The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-17

another way of looking at 1t. A states
man may possess a fascinating lnhnence
to the average cat-a strange something
which holds the affections of thu feline
and makes it the slave OF the othr.
Beginning at the top of the nation,
thsre is no doubt whatever that President
Cleveland 10 vsry fond OF cats. There
are four OF them at Gray Gables and five
at Woodley, while three more have the
full liberty OF the White House. Mrs.
Cleveland has no fondness for cats, all
her love for animals being centered upon
horses.
None Of the presidents cats are Of
noteworthy lineage. They all seem to be
just ordinary, everyday cats, and prior
to reaching their present high state they
probably ran the gauntlet of rocks and
There is NOT q Maltese or Angora among
the dozen, but they are all fat and conf
Portable looking. Mr.. Cleveland himself
doesn't know how he happened to be-
come the owner Of SO many cats; they
just drifted into his three homes and
were permitted to stay.
One of his callers recently spoke to
him about his pets, and he said: "fney
arc homelike and I like to res them
about. The children enjoy them and SO
do I. A sleeping cat stretched out on
the floor Is q soothing sight and is restful
- the nerves. I have always had cat
toned to its presence"
On the wall of ex-senator Thomas G.
Platts reception room II the Fifth Az
enue hotel hangs fine painting of a
striped cat. TINS painting, 1t is said. is
the work OF one of the best animal paint.
ers in the city. The ex-senator paid $1,000
for 1t, and it is q monument to the men,
DRY OF the only animal pet OF his life.
The original of the costly bit OF canvas
was named Julius Caesar. That was his
state name, but he was generally called
Julius, and sometimes julie; julius was
most sagacious cat. and it was saiu
that he could distinguish Platt Repub-
lican from other kinds of Republicans as
easily as his master. julius was never
known to accept caress from the hand
OF a Democrat visiting at the Platt ouse-
hold.
Julius was 9 years old when he died,
six months ago Eight of those years he
had spent in the Plat family and he had
journeyed all over the country. He spent
several winters on Mrs. Platt's orange
grove in Florida; it was on terms OF in
timacy with every voter in Tioga, Mr..
Platt's birthplace; 1t had put in many
busy months at the Fifth avenue MOTEL
and the summer was always 81 ent by
Julius at the Platt country homo at High
lvpd Mills, Orange county.
julius was considered the best educated
cat in the metropolis. When the family
was 0t OInneT JULIUS always SAT Seuately
in chair near the table. and whenever
the butler was wanted he gravely touch
ed the bell with his paw and summoned
that funotionary. After Julius had
crossed the dark river aud had given up
the last of his many lives, one OF Mr..
Platt's friends sent HIM a fine Angora
cat bich cost$10. But the Angora never
filled the place made vacant by the TAX
ingsoff of Julius, and now Mr.. Platts
home 10 ,atless.
Senator David B. Hillsis the owner OF
two cats. 1t has peen said that the great
Democrat is the most confirmed bachelor
In the nation, and perhaps that ~ why
the feline world holds his affections.
Enemies have explained Senator Hills
fondness for his two pets by saying that
the many lives OF a cat are the real target
for his admiration. The ups and downs
| of his p lit Gal career have taught him
| the value Il a mascot which cannot be
downsd by single death-blow.
The abode Of these two cats is the sen
| atot's home, Wolferts Roost. near Albany
They are both black in colur and as
much alike as twins. Although the SEN
at0r is a total abstainer, tho are called
Tom and Jerry, after the pleasant bevei.
age of that name. There is nothing
worthy of note about these cats except
that they live life of complete luxury
and ease.
Ellerslie the beautiful country home of
Gov. Levi P. Morton, is overrun with
cats. The last census showed that