Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-06-08


original letter that the Russian charge
the Chinese foreign Office, containing
the Russian demands.
Peculiarities OF People
Cats. Secretly, we entertain great
tondness for them. We greatly admire
their dignity. composure and WeA-prea
exclusiveness. They have forciole
way of resenting intrusion and famll-
iarIty that really eXcites our envy. II
would sometimes come so Mandy 10
have claws and be able To spit ire.
O cats! You poor, patient, long
des pissed, much abused members OF the
feline tribe, for whom The world mas
hitherto raised up no honored defender.
Every other species on Gods tootstool
has had its lovers and champlons. Inc
dog, horse, lamb, bessie. biddie and
birdie have ali known what 1t is to be
coddled and companioned by some low
ing soul. Even snakes have been used
as bed fellows. While ihat stupidest
OF all animals = the p!g-has been
toasted and eulogized in conventions OF
scientists who are consid ring ways and
means to improve his let and rende:
him a clean, happy ana artistic AMI
nal.
But who ever paid similar homage to
the cat? Where were her defenders TO
pouse Miss Mouser's cause? Not u
soul save the equally despised old maid.
Cats and old maids-pi.jful combina-
ton, Both alike Stunned and tabooed
in all respectable society.
But we always had faith in Tab and
Tom. We always hoped and believed
that the day would come when puss, and
the old maid, too, would win proper and
respectful recognition. The dawning
of that day is here. The old maids tri-
umph was complete when her title was
changed to bachelor girl and now, at
laSt-ha! hattie cat receives her in
ii.ngs, too!
Who forty, twenty-nay. ten-years
ago, whom their widest moments
would have ever thought, dreamed or
imagined that aristocratic club women,
not old maids, mark you but married
danes and bachelor girls-would eS-
pouse the cause of the downtrodden
cat; that we should have cat clubs and
cat shows and cat contests and cat re-.
ceptions; that we should have literary
periodicals. called after Cats-such as
THE Black Cat" The Maltese Cat
Our Cats" and no knowing how many
more; that books, whole books. would
devote themselves exclusively to the
history, origin, virtues, habits and pedi-
grees of the various branches OF the
cat family? Yet the thing has hap
pened Have you not heard of that
popular book. Concerning Cats which
has gone thru more than a dozen edi-
lions? Surely all club women know of
It, for it is the happy inspiration OF
Miss Helen Winslow, editor of The
ubwoman,"-their official organ.
And there is a recent book by Miss
Frances Simpson-just from the press
of the Stokes Company-in which you
will find everything under the sun per-
tanning to Cats and All About Them
how TO breed 'em and feed 'em and
sleep 'em and eat EN-.
And there are others. Indeed, 1t looks
as tho we would be swamped with cate
gories of cats and books of cat-glories.
and that the cat-Miss Tabitha and Mr.
1'homas-will at last be enthroned as
special gods OF the family hearth.
But there is more interesting tale to
be told about cats: and what is more.
it is a true tale concerning real people
and places, mice, mousers and men, The
scene is laid in Stamford town, in the
state of Connecticut: time, the year Of
our Lord 1903. in the spring Of the year.
The hero is Mayor Lee,ts, very young
= l1s tAS fnv> l1
instinct, and presumably a member of
the humane society. The heroine is an
aristocratic lady, Mrs. Homer Cum
mings by name, president OF the SIAM
ford Cat Club.
The plot is thrilling and also killing.
The Cat Club arranged for show. The
leading feature advertised for the cat
show was "a field trial of Kittens" in
which a collection of misc and an army
OF cats would be given the freedom of
the premises.
But alas for the tendev-hearted hero
who could not permit such cruelty
without entering a least formal pro-
test. After sleepless night his pro-
test took shape in letter to the hero
Inc The missive read rs follows:
Mrs. Homer S. Cummings, STAN
ford, Conn.-Dear Madam: 1t seems to
me that a mouse-c catching contest as a
feature of the cat show would tend to
promote cruelty in the community
Please do not have any such contest or
the program Very truly,
CHARLES II. LEEDS.
Mayor"
The next day the mayor received this
reply:
Hon. Charles H. Leeds, Stamford,
Conn.-Dear Sir: 1t seems to me that
a mouse protecting mayor as a feature
OF the cat show would tend to promote
levity in the community. Please do not
fail to have the police force on the
grounds. Very truly yours,
MRS. HOMER S. CUMMINGS,
President"
The mayor collapsed What else
could he do? He protested that he
hadn't really the slightest idea of call
ing out the police
OF course the contest took place. and
LADY Homer triumphantiy carried off
IN her arms the victorious kittie which
in the evening, was banqueted on
whipped cream at cat reception. 1t
is not stated whether the mayor was
present or not but. poor fellow! we are
sorry for him. He had had no previous
experience with the fair sex, and was
probably not aware of,the undying feud