The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-07-10
PIERRE AND JEANNE.

A Story of Devoted Fricndship
Between u Cat and % BIRD.
Some time ago, in quiet little cor
ner down on Rue Royale, CHANGED
upon a queer little Creole creature,
whom the neighbors called MANI
selle." If there was ever any name
attached, 1t must have been in prehis-
tortc times, for now there is not even
sign upon the door of the little bake
shop where Mam'selle sells bread and
cakes to the neighborhood. Very good
bread and cakes they are, too, as can
testify, for recently I have found
Mam'zelle's c0zy shop a very comfort
able resting place for morning tramp
in quest of news. In this way have
come to be pretty well acquainted with
Mam'zelle and Pierre, the cat, and
Jeanne, the bird.
Pierre is a handsome black and
white fellow, wit noble head, and he
and the little canary, Jeanne, were
about the same age. Mam'zelle told
Inc, in her pretty patois, how devoted
the two pets were to each other, and I
myself saw frequent evidences of their
kindly relationship. In a quiet corner
of the little shop had seen Pieere
and Jeanne taking their breakfast to-
gether, 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 be-
meath, keeping guard over his friend.
And woe betide the strange cat that
wandered that way. Pierre was al
ways on the alert for squalls, and If
the 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 yes
terday, for the thousandth time, prob
ably, but, for the first time on record,
grief followed the move. Pierre and
Jeanne were taking their usual morn
ing game in the sunshine of the little
shop door, when brindled stranger
appeared on the banquet without.
Straight as a die Jeanne was in her
cage and Pierre had gone in hot pur-
suit Of the brindle. The chase was q
hard one, and Mam'zelie says Pierre
must have have been gone 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 further notice of the bird. A
little later, however, hearing q dread
full colnmotion out on the banquet, she
ran out to witness the sad little trag-
edy which /, too, arrived just in time
to See, but too late to prevent. Taking
advantage of Pierre's protracted NIB.
sence, an ugly tortoise-shell from the
next block strolled up to the little
shop in search Of Jeanne. Finding her
out hopping about and unprotected, he
began siege ut once, no doubt. Man,
zelle and I arrived just in time to see
the tortoise-shell pounce on poor
Jeanne, as she sat perched on the top
of the swinging cage, and bear her
with him to the pavement. Before
either of us could interpose the deed
was done, and then in moment there
came Pierre rushing around the cor
ner, and as quick as a flash had taken
In the situation. With one fierce bound
he sprang upon the tortoise-Shell and
swept poor Jeanne from his clutches.
For brief moment he sat guarding
her, but that moment was long enough
to tell him he was too late.
Then, letting Mam'zelle take the lit
tie corpse from under his paw, he
swooped down upon the tortoise-sheli.
1t was only for little while, but
when the battle was over both cats
lay dead upon the pavement Pieere
had lain down his life to avenge
Jeanne's death, and the little Nam:
zelle mourns both pets.