New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-14
A PRINCE AMONG CATS.
SPORT TAKES HIS OUTINGS DRESSED
UP AS A BABY.
HE Is AN ARIsTocRlTIc ANIMAL AND DOES NOT
ASSOCIATE WITH OTHERS OF HIS KIND

HIS ONE MISFORTUNE.
Mrs. Josephine Bagnell. of No Ssl Pacifc-st, Is
widow and has no children. She has baby
however which occupies ali her attention ana re-
ceives the fondest of mother. the paoy
name is Sport, and 1t is a large, thirteen-pouhd
white Maltese and Angora cat IL receives fn"ch
more care than many human babies and can oe
seen often all dressed up in q babys white dress
and cap cuddled in the arms OF It's mistress anu
taking a ride in the trolley-cars 800
Mrs Bagner has always loved cats from child
hood and has never been without some MEMBER VI
the feline tribe In the house. But sport IL ~
ordinary cat He receives the tender treatment Oh
an only child He is in many ways weli-oena'cu
child and yet has all the caprices OF spoheo pet
Sport will be three years old in February ne
was given to Mrs. Bagnell by a friend in Auah'ic-
ave. when he nine days Old ana siilaii e"oue"
TO be carried around in tin cam lie was I'M
mediately installed as a member OF the tanhy' ~
small nursing bottle was bought and sport .ooA
his daily nourlshment of milk from this until ne
was three months old. Since that time his food
has consisted of raw meat in strips and ted 70
him four times a day. and as "A beverage ne oi'"N'
of sour milk Sport refuses 10 eat MS n'e"'
unless il is the quality to which he Is accustoe"'
and is up to just the proper degree VI ''e"e7'
He never drinks water and turns up MS nose "'
milk unless II is sour and thick. Sport rooms
with his mistress and her sister. Miss NJ Chi''on'
on the top floor Here he sleeps and eats anu ie'e"'
supreme When bedtime comes sport goes up
TO the room with his mistress. Inc paos ID '"''
carefully prepared for bed 80.
First he has meal of carefully sliced raw meat
This /, washed down by saucer of sour MIX
Then his blue satin ribbon is removed anu MI
Bagnell takes him In her arms and careiu'iy oo"
his thick white coat with hne-tootheu 'o',D
Snort likes this so much that he would glaoy
submit to It for hours and he refuses to be put 10
bod until the combing has been done sport
.t,,k hot nj n
he'd. where he lies quietly all night Toward tne
morning he crawls up near TO his mistress heao
and watches for her to wake up. If at the usual
time she has not shown signs OF waxing 'poi'
reminds her that it is time to get up by een.'
tapping with his paws on her face Ihroushou. '''e
day Sport faithfully follows his mistress ABOUT
the house While she eats he lies by her SIDE wait
inc natientIv for his food. With sharp eyes ne
watches the process of preparation, and complains
loudly if there is any delay. He then toio"S NE
nlatter Of meat up to his room. where the uellile"
cat always dimes. After his breakfast sport gus
down 10 the parlor and stretches out FOR nap III
the sun i'm front of the large French WINDOWS
After dinner Mrs. Bagneli frequently takes her
.babv" out for ride Sport has regular
babv,s wardrobe A long white skirt and dress
with fine needlework and broad tucks. wnlte
flannel baby's circular trimmed with lace ana
little lace cap adorned with blue ribbons comprise
the toilet of these clothes. Sport IS proud ana
he cannot be induced 10 leave the house unless ne
Is first dressed up. Sport nestles up in the arms
OF his mistress like human baby. lie attracts
great deal Of attention the cars. and frequently
some one who has seen the babys clothes and leans
over TO take a look at the dear little thins Is
startled to the yellow eyes OF large cat star
ing out at him from under the heecy lace cap
When Mrs Bagnell first took her pet out Tor a riue
the conductor refused TO allow her to take sport
into the car lie obstinately refused to consider
han eve 1
dressed as baby Since that time Mrs. Bagnell
has obtained a permit to carry her baby In the
streetcars and they frequently take long rides TO-
Just before dinner Sport has his daily bath; THIS
he enjoys spite of the usual feline horror OF wafer
The finest toilet soap and violet water are used IN
the ba, of this cat Of fortune His soft white coat
is then dried and cOmbed out. HIS face Is cared loI
and his paws manicured. ~
This sumner Sport has been spending his after
Moons and evenings loungng among SOFT cusn-
ions in a baby hammock The hammock was nInS IN
the yard and string run into the front window
by which 1t rocked. Sport likes 10 be swung,
ceases. As has been said before, Sport IS dignl-
fed cat: he Is member OF the fanny ana aGes n2s
by going off on bats and giving concerts on the
back fence. lie Is not back-fence cat and rare!y
the yard and keeps the family company on the steps
cat He has a rag doll which he thinks The world or
lie takes ii bed with him. and once wnen the fam
stairs, and, bringing the rag doll down with him, de-
posted 1t in the trunk Sport IS also weaver
exricable network among The chairs by taking the
ball n his mouth. Jumping IN the chairs ami drop
legs Sport used 70 be a great jumper. He never
crossed door sill by any other means Of locomoton
grief About three months ago ne seized with
a stroke Of torturing paralysis which the Doctor at
tributes to too much jumping Mrs Bagneil dressed
him up and took him TO the doctor in Ashland-ave
Sport has beer the doctors frequently. and 1t Is
hOp.d that in time he will HIS daily medi-
cine consists Of two qunine pills and frequent lotion
Of witch hazel He drag himself about the house.
but he does not look happy.
Mrs Bagnoll has been urged TO send Sport 10
cat show. where he would undoubtedly be prize
winner. She has refused each time because she Is
afraid that something might happen to her pet If he
went out Of her sight Thousands OF dollars would
not be tempting enough 10 induce Mrs. Bagnell TO
part with her baby"