Your cat will love you, in his own way, but he
holds himself free to do as he likes.
Cats, as well as dogs, have been the pets of great men. The Arabian
teacher Mahomet; the founder of the Mohammedan religion, was very fond
of cats. One day his pet kitten went to sleep upon the wide sleeve of
his robe, and he cut off the sleeve rather than disturb the comfortable
pussy.
Richelieu, the great French statesman, kept several kittens in his house
to amuse him when tired and discouraged. As kittens will grow into cats,
Richelieu must have changed his friends often.
Cowper, the English poet, mentions his favorite cat in more than one of
his poems. The famous Dr. Johnson had a cat named Hodge, who was treated
with the greatest kindness. When Hodge was not well, the doctor would go
out himself to buy oysters, lest the trouble of waiting upon so dainty a
pet should cause it to be disliked by the servant.
Charles Dickens's favorite cat was old and deaf, but she had a warm
corner in her master's heart. One evening he was so busy reading that he
did not notice her when she jumped into his lap. Pussy's feelings were
hurt. She purred gently, but the reader did not seem to hear. Suddenly
the candle went out. Dickens lighted it again to go on with his reading.
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