The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-16
Sforyef}es.
ssssssssssssssss

imal life. Few of us ever take the
time or trouble to observe the lives of
these silent friends; but those who have
are convinced of their intelligence and
ability to communicate with each 9th
er. These stories are selected from
our exchanges, and are written by S.
V Stevens.
Wegg and Boflin were two cats.
Wegg was cat of Maltese extraction,
as black as night, villain from choice
and in every way counterpart of his
namesake except in being one of the
handsomest things that ever happened,
for he resembled a handsome black
tiger. BOflin was common black cat
but as well named, for gentler, kind
er. sweet tempered creature never
lived Both cats were very large,
weighing about eighteen pounds each.
Wegg was very independent and gen.
orally did as he pleased, and had his
own way in everything. He was a
natural born fighter and hated strange
cats. and never allowed one a minutes
rest till he had driven it away. One
evening, just after we had finished sup
per, we were looking for Wegg to give
him his. but he could not be found, but
Boffin was on hand. After giving MIR.
Wegg up as bad job, and while we
were all sitting in the dining room, it
being summer the doors were all open,
in walked strange cat Boffin looked
at him, concluded he was too big for
him. turned and went out of the room.
4 few minutes after we were surprised
to see Wegg and Boffin coming in to-
gether, Wegg in the lead, with his fur
all standing on end and his tail pushed
out the size of ones arm. He walked
up to that strange cat, and, without
any delay. rushed at him, and for few
minutes the air was full of cats and
fur and things, but the strange cat
wasn't in it." and as soon as he could,
made a bee-line for the road few
rods away. Wegg, after ne had watched
him safely away, stretched himself,
smoothed his ruffed fur, went up to
BOfiin, kissed him, put his head to
BOtlinS for minute or so, as much as
30 say. Didn't l do that in good
shape?" and then went out Of the room
10 resume whatever mischief he was
at when Boflin found him and to re-
turn an hour or two later and set up a
howl because his supper wasn'i ready
for him. and talk about it for an hour
more. as though he were the worst
abused cat in the country. Bof1in sat
there after Wegg had left, winking his
great big eyes saying to himself,
"Wegg, Wegg, what villain you are?'
How did BOtfin know where Wegg
was? Does it not all prove that he
knew where he was, went to him. said
There is a strange cat in the house,
too big for me to handle; you come
and see what you can do and what
Wegg said: "ShOw him to me; I'll
make short work of himf" If Wegg
had not been told, why should he come
in prepared for fight? Poor old
Botfin died when he was ten years old.
Wegg lived to be eighteen, aud was
brought from the mountains to San
Francisco and lies buried here, for,
villain as he was, we were all fond OF
him and could not leave him to strang-
ers, who would never have put up with
him and his queer ways.
Pet was only little bay mare not
over thirteen hands, but a high spirited,
gentle lOvable little creature. She, at
the time of which write, had a little
colt of her own and had adopted
another whose mother had been acct
dentally killed. In the country where
we lived all horses not in use were
turned loose to run at will on the
plains. Our corral gate was generally
left open so that any of our horses
could come up to the house 1T they
wished; and as nearly all were pets,
there was generally one or two around
looking for sugar and biscuits. One
day | was going out of the house when
/ saw pet and her two babies coming
through the gate. AS she seldom came
up | thought there was something
wrong, and she looked thin and the
colts looked half starved. The poor
little creature came to me and put her
head in my hands and seemed to be in
trouble. whats the matter with you,
old Lady," said L. For answer she
turned her head to one side, tried to
open her mouth and l saw that her
jaw seemed to be paralyzed and that
she was unable to eat and was starv.