Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-23

ing, hoping Aunt Dorothy may use 1t in her
talks to the children. Aunt Dorothy passes
1t right on to you. with her thanks to the
friend who sent It'd
CARE OF HOUSEHOLD PETS.
BY Kate Epson Clark.
Nature study Is one of the greatest
agencies for the eradication of barbarism
in the small boy. The amelioration OF
cruelty and the regard for all harmless
life are two of the marks Of growing gem
tleness. 1t is universally admitted that
though girls are not faultless In these re-
spects. boys are the worst offenders. How
to make boys cease to torment helpless
dumb creatures and to induce them to be
kind to the weak is one of the chief prob
lens before parents and educators.
Some one has said, ITO know all is to
forgive ALL" and that clever old man. Louis
XIV, asserted that perfect intelligence
everywhere would utterly destroy crime.
1t seems to have taken good many CEN
turtles for the race to arrive at the conclu-
sion that II boys only knew all about ami
mails they would love them and stop hurt
ing them. We have reached 1t at last, how
ever, and If We do not overdo the matter in
our intense modern way we are likely to
accomplish something to offset the preva
lent craze for war and for "unrestrained'
athleticism.
1t is one of the interesting paradoxes of
history and Of literature, by the way, that
Mr.. Kipling, who has been blamed by all
of our literary critics for his dedication of
war. has been one Of the chief agents for
the promotion Of the nature craze
through hts inimitable jungle stories.
A few examples will illustrate better than
any amount of assertion just how the mat
ter works.
A passenger on q Jerry boat recently
seemed greatly interested in a handsome
cat which one Of his neighbors was hold
ing. The young man looked respectable
| enough on the outside. and when he asked
If he might take the cat the flattered owner
cherfully handed over the beautiful animal
to its>admirer. The latter. to the horror Of
from basket beside him a number OF
crabs. which he fastened upon the unfortu-
| nate feline. His manner indicated that he
thought he was about to provide rare
amusement for his fellow travellers When
the poor creature jumped about in panic
of pain and fright, and was unable to dis
lodge her little tormentors, the brutal
wretch writhed with laughter.
The crabs finally had to be removed by
doctors pinchers. while the miscreant who
was responsible for the cats sufferings
was arrested IOI Cruelty " 1Lct
US hope that he was severely punished.
It is highly improbable that If this base
fellow had been brought up In family
where pet cat or other pets were kept he
could have found any pleasure In caus-
ing such torture. 1t Is fact that domestic
pets are not as common In countries where
bull fights are enjoyed as In others. while
the old Romans, whose sports were more
brutal than those of any other recorded
civilization. had comparatively few pets
The presence and care Of household pets
Is surer way than mere school study or
book reading to promote that noble human
ity and tenderness Of heart which are es-
sential parts of the highest civilization.
The training of such pets becomes also a
source Of intellectual ingenuity ana olscl.
pline It is true that some punishment
must usually accompany the teaching or
special tricks and accomplishments to any
animal, but If the older members OF the
selves administer such training the results
are generally good, while the pleasure or
the trick. when taught. Is generally great
both to the animal and to those who see It,
Children cannot help becoming inter-
ested in any creature to which their at
tention is constantly directed. If boy
wishes for any kind Of an animal pet, If
possible give 1t to him. instruct him thor
ouehIy In its habits and peculiarities, and
teach him to sympathize In It's disabilities
sHumph" said big boy to his sister
whose bird he was teasing. your silly
little bird doesn't know anything. 1t can't
feel Now, my dog knows something. He
can feel. I don't plague him-because
know he can feel.
This boy was dumfounded a few days
later by something which the little bird
did. It almost seemed as though sne
wanted to show her. critic how mistaken
he was.
Her name was Floss, and she had never
had any special pains taken with her in
teIlectual development Her little owner
had been most faithful and method1cal In
Of 1or TDQf
morning, after giving Floss her bath, sne
had wiped off each and every WIRE OF the
cage with soft cloth. One morning she
was interrupted just as Floss was concIud-
ing her bath. There was time for carry
ing off the tub. but not for completing the
usual clearing UP.
For some time Floss sat on her perch
calling GROSSLY and impatiently: Every
body was too busy to pay any attentton TO
her but presently a member OF the fam1ly,
who was at work nearby. saw the Dlro hy
of her own tiny feathers, and one by one
DANGEROUSLY wipe OF with 1t every bespat-
tered wire Of her cage.
The heartIess big brother was far more
,n,nressed by hearing this story than by
ali the asseyerations which his sister had
made before The bird. and through 1t all
birds, became an object OF consideration
and interest to him.
dislike and distrust cats. They are said
to be ungrateful and treacherous- FER
haps this is one reason why cats are more
nersistently maltreated and abused imam
-, otber animals Here is story about
cats which should help to give them bet
ter reputation: ,ra,.
certain teacher, who was poarding
In family hostile to cats, befriended a
tr.mn cat. which seemed to be In the
last Stages of starvation Under cover
Of the darkness she placed a saucer OF
milk near side door, where the poor
skeleton beast could lap it impoverished
Stroking the poer creature. her henefac-
trass confided to her repeatedly that she
must be very quiet. for enemies were on
all sides of her. and there wouid De a
graat hue and cry IL 1t were known that
2 cat were being fed on the premises.
The cat seemed to comprehend Each
night she came and went at the same
TavorabIe hour, like a shadow-but a
shadow whose outlines were daily be-
coming rounder In the course of
fortnight her teacher friend had the sat
isfaction of seeing that the poor cat had