The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-08

dams from far aud near came to gaze in
grinDiDg admiration, calculating Mona
cha, mO-na-cha," beautiful, at every turn.
For myself | was content. | had just such
a coy. fTee-0f-care Tetreat-a playhouse
within and the wide world WIthout-as de-
lights the weary soul oppressed with the
luxnries of city civilization. Here lived
dream life for over year, until the innate
love of change led me TO banker after the
deshpots Of Egypt again. when l built
modern house a mile and a half away,
which, having no attraction Tor bird or
beast. lost me my constant communion
with fuTred and feathered animal life.
The architect of Judge Lewis old kitchen.
Ike all true artists, disdaiDed straight lines
and built it out Of plumb AMI full Of irregu-
iarities. Above the plate was space open
ing out 10 the heavens under the caves vary
ing in width from the size of bar OF soap to
the size II box which would hold twenty
I've bars of soap.
One day. after short absence from home,
] found all my Illuminated glasses on the
fGOT-iuckIly not broken, as the straw IN
der the carpet was so thick the edibles
from my cupboard partly missing, partly
scattered in every direction. | was non
piused. tThe windows were closed as /
left them. the door was tight.
set everything to rights again and left
tie house. TO find the same disorder on my
return, and even the third time, as though
according to programme the acts Of the
marauders were repeated.
This time l left no nook unsearched, and
was rewarded by finding fine young wild
cat hidden in the springs Of my under mat
tress. | spoke to it caressingly without
avail. It wouldn't bulge al inch. Then /
opened q can Of condensed milk and made
a great bowl of milk for il. | left the door
closed that 1t might not escape me. but in
the twilight, ike an uncanny thing, it dis
appeared. However. il had had more than
a taste Of the milk, and Ia the hope that il
would De tempted for another drink 1 made
q fresh bowl. Before midnight | heard
scramble up the side Of the honse, and there
in the corner over my wardrobe. where the
space was greatest under the caves, sprang
in the new member of my family, knocking
everything 10 the floor that she touched with
her clumsy paws. After shs had Tapped
Der milk she leaped 10 my bed, where she
lay al nv feet The rest OF the night. After
a few substantial advances on my part we
became the best of friends and bedfellows.
The winter was cold and brisk fire kept
all through the night. but soon my furry
cIum began TO slide under the bedclOthes
and cuddle up to ne, at first for that natural
com partnership which all animals seek, after
ward through genuine affection.
nave always heard that the young Of the
Felix balensis were easily domesticated,
but the word domesticated does not express
its marvellous intelligence, the extreme sem
sitiveness, the capacity for depth of self-sac-
T6cing affection which my little mother de-
velOped.
She rarely left my side except to hunt.
CrOuehed IN the doorway her huge gray
body usurped the place OF watchdog.
Long before any interlopor. two-legged or
fOuT-legged, was In sight she gTOwled furi-
.usly. Ii did not wish her with me on