Concerning Cats 



One of the most pathetic cat stories I have ever 

 come across is vouched for by a New Orleans news- 

 paper correspondent : — 



" Some time ago, in a quiet corner way down on 

 Rue Royale," says she, " I chanced upon a queer little 

 Creole creature, whom the neighbors call ' Mam'zelle.' 

 With her lived Pierre, the cat, and Jeanne, the bird. 

 Pierre was a handsome black and white fellow, with 

 a noble head, and he and the canary, Jeanne, were 

 about the same age. Mam'zelle told me, in her 

 pretty Creole patois, how devoted the two pets were 

 to each other, and I myself saw frequent evidences 

 of their kindly relationship. In a quiet corner of the 

 little shop I have seen Pierre and Jeanne taking their 

 breakfast together from the same plate, and by and by, 

 when the cat would lie dozing in the sunshine, the 

 bird would hop about him or cuddle up snug and 

 comfortable between his outstretched paws. When 

 Mam'zelle was busy, so that she could not keep an 

 eye on the little bird's safety, she would swing the 

 cage in the doorway, while Pierre would stretch him- 

 self on the floor beneath, keeping guard over his 

 friend. And woe betide the stray cat that wandered 

 that way. Pierre was always on the alert for squalls, 

 and if a cat came too near to suit him he would send 

 Jeanne hustling into her cage while he chased the 

 offending feline off the street. 



"Just this very thing happened at least for the thou- 

 sandth time, but for the first time on record grief fol- 



256 



