The morning call., 1892-11-06
A CAT THAT SINGS.
Wonderful Performances of Water
Front Feline.

Wonderful Performances Of Water
Front Feline.
Perhaps there is no single section where
cats are more numerous or where they are
regarded with greater affection than on the
water front. Every saloon possesses from
two to six of these domestic treasures, and
woe betide the man who mlsuses or mall
treats the favorite tabby of a waterfront
resort.
There is naturally considerable rivalry
among the owners of these pets as to the
particular merits of their individual felines.
and wondrous tales are daily told OF the re-
markable instinct or intelligence that each
one displays.
BID Bendt. for instance. has a eat that is
wonderful as jumper, thinking nothing of
bounding upon four-foot bar and from
there to the top OF the bar mirror. where
she rests most of the time iB quiet serenity.
safe from the attacks of the CANNES which
lnfest the place in droyes
Al Whites cat is the delight of that we'll
known characters heart. 1t is let black
colossal In size, and has cultivated an un-
appeasable appetite for steam beer which
IL abs0TbeS in quantities that make the
hearts OF the old FOUNDERS sad. Whites
cat is, consequently. in a chronic state of
ihebrleiy and general condition of blind
staggers. Her performances in this line
bring tears to the eyes of the habitual
tough, who fairly shrieks with unrastrained
merriment over the drunken antics of this
misguided cat.
Other saloon-keepers on the front are also
the proud possessors of cats of varied ac-
c0mplishmeDts, out the one of all others
that is regarded with the greatest envy and
has earned the distinction of being the
pride OF the water 'front.' in all the qualities
that 60 to make up an ACCOMPLISHED and
highly intellectual cat is Toby, who ac-
knowledges the premises of Sears & Foley
as her domielle. where she has passed her
days OF kittenhood and maturity.
As ratter Toby, so to speak, "holds the
belt" The stories tod of her prowess
almost surpass belief. She is also the ter
rOr OF all the dogs in the neigh borhood, and
has proved her yalor on many a we-fought
field. Her owner says that Toby saved his
| saloon from destruction one night last win
| ter by her Intelligence in calling his atten-
tion TO the smoke issuing from a cellar
| door.
Toby's feats in jumping are said to be
still unsurpassed, though wears have begun
to tell upon the old cat and she is less agile
than she used to be. Toby does other things
which show rare intelligence in a dumb
brute. but 1t would take too long a time to
| recount them. 1t is as a warbler or vocal
lst that Toby surpasses all other cats. and of
her abilities in this respect the writer has
been frequent and amused listener.
Ireland has no more loyal supporter or
more enthusiastic son than Toby's owner,
nor one more sincere IN his opinions OF gen.
erous in his support of the Irish cause He
is an intense admirer of those lovely Irish
songs, " hich are sung with such delight by
all true lyric artists. 1t is his custom, In
the cleaning, when the habitues Of his sa-
loon are at supper and everything is qniet
and undlsturbed, TO take few moments of
rep0Se IN the cardroOm of his establishment
and ponder over the wrongs of his native
ian and the best means OF Tighting them
Then Toby, the cat jumps upon his knee
and the performance begins THE Harp
That Once GhTO' Tara's HalP' is the mans
fav0rite, and as soon as he begins to sing
the refrain Toby stretches out her neck.
anc Tor all the world gives an imitation of
the actions OF prima donna as tile prelude
10 the rendition of great aria
As the man vocalZes the cat follows note
by note. keeping time perfectly until the
end OF the verse is reached.
There would be no difficulty in recopniz-
| log the tune If she could be induced to sing
| 1t alone; but there is limit to even a cats
capabilities and Toby cannot be persuaded
10 20 II alone" She will only follow her
| owners voice. and this she does initiating
| the occasional guavers which appear, but
| striking every interval in most nnequivo-
| cal manner. Even the expression and the
crescendo and diminuendo of the score are
| repeated, and the performance is really so
wonderful that in the opinion of many 'the
| cat is bewitched."
OF course the fact of cat being vocalist
| Will not be disputed by any one. A. smile
| OF derision would greet even bare state
ment of such fac, but the truth that one
cat has been taught to repeat consecutiyely
song ike Tara naturally excites in
efedullty, but can be established.
Those who doubt are referred to her
| owner. he will show them the cat
| GRIdALKIN.