The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-02
4 cAr WITH 4 RAT ron 4 cHuM.
The:Odd Pair OF Pets that Take Delight In
Zach Others Company,

FORT NIAGARA, Nov. % Gorlcy Phelps, a
farmer living two miles east OF here on the shore
OF Lake Ontario. has an odd pair OF pets. They
are a cat and a "a. They are the best OF friends.
They eat together, sleep together, and play to-
gether. The ca sh ms other cats, and so far as
Mr.. Phelps can ascertain there are no other rats
on his premises.
Tie cat Is "A big Maltese tom with 9 bushy tail
and sharp claws. lie is three years old and was
raised from a kitten by Mr.. Phelps. The rat is
fourteen months OLD. Last September a year
ago Mr.. Phelps tore down an old workshop in
the rear OF his house. In an old boot there lie
found a nest of rats. The mother of the Maltese
tom killed the parent rats, and later ate two OF
their children. The third baby rat stole into a
pocket OF Mr., Phelps's coat where It stayed for
three days, when Mr.. Phelps found il. Mr..
Phelps al first intended 10 Kill It, but the rat
seemed 50 tame that lie decided TO make II a
household pet.
The rat grew rapidly on meat aud cheese, cot
ing from the start out Of its owners hand. Its
life was In constant danger on account Of the
number OF cats around the house. Mr.. Phelps
put the rat into a small cage and placed the cage
into q large box made OF wire screens. Then he
called his cats around the screens. The cats
made frantic efforts 20 get at the rat. The Nal
trse Tom, however, merely smiled At the screen
and walked away. This hehaviOr decided MIR.
Phelps totry "a conciliate Tom and the rRt. He
AaN AeAAA ANN 80 AfNAA AAAHHHHN ~ ~ A"H
half-hearted attempts 10 get the rat out OF the
little cage and then stretched himself out and
went 20 sleep. Livery day for three week, SIR.
Phelps put Tom into the DLg cage aud the rat,
which lie named Cheese, into the SINAI cage.
DAILY each became accustomed to the others
presence. One day he opened both cages. Tom
and cheese squared themselves a, IL Tor AN en-
counter. Mr.. Phelps threw some bits OF meat
between them. They hesitated, then both be-
gan 10 eat. From that lime tine two have been
warm friends.
They live together In the cage. BY day they
wander about the house or into the country
store which MIR. Phelps owns, adjoining his
house. Zach is very jealous OF the other. III
any one pets Tom, thees" runs about squcakigE
and eXaspcrattd, II Cheese Is the favored one
Tom muTmurs his disappruyal and arches his
hA1 aud bTistlea hs tai. II thvy ara separated
they run about bunting here and there until
they hnd each otl"r, when they dance ard jump
with Elee. Mr. Phelps mas a large SHOW window
In his store. Tom and Cheese spend much u
their Time in 10. Tom sleeps COntCE- eds In a
corner. Not So with Cheese. however. who
keeps a sharp lookout. IL any one approaches
tho window Gheese Instantly TUuses Tom. who
arches uis back and splits duiXuCg. II you tap
on the window Cheese AZ Dare runs up 20 the
glass and tries 10 reach the suot where your I'm
ger touches, He viii follow your finger, when
possible. wherever u moves on tie LASS, tits
interesting 90 watch him. with his keen black
eyes. his nrryOU,ly sensitive uOSe, anu quick,
graceful Occasionally he stops
lnd glanCss a. Tom Inc latter moyes ALlly
and Chssss turns aNAY S-uaned