The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-01
A MUSICAL HOOsIER CAT.
a Logansport Carpenters Pussy Can
Play the Piano.
Chicago Times

Ever since Apollo twanged his Tyre on
high Olympus the world has been delighted
with the outpouringS of the tuneful souls
influence of sounds sweetly commingled
been confined TO the hearts of the superior
biped. For does not history relate how one
OrpheuS warbled so meltingly that wild
beasts not only forbore to rend him In
choice bits but lay down together in silent
the first exempIification of the happy fam
ily'' which Barnum subsequently used 10
cheer the budding mind wthal?
So ii has ever been. Horses have pranced
gayly with arched necks and proud mien
the welcome strains of the band smote
upon their ears. Dogs have emitted mourn
full walls of slobber-mouthed delight to the
music Of lutte and pipe, but it remained
for Logansport TO give birth to musical
pussy cat And such cat; Unless his,
take rank with List, Rubinstein and
Paderewski.
This is no ordinary, meek-faced black
and-white tabby, with no soul above pan
OF milk and the rearing of numerous prog
eny. Nor, yet, is she-for she is a lady-a
tooth for young spring chicken on the wing.
She is beautiful tortoise she'll with a soul
beyond mere earthly considerations
born. a carpenter of Tossnsport. Kilborn
has taken good care of the kitty. He also
owns a Dious and f1aXen-haired daughter
kitten thinks more of the piano than the
child. IT was while but an infant that
puSSy'S soul burst its bonds and scared up
ward on a flood of melody.
Mr.. kilborn. possessing the dual bless
ing of q daughter and piano, desired that
the two become better acquainted. Pussy
declared herself on In the play. The serv
ices of a distinguished past master in the
art of causing piano 10 speak were Sc
cured. and the cat reaDed the benefit. At
an early age she would testify her appre
citation of the professors efforts by sundry
waggingS of her head as OF one in disgust
when he essayed Belle Mahone," the
"Maiden's Prayer" and other Hoosier IA
vo<ites.
At last the professor noticed her deep
ening interest, and with master hand ne
smote the keys wandering softly into the
strange. sad melody of Schumann's ''Trau-
merle
The effect was magical Seated in a huge
armchair, pussy gasped a deep, soulful gasp.
She clasped one paw to her heart, swayed
gently with the melody, while large fat
tears of ecstacy rolled down her cheeks
Anon. thrusting her tongue from between
her teeth, she caught tear on the fly,
swallowing it with convulsive gulp of en-
joyment.
The Professor went forth. Pussy mount
ed the stool, and the result of her studies
became apparent. With tail marking time
with the slow, stately motion of a metro
nome, she placed her hands gently on the
keys. Music, not discOrd, was the result,
AS the action grew hotter, the tail beat
compound time, feat of unsurpassed diff
custom to retire within herself and COM
mune with the angels at the piano.
Not long ago Sweet Marie" burst forth
in L.ogansport Miss Kilborn resolved to
The cat heard ii. With a howl of more
than mortal anguish she sprang convulsive-
~ forward through open window and
sought relief from grief under the wood
shed. There she remained until the OBJ
noxious song was torn to shreds.
Verify, Pussy Kilborn has a future