Evening star., 1926-08-22
This and That
By Charles f. Trace,UeH.

Jack Spratt for a long time had
been wanting to fight a cat named
Catowar.
Catowar was an immense fellow,
dirty white all over. with the excep-
ton OF his long tail, which was jet
black.
He was the successor to Capt. Kidd.
who disappeared more than a year
ago. A most capable successor he
was, too CatOwar was at least twice
as large as any other cat in the alley,
and a ready fighter by instinct and
necessity.
He was OF a long, rakish build. His
face held sinister expression un-
usual in Il cat. more often seen in
certain type of man. He never hesi-
tated about attacking. Before the
other cat knew what was going on,
Catowar sprang forward.
The mingled grOwls, hisses and
other noises peculiar to a cat fight al
ways issued from the other cat, never
from Catowar. who was too busy
chewing the ear of the undercat.
This was the fellow Jack Spratt
longed to try issues with. From his
safe perch in the kitchen window Jack
often watched Catowar ambling up
and down the alley, going now in one
back yard, then into another.
All Catowar did, evidently, was to
roam the alley day and night in
search for new cats to conquer.
X *A*
One afternoon Spratt was sitting
on the back porch steps, summing him
self in the brOiling afternoon sun, as
cats like to do, when he saw CatoWar
far down the alley.
His green eyes cleaned with inter
Et. In
the signs of cat appreciation. When
they are pricked up a cat is not
bored. If a cat can ever be said to
suffer from ennui.
As matter Of cold fact, cats are
never bored with themselves. or with
the world. any more than other ami
mals-with the exception of man
are subject to boredom. Cats. in com
mon with other animals, possess
wise outlook upon life. They accept
life as it comes and seem TO enjoy
every moment of II. They have no
minds. In our sense, to worry them.
Many a philosopher. through the ages.
has wished for the same gravity, the
healthy seriousness, of the animals.
When cats ears. however. stand
up stifiy, sharp tips pointing to high
heaven, you can he sure that some
thing has come into the ken of his
ewes or hearing that interests him
especially.
Jack had seen Catowar going along
the alley. The old prOwler was far
down and it would take some time
for him to come in sight again from
behind d row of garages. Jack made
no move other than 10 turn his head
In that direction and Keep his eyes
fixed.
lie did not have long to wait. Here
came Cat0war. his razorliks face
turned toward the steps lie had seen
Spratt. too. With his usual sagacity,
however, he did not proceed directly
into Jacks yard, where his opponent
might have the advantage of human
help, but went on tn the next yard
and turned down the walk.
Nothing Ioath. Jack Spratt hoped
over the fence and cautiously began
a. forward march Catowar appeared
rather Indifferent. A fight meant
nothing in his life. II can lick YOU
with one paw tied behind me-" his
evil eyes seemed to SAY, as he glared
at Spratt, well fed house cat.
Without a seconds warning. Cato
war Jumped forward. Jack Spratt
reared up on his hind legs. forepaws
nelu aIO1t III tnc dtIItuic vi ~ lVliilc
boxer, while from his mouth issued
forth a terrible war hiss.
Somewhat taken aDack, Catowar
hesitated Then he jumped up on the
fence. looked down at Jack - and
sprang.
The tremendous bulk of the alley
cat frightened the tiger-striped Jack.
He Immediately threw himself on his
back and met his foe with four kick
ing feet. armed with sharp claws, am
wide open mouth.
Catowar landed plump on the snarl-
ing Spratt, but the latter managed 10
squirm out from under. Executing
a left pass, Jack tried to run
away, but Catowar was not to be
balked 80 easily.
He leaped high into the air, turned
while aloft and knocked Jack 10 the
ground. whereupon ensued such a
spell of snarling and kissing as never
was heard in the alley before.
Jack Spratt ma naged tn free him
self again. This time made good his
escape. seeking the refuge Of his own
| back steps, where he lay painting. HE
heart humping wildly. He showed
no marks -of the fray