Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-11-10
sAGAc1TY OF A MASCOT CAT,
Recognized It's own Vessel Amona
Hundreds Arriving I'm the
Delaware.


An instance of remarkable sagacity
displayed by cat, in connection with
the oil tank steamer Bayonne is just
now the prevailing topic of converse
ton among officials of the custom
house and the employees of the At
lantic Refining company. It is 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 Phila-
delphia about seven weeks ago she had
a pet, an ordinary black and white
pussy, whose birthplace was far off be-
yond the italian Alps. The eat was 8
present to Capt. Won Hugo, and had ac-
companied him on several voyages. 1t
is, moreover, no ordinary tabby, as it
is the proud possessor of pedigree
and appearance equally remarkable.
Italy is not blessed with many cats
in fact, they are almost a rarity.
Therefore, to the great cat show held
last year at Florence there was great
crowds attracted. The mascot of the
Bayonne was present and carried off
a big gold medal, which Capt. Won
Hugo personally exhibits to visitors
a tribute to the finest specimen OF
feline aristocracy represented at the
exhibition.
While the big oil tanker was loading
her cargo at Point Breeze on the visit
mentioned, to the horror of the cap
tain and the CONSERVATION of the
steward, who was charged with its
La a1 iSonnoora6 tho
day after presenting to the ship four
beautiful kittens. Well organized par
ties 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 muck regret Capt. Won
Hugo was obliged to make sail without
his old companion.
Two days after the Bayonne left the
prodigal returned. Running down on
the wharf it cast anxious glances at
the big bark Sternbeck, which now oc-
cupied the pier formerly held by the
Bayonne. Visiting in succession every
ship in the vicinity, the instinct of the
cat forbade it boarding any of them,
and finally giving up in despair it cast
it's lot in the watch box of Waterman
Manly, seemingly reconciled to the
fact that it must await the appearance
of the absent oil ship. During the six
weeks in which the Bayonne was on
her voyage to Savonia, Italy, 20 other
steamers came in and each was care
fully inspected in turn by the aban-
dcned tabby. Strange to say, a sur
vey from a distance seemed to satisfy
the cat. It was obvious that its form
er 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 position on the
end of the wharf, showing by thou
sand antics that the on-coming craft
was the one so anxiously awaited for
so many weeks. Unnecessary to say,
perhaps, that the recognition was mu-
tual, from Capt. 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 well
come. To cap the climax, when the
Bayonne was yet IL feet from the pier.
the cats impatience reached the linn
it. With one flying leapit cleared the
intervening space and to the surprise
of the cheering crew ran directly to
the place where her kittens were form
erly domiciled. The latter were still
on board, and in few moments the
happy family were again united.
Capt. Won Hugo will now have pic
ture painted of his celebrated pet,
which will ornament his private cabin
and on his return home will have the
strangest of tales to relate to his fam
lily and friends concerning the phe-
nomenal instinct of pussy, which has
already become well known at the
home port.-Philadelph Times.