The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-30
THE STATION CAT
he Came to the Central Station One
Dark Night and Was Adopted.
TOMMY" The OFFICERS FRIEND.
He Banqueted on Cockroaches and Water
Bugs and Grew Fat and a Fayorite
and Every Week ReJoices in n Charac-
~teristic Manner.

IL was fast approaching the hour OF
midnight. From the streets came occa-
sional bursts of song AS groups of con-
vivial companions passed along. Ia the
station the lights were turned low and
everything was quiet save for the occa-
slonal clash OF the signal service bell as
some officer sent in his duty" call from
some remote portion of his beat.
The big lieutenant lolled back in his
easy chair. his work for the time being
having been finished, and a smile Of
serene contentment lowered over his
features.
Suddenly q plaintive sound penetrated
the ~prison-like silence of the station and
hung quivering in the air. The big
lieutenant startled from his revere
looked quickly around but saw nothing.
ana eventually concluded tina, he had
been dreaming. But. no, he had not for the
sound was again heard and was followed
closely after by a series of choice cat calls
that wakened the drowsy officer doing
telegraph" IN the guard room and
brought bowls or wrath from the pris-
oners IN the cell-room. Again and again
the cries sounded lowering with bugle-
Ike dlstInctness in the air ana eXasper-
ated beyond measure the lieutenant, and
his subordinate officer commenced an
active search of the station but without
result.
The Cries Increased.
The cries came louder and louder, and
seemed TO proceed from the floor directly
under their feet. and as one ear-splitting
wail-a fitting climax for the horrors pre-
viously perpetrated-sounded, the of
ficers began TO grow cold with a name
less terror.
The noises, however, ceasei with the
culminati = yowl. and peace and
quietude reigned once more. The ''te,e-
-raph" man returned to his posi-, and the
lieutenant once more enscO Iced himself
in his easy chair, and pJndered on the
success Of the police bail.
All at once there was a terrific howl
from outside the railing. a howl OF
almost internal magnitude, resembling a
cross between "A fog morn and an anti
quated calliope, aud the biz officer sprang
Iair!y erect ia his char and gaZed i in
establishment straight before him lie
saw Only "A cat, thin amt worn, bu what
a catl Black rs the &c, OF spades, its
eyes cleaning like white hot Goals. every
hair on its body and tail bristling In de-
fiance. and AS the big officer looked. the
" beaut let go with som Choice ex-
OF cat like regard and affection.
He Came to Stay.
An effort was made to dislodge the
visitor but persuaslons seemed to be use
| So. Hints were calmly ignored and the
guest settled down for a - uiet nap close
to the radiator. AS he slept the cats
color commenced TO change ard in a
short time II could be readily seen that
the original color of the animal had been
at some remote period, white.
The relief of officers went out and soon
the first" detail came i'm but
still the cat slept on regardless Of the
comments his appen rance was causing.
At about ; O'clock he awoke, stretched
legs aud opening those cavern-like
Jaws emitted one NOR of his premium
howls and then commenced to forage
for breakfast. At this time the
was overrun by water bugs
and c~ockroaches aud the most vigorous
81 tae J~auitorS had been futile In
suppressing them. On patent killers,
the bugs seemed TO thrive and grow fat
and after long aud careful research nc
was found hat the only remedy for the
evil was in the shape Of a fiat stick or
one Of "Hudy's" choice cigars. The lat
ter seemed rather the more effective but
"a little too costly.
His Royal Highness" who by this
time had been christened Tommy
to take in the situation ut a
glance and at ouce, 70 the great astonisl-
ment of he officers proceeded To chas.
The bugs, d%evouring them as fast as
For several days Tommy" banuueted
,umptuousiy on water bugs, and cock
reaches and seemed to care for nothing
,lse. Choice morsels of C Ike. meat ami
,ther articles so dear TO a cultivated cats
seemed to ave no charms for
whe preferred a nice crisp roach
o the best of cooked yiands.
Tommy Grew Popular.
BY this time the cat had become a fix.
ure i'm the station, and Lieut.. O'Nein. !
lac day officer in charge, had formally
the animal. Tommy soon cleared
he station of cockroaches and then COM
n record-breaking match of rat
Tommy has now become the pride of
station, and with his tail erect, which
the way is curiously distorted and
,roken, prowls about the dark corners
nd i'm fact seems TO own the place.
every week oil the anniversary
4 his coming to the station, Tommy
ipnaliZes MS remembrance OF that occa.
by a prolonged solo OF Joy and thanks
iyiug. Ii is useless for anyone TO try TO
tor this celebration for Tommy has
ound "A quiet roosting place under the
ront stairs and there secure from intru-
ion ne sings his tunetui lHy and brings