The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-10-27
A TRUE CAT STORY.
BY REV. I. B. GRANDY.


very dignifed in his ways. One would
think to Judge by his actions that he
owned the premises. Yet with all his
pride and self conceit, he was very at.
fectionate and lovable. He was de-
voted friend and companion of Marie. a
little seven year old black eyed mite of
a girl-an only child. as good as she was
beautiful, and the pet of the household
and neighborhood.
Marie and Dennis had been the best
of friends for years and we're almost in
separable companions for all that time.
They never quarreled although there
was much of human nature in both OF
them, But Dennis had one fault not
peculiar to cats-(for he was only cat)
nc would get jealous. and did not allow
Marie to have other pets. If she showed
any attention to another cat or a dog
Dennis became very sullen and ill nat
ured and would go off and sulk like
other spoiled children. But he could
not stay mad at Marie for she was go
kind and affectionate that no one could
help loving her. The two spent many
happy hours together every day. One
day in the early spring Marie found
little helpless chicken in the yard, and
bringing it into the kitchen, she wrapped
it in piece of flannel and placed it un-
der the warm stove where it soon became
dry and warm. She fed it and took the
best of care of it and Marie and the
chicken became fast friends. Dennis
took due notice of all these things and
they sunk deep into his heart. He be-
came very jealous of the chicken and no
doubt devised many ways to get rid of
it.
One day while Marie was playing with
the chicken, Dennis came along and
showed great anxiety at the turn affairs
had taken. He seemed deeply worried,
and appeared to be in very grave study
for awhile. Then while the attention of
Marie was attracted to something else,
Dennis took the chicken carefully by
the neck, carried it out of doors and
dropped it on the ground. He did not
want to hurt the chicken, but only to
get it out of his way that he might en-
Joy again the affection of Marie as be-
fore. 1t was simply case of Jealousy.
Another time Dennis was deeply
troubled. Perhaps you have seen these
"mawk cats" stamped upon muslin. Well
Marie's mamma got one of those, sewed it
up and stuffed it with cotton. 1t looked
Just Ike "sure" cat 1t was placed in
one end of the dining room for an orna-
ment. Well, Dennis came in one day
and to his great horror found another
cat had taken possession of the premises
without his knowledge or consent. This
was more than he could bear. He
dumped" his back and enlarged his
tall, then growled and walked two or
three times around the intruder but the
"other cat" did not deign to even notice
Dennis nor turn his head. Dennis was
furious! He didn't swear for he was
too we'll raised for that, but no doubt he
had some bad thoughts. He looked
glaringly at his new enemy for moment
then jumped with open mouth and sharp
distended claws. He seized the strange
scat about the neck and scratched and
bit it to his hearts content. Dennis had
fearful fight. The cats rolled over and
over on the floor, and the blood no doubt
would have flowed freely and fur would
have FLEW" but Dennis could find no fur
to scratch off and the other cat would
no fight back. Dennis soon got tired
of the one sided fight He got up, looked
at the other cat as it lay helpless on the
floor for moment, then deeply mortified
walked away, very much ashamed that
he had made such fool Of himself. The
make believe" cat was very badly dis
figured. Its face and eyes were scratched
and it looked much the worse after the
fight. Marie put it on the piano after
this but Dennis found it and knocked it
off. Then it was placed high on brack-
ct. but one day chair happened to be
placed near and Dennis got on the chair
and jumped to the high bracket, then
down came cats bracket and all. The
cat is now laid away for repairs and Den
mis- is in full possession and seems to be
happy. He holds high place in the
affections of the household. 1 don't
know. what became of the chicken, but
when l remember that preachers often
stop there, I am suspicious that it has
"gone where the good chickens CO."
This is true story and Marie and Den
mis- may be found almost any day to-
gether.
INDIANAPOLIS. IND.