Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-04
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Dear Sir: I have always read with
much pleasure and interest your col
umn, and especially loved the cat
sketches. I am inclosing a letter which
/ think will touch you as 1t did me.
The cat in question was beautiful
Persian which was literally a part OF
the family circle.
MY friend (who wrote me the let
ter) writes so well and so feelingly of
the cat, his charms and his role in her
life, that l wished all who scott at the
read it. I am sending a copy of the
letter to you, thinking perhaps you
might care to use it in your column.
Those who have lost a pet
dear to their hearts can understand the
heartache in the letter, and those
whose affections have never extended to
animals may catch glimpse of that
touch of nature which makes all ami
NAL lovers kin. Sincerely. E. S."
The letter referred to follows:
"I know you will grieve with us when
I tell you that dear little JEFF cat Is
dead. We did everything that we
could do to save him, putting him I'M
der the care of doctor and with hos
pital treatment for several days before
he went, but an old trouble with one
of his ears reached the brain and sent
him into his last long sleep.
This morning as I went about the
house putting away his feeding pan, his
basket and blanket. his bow and the
little Alpine bell which tinkled so gayly
around his neck and gave such fes-
tive air to our Christmas, have tried to
put my finger on that intangible factor
which JEFF represented in my happi-
ness.
"Catwise, he showed no thought for
my comfort or safety as do canine pets,
yet his good taste and delicate prefer
ences were a constant delight to me.
He was a bit a1oof when company was
around and disliked to show of, but he
lavished all of his silken Persian charms
upon the home circle.
He loved to romp, hiding behind
objects and Springing out unexpectedly,
but always with soft paws carefully
sheathed Spring was joy to Jeff-he
had known five-and nothing could get
him inside as long as his mistress was
digging and planting in flower beds
and-you may smile Neutrality-suspicious.
jeff loved the odor Of lilacs. When the
big bush in the back yard was In bloom,
he was always mixed UP in 1t some
where, his fluffy, somber coat OF blob
against the lavender cascades.
"And how we'll and wisely did JEFF
enjoy his ingratiating wilesi Never a
meow while the meal was being pre-
pared, but repeated reminders in the
hurry-up rub against your knees. And
his thanks afterward partook OF gen.
uine subt1ety-a pose which pleaset
our beauty-loving eyes as the salmon
and spinach had satisfied his feline
tummy. Flat on the floor he would
loll Che was not fond of floor parking
at other times and half turning over
with his front paws curled up under
his chin, nose elevated, the Oriental
mysticism of his eyes half yelled and
red tongue tip protruding between his
lips, he would lie almost motionless
except for the gentle motion of his
sable plume Especially did he like to
put on this show for the man OF the
house
81 have never met better manners
than Jeff's. He was seen, but seldom
heard, quick to take rebuke, yet sell
dom treasured an injury as is the Per-
sian family trait.
After all, I think it was Jeff's SUI
perb poise which contributed most to
my inner consciousness. The house.
hold might grow bit hectic, but JEFF S
placidity remained unruffled. Work
might drive the rest of us out in the
cold, into half-frenzied thoroughfares,
but reach home and open the door and
a lazy stretching of four big paws be-