The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-08-31
"Old Timer" on Cats.

last week some thoughtless person
left a young kitten, helpless cast
away, by the roadside, and it's plain
tive cries, new, new, caused an old
man to stop and find out the cause
of all the noise, when, on investiga-
ton, a little forlorn kitten with a
long tail, much too long for it's size,
large ears, a little neck, and it's
body a little spotted frame so weak
and gaunt, caused the old mans
heart to go out, if he does not like
cats. One of his boys took it up,
carried it to the home, and milk CIV
en- to it. Soon the cries were hush
ed and it was fast asleep curled on
a rug, dreaming no doubt of its ma
somewhere. Next morning early the
little fellows new ack new ows
turned the old fellow out earlier than
usual, when perched on window sill
looking into the dining room was the
little creature; new ow, new &C
NOW ow, came in steady chorus from
the throat of this early riser. Was
he hungry or did it want a friend,
perhaps both. So the old man made
a ruse to try one theory; NOW VOW,
new, new VOW, came from the old
mans lips. How alert we're the eyes
and ears to locate the source Oh The
mother call, and with spring and
a bound it came and its back was
gently stroked, the head was laid
against the old mans leg, its eyes
closed, and pur, pur was the way 1t
gave thanks for the kind attention
given; it was happy, it had found a
friend; pur, pur was the answer for
the little act of kindness, and now a
little boy has laid claim to that kit
ten and it is to be hoped that
thoughtless youths will not tie tin
cans or paper to it's tail and make it
feel friendless again.
How thoughtless are some folks,
to leave helpless creature to suf-
fer and die perhaps because it is in
the way; how much better to kill in
a humane way, If no room is found
for the little helpless creatures that
come to our doors.
Speaking of cats reminds me OF
an old, gentleman that had a mania
for cats, and his collection amount
ed to one hundred and twenty-six, ii
memory is correct. Soon his better
half could not raise a chicken nor
turn her back unless they were in
everything. Her two sons were con-
suited and the conclusion reached
that they were to be spirited away
by the bag full, and as much hauling
from a distance had to be done, then
was the time, for they knew full well
to kill one there would raise the Ire
of the old man. Soon bag full after
bag full was taken away and turned
loose on the road, and the old man
began to miss them and wondered
what became of them, but still they
disappeared. One morning he could
find only forty-six to feed, went to
his wife with his tale Of woe; she
of course knew nothing; was very
sorry they were going. Still they
went; soon after he was met by a
neighbor who inquired how he was
getting on, his reply was poorly,
mighty nigh ruined; no crops this
year and the rats will eat all I have
made, for I can find only nineteen
cats on the place; yes, mighty nigh
ruined.
Still it is bad practice to turn cats
loose on our roadsides, there to wan
der, catch all the birds, especially
the young ones, and with the help
of mongrel bird dogs it seems that
our feathered friends are to be ex'
terminated. OLD TIMER.