The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-01
NOTABLE PETS AT THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
BY wALDRoN FAwCETT.

The advent Of the Roosevelt children in
The White House brings to Washington the
most notable array of pets which have found
4 home in the national capital since the DAYS
~ President Cleveland When the young
people of the Roosevelt family travelled from
their home at Oyster Bay to Washington
they were accompanied by Jackie, the
black-and-tan dog which is the pet of the
entire household. Arrangements were made
to have Jessie, the Aberdeen setter, follow
at an early date, and it is predicted that
ere long a goodly proportion OF the RooSe-
velt ''mena gerie," which includes cats, dogs,
rabbits and guinea pigs, Will be transferred
10 the White House.
When President Cleveland's children lived
at the White House the house was oyerrun
with birds and animals. There were all sorts
~ dogs from poodles to a big st. Bernard.
several cats, canary and monkey, whlch
is reputed TO have been on very bad terms
with the members of the feathered tribe.
Mrs. Mckinley, while she lived at the Exec
utive Mansion, had only two pets-a canary
and A hooking bird, which she brought from
Canton For several years past the base
nept of the White House has been inhabited
nv large cat of very commonplace appear
auce. One morning some months since the
colored men who have charge OF the lower
mart Of the Executive Mansion found five
nm warm, soft bed made from an old coat,
while the old tabby guarded them with jeal-
ans care Naturally. there was great rush
IN secure a White House kitten, and 1t IS
stated that the enterprising young negro
who had the animals in charge sold several
dozen kittens at 50 each, it being guaranteed
that each little feline was surely one Of the
original quintet
However, the presidential mansion does
not enjoy any monopoly of the distinguished
nets There is scarcely soldier, statesman
or diplomat at Washington who does not
boast of some wonderful four-footed friend.
Senator Depew has wonderful yellow and
white cat named Tafy, and this frolicsome
animal is really of great value to the Sen
ator from New York, since Mr.. Depew de
LIGHTS to tell good stories, and this happy
feline furnishes him with many incidents
which have caused hearty laughs. Countess
Cassini the daughter of the Russian Am
bassador, has three fieecy French poOdles,
named Chocolate, Cosette and Mosquito,
which are much admired for their shaggy
white coats.
Admiral Dewey has green parrot which
can pour forth a medley of sailor talk which
will astound a landsman. John K. Mclean,
the Admrals brother-in-law, has cow Of
which he is as fond as a boy would be Of his
first pet. General Miles has two of the most
comical dogs in Washington pair of sol
emn looking pugs named Nip and Tuck. All
the children in the neighborhood know these
dogs, and in days gone by, before they at
tanned to such advanced age, they constantly
INDUCED in the most grotesque antics Of
which any canine was ever guilty.
There are some marvelousy intelligent
dogs in the distinguished canine assemblage.
Senator McMlHan mas sleepy-looking bull
dog named Victor, which probably gets into
more trouble than any other animal in Wash
ington. 1t all comes through his fondIess
for music Whenever he hears a band or
hand organ playing far down the street he is
off at a bound, and he will follow process
sion for hours unless apprehended by some
watchfuI attendant. Victor is a great fighter
and well deserves his name.
Another confirmed runaway is Jacko, the
bright and saucy fox TERROR owned by Post
master General Smith. He has an excellent
home, but he seldom remains there longer
than two weeks at a time. Occasionally he
comes home Of his own accord, not infre-
quently unkempt and bedraggled, but more
often it is necessary to offer reward to Sc
cure his recovery. Mrs. Perry S. Heath is
the proud possessor of one Of the best trick
dogs in Washington, and Lord Pauncefote
the British ambassador, has a dog named
Briton Of which he is very proud. One Of the
haudsomest cats at the national capital is in
the possession Of the little black-eyed daugh-
ter Of Senior Calvo, the minister to this coun-
try from Costa Rica. Perhaps, after all
however the funniest dog in Washington is
Moustapha, owned by the Assistant Secre-
tary of State. The canine is a fine fellow,
with big. innocent eyes, but he has driven
all the servants in his neighborhood to dis
traction by ringing electric bells by pushing
the buttons with his nose.