New-York tribune., 1905-08-15
HOzfSesOfx,es Exc6onee.
CATS CERTAINLY THINK.

CATS CERTAINLY THINK
IN an experience OF twenty years intimate re-
lations with and study OF life I convinced
that they think and reason. therefore must have
the power within them that human creatures
call mind; else how can We explain the intelligent
actions that observe continually?
Our Hrzsh Wijjns a dainty. sensitive
little lady. In the third generation Of a family of
cats which had been treated by gently and
considerably as though they not only had lives to
be cared for and hearts to love US. but minds to
know and understand what SAID TO them; and
sometimes it seemed that they possessed the occult
sense Of knowing thoughts
That Tirzah knew when a certain day of the
week was evinced most surely In this way
On Friday mornings three children came from
neighboring village 70 be instructed in music by
one OF the household. and while each child took
its lesson in the music the other two waited
in the family sitting room where our grandma ther
usually sat reading knitting. One morning
grandmother was startled by sudden commotion
in the room. and turning TO learn the cause. saw
Ilrzah rush wildly up the side Of the WINDOW ana
cling 10 the casing top. "Oh! She's got ht!'
she exclaimed; but the boys with shamed faces
acknowledged that they had frightened her A
door was opened and the cat out Of the house
and out Of sight; and although we looked thor
oughiy over our premises. We got no sEht OF III
zah that day. The next day the search was renewed
participated in by all the family, together with
St Monkey. venerable tiger cat which had lived
such useful and spotless lift to have deserved
sae sanity title which always gave her. One
Of US said 10 her Cant you find Tirzah for us?'
After moment Of apparent reflection. she went
away over the fence into neighbortng yard, and
ten minutes later her coming back with
Tgrzah trailing along behndi T1rZah came stealth
ily into the house. looking shyly into the sitting
room as though she expected TO meet an enemy
ct any instant; did she seem like her natural
self until she assured that the children We're
not there. No more evidence Of fear noticed
until the next Friday morning, when the chlIdIe en-
appeared at the door, and Miss Tirzah ran 10 the
kitchen and cried pleadingly, at the attic door -
The maid let her go UP, where sne stayed until
noon, end assured that the children had gone.
Regularly every Friday morning, as long as the
children for lessons, Tirzah would ask direct
~ after breakfast 10 be let into the atuc, ana
there stayed until lesson time was over. ana on no
other day OF the week did she want 10 20 there-
Another member OF this cat family was Bngo.
When he was young he was sick. ana We consulted
doctor. who ordered course OF medlelhe. II
was q powder be given three times a day, ano
the TASTE was evidently very dlsagreeable 10 poor
I3ingo So we gave him after each dose a bit Of
Something that he liked most AFTER q Few days
when the medicine time came. Bngo would jump
into INV ian with evident expectancy, or II showed
time and said, Come. Bngo. take your medicine"
he would 20 through the same performance, puTring
lusilv IN anticipation. thought. Of the favorte
..sugsr plum" Was IL possible that the good effect
~ the comedy made him glad 10 take t2 IL did
cure him. and he lived the ordinary life ,ime OF a
cat s. p. F.
Connecticut.