Evening star., 1926-12-12
This and That
BY Charles E. TracetceH.

The Dresden china cat was out by
the trash barrel, sitting on nest of
papers which he had made for himself
from material gathered from the re-
ceptacle.
Perhaps the Dresden china cat de-
serves a word of explanation. He is,
in truth, not made of china at all,
either Dresden or otherwise, but Is a
real, live animal.
He is so called because Of his re-
semblance to some of the china fig
| ures one sometimes sees gracing old
fashioned mantels. These figures
| usually have a bow of pink or blue
| china ribbon around their necks.
The Dresden china cat of Esstee
ular tomcat who would scorn such an
effete attempt at decoration. He him.
self Is his own decoration.
His head Is twice as large as that
of Jack Spratt, and perfectly round,
and his body Is round at all points.
He Is mostly of creamy white color,
but has splotches of cocoa brown and
gray at various points, and his tail is
tiger.
Sitting in his bed of papers at the
back gate a 6 o'clock, before 1t had
become really light, his great green
eyes, perfectly round. glared through
the early morning gloom.
What was the Dresden china cat
doing at Jack Spratt's gate?
This was the question which Jack
put to himself, the moment he de-
scended to the kitchen, after night
Of repose on his big bed.
Now there was no way that Jack
could see the strange cat. The door
was shut and the blinds down. But
Jack knew he was there. He raised
himself on his hind legs and stretched
out his forelegs against the door. rat
Ting the key in the lock.
Meow said Jack Spratt, meaning,
as plain as day, Let me out"
1t was no sooner said than done.
Jack sauntered out on the porch, his
tail swelling visibiy as he descended
the steps cautiously.
1t was at this juncture that Jacks
friends first saw the Dresden china
cat. But Jack had known he was
there all the time, thanks to his mar
velous gift of smell.
Half way down the walk he stopped.
The strange cat, of unusual size,
made no attempt to leave his nest,
but glared defiantly in Spratt's direc-
tion. The latter, being a gentleman
of leisure, could appreciate his atti-
tude in the matter.
The china cat, however, was violat-
ing n law of catdom. What right had
he to roost in Spratt's back yard, and
look longingly at the house, az IL to
say, Hello, there, bring me out some
of that fine grub that Jack 'Spratt
gets to eat. read about 1t in the
paper and thought Il would drop
around for a bite" ;1'
Jack resented this mute appeal.
Jack could eat all the meat the re-
frigerator held, and more. too. SO had
none to spare for loafers such as the
Dresden china cat.
"Meow.ow," gurgled Spratt. warn
ingly. ,
"Yow.ow," moaned the Dresden
china cat, without budging.
Upon this battle cry, Jack Ieaped
to the fence and walked along 1t to
q position directly above the curious
ly colored stranger. >as
Jack had learned the advantage of
being above ones enemy from Capt.
Kidd, he of the inly black tail, who
had so assaulted him with great sue
cess last Summer.
Here was Jacks chance to try out
the strategy, and he meant to make
the most Of it. He gIared down upon
the Dresden china cat, who suddenly
seemed to realize the weak position in
which he found himself.
Uttering low cries OF defiance, the
Dresden fellow slowly arose and
edged out through the wire fence to
the alley. Once there, he gave Jack
Spratt look of great contempt-and
then walked away. ee35
Jack shifted the keen Winter cir,
victor of a bloodfess battle, still mas
Ter Of all he surveyed. H@