The Bottineau pioneer., 1894-11-24
A MEOW FAVORITE.

I was born on the shores OF Cape
| Cod. at q summering watering place.
l first remember a small child in pink
sun bonnet, ben ing over me and say
ing; Pretty Kitty which tribute TO
my charms accepted with the equani-
| nifty Of Il truly well-born youthful fe-
line.
| enioyed life greatly. ! had a kind.
gray and white mother, who attended
to my wants in the lacteal line and in
structed me in the art Of making my
toilet modestly and unobtrusively, yet
effectively, with the aid OF natures
own sapolio.
NV young mistress, she is of the pink
sun bonnet, overwhelmed me Win al
fection and made a cosy nest for me
under the nasturtium vines at the sue
of the house. There led an innocent
happy life, gazing dreamily out upon
the blue sea and listening to the con-
versation Of the summer boarders, who
sketched me and painted me and 1at-
tered my vanity generally. l need not
| state that | was 4 very meautlful klt-
| ten. This fact Is we'll known to those
who have seen me during my theatrl-
| cal career. | may say, without undue
vanity, that l was, at one time, per-
| feet Mrs. Langtry among cats. l had,
as a kitten, and still possess, coat OF
pure white lustrOus hair, large golden
ewes and pink tinted ears. If ever a
| cat was adapted to the ShOW-busineSs
| it was /.
had reached the age of four months,
| which, among cats is equal to budding
girlhood, when l began to experience
a restless discomfort with my sur
roundings. | yearned to see the great
world from which the summer board
ers came. The injudicious batteries of
girls in blazers and young men in ten
mis- shirts had inspired me with desire
to conquer fresh legions Of admirers.
l determined to 60 on the stage. l
was just dying to play Juliet-especial-
ly to the Romeo of fascinating Nal
tese who lived next door, He alas!
was soon drowned off the shore when
he was fishing in rock pool for the
shellfish he loved. l was inconsolable
over his loss, although we had never
been formally engaged, and my mother
after her own affinity, who resided
three houses further down the road,
that she did not observe my sorrOwful
department, or if she did, she attribut-
ed it to too much mouse.
After my Maltese friends death my
longing to be an actress returned. One:
Of the summer bOarders,- who was a
pupil at the Boston School Of OratOry,
l~.,1> -
peare as she walked up and down
among the nasturtium beds. l made up
to her constantly, rubbed against her
feet, gaZed at her with my large soul
full, golden eyes, mewed in my best
contraltO voice and laid the last, sweet
thing in mice at-her feet. / hoped she
would offer to purchase me on account
Of my fascinadons, but no such good
luck occurred.
1t was not until I was taken to the
village store in a basket to be exposed
for sale on the counter among rolls Of
ribbon and bars of soap that my great
opportunity in life came.
1 was taking comfortable afternoon
| siesta on the counter when l heard a
rough voice inquire. How much dye
want for that cat!'
[ shuddered at the coarseness of the
rough looking person who placed his
hard, red hand upon my lovely white
head. Although 1 was plain country
cat, I was an aristocrat by instinct.
Five dolalrs!' replied the clerk
l nearly tainted with joy to hear my
self valued at SO high price. My self
esteem rose considerably. How I hoped
| I should now get chance to see the
world and have some nice adventures!
III give you three" said the vulgar
person, stroking my head. I'm look
ing for a cat for the show business
| I've got first-class combination show
and we're going on the road next
month. / want cat to do the LOttie
Collins act. I guess this cat'n do"
| I began to purr with delight at the
prospect of entering upon the theatrical
career But what was the Lottic Col
Inns act? queried. had never heard
Of that bouncing British female.
"Waal, I'll take three" said the clerk,
and it was not long before found my
self boxed up and sent to the village
| tavern, where the Snowman was stay
ing was kept for some hours in this
box ard did not like it at all. Then
1 was let out for a time and given
sons nice milk, after which I was
| jolteG and bounced about in a railway
train until finally I found myself in a
large stable filed with curious stalls
and boxes and cages. I was allowed
the freedom of the place.
| In the cages and stalls were animals.
Han dozen large dogs were yelping,
and grunting, about me. They were
| tied ND so that I did not feel afraid
OF them.
$50 you're the new actress, are your
said large greyhound, grufdy. Have
you been long on the boards"
"This is my first season." replied,
timidly . ..
"Be sure and look out for your sal
| ary,'' said he. 1.-THE old man will
cheat you il he can. WHAT'S your fig
ure?"
II don't Know ! replied. He did
| not say"
"Mine is a pound Of liver a day and
bones every other day. Look out for
him. He'll cheat you IL he can. What
Dc you dor"
'.fhe gentleman said something about
my doing the Lottie Collins act" was
my reply. II don't know what that II
yet. What do you do?'
I'm leopard"
Here there was loud chorus Of bow
vows. I'VE are leOpards-wc are all
leOpards.'' :.
You are not leopards; you are dogs, ;
I retOrted. +
"We are leopards. He put us into
leopard skins to do tricks. We are
billed as the Celebrated Royal LeOp-
ards of India After we have done
our great leopard act, he unhooks our