The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-01-06
80 ~RFMlREABLe 80
story Of a ships Pet That was Lsfg
Behind.

Story Of q Shlp.a FeE AAaE W44 Aa4s
Behind.
Aninstance Of remarkable sagacitY
displayed by a cat, in connection with
the oil-tank steamer Bayonne, loaded
at Port Breeze, isl just now the prevail-
ing topic Of conversation among ofh-
Gals Of the custom-house and the em-
ployes Of the Atlantic Refining COM
pany. It is a true story andi is Youched
for by the crew Of the Bayonne, the
boarding officers and all others hay
ing to do with the vessel.
When the Bayonne came to Phla-
delphia about seven weeks ago she had
a pet, an ordinary black-and-white
pussy, whose birthplace was far of
beyond the Italian Alps The cat was
a present to Capt. Won Hugo and had
accompanied hin on several voyages.
1t is, moreover, no ordinary tabby, as
it is the proud possessor of a pedigree
and an appearance equally remark
able. Italy is not blessed with many
cats-in fact, they are almost a rar-
ity. Therefore, to the great cat show
held last year at Florence there were
vast crowds attracted. The mascot
Of the Bayonne was present and car
ried off a big gold medal, which Capt.
Won Hugo personally exhibits to Wis
itors-a tribute to the finest speci-
men Of feline a~ristocracy represented
at the exhibition.
While the big oil tanker was load
ing her cargo at Port Breeze on the
visit mentioned, 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
parties 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 much regret Capt. Won
Hugo was obliged to make sail with
out his old companion.
Two days after the Bayonne left
the prodigal returned. Running down
on the wharf it cast anxious glance6
at the big bark Sternbeck, which now
occupied the pier formerly held by
the Bayonne. Visiting in succession
every ship in the vicinity the instinct
of the cat forbade its boarding any Of
them, and finally giving up in despair
it cast its lot in the Matchbox of
Waterman Manly, seemingly recon
ciled 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 Sa-
vonia, Italy, 20 other steamers came
in, and each was carefully inspected
in turn by the abandoned tabby,
Strange to say, a survey from a dis
lance seemed to satisfy the cat. Itwas
obvious that its former home was not
recognized.
AT last the Bayonne returned, and
then was manifest an unparaIleled ex.
hibition of animal instinct. When
the oil ship was still far down the
stream pussy took her position in the
end of the wharf, showing by a thou
sand antics that the oncoming craft
was the one so a~nxiously awaited fol
SO many weeks. Unnecessary to say
perhaps, that the recognition was u.
tual, from Capt. Won Hugo on The
bridge to the big black dog barking
on the poop deck, and there was nj
need to decry the absence Of an en-,
| thusiastic welcome. To cap the eli
max, when the Bayonne was yet Il
feet from the pier the cats impa
thence reached the limit. With ont
flying leap it cleared the intervening
2 space, and to the surprise of the cheer
ing crew ran directly to the pfaCl
where her kittens were formerly domi
ciled. The latter were still on board
and in few moments the happyfam
lily were again united.
Capt. Won Hugo will now have
picture painted Of his celebrated pet
which will ornament his private cabin
and on his return home will hayI
the strangest Of tales to relate to hi
family and friends concerning tn.
2 phenomenal instinct of pussy, which
has already become well known atth.
some port-Philadelphia Times.
Where Few Letters Are Mailed.
The number of stamps used 70
!, postage in some countries seems ri