Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-11
An Interview With Martha

: YESTERDAY we went over to. the cellar
Of Independence Hall to pay Il call on
Martha Washington, the we'll known black
cat who makes her home there. 1t was
warm day and we had rather expected to
meet Martha strollng around the square,
as she frequently does at lunch time, but
We found her reclining comfortably on
box near the furnace. We never saw her
looking better: her fur shone glossy black,
her eyes were bright and her figure remains
beautifully slender for matron of her
standing.
"You are looking very fit, Martha" we
said.
"Oh. ! keep fairly WE'LL" she replied
although it has been a trying winter.
Spring always makes me feel a bit languid
However. | have introduced two daughters
to society this season, and | shall have to
let the third go soon. She is really only
sub deb still. but great many people have
been asking for the privilege of taking care
of her. Here she is now. Victory, come unds
speak to the gcnJcman.'
IIICTORY is II svclte young thing. raven
black. without a white hair on her. She
has her mothers delightful green eyes and
is of II gentle disposition. However, she
shows her aristocratic lineage plainly. Her
mother is one of the Colonial Felines OF
America. said TO be descended directly from
the black cat that Franklin used to stroke
when he wanted to produce sparks and there
was no thunderstorm handy. Victory purred
gently as we talked to her. ...
Victory is really the best of the three. y
said her mother. They were born on
January 90, which was a Sunday You re-
member the old adage. Sundays kittens are
fair of face 1t was a narrow escape; one
day later would have been the kaiser's
birthday. The other two who were chris
tened Liberty and Freedom. have been
adopted byNfriends of mine. My host Fred
Eckersburg, the engineer, had great many
letters from prominent people after your.
paper published a picture of my daughters
last January. They all wanted o'have an
Independence Hall kitten. I was willing to
part with Liberty and Freedom because they
had white feet, which is a little bit of
bemish in our family strain that crops out
every now and then. ! believe it is due to
one of my ancestors having been stroked by
British general when the redcoats were in
Philadelphia. Even SO, ] had careful in
quiries made before letting my daughters go
to live with strangers. Liberty went to Mrs.
Charles Strater. Jr. of Runnymede. y. j.
! wouldn' have let her go just anywhere in
Jersey, for | am rather particular; but
Runnymede sounds aristocratic don't you
lHlnh unutiSlunu 'Hul WIS WHITE SOf-
ernor Sproul signed the Great Charter of
Philadelphia. Yes, feel it my duty to
keep up with current events.
The other daughter, Freedom went to
my friend Il. B. Riegel. of 1918 North
Fifty seventh street. and she sends Inc
word that West Philadelphia is rich in mice
and that the mi.sswagons deliver half an
hour earlier there than in this part of town.
ct SHOULD like to say word of com
mcndation for my generous host. Fred
Petersburg. the engineer at Independence
Hall lie has been most attentive to me in
the two years | have lived here. He has
acted us my caterer" Martha purred at her
| own pun-''as there are really very few
| mice in the State House, and even in the
hardest months of the food shortage he saw
! to it that my needs were fully supplied. /
have sometimes thought that he even stinted
himself at lunch in order to give me the
choice bits. 1t was he who put up that
| sign by the cellar door, BEWARE OF THE
| DOG. That is just a little Joke, for of
| course | would never tolerate dog here.
| 1t is just to keep me from being bothered by
! curiosity mongers. OF course" Marlin
| added gently, visitors who come with
proper credentials are always welcome.
SsI SEE you have noticed my service liag. Z,
she went on, Yes. that is for INV
| poor husband Georse- Niue golden starr.
n" '|