Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-27
THE RICHMOND D1sPATCH-sUNDAY NOVEMBER ~ 1898

Vinced OF the signs sincerity aud appro-
priatcness, for the walls are lined fror
Hoor TO ceiling with small cages. through
the bars OF which peer blinking, yellow
sits OF eyes, surveying one with that dis
dainfui and altogether supercilious air
which only cats OF high degree or as
suIea position in the feline world can
assume. SurStng over the floor, the old
iashloned counter. and the proprletor's
narrow desk in the one shadow corner
OF the shop is fiood OF furry Juveniles,
ana the weikin rings from morning TO
night with a pandemonium OF splitting,
walls, yowls, meows. love means and
the stentorian howls Of belligerent chal-
ieilBe. Three or four monkeys, brothers
ana sisters perhaps, OF the sleepy chap
IN the show window. from a larger cage
gaze out upon the turbulent felines and
exert themselves desperately to capture
the dispor'ing kittens as they ily past
the bars.
The visitors entrance is usually the
signal for a mad, concentrated kitten
charge. Pell-mell they rush upon him.
investing him from every strategic point.
Ihey assault hts boots. They Chamber
up his trousers legs. They catapault him
from the counter. hurting themselves upon
MS neck and shoulders with a frantic
energy which soft purrs convince the
fi'itVi - meant as Il lEltDQlS welcome.
But II Is the work OF some moments
for the proprietor of the emporium to
divest the visitor of his numerous little
incumbrances
Scat. little pestsr' he orders. switch
Ing here and there with his hands among
the ciinging kittens. "Wir you never learn
good manners in spite OF your training?'
so you train cats, do your"
The proprietor answers the question
with a mingled nd
preach. "Of course says he, else why
should / cali this place eat emporium
a cat is the easiest thing in the world 10
teach parlor manners. tricks, and ODD
things IN general" he continues, sweep
ing the kittens out Of the shop with
broom and into an adjoining room. the
privacy OF which Is guarded by a faded
tapestry hanging. Talk OF dogs-they
haven't one tenth the sense OF cats, when
rightfuily taught and developed. And It..
too bad folks have neglected and despisad
the poor cat 80 long. He or she's an IN
teilectual creature. and when a cat learn,
anything II is never forgotten. People
are gradually waking up TO the fact Of Il
cats being so smart, and as a household
pet II bids fair to GUST the dog in shorl
order"
rs there demand for cats at PRESENT.
asked the visitor.
Course, otherwise the emporium would
be failure" returns the proprietor.
| Everybody is buying cats nowadays
and you might think it's odd folks would
spend money Tor such things, when they
are 10 be had for the asking, but 1t is
the hiGh-class, well-bred, aud trained
animal they want, and are willing to pay
q good price for. Common cats are just
like mongrel dogs. You can get bunch
of them for nothing at any time But
cats of superior breeds cost money, and
some of them scrape close to the $50 and
even the 500 mark.
Here is a beauty, the like of which
you probably never saw before" says the
proprietor, unlocking one Of the cages
and stepping 10 the middle of the shop
! Just you watch him when / call his
| name. Come Ivan
Instantly the unbolted door flies back,
there is the swift shadow of a body IL
transit. soft thud, and singular look
ing cat rests upon one shoulder OF the
proprietor. and rubs its head against his
elevated chin The cat has large body
and short legs. but its most distinguish
ing characteristics are an immense wool
ly name and tufted frill.
'This fellow Is a Russian cat" explains
the proprietor, placing the animal on the
counter and running his fingers through
its name, land there are very few like
him in this country. He is a most af-
fectionate fellow. too despite the com
mon story that such cats never show any
affection for people. It's all nonsense,
any way, 70 say that cats are not as af
! fcctionate as dogs. They seldom exhibit
as much love for person, because 1t is