Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-10
STRANGE TALE OF A CAT.
How DIR. Roberison's Pet Came to Get Into
Closed Box.
tNew York HeraldJ

AANtN Abih iAfAHi-'"f
and the cat came back"
So all is well in the artistic domicile OK
DR. Thomas S. Robertson, of No. IS east
Twentieth street. The "horologue Of eter-
nifty" ticks as of yore at the head Of the
winding stair and lulls the shaggy ST.
Bernard I'm the hall below into delicious
dreamful slumber. His usual genial smile
has returned to DR.. Robertson's face and
his man-seryants and mis- maid-servants
sing aloud all the day, for he that was
lost Is found. Thomas" the Madagascar
tortoise-shell prodigal, has returned to MS
flesh-pots, and the demon jealousy shall
hencef0rth dominate certain backyard
fences O. nights. Yes,
THE cat came back.
After many and strange adventures, In
Guiding a bout with the Protestant ritual,
and a round with Weehawken baggage
smashers; after tying his young affections
to strange men and women, and going
back, catlke, upon all the dear ones at
home; after eatiQg skinned milk in
boarding-ho instead Of the rich cream
and potted pigeon he had been brought
up on I'm Dr. Robertson's luxurious home;
after sojourning in a single room instead
of having a whole house to himself; after
being despised Of landlady despite has
ancient Madagascar lineage,
THE cat came back.
Not cheerfully. but reluctantly; not has
tening. but tagging; not like the prodigal
SON with cUntrition IN his bosom, but
exhibiting all the obstinacy and KICK OF
a Midway Plaisance camel.
HOW THOMAS GOT AWAY.
DR.. Thomas $. Robertson. well known
for his geniality and cleverness, imported
Thomas from Madagascar at large eX-
pense. There Is but one other cat OF the
same kind in America. and that is the
property of William X. Vanderbilt. The
latter feline is now cruising the ocean
with his master on the yacht Valiant.
DR.. Robertson's cat has beautiful silken
hair and q marvellous tail, which Is the
envy OF all the Tommies for miles around.
Thomas OF Madagascar, however, was
never permitted to bat" around with the
boys. His sole dissipation was attending
church on Sunday.
Madagascar Thomas is good Roman
Catholic. but last Sunday night he con-
ceived the idea that he should enjoy a
change. SO he went to a Protestant
church In the neighbOrhood, planting him
self in a pew occupied by Mr.. and Mrs.
Stevenson, who, strangely enough, live
only a few doors from DR.. Robertson.
They were naturally surprised to see
cat in church, but as he was such a well-be-
hayed and majestic animal they permittef
him to sleep through the sermon undis-
turbed. Service concluded the Stevensons
We're astonshed to discover that Thorn
as" followed them to the church door
and up the street. Arriving at their own
door they supposed that his catship would
bid them adieu but he walked up the
steps as If he liked his new friends. and
appreciating his beauty and also dvining
that he might be dead broke they IN
yited him in. He spent the night colled
no in the Stevensons's room, but next
morning when Mrs. Balch, the landlady,
learned of his presence she ordered MS
speedy departure. Mrs. Balch' however
does not like cats. and 1t Is not remark
able therefore, that she remained I'M
moved by Thomas remarkable beau-y.
EXPRESSED TO THE CATsKILLS.
The Stevensons thereupon resolved to
box the Madagascar beauty up and ex-
press him to Mr. Steyenson's father In
the Catskills.
.He will have good home there" said
Mr.. Stevenson, but If we allow him TO
run at large Mrs. Edwards or some other
member of the Society for the Prevention
Of Cruelty to Cats may take him III mana.
So Thomas the beautiful was boxed up
I
DIR. Robertson's servant was meanwhile
! looking high and low for his master =
beautiful Madagascar pet, by whom he
sets great store.
After searching about the houses OF the
neighborhood he called at Mrs. Balch'
clearinghouse. Here he learned the
story OF the tortoise-shell cat, and also
| found that the cat had been boxed up
| and sent 10 the eXpress-office with IN
structions that II be forwarded to MIR.
I Steyenson's father in the Catskills.
When he reported his discovery to Dr.
Robertson that gentleman waxed very
| w,roth. He expressed his mind to Mr..
| Stevenson, and declared that before send
| ing the cat away he should at least have
| tried 10 discover Its home. Mr.. Steven
| son said he had only acted on kindly
| spirit toward the cat. and considered
| that ne was doing the best he could Tor
| its welfare.
| DIR Robertson sent to the express-office
| 20 find out II the cat had been shipped.
He was told IL had left the Office, and,
| after telegraphing and telephoning. IL was
| discovered that the box containing the cat
| was in the express-office at Weehawken.
| The express company's representative told
| the Doctor that as they did not know
him An the transaction the box contain
! ing the cat could only be stopped and tbs
| cat recovered by me order OF Mr. Steven
| son or by the Doctor going to New Jersey
| and suing out a writ OF replevin-
| DIR. Robertson again went 70 see hr,
| Stevenson. and that gentleman trudged
| over TO Weehawken at . O'Clock on Mon
| day evening. recovered the cat ana gave
| II back to Its anxious owner.
4 H.. 90