The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-10
Rehearsing the Theatre Cat.

John $. Lopez, in Harper'S Weekly.
 There was play on in a house where I worked; it had a pretty good cast, but every one was nervous because it didn't measure up strong in lines and situa- tions. On the opening night there's crowded house, but the first. act is sad sketch. We know the second will be worse, because, barring a lot of quiet talk-talk, there's nothing in it but swell setting with q fine open firepface and real gas logs down left.
 Its a cold, sleety night and Pete, our house cat has been out visiting. He comes in while the act is on and walks down off side. He looks across and sees the logs burning and naturally they ap- peal to him. First thing you know he starts over the stage with digntsed actor walk, and proceeds to make his toilet right down in front of the blaze.
 Say, the homelike effect is great The two stars don't notice it, and go right on. I'm looking for the house to throw a laugh; but instead of that, few mo- ments later, there's a burst of applause that almost knocks us silly.
 Next day the papers were enthusiasts tic about the wonderful piece of real ism,' and said the cat is the best actor in the cast and has made a success or what would have been sure frost.
 "Of course you kept Pete in the play, said the Student.
 we did" said the veteran, reminis- gently. Luckily, next day was Sun day, so an early rehearsal is called to break Pete in on that scene. The log fire is set going, and Pete IS carried down and his head pointed from the opposite entrance. But it's no go. He just turns and sneaks for the prop. room. The boss thinks of plan to open everything up and chill off the stage, so that the heat will attract Pete. But it don't work, and, anyway, the ladies say they'll quit if they have to take chances on getting pneumonia.
 Its about 10 o'clock at night, with everybody exhausted and sore, when the property-boy dopes out the way. Hes a bright kid, and knew a thing or two about cat nature. Says he:
 No cat ain't damn fool enough to let itself be trained to do extra work. Lookin after mice and rats IS Pete iob and we got to make him do the stunt along them lines
 .'The manager is down and out: he says go ahead and try anything. So the kid produces a trap with two mice in it he had set for his and Pete's amuse- ment. Pete is immediately very much lit LID. and if we hold him off side and set the cage by the fireplace. he makes a beeline across. Then the kid cuts little hole in one corner of the fireplace
 
 from behind just far enough for Pete to see. but not reach. After he gets onto the game he'll sneak across the stage and camp in front of the fire and inst sit there quiet, watchin and wavin' his tail, same as any cat on the trail. After that by keeping him hungry ana always pushin out mouse when the curtain drops we manage to pull through a season of ten weeks with only one fall-down."
 What was that?" asked the Student.
 "Wer" says the veteran, "one might inc boy who is holding the mouse lets it slip. It jumps by Pete and reaches where the leading lady is sobbing out some tender lines Pete is right behiha ana makes a beautiful merry -go-round chase circling her skirts. The audience thinks it's great: and by gum, the man ager was fool enough to figure II we could repeat it."
 "Did you try" asked the Student
 s'Not on your life said the veteran. sThe leading lady said she'd quit on the spot if they ever pulled rehearsal.