Evening star., 1951-04-28
To the Editor Of The Star:

10 tHe EQtIOt OF tHS StOFs
THE MEMORABLE STORY by Mary
L McGrory about her. dog Mack,
which appeared on The Stars editorial
page just month ago, was read in this
household with much interest Among
other things, it set me to thinking about
Tommy. Tommy and Mack had great
deal in common. although-unlike
Mack-Tommy happened to be cat.
He happened also to be as spoiled
and willful a cat as ever lived. He was
possessed of great beauty, extraordinary
intelligence and sense of humor as
wicked as 1t was perverted. He was, of
course. exceedinglys vain. He knew peo-
pie admired him On pleasant days
he would sit on the front lawn near
the street, holding court. He graciously
permitted passersby to pause and gaze
. at him. Some were even allowed to pat
hiS head and stroke him gently under
Z the chin. Occasionally he would favor
particularly devoted admirer by arch
ing his back and yawning widely.
He had long snowy fur with big golden
patches on his back, gold spot on
his head, three gold rings on his tail,
large golden eyes-and magnificent set
OF whiskers. He was large and fat
he weighed Is pounds-but he was not
2 lazy He was, in fact, extremely active.
When the spirit moved, he liked Moth
ing better than a rough and tumble
scrap with the young son of the family.
The latter invariably came out second
DeSt IN such encounters, even though
ne took to wearing heavy gloves. When
Such unSportsmanlike defenseS were en-
ployed, Tommy merely selected an un-
projected arm or ankle for his opera
tions. No holds were barred when he
scrapped. He scratched, bit and kicked
with his stout hind legs until his antag-
,onist yelled for mercy. Then, just to
show that there was no i'll feeling. he
would lick the wounds he had inflicted
and purr like young steam engine.
He played equally rough with his mas
Ter. IN TACT with practically any one who
nao tne temerlty to tangle with him.
He respected no one except his mis-
tress. and he had not always respected
her. His change in attitude toward her
dated from one afternoon he found her
lying on the sofa in the living room,
tommy decided to indulge his high
spirits by pouncing upon her and cuff
ing her in the face. The lady slugged
him back. He was not angry, merely
surprised. Ever afterward he treated his
mistress with gentle dignity and re-
strained affection. No one else dreamed
OF disciplining him. No one else dared.
Tommy permitted himself to be
taught number Of tricks, stipulating
only that in return he be generously
rewarded with choice tidbits from the
FAMILY table. He could jump through
ones hands or over stick held three
1eet high. He could sit up and beg. He
could shake hands. giving either right
or lett paw as requested. He could roll
over. He could play dead cat" by
Stretching out on his back on the floor,
his eyes closed and his front paws meekly
1olded on his chest. He could shut door
left aJar. He could SAY his PRAYERS"
getting up in chair in a standing DO
Sltion, with his fore paws on the top of
the chair back and his head resting
demurely between them. He could even
stand up on his hind legs and take a
few steps.
With respect to food, Tommy was an
epicure. He preferred cream to milk
and ne wanted it served slightly warm.
He liked rare cuts of meat, such as flllet
His favorite dish, however, was brook
trout. which he was willing to take either
cooked or raw.
He always knew when the men folk
IN the family were going fishing. If the
Trips did not come often enough to suit
MIN, ne would, in unmistakable cat Ian
guage, invite the fisherman to accom-
pany him to the place where the fishing
RODS and baskets were kept Rarely was
ne disappointed. The slave would usually
beam at Tommy's guile, take the basket
and rod and set out for the trout brook.
Tommy would trot along at his side,
fr1nged ears and plumed tail erect Or
would jump up on the slaves shoulder
s