The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-14
PussY's WAIT Foa HER SHIP.
Hundreds of Other Vessels Arrived but
She Needed Them Not.


An instance of remarkable ~sagacity
displayed by a cat in connection with
the oil tank steamer Bayonne. nov ly-
ing at Point Breeze, is just now the
prevailing topic OF conversation among
officials of the custom house and the
employees of the Atlantic Refining COM
pam IL 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 Phlladel-
phia about seven weeks K IL had a
pet. an ordinary black and white pussy,
whose birthplace was far OH beyond
the Italian Alps. The cat was a pres
ent To Captain Won Hug and had ac-
~companied him on several voyages. IL
is, moreover. no ordinary tabby, as IL
Is the proud possessor of a pedigree
and appearance equally remarkable.
Italy is not blessed with many cats
i'm fact, they are almost a rarity.
Therefore. to the great cat show held
last year at Florence there were vast
crowds attracted. The mascot OF the
Bayonne was present and carried of
a big gold medal, which Captain Won
Hugo personally exhibits To Visitors-a
ribute TO the finest specimen of feline
aristocracy represented at the exhipl-
ton.
While the big o~il-tanker was loading
! it's cargo at Point Breeze. to the horror
of the captain and the CONSERVATION OF
the steward. who was charged with its
keeping. the animal disappeared the
day after presenting TO the ship four
beautiful kittens. Well organized par
ties searched the tanker from stem 10
stern and thoroughly explored the
streets and wharves around the OIL
works. but al to no avail. Pussy was
gone and with much regret Captain
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. IL cast anxious glances at
the big bark Sternbeck. which now oc-
| cupied he pier formerly held by he
Rayonne. Visiting in succession every
ship i'm the vicinity. the instinct or the
cat forbade il boarding n OF Them,
and finally, giving up in despair II
cast it's lot In the Matchbox OF Watch-
man Manly. seemingly reconciled 10 the
fact tina n must await h appearance
Of the absent oil ship. During the SIX
weeks in which the Bayonne was or Its
voyage to SavOnia, italy. 20 other
steamers came in. and each was care
fully inspected i'm turn by the a
doned tabby. Strange to say, a survey
from a distance seemed TO satisty the
cat. 1t was obvious that It's FORMER
! home was not recognized.
AT last the Bayonne returned. and
then Wgs manifest an unparalleled eN-
hibition of animal instinct. When the
oil shin was still far down the stream
pussy took her position on the end or
the wharf. showing by a thousand an
tics that the onComing craft was the
one 50 anxiously awaited FOR 50 many
weeks. Unnecessary to say, perhaps,
that the recognition was mutual rom
/ CAPTAIN Won Hugo on the bridge 10 the
big black dg barking on the poop deck
and there was no need To deCry the alb
sence Of an enthusiastic welcome. To
can the climax. when the Bayonne was
yet u feet from the pier the cat I'M
patience reached the limit. With one
flying leap Il cleared the intervening
| space. and. 10 the surprise Of the cheer
ing crew. ran directly to the place
where her kittens We're formerly DOM
icilcd. The latter were still on board,
and i'm a few moments the happy fam
iIy was again united.
Captain Won Hugo will now have n
picture painted 81 his celebrated pet,
which will ornament his private cabin,
and on his return home viii have the
| Of tails % relate to his family
and friends concerning the phenomenal
Instinct Of pussy. which has already be-
| come we'll known at the home port
Philadelphia Times.