Evening star., 1925-01-18
Heard and Seen

Mister, are you responsible for
this snow?"
As near as any one can read a. cats
eye. that was the question of Jack
Spratt alley cat, as he sat in the
open kitchen door. looking out over
the spread OF whiteness which had
been on the ground for weeks.
Jack curled his tai! in disgust
around his launches. and settled
down over the sill to contemplate the
gross injury which had been inflicted
upon him. Absurd dogs may like TO
plow through the snow, but members
of the feline tribe dislike it
NO, | am not responsible for the
snow" ] replied.
We'll, then. who is?" seemed
spratt's next question. The japanese
call the cat a mysterious spirit;
surely cat asks questions.
Did Congress make the snow -
continued Jack.
NO, YOU cannot lay the blame for
this on Congress" I replied
Is the District government re
sponsible?"
No, Jack, the District government
would not order any snow without
asking the permission of the Budget
Bureau"
Maybe the Budget Bureau ordered
1t, then continued Jack, with a meow
of disgust
No, the Budget Bureau can see no
economy in snow" I said.
Then who did order this snow p"
Nature is responsible
Nature? Does he sell snowo'
Evidently Jack thought Nature was
something like a coal dealer, depositing
white al 40 ha
as the coal man dumps black anthracite
The intense and huge disgust Of Jack
Spratt in the all-embracing snow was
shared by all the other cats of our alley
They held a conference about it one
night. We could hear them going on
about it. The discussions were ami
mated.
In the dim light of the gas lamp We
could see the convention in order. Bic
Jim the tiger, was there. hunched up al
the foot of the lamp-post Then there
was Capt. Kidd OF white body and inlly-
black tail; there was Old Whitley. garb-
age can rustler par excellence: there
We're four assorted small tiger cats
whose names we have not yet learned
These smaller tigers sat respectfully
In the back seats, giving the places of
honor to the older animals They re-
minded one of the poor relations at
great family reunion, those poor cousins
from the country who feel that their
very presence is an infringement, but
who are very proud to be present any
way.
Jack Spratt. our cat, was address
ing the assemblage. Maybe he was
presiding. His clear soprano floated
loud and clear over the neighbor-
hood. hit the moon, rebounded back
to earth.
Fellow cats" roared Mr.. Spratt.
Something must be done about this
snow business. 1t is unjust. 1t is
iniquitous. 1t is absolutely unneces-
sary. 1t is absolutely unfounded.
From a high authority 1 am able
to inform you, fellow cats, that men
are not responsible for this snow
Congress is not responsible for this
snow. The District government is
not responsible. The Budget Bureau
is not responsible.
NO. fellow cats, all these factors
must be ruled out. l am able to tell
you this as absolute truth, based
upon the statements of an undoubted
authority, whose name you would
know instantly IL 1 were at liberty
to reveal it.
This authority had me in to break
fast the other morning. thing, by
the way, which he quite often does
oh, yes, very often-and he then and
there told me in confidence the true
source of the snow.
Jack Spratt. orator, gestioulated
with his strong right paw.
Now I will tell you what he told
me. 1 will rely upon your honor "a
cats not to reveal to the general
public what / am about to tell you.
All in favor please say Meow"
"Mee-ow!' howled the convention.
who is responsible for the snow -
screamed Spratt, working himself TO
oratorical heights. Who, l ask, is
responsible for this blanket Of cursed
wetness? All, gentlemen. / dare to
assert that there is just one thing
responsible for this snow"
Jack sunk his voice to a plaintive
whisper.
1T is Nature" he breathed.
1T is hell"" roared voice from
window, following which a bucket of
cold water splashed downward, and
the convention was adjourned.
(yE.IVIHT