The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-02

extreme length of his hater-rope from the
manger. with an expression Of deepest dis
gust upon his equine features, and peeriDg
into the manger Johnny beheld old Tabby
curled up ON the hay with seven tiny,
sQuirming. fumbling. mewlng kittens
sprawled around her.
Moreover, it was by my own clemency tn at
Believing Jinneeyeh WAS spared the fate
that early fell TO the lot Of her small
brothers and sisters, and In due time re-
moved from the stable to the coalhouse and
thence as she grew to maiurer klttenho0d,
TO the kitchen, and finally even to the
sitting-room, where she has long had her
own particular cushion and corner, with
none TO modest or make afraid. will adj
nit that she has all along borne herself
with dignity aud composure that betokens
some gentle blood, and has always hereto
fore manifested an amiablP, even an inde-
pendent, spirit, but l begin to fear lest
pride and yainglorous self-sufficiency may
not be finding lodgment IN her little black
and-gray bosom.
Certainly have done nothing to justify
such extreme GOODNESS of demeanor on her
part. She had Travelled up to my apartment
early in the morning, and while was dress
ing lad established herself snugly in my
bed for morning nap. When l was ready
TO leave the room, desiring to air the bed,
| gently removed her to comfortable
chair, whereupon she at once jumped back
upon the bed. This she did twice before
could get the blankets off, and at last / had
politely but firmly explained to her the
necessity was under to put my bed to air
and the fear | entertained lest she should
leave traces Of her presence there Ia the
form of that minute pest that an all-wise
Providence has put among US to serve as
needed reminder to Californians that there
is letter land beyond this, Of which We
should not be unmlDdful.
Then il was that Believing Jinneeyeh
assumed ner present aspect of uncompr0-
missing haughtineSS and reserve. and be-
came aware that had fallen under the ban
of her displeasure. That was an hour or
more ago, and l have not yet succeeded in
pacifying her. From what | know of her
kind 1t Will be many an hour yet before she
again receives me into her favor.
There she sits, in the middle of the floor,
an epitome of outraged dignity. Jane, pass
ing through the room just now On some do
mestic errand, paused to look at her.
Myp" size exclaimed, after q moments
contemplation Of tie wratlful figure, ''but
amt she madder'n wet hen!"
An expressive phrase, but utterly made
quate TO convey any idea of Believing jim
neeyeh's evident state OF mind.
There she sits, In a calm, still rage. In
tile topaz depths Of her unwinking eyes ln-
gers an expression of lofty scorn. / surmise
that she has OWNED my secret thought
about her humble origin, and is filled with
contempt for any modern American opinion
on lineage as long as uerS.
Well she knows that when my ancestors
were prowing savages in the primeval for
ests of Europe. hers were sitting on the
thrones of the Pharaohs, h onored companions
OF Egypts wise and great ones. If the right
TO that bed Is disputed she could tell me- did
her wrath permit her to speak, that her fore
bears were familiar with the luxurious
eouches of the Orient at the time when
mine knew and asked nothing softer than
the hard, bare ground upon which to fling
themselves after the days depredations.
AS to my Wanted superior wisdom and
intelligence she laughs it to scorn. Hers is
1.-THE love of Ra and Rameses." and she is
giving me a sublime instance Of how she has
profited by her Egyptian heritage. Would
/. in n rage, comport myself with half the
dignity and self-respective calm that she is
manifestngY She is quiet, self possessed,
perfectly well.behayed, yet ! might waste
my whole day in futile Establishments with
out shaking that statuesQue repose.
A dog under similar circumstances would,
after the first rebuke. have gone creeping
from the room with his tail between his
legs. Later he would have come cringing
to my feet, and had | thrown him bone
would have fawned upon me instantly, for
getting his insulted dignity and ready as
ever TO lick my hand.
An angry horse would threaten to bite, or
kick, or sulk and balk, and then forget un-
til next time. Not so Believing Jinneeyeh.
Had she any duties to perform for me can
see her, in my minds eye. going about them
with the same calm dignity that she now
sits on the floor and meditates.
All the good things In the larder would
not weigh an atom against her sense OF ln-
dignity done her. When she gets ready
she win forgive me and grant me her con-
sideration once more. She will accept a
dainty bit from my hand at table. jump
nnon NV lap as sit playing chess and sur
yey the game with interest, occasionally
touching piece with gentle gravity, and in
various ways will signify her frienGiliness
toward me. but she will do none of these
things until she gets ready, and until that
time she is abundantiy able to get along
without me. But /. meantime, am heartily
sorry and uneasy. for / am very uncom-
f0riably conscious of the weight of her
disapproval. and every lover Of cats will
believe me that that burden Is not easy to
bear, ADELINE E. KNAPP.