Evening star., 1928-06-17
This and That
By Charles E. TracemeH.

Belliserent Little Nipper lashed his
tail furiously.
This was his big day.
Already he had chased three strange
cats out Of the alley: now he was about
ready to administer q licking to a
fourth.
Since he had turned into . warrior
Nipper realized that the offensive is
the thing. The attack was his strong
point. A cat Of the third size, he
seemed to sense that If he was to win
he must get the jump on his opponent.
Cats, as q class, are divided into
three standard sizes. Poor old Peter
Pauls, whose lamentable history Will
be told here soon, was Of the first
class. He was tall, long and heavy.
His forelegs were like clubs. his paws
almost fists.
Jack Spratt, hero Of many a battle.
Is Of the second size, not as long, heavy
or tall as the largest cats, but distinctly
larger than Little Nipper who comes
into the small-size list.
These bantams make up for their
lack Of weight by quickness; above all,
by readiness to attack. Nature seems
strategy, and. In this connection. it
Is interesting 70 remember that the
great Bonaparte vas q srlall-sized
man.
He. too. got the jump on the enemy
by moving frst.
The rusty black cat which Little
Nipper had Gagged under the steps
showed It's white teeth In an evil grin,
as Ii meowed forth the answering bat
tie cry. one Of defiance mixed with
utter fear.
Protected by the steps ON three sides.
he was forced 70 face Nipper on the
fourth. There he met small head
with green eyes and ears laid back nat.
q 1.-THE though small body. light tiger
striped, and q thick striped tail.
Little Nipper lashed his tail again.
A throaty sound issued from him IS
he rose on his hind legs.
The other cat screamed. then Kissed
tremendously.
Neither Scream nor hiss daunted
Little Nipper That small warrior ssod
erect and struck at the black eat with
both forepaws. then launched himself
bodily at the enemy.
Together they rolled over, and from
the tangle Of legs. tails. whiskers.
mouths and slashing claws came
mixed sound Of battle, like lost soul
screaming through veil of Kissing
steam.
Nipper made only pretense Of pur-
suing the enemy, who made on as
fast as his legs could carry him.
Nipper contented himself with glar-
Ing In the direction of the rout. and
giving his tail few warning lashes
from right to left. in this case from
east to west.
He was tired Of followin: up victory.
Four times today had he chased them
out Of his alley. now he would lie
down In the green grass and rest.
He stretched out. with his forelegs
initiating the pose OF lions at ease In
the desert.
Wisely he looked around him, as II
for appreciation from his human friends.
Was he not Little Nipper, successful
warrior?
Cat fighter. Little Nipper has never
scratched or bit human being.
This Is what makes his belligerency
remarkable. Usually warning tomcats
are anything but kindly In disposition.
Little Nipper has never been known
to raise q paw against one Of his two
legged friends. or to bite them. He
reserves his fire for his four-footed
pals Against them, with one excep-
ton, ne raises four paws and q mouth
armed with sharp little teeth.
The exception. of course. Is his old
friend, Jack Spratt. he OF the goose
berry-green eyes. the shining dark tiger
suipes and the white shirtfront.