New-York tribune., 1906-02-04
True Stories About Pet Cats.
Feline PhilosopherSams Contempt for In
telect of FenaIes-Tender


(which do you consider the more intelligent,
dogs or cats?" asked one woman of another the
other day as they sat drinking tea in studio.
The first speaker painter
Dogs" replied the other promptly whose
accent betrayed her English nationality. IF
you had ever seen a sheepdog trial in the
North Of England you wouldn't doubt IT for a
moment Those dogs are all but human"
We'll, yes" admitted the other, reluctantly;
'I had forgotten Bob. Son of Battle You see
We don't have dogs ike that over here. But
even then" she continued, raly1ng to the charge.
81 should say that on the average cats were
more clever than dogs They never initiate and
they reason things out for themselves. and
that to my mind does indicate higher degree
Of intelligence
IN give you a proof" she added. as she got
well under way. Now, here's Sam" and she
stroked the soft fur of a smoked Angora. He
began by being called Algernon Charles Swim
burne. but somehow or other he didn't thrive
under it, and The girl who lives with me said
she was sure he would never grow up unless
that name was removed-so now he is Sam. be-
cause he is a naturaIized American. Perhaps
it's hardly fair 10 take Sam as a specimen of
the average intelligent cat" she continued, ''be-
cause sam is almost uncanny he's so cute. But
I really think he would score even against your
sheepdog. because what he does is all on his
own initiative. He has never been trained"
We'll, what does this marvel do?"
He thinks things out" replied the painter.
..Sone little while ago a girl who has a studio
upstairs came and asked me 10 lend her Sam
because there was a mouse about which she
wanted TO destroy. I agreed on consideration
that she would be sure not TO let him out of the
room. You see, down here near NIadison-ave..
the street. Well, the girl promised and took
Sam off with her About half an hour later
she started out for the afternoon and carefully
shut Sam into her studio. having previously
closed the windows. She was gone about an
hour. but whom should she meet. face 10 face.
as she walked into the hall downstairs, but
sam, .Huno. samr she said. how on earth did
you get here?"
what did sam say?" inquired the English
woman with interest.
''Nhy Sam said nothing" replied the painter,
''Thats one Of the ways in which heAs cute.
A dog win always give himself away. However,
the girl meant TO get TO the bottom of this
thing She just couldn't imagine how that cat
had managed 10 get out, because one with
out a key can unfasten the door except from the
. inside. So she carried Sam upstairs with her
again and shut the door as before. But this
time she shut herself in. as WELL to watch For
long time she sat there very quiet, saying
nothing. Then she saw Sam jump table
which happened to be standing close 10 the door
and on a level with the handle, and sit and
worry at that handle with his paws until the
door unlatched. Then she picked up Sam and
came down stairs and told me all about it. She
Just loves 10 tell that story.
but that's not all. / have an aunt who
comes here sometimes and once she stayed with
10
that summer on keeping some water always in
the washstand. Well. that water would not
stay. My aunt continually finding the plug
pulled out and the water gone. One day she
discovered the reason. There was Sammie sit
ting on the edge and pulling at that chain with
his paw until he had got out the plug"
but what should he do that for2' Queried the
English woman.
''Oh, just to be provoking. 1 suppose" replied
the painter. He has the greatest contempt
for all. I believe 1t is just because We are a
pack OF women here. including the dog" She
turned as she spoke. and exhibited delicate
little Italian greyhound curled up asleep on a
rug.
I'm sorry 10 hear this asperson on your
character, SAM" said the English woman to
Sam, who was sitting on her knee. 1T appears
that you have the weakness of your sex"
Eyes. he is conceited." admitted the painter
It's his only failing. I had the funniest
proof Of ii only the other day"
Dido" she continued, pointing 10 the tiny
creature the rug. sis a rather silly little
thing in ways. Not but what she has got
as much sense as other dogs. but there are some
things dogs can never do for themselves unless
they have been taught. One IS TO open OF shut
door. Well, the other day my chum was feel
ing pretty Ill. She was lying down on this sofa
and was sitting near her with Sam on my knee
Suddenly Dido got up and went TO the door
which was just ajar. First she looked at IL
Then she whined. She played about 1t In that
silly, helpless way that some women do when
they haven't the least intention of getting O
thing for themselves but want some man to dc
IL for them. Sam stood it for long time. Ther
suddenly he jumped off my knee. went straight
90 that door and Just flung IL open with his
paws"
The ringing OF the doorbeI broke in upon the
conversation. Sam jumped off the English
womans knee and the interview seemed likely
10 terminate abruptly. But the newcomer. Il
appeared, was also a lover OF cats ana as soor
he heard that there Were cat stories goins
round he jumped right IN.
did you ever hear OF = cat that was a philan-
thropistl" he began, as his hostess handed hin
q cup OF tea. Il had one once. AS q kitten, hs