Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-28
This and That
By Charles E. TracetceH.

Mrs. Blackie and two of her
children. Little Nipper and Blondy
Belle. found themselves suddenly
placed in a wicker basket.
The mother cat had paid no NJ.
tention to the tall man who had en-.
tered the living room. Then she found
he-sel: ir the basket before she coulo
have caught a mouse.
After her came black and gray tiger
striped Nipper, and light gray ana
white Blondy Belle. 1mpetuous young
Nipper instantly thrust forth a paw,
while her sister crouched down, 100
surprised to dc anything.
The ways Of this world were lar past
the understanding of Mrs. Blackie ana
them. But Nipper struggled ana
souirmed. never having liked TO be
held by anybody or anything.
Then came a journey. and later a
placing in a crate. literally f1oored with
straw. and provided with water
MRS. Blackie and her children set
forth for the biggest journey IN their
lives. up to the big farm where they
were to catch mice without restraint.
They rolled along in the express
wagon and they came into the station:
1t cannot be said that they enjoyed,
themselves. especially poor Blondy, who
is timid creature.
They were placed in a car, and soon
there was a changing Of bells, and the
roar Of a whistle. which made the trlo
Jump around. Then the world began
to move with rush and a roar. WIN
a niehtier rush and roar every minute.
some unseen monster was making a
great noise. chug -chug -chug -chug. ana
clouds of acrid black smoke at times
poured in. When Mrs. Blackie tried
10 wash her face she got her mouth
full of coal SCOT. It was not nice, out
cats are not at all finicky.
Occasionally a man in blue with
cap would stoop down to poke ms
fingers through the crate. but ne
stopped doing this when Little Nipper:
alive as ever to moving objects, slasneo
them with her sharp claws.
You little cussi" said the man, as he
hastily withdrew.
Life was now one continual banging.
and rafting, and roaring, and strange
noises. mixed in a confusing melange,
unlike even the widest feline dreams.
The mother and her pale child ac-
cepted 1t all. but Little Nipper. dark
and impetuous, kept running around.
the sides. trying to poke her head
through the top.
She took a drink of water, now ana
then, and found it good.
81 y
After o long time the noise ceased.
There came q tramp OF feet, and the
cat family felt itself picked up In It's
confined home and carted away.
The feel Of fresh air smote their
nostrils, which they wiggled freely. In"
tent on absorbing as much OF that con-
tact as possible.
Ali That was good "Well. for the
Lords sake, look what's herei" said a
voice. as the cats went into the auto
mobile.
So they drove away to the farm,
down roads lined with green, away up
in Pennsylvania. and came at last to
Blackie's new home. to the new home
of Little Nipper and Blondy Belle.
Wildly they looked around them, as
the crate was opened. Blackie, dark as
midnight, showed no effects Of her long
trip, nor did Nipper, but Blondy Belle
looked decidedly the worse for wear.
Kind hands, however, soon soothed
their ruffied feelings, and large bowls
of fresh milk made them forget their
journey. This was their new home.
this the land of mice and rabbits run
ming through the wildwood, this cat
heaven.