Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-09-17
FELINE FAITHFULNESS.


Jeanne's Death.
Some time ago in a quiet little corner
way down on the Rue Royale, l CHANGED
upon a quaint little creole creature
whom the neighbors call "Mamzelle."
II there was ever any name attached
it must have been in prehistoric times,
for now there is not even a sign upon
the door of the little bakeshop where
Mam'zelle sells bread and cakes to the
ncighborhood. Very good bread and
cakes they are, too, can testify, for re-
Gently | have found Nam 'zelle's cozy
shop q very comfortable resting place
after mornings tramp in quest of
news. In this way l have come to be
pretty well acquainted with Mam'zelle
and Pierre, the cat, and Jeanne, the
bird.
Pierre is handsome black and white
fellow, with a noble head, and he and
the little canary, Jeanne, were about
the same age. Mam'zel told me in
her pretty creole patois how devoted the
two pets were to each other, and my
self saw frequent evidences of their
kindly relationship. In a quiet corner
of the little shop have seen Pierre and
Jeanne taking their breakfast together
from the same plate, and by and by,
when the cat would lie doing in the
sunshine, the bird would hop about
him or cuddle up snug and comfortable
between his outstretched paws.
When Mam'zelle was busy, so that
she could not keep an eye on the little
birds safety, she would swing the cage
in the doorway, while Pierre would
stretch himself on the floor beneath,
keeping guard over his friend. And
woe bctide any strange cat that wan
dered that way. Pierre was always
on the alert for squalls, and if cat
came too near to suit him he would
send Jeanne hustling into her cage
while he chased the offending feline off
the street.
just this very thing happened re-
Gently for the thousandth time, prob
ably, but for the first time on record
grief followed the move. Pierre anil
Jeanne were taking their usual morn
ing game in the sunshine of the little
shop door, when big brindle stranger
appeared on the banquet without.
Straight as die Jeanne was in her
cage and Pierre had gone in hot pur-
suit of the brindle. The chase was a
hard one, and Mam'zelle says Pierre
must have been gone n long time. but
she was busy serving customers, and by
and by noticed Jeanne hopping about
the counter. Thinking, of course, that
Pierre had returned, she took no fur
ther notice of the bird. A little later,
however, hearing dreadful commo-
tion out on the banquet, she ran out to
witness the sad little tragedy which 7,
too, arrived just in time to see, but too
late TO prevent.
Taking advantage of Pierre's pro-
tracted absence, an ugly tortoise shell
from the next block strolled to the lit
the shop in search Of Jeanne. Finding
her out hopping about unprotected, he
began siege at once, no doubt. Mam'zelle
and arrived just in time to see the tor
toise-shell pounce on poor Jeanne as
she sat perched on top of the swing
ing cage and bear her with him to the
pavement. Before either of us could
iIiterpose the deed was done, and then
in moment there came Pierre rushing
around the corner, and as quick as a
flash he had taken in the situation.
With one fierce bound he sprang upon
the tortoise-shell and swept poor
Jeanne from his clutches. Fer brief
moment he sat guarding her. but that
moment was long enough to tell he
was too late.
Then, letting Mam'zele take the lit
tie corpse from under his paw, he
swooped down upon the tortoise-shell.
1t was only for little vklile, but when
the battle was over both cats lay dead
on the pavement. Pierre had laid down
his life to avenge Jeanne's death, and
the little Mam'zelle mourns both her
pets.-Chicago Journal.