The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-08-04
tato; some Of asparagus; some would
eat cabbage, and almost every cat liked
oorv, o,1 hoorc

She was always particular to keep a
dish of fresh water where the cat could
get at it, for cats often are allowed,
through thoughtlessness, to suffer with
thirst. They need fresh water, as we'll
as milk-just as we do. Milk cannot
take the place of water. With their
milk she often mixed rice or oatmeal.
She also carefully picked bones out of
fish, and mixed it with potato or rice
for a change of food. Cats are some
times seriously hurt by swallowing fish,
BONES
She fed her cats regularly, and they
knew just when to expect their food, SO
were not teasing around the house. She
found that they were much better hunt
ers after rats and mice if they were
kept in good condition. 1t is only those
who are very ignorant of the cat who
imagine she must be kept half-starved
to be hunter. A we'll cared for cat is
always the brightest and smartest cat.
She never turned her cats out of doors
at night, but kept box of clean, dry
earth where they could get at it, and
she had no trouble with them. A little
training will make any cat neat, and it
is only neglect that renders them other
wise.
She never tied ribbon or placed a
collar around cats neck, for there is
always danger of their getting caught
in some bush or fence and receiving
death, or strangled by means of col
lar.
1t is so hard to find good homes for
kittens that Mrs. Lane saved but one
out of litter of kittens. The others
she drowned in pail of luke-warm wa
ter as soon as they were born. When
the water is warm it sinks the kittens
at once, because it vets the fur quickly.
If they are tied up in an apron they can
be held down for moment with a
broom. Or another pail made heavy
by being half filled with water, can be
placed over the kittens as soon as they
are put in the first pail, to prevent them
from rising. They should be left some
time in the water.
Mrs. Lanes experience had taught
Ter that cats have much more feeling
and intelligence than many people give
them credit for, and they thoroughly
appreciate good treatment, as well as
suffer very much from neglect. They
learn to know the tone of the voice, the
glance of the eye of those with whom
they live, and respond to look and a
word. They are very affectionate, and
| love those who are kind to them. They
have great motherly affection, and it is
cruel to take away all their kittens.
| One should be saved, and for one it is
almost always possible to find good
home.
With such thoughtful and consider
ate mistress, it is no wonder that Mol
lie grew fat and handsome, and had no
desire to leave her happy home for any
thing more than an occasional outing
or promenade.
When the early days of September az
rived, instinct drew her back to her for
mer home, and there great surprise
was in store for her. The house was
| open again; and, as she walked leisure
| ly toward the open door, Clara darted
out and seized her with cry of de-
light.
go mamma, mamma. just look here
Mollie has come back, and see how
| handsome she has grown"
"Well, didn't tell you," said Claras
mother, casting an approving glance at
Mollie, that cats are quite able to take
care of themselves when they are
obliged to do sou
But, mamma" Clara said, cycling
the large, beautiful cat critically, don't
you think it strange she should have
grown so sleek and fat. 1t seems as if
some one had been taking good care of
her. Just see how glossy her fur isn'
Mrs. Bourne would not stop to think
about Mollie's good looks, and it was
not until she found the cat did not stay
with them that she began to grow
interested. ''Some one has coaxed her
away she said, when Clara bemoaned
the loss of her pet 81 think it is
pretty mean business, We must
inquire about the neighborhood"
All their enquiries, however, came to
nothing. Mollie appeared and disap-
peared. 1t had always been Mrs.
Bourne's habit to shut her out at night,
but when she made her next friendly
call, few days later, Mrs. Bourne
! allowed Clara to confne her in the
cellar for two days. After this con-
tinement Mollie ran away, and was
seen no more until Clara discovered
her one day sitting in the window of a
pretty home with garden about it,
some streets away from her neighbor-
| hood.
| Clara at once ran home and told her
mother, and few moments later Mrs.
Bourne, in quite an angry frame of
mind, was on her way with Clara to
reclaim the Wanderer.
They were greeted very pleasantly at
the door by Mrs. Lane, the lady of the
house, and invited to enter. When
Mrs. Bourne told her errand and
accused Mrs. Lane of coaxing the cat
away from its home, Henry Lane was
standing by his mother, and his brown
eyes flashed ominously, MAY l speak,
mammal" he said.
Mrs. Lane gave him permission, and
Henry began his story. When he de-
scribed in what condition the poor
forsaken cat was on the day he found
her, almost dead, under the bushes in
the garden, Clara cried, and even Mrs.
Bourne looked ashamed. He told how
they had built up her strength, and got
her into that fine and sleek condition
by careful attention.
Mrs. Lane begged Mrs. Bourne to
consider that the cat could not take
care of herself any better than child
Not as we'll, indeed, for a child can
ask for food and drink, and some one
will listen, but poor cat is driven
from house to house, hungry and
thirsty, and it may be days before any
one will take pity on her forlorn condi-
ton, and sometimes, alas, not at all. -
She said, 81 cannot understand how
| naoDla oap no ca arnn1 &c RI loavo fboi p