The San Francisco call., 1897-01-31
The Pet Cat Of the Steamer alameda Has
already Covered 675,o00of Them by Sea.
TOM WILL GET i GoLLAR OF GOLD 4T THE FINISH
Rolling Up Miles the Present NomenJhe First Feline to Make
Long Distance Record, and He viii Get There
Barring Death ShipUreck

about his methods. He will kill every rat
that dares to make an appearance, but if
he ends the life of one anywhere else on
the ship the first thing he does is to de-
posit the carcass at Mr.. Little's door.
But this wonderful travelling cat is saga
cious id other ways. He knows the sound
of f1ying-fsh, and never one falls on the
deck that does not find its way 10 the
chief engineers door. Flying-fsh are
considered quite a delicacy at sea, but
Tom is always rewarded for his faithful
ness by being allowed to eat his captive.
The only annoying part about this pecu-
liarity of Toms is that he will often
crawl on to Mr.. Little's bed and awaken
him if he has victims body to display.
But his master never chides him for this,
and so the old cat remains happy, at
least in this regard.
Tom has never missed a sailing day. He
| is too anxious to travel. In his younger
days he used to go ashore great deal and
som etimes he stayed away for a day or
| two at time, but he always showed up at
muster on sailing day. Mr.. Little has al
ways been at loss to know how the cat
seemed to realize that the ship was about
TO sail but the fact remains that he did
SO, and does so still.
at present Tom is travelling with one
ear and half. This condition was
brought about by an encounter with cat
in Sydney in which although Tom came
out ahead he did not do so without receiv-
ing several reminders of the affray.
When Tom had finished his 100000
miles of travel, his American admirers in
San Francisco presented him with a silver
collar marked with the inscription "Old
Tom, Steamship Alameda. Presented by
his American Admirers July A, 1885,"
There was considerable fun at the presen-
tation.s A delegation waited on Mr.. Lit
tie and explained to him their mission.
Tom was escorted to the ships saloon and
seated on table by his masters side.
Many OF the ships com pany were present,
and when the speech-making began they
were all as interested as if they were listen
ing to an,oration over the body of some
fallen hero. Toms history was rehearsed
and due tribute paid to his superiority as
a traveller.
Then the collar was presented. Mr..
Little in replying explained how honored
Tom felt at the distin nction, and expressed
the hope that they would all meet again
after he had finished his million miles. for
which sentiment there were loud cheers.
Then the clIief engineer explained that if
it was not for the fact that all present
were known to be true friends of Tom, he
would feel, to some extent that an insult
had been offered in the gift, inasmuch as
Tom was we'll known TO be gold cat.
However, he continued, Tom would wear
his silver collar on all state occasions,
though it must not be expected that he
would change his political views. After
the ceremony was over a light luncheon
was served, in which Tom joined, and
after his health had been drunk several
times, the party disbanded. But it was
proud day for Engineer Little, who thipks
as much of his pet as he does of anything
in the world.
Toms friends in Sydney have asked the
privilege of presenting him with gold
collar when he has finished his million
miles and it is expected that there will be
great re iocng when the event comes off.