The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-23
CATS IN THE ooUNTRY's SERVICE.
The Tailiess Tribe of the White House
GaI dens.
lFrom the St. Louis Republic. }

(From the St. Louis Republic
If the White House is rendezvous for
ghosts it is none the less popular with
cats, who have long held sway in the
basement and infested the greenhouse.
The truth Is, these universally domesti-
Gated pets are regarded with such sim
cere sacredness that not even the most
bloodthirsty will care to make way with
them. In addition to this feeling Of SUI
perstltious awe surrounding felines,
handed down from the early ages, White
house cats are protected because of their
useful qualities as rat catohers. If any
one doubts this assertion let him call at
the Navy Department and refer to the
records, and he will see under a specified
heading relating to appropriations for the
Boston navy yard, the significant item,
1925 for $50 pounds of fresh meat fur
nished CATS" While there is no question
as to the reliability of this expenditure,
officials of the government are wary of
discussing the subject in consequences Of
serious controversy that arose several
years ago in this connection. DESTROYS
OF reducing expenses, the secretary pro-
posed to strike out this clause, when such
strong arguments were made by the COM
manoant as to the Importance of pussy's
oohgatlons that the subject was finally
reconsloered and the appropriation al
lowed to stand. Every one familiar with
the extensive promenade that for mora
than quarter of mile follows the
shore, paarllel y it'll low sheds. in which
all the cordage of the government is
stored in Boston harbor must realize
that Tom and Tabby's duty to the pro
lection of property Is no sinecure. Wien
it is known that not only all the ropine
used In the navy. but rigging and flags
stored, the wisdom of this provision is
manifest With the exception Of Mare Is-
land, California, the Boston navy yard
is the most completely appointed of any
in the United States
Mr. Fister, the White House head gar
dener, kcan verify the statement of the
presence of five tailless kittens among
the dried bulbs and seedlings stored in
the propagating gardens for spring
planting. At least five such ouridsities
were born and reared there few years
ago, and acknowledgement pets among the
employees One day, without warning,
they all disappe AIRED as mysteriously as
they came, having been born in the night
and never approached by their mother
until the houses were deserted each even
ing. Mr.. Fister always avowed that
these queer little creatures. deprived by
nature of their caudal appendages, were
the offspring of a tramp cat who had
haunted the conservatories for years, and
when, the next spring puss appeared as
the mother of fresh litter deposited in
the self same corner of the hot room, her
Ga pQnjty nnnuQaTinna1 Tho CTR
est part of the story is that puss has never
been tempted to remain for more than an
hour or SO at time, even when guarding
her kittens; but would Invariably scam
per off without regard to her comfort, as
soon as she had been fed, returning the
next day at the same hour. This habit
has been kept up for nearly ten years,
and despite every effort TO discover her
| real abiding place it is still a mystery.
That she Is no idle phantom of the i'm
agination Is proved by presence of sue.
| cessiye generations of kittens, whose safe
keeping she invariably intrusts to her
human friends. realizing the good pro v
| ender and kind treatment furnished
| them. Mr.. Fister, as we'll as others of
equal veracity, has been allowed the priv
lleSe of stroking pusss soft white fur,
and they unhesitatingly assert that while
in the flesh she is a substantial body,
| though her inopportune disappearance
gives rise to doubt. The mystery of her
nomadic habits increases with time, in
spite of the familiarity with which she
approaches each noon hour for "a share of
the mems luncheons.
That both the President and Mrs. Nc
k1nley have rooted objection to cats
and dogs is an open secret and for this
reason all living pets have been forbidden
in the mansion. So far this puss has es-
capped the knowledge of the mistress, and
| carefully has the secret been guarded
among the servants. We're the knowledge
to leak out it is feared that poor puss's
rate would be sealed, in spite Of her use
full qualities in Kidding the basement and
storehouses of destructive vernin. The
nat of ths chief magistrate would be-
| sufficient to condemn her under the law.