New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-11
THE CAT CHASED THE RAT.

.,+ocb the feline annette for rats appears to DO
natural and almost universal one and the avdly us
nlayed by the cat in chase OF lis prey Is uou"nS
source of great satisfaction to those VINO ser rom '0
ravaGes of rats, yet there are cats ana many VA ~
whose fear will conquer their appetite "heh p'Ous
into contact with these animals that arc suPPo'' W
he their natural prey The noble animal that mas lohs
displayed his courage at midnight conflicts WIFI nei
hers of his own tribe will often turn cowa'us N'H
~ avon a yat in a trap There is room for TIC lhVesu
cation Of naturasts here, and probably hyphouc tic
orists could find in the subject ground 1or proh'io
and interesting research. For the beneht Oh perso
who take scientific interest in such things, te writer
u,iu describe a scene he witnessed on North RIVER
wharf one recent night The hour was late Inc
traffic Of the day was over and nothing save the 10or
coll NJ an occasional pedestrian disturbed the serene
ouiet of the night. Tho light cast by inc moon u''
closed rat emerging from crack between tWo planh
Tho rat came along in eisurcy way, with eyes roam
ing about in search of something 10 satisfy lts appe
te as if II had been over the ground before and knew
The ,yav we'll On reaching molasscs hogshead the
rat went to work the syrup that had oozed through
o cracks and crystallized the surface OF the wool
Inst as the rat had got nicely to work on the hogs
head vagrant cat came wandering GOWN tho
wharf The cat saw the rat. lie was probably
hungry for his face assumed pleased expression
and his whiskers worked convulsvey, as If in Joyful
anticpation Of a repast lie cronched, and steathily
dvanced his eyes cleaning in the moonlight Slowly
no came step by step, and the rat still continued TO
absorb the saccharne matter blssuly ignorant OF the
nroximty of its enemy. At last the cat halted ana
made ready to spring. while stil the rat gnawed con-
tentedy at the sugar. But the cat gave himself
away so to speak. In his exutant Joy at tho
nrospect of an approaching meal, he forgot his ac-
customed caution, and Just when about to spring
rustled his tail from side TO side on the panking Of
the wharf 1t enough. A rats ears are deli
catey constructed, and the slightest sonorous vbra-
ton reaches at to their inmOst recesses. The
RAT turned from the sugarbarrel and faced its enemy
II didn't appear to be frightened did it show any
inclination to run or even look savage. 1t simply
eyed the hungry cat with expression that partooK
of both wonder and Indignation, as If IL considered
that the visitor had invaded its territory and ntruded
upon its rightful privacy. Whether or not the rat
understood the true purpose of the cat 1t was Gill
cult for the observer to tell for rats eountenance
although expressive, is limited somewhat by Its mus
cular construction, that its possibilities OF display
ing emotion not equal to the counenanee OF man.
The cat paused and settled himself in an Innocent
contemplative attitude, as he had 10 ev ihtetio
| and had merely wandered on the wharf
| to enjoy the moonlight and allow the even
| Ing breeze 20 fan his whskers Inc rat
| stared few moments and then resuihcu i'9
guawlng, and the cat crouched Tor spring.
once more the animals tail waving from side 10 sue
made faint rustic, and the rat turhea aFouu "s"in'
while the cat assumed muslng attitude ana saleu OUT
oyer e WsIeF oviss g I' Ss not satisfied with tbs
renI ~ ina survey FOR IL trOttcd on Looking back over
M shoYder occasionally until it reached another sugar
Larrel al "A distances from ITS Zoe. ,
The cat approached again. lie came along gently
this time without sound. But the rat evidently eX-
uected him. for it actually ran forward several yards
~ meet him, When they were within six inches Of
ZACH other they paused, and gaZed intenuy at each
ahar for SOME moments. The rat was dcfying the
COT and the cal was considering what lie would do about
g. IA last the rat began slowly 10 advance, and tho
cat retrested step by step IN an angry mood, with
tristlInr ia and elevated back. Tie did not care
Tor The situation any than did the cat for when
a crack between the boards came into view the rat
turned its back upon its foe and dived The cat fol
lowed as far he could and snapped his teeth the
rats vanishing tail. But the tail wrggled and he
| missed IT, Then with dlsconSolate air the hungry
cat wandered down tine street to seek other and less
wary prey.
Was tie cat really afraid Of the rat Or what nnu
encs had the eye upon the cat TO deter IL It's
purposei The rat certainly aware OF the extent
| OF It's power 1t showed symptoms of fear while
faced It's enemy, but soon its back turned
> 10 its foe. 1t welt away In hurry.