The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1896-05-16
CATS AND DOGS.
HI Moods, Tempers aud Natures of the
CANNES and Felines.

CANNES and Felines.
Cats do not take punishment as
dogs do. Their tempers rise, and If
struck they are apt to strike back,
but beyond a gentle cuff to a kitten
now and then l ind a scolding or an
exclamation of rebuke enough. They
are also less intelligent and forgiv-
ing than a dog if unintentionally
kicked or trodden on. There is no
more beautiful expression in a dogs
face than the look he turns to tho
friend who has involuntari1y hurt
him before there IS time to explain.
His whole demeanor expresses the
highest magnanimity, not only the
foregone pardon, but the eager de-
sire that the offender shall think no
more Of the matter.
In many respects cats are more
like men and women than dogs are.
They have moods, and their nature
is complex. A dog is very much of
a piece. He is q good dog or a bad
dog, brave or cowardly, honest or a
sneak. The canine intelligence is
much higher than the feline, but the
disposition is simpler.
Cats are exceedingly irritable by
temperament, sensitive to changes
Of the weather, to frost. to thunder.
They are exoitable and naturally
disposed to bite and scratch when
at play. There is a curious tendency
in them, as in i'll balanced or over
strung human beings, to lose their
heads when in high spirits, and the
self command most of them show
when full grown in resisting these
impulses is a striking proof of con-
scious responsibility. A full grown
pet cat scarcely ever scratches a
young child, no matter how much
mauled by it. Besides being irrita-
BILE they are moody and subject to
depression. probably a physical re-
action from the former condition.
Princess, though not q sullen cat,
would sometimes forsake the hearth
or veranda and pass days by herself
on a garden wall or under a bush,
not i'll O out of temper. but out Of
spirits, morbid and wishing for soli-
tude instead of the sympathy which
she always sought in her real all.
ments and bereavements.
Her peouliarities, both of raos and
individuality, were remarkably de-
fined, even when she held them in
restraint; but, with n exception,
all the cats 1 have known are cap
tious. Their instinct when i'll or sad
is to be alone, but this is entirely
n%eutralized by petting. They bo-
come as dependent on caresses and
sympathy as children and much
wiser than children when they are
i'll or injured, as they apply for re-
lief with the most unmistakahle
suggestions, sometimes indicating
plainly where they are in pain and
presenting the suffering member for
treatment. They are not so patient
as dogs in taking medicine or sub
mitting to surgical care. but show
their recognition of its benefit by
coming back for it under similar
circumstances. -Temple Bar.
superstitions.
II you drive through a Russian
village about 10 p. NJ, you will be
struck by the absolute quiet that
pervades the scene. Not a creature,
mar or dog, is visible moving about;
the place has the air of a deserted
village. Suppose by some rare unto.
ward chance you come upon a group
of men standing together, apparent
ly in conversation, you will notice
that they speak in subdued tones
and whispers, and wait so long as
you please you will never hear them
laugh. The is simply this:
These Russian peasants believe in
evil spirits; but, unlike the Chinese,
they believe that they are attracted.
not frightened, by sounds. And so,
if some unlucky fate decree that the
mujik be cut of doors after II p. H.,
he is a painfully silent man. This
feeling also extends to some of the
southern towns. Kiev, the holy city
of Russia, is a model in this respect.
After 10 p. m. you may practically
have the streets to yourself. BLACK
woods Eagazine.