Evening star., 1925-05-10
This and That
By Charles E. TraceweH.

| Jack spratt famous cat Of Este,
alley. did not have his COMPANY
manners" with him when strangers
called upon him last Sunday.
| 1t was late in the afternoon when
| the dOorbell rang. A lady stood al
| the door. She was utterly unknown
| to us, but she had business like air
bout her.
us this the residence Of Mr.. Trace
; well?" she asked.
When she was assured 1t was, she
continued: Il have come to see Jack
Spratt.'' ...s- -..-..
As this was Jacks first caller, and
his first .at home" it can be imagined
that the household was fiabbergasted
''Why, come in" / managed to
gasp. finally. Now Jack has been put
down in the basement to get him out
Of the way, there being other com.
pany in the house.
Escorting the lady to the kitchen, I
opened the door leading into the eel
lar. UP sprang Jack, waiting for nc
second invitation.
II there Is any place Spratt hates
in the world. it Is that basement. He
has seen too much Of it already, he
declares, with sundry meows. Where
fore he is always eager to escape
from 1t.
Diving under the kitchen cabinet.
Jack refused to come out. He shifted
suspiciously in the general direction
of hts guest.
Now. come out. Jack I reminded
him. Here is a kind lady who has
come clear across town to see you
$50 there is Jack Spratt." said
the woman. as I lifted Spratt up. He
is nice cat she continued pattins
him upon his striped coat.
May I take him out to show to
some other folks?" continued the
lady. as she firmly grasped Spratt in
her arms. They say there isn't any
why, certainly I said. wen
show them"
Jack firmly caught in her arms. the
woman walked out the front door.
MY party is down there" she said.
pointing to an automobile parked by
the curb.
Here he is'' she cried, victoriously
as we came to the car.
$50 there really is a Jack Spratt,' -
said q man in the front seat, eyeing
our trio with smile. Jack and 1
could only conjecture what argument
had preceded this visit. Perhaps the
others had branded Jack as q myth.
II 50. he showed them he was very
much alive. Not being familiar with
the lady who held him, he somewhat
resented the embrace, and began to
kick and struggle. -
He is afraid Of you,' said. at.
tempting to quiet him. The man in
the front seat began talking to
another gentleman there about cats
in general, while quiet. sweet lady
in the back seat gave Spratt most
friendly smile.
Jack refused to he quiet. He began
to plunge, curving up his back, lift.
ing his neck in a vigorous attempt
to get loose. A buckinf tomcat is as
slippery as an eel. s
Jack wiggled free. and sprang
across the lawns. Halfway to the
house he paused, back to us, switch.
ting his tail Indignantly.
mo. he hasn't got a scratch on
him from fighting" said his new
friend, eyeing his striped body. Now.
our cats arr. all covered with cuts and
scratches"
"Our, cats eat a case OF salmon a
week." said the man at the wheel.
.& = A4 >
Jack was back in my arms by this
time. but he refused to look at his
guests, which was very rude of him,
to be sure. Words Of praise of his
coat, his white shirt front. or of his
splendid whiskers, failed to win him.
He was still attempting to get loose
when the party left, with many
waves at the pride of Estsy alley.
After they had gone, Jack seemed to
lecture me about 1t. 49,
Now, look here, Mister" he seem.
ed to say. .'"The next time I have
company. for heavens sake, wear
some other sort OF pants. How did
they know you had been digging in
the garden and insisted on wearing
those Prophets and Deerhart trousers,
price $1.4S?
"Of course. Mister, they, are all
right for gardening. but, their color in
a trifie strange for company. don't
you think? The mail order house said
they were kahki. but they turned ont
TO be brown never seen on land or.
Sea-. e.-. ~ -
There I was, Mister, ali dressed up
In my company best, my trousers OF
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