Read Ebook: Feline Philosophy by Hess Walter L On

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Ebook has 100 lines and 8786 words, and 2 pages

TWENTY-THIRD CATERWAUL

The maid that had chased me out Fondled me as she carried me over Till my fur bristled.... The mice have Disappeared--I finished as luncheon was served, And sat by the serving-table. But the Joneses all ate so much That I wasn't even noticed--and when I was, They sent me back to the Horton's At once.... Mrs. Horton fed me herself!

TWENTY-FOURTH CATERWAUL

I saw the maid, Alice, last night; She was wandering near the bright lights And the carnivorous shadows--Shadows That burned to my soul as I saw her Speak to a man. They went down the street Together, the veil of darkness hid them, And when I got home Mrs. Horton Was telling a friend that "Alice Was lost beyond any redemption; at any rate She herself could no longer help!"-- What problems beset our family!

TWENTY-FIFTH CATERWAUL

Jack was home for Christmas But I saw him hardly at all-- To the front door he now has a key And the hours he keeps are quite varied. One morning he slept very late And the name that he spoke in his dreams Was "Alice." Mrs. Horton was proud of her son and the party She gave him was sumptuous.

We have a new cook at the Horton's Who saves the bean water for soup.... I've enjoyed such broth at the Mallory's, But at the Horton's!!!-- And their bills are always as large As before Bridget was installed. But Edith and Mrs. Horton are pleased And the baby and I can't complain!!

TWENTY-SEVENTH CATERWAUL

There's a new baby at the Mallory's And the rest of the children are pleased; Mallory and his wife are as happy as larks.... Edith Horton has a toy Angora And Mrs. Horton has forgotten me-- Indeed she has put me out.... Again I must wander the streets!

TWENTY-EIGHTH CATERWAUL

I followed Alice last night Down to her alley and room-- She stooped as she entered her door And petted me much as she used to.... Then she cuddled her baby and seemed Far fonder of it than Mrs. Horton of hers And nearly as much As Edith of her angora....

TWENTY-NINTH CATERWAUL

I sat on the curb at the corner Just outside the saloon Where politics rule and Presidents are made and unmade. Two men were discussing the War.... And when they were through, the conclusion Was discussion untempered by argument.... Unconvinced I went on my way.

THIRTIETH CATERWAUL

All afternoon I sat in the shade Of a hideous skyscraper On the Avenue. Women of all sorts went by And their footgear and stockings Were varied. Skirts that our grandmothers used To clothe five- and ten-year-old girlies Revealed twelve inches of hose-- Nor the three-shade boots that shod them Would help a Chinaman guess The age of the wearers who proudly Boasted this awful foundation.... And yet are most of the women Sweet-souled and modest.... I polished my claws once again!

THIRTY-FIRST CATERWAUL

I looked in at the restaurant window Through which gleamed a medley of color-- Diamonds, pearl pendants and rubies, And ruby and gold was the wine Blazing first in glasses rich-stemmed, Then blazoned bright in the glances Of women; Some with their husbands and fathers, Others leering and brazen-- But my milk tasted sweeter Next morning, for to the poor All things are pure!

THIRTY-SECOND CATERWAUL

I hadn't eaten for hours And all the house doors were shut-- The heat of the sun was oppressive So I languished in the shade, Though my appetite was appalling.... Beside there were plenty of sparrows Ready to eat when I chose to.... But when the sun was gone, So were the sparrows!

THIRTY-THIRD CATERWAUL

The Mallorys have taken me in.... Mallory says: one more to feed.... But the children like it to play And it looks like Horton's old cat So it's certain to be a good one.... Even if discarded.

THIRTY-FOURTH CATERWAUL

Mrs. Mallory read from the paper Where wise ones answer fool's queries And this was one of the questions: Is it possible a woman Who has bitten her nails all her life Since first she had teeth Could so cause her baby The affliction of two thumbs on one hand?... Did they ever think that of cats?

THIRTY-FIFTH CATERWAUL

If we really had nine lives, None akin to the others And all the hopes of each life Were answered in the next, Perhaps a cat's existence would Still be unsatisfactory?

Joe Mallory told Jack about Alice-- At least of her fate. Jack found her address And wanted to help.... And yet there are some Who believe heredity infallible!

THIRTY-SEVENTH CATERWAUL

While Jack tried to smother Alice's wild burning fires Joe never obtruded-- But when Jack was not watching Joe brought more wood To the kindling.... Still they were friends.

THIRTY-EIGHTH CATERWAUL

THIRTY-NINTH CATERWAUL

FORTIETH CATERWAUL

I watched a man cranking his motor. It stalled.... He tinkered with levers Till he gave it up in despair And stood disconsolate staring. When he cranked it again It started so quickly That it raised the hair of my coat.

FORTY-FIRST CATERWAUL

Jones' collie and Mallory's hound Were discussing a new-found bone With vicious snarling and snapping And other unseemly behaviour.... On the fence above them I sat Distressed.... Neither dared touch the prize.... Nor would either allow the other. Then Jerry and Joe both whistled.... The bone lies forgotten and wasted.

FORTY-SECOND CATERWAUL

It grew very warm in the house, The Mallorys mopping and sweating-- Perspiration is fuel for temper-- Even I couldn't stand the heat Nor tell them no windows were open.... But cats are always too obvious; So I went out for a walk.

FORTY-THIRD CATERWAUL

Alice is dead of consumption.... All Jack's efforts were useless; Disconsolate he tried to comfort The last of her wasted moments.... "God will forgive you," he whispered.... Yet who is the judge of the Damned?-- And Joe is much disappointed Though he feels he may have hurried Alice's end.... I wonder What I repent?--or is it only Regret?

FORTY-FOURTH CATERWAUL

All my life I have studied The passerby-faces And known them.... Sometimes they noticed me; Others more often seemed Unconscious I saw them. I wondered what they were thinking.... Or had they no thoughts But like wax that responds To momentary impressions? I'm sure I read all the faces.... Did I know them-- Except when they kicked me Or petted?

FORTY-FIFTH CATERWAUL

Now that the Mallorys have money They haven't changed the brand Of my milk nor their butcher. They wear more clothes And better; but they still Continue to pet me.

FORTY-SEVENTH CATERWAUL

Joe sent Pat Mallory through college; Up there Pat says that his father Is Superintendent of power-- Old Mallory's just a plain foreman-- But Pat still with reason Differs From the verdict given by Horton, For Pat still worships his father, And still calls me Poor old Cat....

FORTY-EIGHTH CATERWAUL

I heard Pat talking of college-- Some of Pat's friends have been visiting-- I wondered what they were learning! Pat is surely improving. Still Joe would always have prospered In or out of a college-- And yet I shall always be Just a cat.

FORTY-NINTH CATERWAUL

I've watched in the rain and snow Sunshine and cloudy weather For any change in my spirit; But whether I've eaten a fish Or had just a drink of milk,-- Only that I found made A difference.

FIFTIETH CATERWAUL

Go on with your work-- Patient Stranger! I've told you enough of my Wanderings. The Mallorys are troubled with mice And never close house for the summer!

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