The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-07-16
FELINE FAfTHFULNEss. :.
Pierre Sacrificed His Life to AvsnS
Jeanne's Death.

Pierre Sacrificed His Life to Avsngs
Jeanne's Death.
Some time ago in quiet little corner
way down ON the Rue Royale, 1 CHANGED
upon a quaint little creole creature
whom the neighbors call "Mam'zellc"
If there was ever any name attached
1t must have been in prehistoric times.
for now there is not even sign upon
the door Of the little bakeshop where
neighborhood. Very good bread and
cakes they are, too, l can testify, for re-
Gently / have found Mam'zelle's cozy
shop a very comfortable resting place
after a mornings tramp in quest of
news. In this way have come TO be
pretty well acquainted with Mam'zelle
and Pierre, the cat, and Jeanne, tho
bird.
Pierre is handsome black and white
fellow, with a noble head, and he and
the little canary, Jeanne, were about
the same age. Nam zelle 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 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 littla
birds safety, she ld,swiDg the cage
in the doorway, while Pierre would
stretch himself on the floor beneath,
keeping guard over his friend. And
woe betide any strange cat that wan
dered that way. Pierre was always
On the alert for squalls, and if a cat
came too near to suit him he would
send Jeanne hustaing 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 and
Jeanne were taking their usual morn,
shop door, when big brindle 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'zelle SAYS Pierre
must have been gone a long time, but
she was busy serving customers. and by
Nv
the counter. Thinking, of course, that
Pierre had returned, she took no fur.
Their notice of the bird. A little later,
however, hearing dreadful commo-
ton out on the banquet, she ran out to
witness the sad little tragedy which !,
too, arrived just in time to see, but toe
late to prevent.
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'Delle |
and / arrived just in time to see the tor. |
toise-she1 pounce on poor Jeanne az
she sat perched on top of the swing. |
ing 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 corner, and as quick as a |
fash he 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 he
was too late.
Then, letting Mam'zelle take the lit.
tie corpse from under his paw, he
swooped down upon the tortoise-shell.
It was only for little while, 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 hei
pets.-Chicago Journal.