The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-13

Phantom Pussy That Iiaunts White
House.- Boston Navy Yard Cats.

Let any one call at the navy depart
ment in Washington and refer to the
records. and he will see under a speci-
fed heading. relating TO appropriations
for the Boston navy yard. the signi-
Rcant item. 1875 for $50 pounds Of fresh
meat furnished cats"
While there is no question as to the
reliability OF this expenditure. oficials
OF the government are wary or discuss-
Ing the subject I'm consequence or
serious controversy that arose several
years ago I'm this connection.
Desirous OF reducing expenses, the
secretary proposed To strike out this
clause, when such strong arguments
were made by the commandant as TO
the importance OF pussy's obligations
that the subject was finally reconsid-
cred and the appropriation allowed 10
stand.
Every one familiar with the extern
sive promenade that for more tnan
quarter OF mile follows the shore
parallel with low sheds, in which all the
cordage OF the government Is stored In
Boston harbor, must realize that Iom
and Tabby's" duty TO the protection or
property Is no sinecure. When II 10
known that not only all the roping used
in the navy, but rigging and f1ags. as
the wisdom OF this provision Is mani
fest.
with the exception of Mare. Island.
Cal, the Boston navy yard is the most
completely appointed of any In the
United States.
Uncle Sam having thus indorsed Miss
Pussy and enrolled her among his list
OF pensioners, it must be conceded that
her position under the government Is
one of dignity.
Mr. Fisher, the White House head
gardener, can verify the statement or
the presence OF five tailless kittens
among the dried bulbs and seedlings
stored in the propagating gardens Tor
spring planting. At least five such
curiosities were born and reared there a
few years ago. and became general pets
among the employees. One day, with
out warning, they all disappeared as
nysteriously as they came, having been
born I'm the night and never approached
by their mother until the houses were
deserted each evening.
Mr. Fisher always avowed that these
queer little creatures, deprived by ma
ture OF their caudal appendages, were
the offspring of tramp cat who had
haunted the conservatories for years,
and when. the next spring. puss ap-
peared as the mother of fresh litter.
deposited in the self-same corner OF the
toned.
The strangest part OF the story is
that puss has never been tempted To
remain for more than an hour or so at
a time, even when guarding her kit
tens, but would invariably scamper on.
without regard to her comfort, as soon
as she had been fed, returning the next
day at the eame hour
This habit has been kept up for near
| ly ten years. and despite every effort
to discover her real abiding place 1t Is
still mystery.
Members of the police force on duty
at the executive mansion. as well as
| the employees, have come to suspect Her
Feline Highness as a sort OF myth, or
| at least ranked among the mysteries
| that shroud all historic spots.
That she is no idle phantom or the
imagination is proved by the presence
| of successive generations OF kittens,
| whose safekeeping she invariably IN
| trusts to her human friends, realizing
| the good provender and KIND treatment
| furnished them.
Mr.. Fisher, as well as others of equal
veracity. has been allowed the privilege
| Of stroking puss' soft. white fur. and
| they unhesitatingly assert that while
| i'm the flesh, she is. all truth, sub
stantial body. though her inopportune
| disappearances give rise to doubt. The
4 mystery vi utf Heiiiotie -
| creases with time, in spite OF the IA
| miliarity with which she approaches
! each noon hour for a share of the mems
l luncheons.
| That both the president and Mrs. Nc
| Kinley have a rooted objection to cats
| and dogs Is an open secret, and for this
| reason all living pets have been for
| hidden in the mansion.
| So far this puss has escaped the
l Knowledge OF the mistress, and care
| fully has the secret been guarded
| among the servants. Were the knowl.
| edge to leak out 1t is feared that poor
| puss' fate would be sealed, in spite OF
| her useful qualities in ridding the base.
| ment and storehouses of destructive
| vermin. The nat of the chief magis-
trate would be sufficient to condemn