The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-15
OUR CATS.

OF all our cats we speak most tenderly
of Friskie. She was brought when a
kitten to our farm home; and, if ever
cat deserved eulogy, it was she. A small
cat with black coat and white breast
and legs, not particularly handsome, but
thoroughly good and very intelligent.
The children played with her as they.
would. She was never known to scratch
them. but would show her disapproval
of any rough handling by tap with her
tiny velvet paw. She was too kind to
scratch them.
Friskie grew up with Trip. ou1 little
black andtan dog; and, though Trip was
selfish with her, Friskie loved him, and
showed her affection in various ways.
If the dog came into the house wet with
dew or rain, the dear little cat would
carefully dry him all off with her tongue;
and. though he growled at her for her
officiousness. she would persevere till
the task was accomplished, and then the
two would curl up behind the stove, and
together take nap.
When we became the owner of ca
nary, Friskie at once showed feline pro-
pensities. She wanted that bird, and
saw no reason why she should be denied
it. But when, from various tokens,
Frislzie learned that we valued it, she
never again evinced any desire for the
canary And when, afterward, we raised
nest of birdlings, the little cat never
attempted to touch them,-no, not even
when one flew out of doors and alighted
almost at her feet. Instead of Selling
it. Friskie watched us as we captured
and returned it to the cage.
The writer of this story became i'll with
extreme prostration; and now Friskie
showed her affection in a surprising
manner. Each morning she came into
our room with tit-bit, such as she was
sure was toothsome.-m rats, at one
time half grown rabbit, and at length
bird.
1t was warm weather, the room win
dows we're open; and being upon the
first floor, when Friskie brought in her
offerings, they were seized and thrown
from the window to the ground. At this
she would spring after the delicacy, and
bring it back in hurry, determined that
it should be eaten, mewing and coaxing,
just as she might with her kittens. That
the food was not accepted evidently dis
tressed her. When she came with the
little bird, she uttered her usual coaxing
sound; and then, when it was UNDECIDED,
she sprung upon the bed, and was about
to give it to the invalid, who uttered
scream of fright. At this dear Friskie
fled from the room, and we think she
never brought another treat. 1t was
useless to try to treat person so unap-
preciative.
At one time when Friskie was the
proud mother of four pretty kittens. she
was greatly troubled with the liberties
that young Herbert, aged three, took
with her family. The little boy didn't
want to hurt the tiny creatures, but he
would hold them and play with them.
Mother cat bore this for time; and
then carried the kittens away to the
barn, and hid them where mono but her
self could find them.
While these babies were yet young,
Herbert was taken away for a visit.
Strange to say. upon the morning Of the
child's departure Friskie came leading
the little ones down to the house. They
could walk now; and at first she came
part of the distance with three of them,
stopped, surveyed her group. and went
back for the remaining kitten. All we
have told is strictly true. 1t was evil
dent that the cat knew when the distur-
Der of her peace was gone, and also evil
dent that she knew how many were her
children.
Friskie died at the age of twelve, the
most lovable and intelligent cat we have
ever known.
OF late we have had two maltese cats
in our kitchen.-one old, the other young
The old cat has been jealous and cross
with the young one. while the young cat
has been kind and pleasant with her