Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-11-09
The Story of
Snubb1es

was very black, SO this name fitte
him pretty we'll. But somehow or othe
the Best Friend liked the name q
Snubbles better, and after he got sci
tied down in his home, as is apt to b
tho case with chums, this name go
shortened to Snub, SO always after h
was known as Snub.
Now, of course, Snub was Dor,
somewhere, but Just where the Bes
Friend never knew, although he ha
strong belief that this humble even
happened under some doorstep o
perhaps in some out-of-the-way barre
or box. AS If to atone for his lowl.
birth, nature dealt kindly with Snul
in other ways; his intelligence was ex
ceptional, no thoroughbred ever had ;
softer, more silky coat, and when h
became playful the movements of MI
1.-the, panther-like body, we're the acm'
Of grace.
We will have to guess about Snul
when he was very young, but probab
could open his yellow eyes and SET
things, and then, no doubt, he fel
hungry and found his mother RICH
there to give him something to eat. He
probably felt very happy for time a:
he frisked about with his little tai
sticking right up straight, and he per
haps thought this a pretty good sort o.
world. But doubtless he all too soor
came to understand there were hard
ships in store for little ones like him
as probably his mother very early
gave him her blessing and told him tc
look out for himself. These must have
been hard days for little Snub, AS very
likely he had to keep In hiding much
of the time on account Of bad boys
only venturing out to hunt for some
thing to eat when things were quiet
and it was dark.
We do not know just how it hap
pened, but one day man came along
looking for four-footed waits, and next
Snub knew he was put in bag ancs
carried off. When he got out Of the
bag he. found himself in room with
other homeless ones like himself, but
what Snub did not know was that, un-
less adopted by some one within day
Or two, he would be killed. But better
days were close at hand for this parti
cular waif, because just at this time
Best Friend sent to the Home for a
pet and very soon Snub was In bag
with his black head sticking out and
IN his way to another home where he
was to spend his life of eight years.
This coming together OF the home
ess one and the Best Friend proved
| happy thing for both, for Snub's
general appearance appealed to the
riend-a something that, drew fol-
ow to him." and as time passed his
unable disposition and unusual intel
igence increased the liking that grew
'ery strong with the years.
Snut's intelligence manifested itself
n various ways, one Of the most nota-
lie being the habit he soon formed Of
Watching for the trolley car on which
he Best Friend came home at noon.
When the weather was warm and he
vas out-of-doors he would sit on the
.dge of the walk or wait on the lawn.
That he had some way Of getting the
ime closely was evident from the fact
hat he took up his position only a
ew minutes before this particular car
vas due. If he was shut indoors he
would get in the window to watch and
make his presence known, and If, as
ometimes happened, the Friend came
lome In an earlier car and found Snub
sleep In his favorite chair, the cat
would sit up blinkingly as If trying to
make out If he had oversight or if the
friend had come home early. This
abit convinced the Best Friend that
'nub really thought of him when away
nd longed for his return, trait he
ad never before met with In cats.
md his ability to get the time accur-
tely showed a degree of intelligence
nusual.
Snub's instinct as mouser was pro-
and while some mice had
afely ignored the presence of other
ats, with the coming Of Snub 1t was
ifferent, for he at once camped on the
rail Of the enemy and his vigils were
ersistent and untiring until the very
asst intruder was disposed Of. Seem
lg1y not content with work we'll done,
amused the best friend to see Snub
eriodically gum-shoe about, shifting
nd peering in out-of-the-way hooks
nd corners to assure himself there
-as no intrusion on the territory he
uarded.
Unlike most cats, Snub was no wan
erer. He never went out Of his own
ard, and during his life with his
lend was never out over night. He
'as social in his instincts and would
blow about from room to room to be
ear his friend.
Snub was tolerant with his kind,
nd while his disposition was one Of
inability and peace, his valiant spirit
nd unusually powerful claws made
i'm well equipped for war. If at
acked he would defend himself with
n aggressive ferocity and courage
lat bordered upon the sublime.
1t cannot be said Snub's life was
'ithout value, for he added material
7 to the happiness Of his friend, and
therwise performed we'll the little
art in life for which he was created.
Finally, it became plain that Snub
as not we'll, and though the best
lend sought widely the help of those
ualified to minister to the Ills Of
DDS creatures, the burden continued
} grow heavy, and shortly the best
lend missed the morning greeting of