Evening star., 1947-12-21
The Young Idea
Food for Thought in Story
OfDxillusi0ned Cat
By Marjorie Johnson, II,
Mount Vernon Seminary

can tell to look at him. that he is Of
the nobility" Jack really would
have enjoyed the races more, but
this iattery went to his head.
Why, yes" he said, I'm a great
patron of the arts. Being a collie
I naturally have such noble tastes.
The cat put on some horned
trimmed spectacles and shifted at
Jack from under them. "A collie?
Well, that is a shame. A dog can
be a patron and lover of art, but
only cat is fitted for becoming an
artist of any merit"
This came as quite blow to Jack
It touched upon his fondest illusion
That a dog, especially a collie, was
not perfect, simply could not be true
But the cat, with graceful uncon-
|cern, ordered another drink and
continued to air his prejudiced and
borrowed opinions. :.
Paris is the only city in the world
which offers good instruction and
inspiration to the artist. All, Paris
her grace, gentle winds, rich wine
blossoming trees, sunny streets
But it's raining human beings
out" interposed Jack.
"Ah, her refreshing rains, her
delicate spirit, little sidewalk cafes,
gay night life"
He was now waving his arms
around and occasionally his eyes
peeped at each other behind the
horned trimmed glasses. Then, much
to Jacks admiration, he went into
elaborate contortions and nearly
swooned with artistic temperament
When he finally regained his COM
posure he ordered another drink.
The terrier got up, paid his check
and left. They did not miss him.
Conversation continued along very
intellectual lines. And for the first
time in his life Jack realized the
merits of being a cat. He was told
that cats were noble, dignif1ed, in
telligent and never lazy. They never
INDUCED in such folly as play. Above
all, they never sought diversion
(Which did not explain his presence
in the bistro. Such superior beings
were naturally leaders in science,
literature, art, music, and they also
took the lead in affairs of govern
ment.
Jack looked down at his tail. 1t
certainly did resemble a cats, now
didn't it? Yes, indeed, it would be
a rare collie that was tiger striped.
Mr.. Cat ordered another drink
and continued to praise his race.
AS Jack listened he became less and
less convinced that he was a collie.
Perhaps he was a dachshund, but
then his ears looked very catfish.
Could it be that he really was cat?
But, sir" he questioned, why
are you SO proud of being cat?
No one likes cats, especially ugly
ones"
"Oh, my dear young fellow, there
are things much more important
than being liked. Society despises
artists. Despises us, tell you tespe-
cially the good artists. We all
starve in garrets. Starve, I tell
you and suffer. Oh, how we suffer! !
But we gladly do this for such a
beautiful, ethereal thing as art.
Art, I tell you is is =. Oh,
bring me another aperitif!"e
So that was how it was. That
was why he had been spurned and
despised at home. He was great.
He was sensitive. He was an artist.
He was a CAT!!
"Oh, dear, look what time it is! I
really must be hurrying along. I
hope you will enjoy your stay in
Paris. I seem to have talked too
much, but it, is seldom that find
such an intelligent person as you
to talk with. I have had most