The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-23
WASHING CATS.
"A Young Woman Earns a Living in a
Novel Way.

Young Woman Earns Living in a
Novel Way.
She is young New York girl, not yet
IS, and gave the following account of
her work:
You won't have any trouble about
spelling my name; it's Smith-Virginia
Smith. 1 have always been especially
fond of cats, and had a lot of EN- as
pets since 1 was a baby. My mother
died ten years ago, and my father died
last year. / being the oldest, there are
two younger than me, and there being
no money to fall back on, knew / had
to earn a living or starve. l started out
to hunt work in an Office. / tramped
for a week without getting so much as
promise. so you may guess how dis
couraged was when Sunday came. But
as there was nothing else to do, 1 took
my two younger sisterS-one is 10 and
the other II years old-for walk in the
park
During the walk we saw cat being.
taken for an airing in a doll carriage
by a stylishly dressed maid. 1t was
fine Angora, but about the dirtiest
white cat 1 ever saw. 1t hadn't been
very well, it seems, and not being al
lowed out of doors to roll on the grass,
had no means of keeping itself clean.
knew at once what was the matter,
and said to the girl:
Why don't you wash the cat? 1t
would get we'll very much quicker and
be a different looking animal
'She said that the cat fought so that
no one dared tub it. Well, / had a lit
tie chat with the girl while l was pet
ting pussy and learned the name and
ing bright and early rang the door
bell and sent my card to the mistress
When she came down I explained my
circumstance and asked permission to
twash the cat. She was astonished, but
she granted my request and paid me
well for it.
THAT was the beginning; now have
as many engagements as I can attend
| to. I go to the homes Of my clients,
l call them and give them a bath and
rubbing down once every two weeks.
That is often enough for a healthy cat
I know it is generally believed that cats
keep themselves clean, but it is like q
great many other things generally be-
lieved; it is a mistake, for there is the
greatest difference in the world be-
tween the fur of g cat allowed to care
for its own coat and one receiving the
proper attention. It is longer, finer,
more glossy and ten times more soft.
Il always use three waters, in a YES
sci plenty large enough to immerse the
cat all three baths Comfortably warm.
In the first water I put few drops Of
ammonia, then taking the cat in my
lap on my rubber apron, thoroughly
soap her all over with any good soap.
Then / put her rinsings in two clear
baths, the water of both about the
same temperature as the first. If she
is strong, 1 rub her dry, pet her a lit
tie and turn her loose. But If she is
delicate or quite young, not only rub
her dry, but give her a saucer of warm
milk, and then put her in her basket
and cover her up for a nap. OF course
since taking this up as a means of
earning my own and my sisters living,
have Informed myself thoroughly on
the subject; that is, / have learned all
about cats, their habits and their all
ments. so whenever I have a sick cat
or a puny cat. they don't have to go to
doctor
Perhaps you will be Interested to
know that at the recent cat show, ev-
cry New York cat, with one exception,
that received prize or honorable men
ton was client OF mine"