Jack 
95 
Jack : “ My occupation was gone, and as the 
boarding-house keeper had no further use for me, 
she got some boys to chase me away.” And then 
he added with some bitterness : “ That was the way 
she rewarded me for my services.” 
I told Jack that I thought the treatment he re- 
ceived was very cruel. Indeed, I think a dose of 
chloroform administered to a cat one has no further 
use for, is much more humane than chasing him 
away, especially in cold weather. Of course, I 
didn’t tell Jack so ; and indeed I am glad it was not 
done in his case. But not every cat is so fortunate 
as to be picked up by a kind-hearted person and 
taken to a good home. 
Continuing our conversation I said to Jack: 
“ Don’t you think your present beautiful home and 
kind mistress came to you as a reward for your in- 
dustry in the boarding-house ? ” 
He said he had never thought of it in that light 
before, but that he believed it must be so, and that 
he would forgive his former mistress for her un- 
kindness. 
At this time Jack’s mistress called him into the 
house, and I returned to my home, thankful that I 
had such a genial fellow as Jack for a neighbor. 
