The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-29
A GOOD CAT STORY.
How Pussy Waited for Her Ship tt
Come In.

From the Philadelphia Times
An instance of remarkable Sagacity dlS-
PLAYED by a cat in connection with the OIL
tank steamer Bayonne, now loaolng at
Point Breeze, is just now the prevailing
topic of conversation among the officials OIL
the custom house and the employees OF the
Atlantic refining company. 1t is a true
story, and is vouched for by the crew
of the Bayonne, the boarding officers and
all others having to do with the vessel.
When the Bayonne came to Phlladeipha
about seven weeks ago, it had pet, an
ordinary black and white pussy, whose
birthplace was far beyond the Italian Alps.
The cat was a present to Captain Won hugo
and had accompanied him on several yoy-
ages. 1t is, moreover, no ordinary tappy'
as it Is the proud possessor or a pedlgree
and appearance equally remarkable. Italy
ia not blessed with many cats--in fact, they
are almost rarity. Therefore, to the great
cat show held last year in Florence there
were great crowds attracted. The mascot
OF the Bayonne was present and carried on
big gold medal, which Captain Won Hugo
personally exhibits to visftors-a tribute to
the finest specimen of feline arlstocracy
represented at the exhibition.
While the big oil-tanker was loading It's
cargo at Point Breeze, to the horror OF the
captain and the CONSERVATION of the stew
ard, who was charged with its Keeping, the
animal disappeared the day after presenting
organized parties searched the tanker from
stem to stern and thoroughly explored the
streets and wharveS around the oil WORKS,
| but all to no avail Pussy was gone, and
with much regret Captain Won Hugo was
obliged to sail without his old companion.
Two days after the Bayonne left the prod
| igal returned. Running down on the wharf,
| 1t cast anxious glances at the big bark
| Sternbeck, which now occupied the pier
| formerly occupied by the Bayonne. Visiting
| in succession every snip in the vicinity, the
| instinct of the cat forbade 1t boarding any
| of them, and finally, giving up in despair,
| it cast its lot in the Matchbox of the
| Waterman Manly, seemingly reconciled to
| the fact that 1t must await the appearance
of the absent oil-ship. During the six weeks
in which the Bayonne was on its voyage to
Savonia, Italy, twenty other Steamers came
in, and each was carefully inspected in turn
by the abandoned tabby. Strange to say,
a survey from distance seemed to satisfy
the cat. 1t was obvious that its former
home was not recognized
AT last the Bayonne returned, and then
was manifest an unparalleled exhibition of
animal instinct When the oil ship was still
far down the stream pussy took her pcs ton
on the end of the wharf showing by a
thousand antics that oncoming craft was
the one so anxiously awaited for so many
weeks. Unnecessary to say, perhaps, that
the recognition was mutual, from Captain
Won Hugo on the bridge to the big black
dog barking on the poop deck, and there
was no need to decry the absence of an
enthusiastic welcome. I % cap the climax,
when Bayonne was yet twelve feet from the
pier the cats Impotence reached the limit
With one flying leap it cleared the inter-
vening space, and, to the surprise of the
cheering crew, ran directly to the place
where her kittens were formerly domiciled.
The latter were still on board, and in a few
| moments the happy family was again
united.
Captain Won Hugo will now have pic
ture painted of his celebrated pet, which
will orament his private cabin, and on his
return home will have the strangest of
tales to relate to his family and friends con-
corning the phenomenal instinct of pussy,
which has already become well known at
| the home port.