever did
In his lfe but his vanity gratihed teven Bob has
little vanity in his composon, to find large porou
Of the inhabitants of the village UP waiting for him.
The fame of Bob had gone abroad and BESIDES
there was the reward. he accompanied large,
beuevolentlooins gentleman of his color and for
two weeks remained the honcred guest Of the village
Every morning he went out hunting In the woods, and
at evening dined shelsh which faithful hands pro-
cured for him from the scashore. Incidentally he
macerated half dozen dogs which had nterercd with
his morning walks, aud created such panic among
the village cats that when his colossal form was seen
stroulng down the main street there was general
stampede of all the feline family in the vicinity.
Finally the Endeavor returned and Bob oytuy repaired
aboard. He had had good time and lots OF sport,
but as the lamps shone the wardroom table that
he purred gently to himself There's no place
like hon.e.s The negro who had cared for him wss
rewarded with fifty dollars contributed by officers
and crew.
Bob lives in tho wardroom with the officers and
on moonlight nights he win leave hs bunk and,
springIng TO beam over tho ward room table, sit
for hours gazing through the slylght at the queen
Of night with an earnest. meditative look, worthy
Of that fllustrious Brahmin who sought to discover
tho secrets Of the universe by prolonged couteln-
! promenade on the deckthouse, and the skyiight q
open, and he wants 70 come into the ward room, he
hey generally are when Bob makes HIS entrance IA
his manner, It does not matter. A hugo black CAT
g the floor The whole thing IS so quick As to 30
absolutely startling, and more wonderful than all
y touched dish No matter how thick the table
~hcrs piacs for Bob get his four feet and there
This his little ,.culIarity Of Bobs is positively ap,
paing to ranger dining on the Endeavor Just
imagine men who. having Just dined generously.
rs lips, "A immense black cat suddenly
appear IN the centre OF tho tabb and
Hen vanish II he Is hardened who cares
not for public opinion. he gives vent to various and
,mphatc ciaeulatOry remarks and tho Officers smile
ard say Oh It's only B0b,' but II he Is young and
modest he zoos home and swcaIs OF for year. bob
has done some very effective Temperance work by
his peculiar method OF entering the ward room at
iinncr time. Bob Is getting old now and his age be-
gins 10 tell on him In many ways Ho grows more
md more fond Of long maps and more given TO media
ion His dignity Is more easily offended and he T.
cxactine IL regard to whatever conduces TO his
comfort than formerly, and more careful about ex-
posing himself 20 the lnclemencies OF the weather
! sometimes sit and gaze at Bob whel bio Is IN ono
II his mcditaiye moods and mcditaic myself, ict.
ing my thoughts stray down the shadowy ylsfas Of
he theory of the transmgraion OF souls and wonder
sIg what ego Is doing penance In thar coa-black
recovered body nom which the eyes shine with
weird CLEAN that seems caught from lights that
,ever sea or Shores Is Il some old CreciAp
Who philosophical amid the groves Of Aesdemc and
0ught and sinned most evcrywhorei IL IL some
earned but belligerent MahatmA nom tho shadow cl
no Hlmalayas who slipped UP n some one Of bis
tx principles and failed 10 reach Sirvana it Il
tlst that boh Is an uncouimoniy dne cat who las my