Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-29
THIS AND THAT


Few authors have ever used the cat
more effectively In nction than Emile
Zoia.
me French are fond Of cats. and
have accorded them large mention in
their literature
Perhaps no one author has done 80
much for the house cat IS Zola, who
continually mentions the creature In
his novels
Of Living" little read any more. con-
tains the best description Of . cat.
Minouche, IS this creature Is called.
Is brought in at the very first and car
ried along 20 the end Of the book.
These introductions are achieved IN
tie most natural way, simply as part
Of the description Of home scenes.
The readers first sight Of Mincuche
Is in company with the dog Of the
household
"Tney all three hurried down the
steps. A huge dog. q cross between q
sheep dog and a Newfoundland, who
had been lying asleep in corner OF
TO bark fliriously.
upon hearing this barking q small
white cat of delicate aspect made its
way 10 the door. but at the sight Of the
wet and dirt outside 1t gave q slight
wiggle OF disgust with its tall and sat
down very sedately on the top step to
see what was going to happen"
Here the animal lover finds the two
favorites Of mantle dog and the cat
accurately. presented in their diverse
methods Of greeting their human
friends on q return from journey.
-
- =
an air of curiosity, watched them flght-
ing their way onward, and Nine. Chan
teau then inquired II Minouche had
behaved properly during her absence.
The name of Minouche brought smile
TO Pauline'S serious little face.
'She stopped down and fondled the
cat which rubbed itself against her
skirts while holding its tail erect in the
air. Matthew came on behind,
still barking loudly, and Minouche fol-
lowed last. her sensitive hair briStling
amid the uproar."
The little girl pays attention to the
dog at supper. and this makes the cat
jealous. as cats often are. Says zola:
''MincHche, growing jealous, leaped
lightly upon the edge of the table and
began to purr and rub her head against
the little girls chin, swaying her sup
pie body the while with all the grace
OF q young KID. 10 POKE enc WITH ner
cold nose while she pounded about with
her feet like baker kneading dough
wss her feline way of careSsing.
Pauline was now quite delighted be-
tween the two animals. The cat on
her left the dog on her right. took
possession of her and worried her
shsmefElly TO secure all her biscuits.
They finished and Veronique removed
the dishes The two animals. seeing
the table quite bare, gave their lips a
last lick and then took themselves OF
without even saying Thank you.
Those who know cats will recognize
the truth of these pictures.
The reader next meets Minouche In
the living or drawing room.
In front of the fire Matthew lay
asleep. while Minouche, who had sprung
upon a table, was performing an elabo-
rate toilet. carefully licking her stom-
ach. one leg cooked up in the air
The pair of animals Is presented
again as follows: Minouche was dog
ing placidly beside the sugar basin
and Matthew was snoring like a man
before the fire. The roar of the sea
continued outside like q mighty bass
accompaniment to the peaceful echoes
Of the drowsy room"
M. lola knew the great interest of
cats and dogs in things to eat. When