No stronger evidence of the sagacity of the cat is to be found than an
instance narrated to me by my friend, Mrs F--, and for which I can
vouch.
A lady, Miss P--, who was a governess in her family, had previously held
the same position in that of Lord --, in Ireland. While there a cat
became very strongly attached to her. Though allowed to enter the
school-room and dining-room, where she was fed and petted, the animal
never came into the lady's bed-room; nor was she, indeed, accustomed to
go into that part of the house at any time.
One night, however, after retiring to rest, Miss P--was disturbed by the
gentle but incessant mewing of the cat at her bed-room door. At first
she was not inclined to pay attention to the cat's behaviour, but the
perseverance of the animal, and a peculiarity in the tones of her voice,
at length induced her to open the door. The cat, on this, bounded
forward, and circled round her rapidly, looking up in her face, mewing
expressively. Miss P--, thinking that the cat had only taken a fancy to
pay her a visit, refastened the door, intending to let her remain in the
room; but this did not appear to please Pussy at all. She sprang back
to the door, mewing more loudly than before; then she came again to the
lady, and then went to the door, as if asking her to follow.
"What is it you want?" exclaimed Miss P--. "Well, go away, if you do
not wish to stay!" and she opened the door; but the cat, instead of
going, recommenced running to and fro between the door and her friend,
continuing to mew as she looked up into her face.
Miss P--'s attention was now attracted by a peculiar noise, as if
proceeding from the outside of one of the windows on the ground-floor.
A few moments more convinced her that some persons were attempting to
force an entrance.
Instantly throwing a shawl around her, she hurried along the passage,
the cat gliding by her side, purring now in evident contentment, to Lord
--'s bed-room door, where her knock was quickly answered, and an
explanation given.
The household was soon aroused; bells were rung, lights flitted about,
servants hurried here and there; and persons watching from the windows
distinctly saw several men making off with all speed, and scrambling
over an adjacent wall.
It was undoubtedly owing to the sagacity of the cat that the mansion was
preserved from midnight robbery, and the inmates probably from some
fearful outrage. She must have reasoned that the intruders had no
business there; whilst her reason and affection combined induced her to
warn her best friend of the threatened danger. She may have feared,
also, that any one else in the house would have driven her heedlessly
away.
My dear reader, may we not believe that this reasoning power was given
to the dumb animal for the protection of the family against evil-doers?
I might give you many instances of beneficent purposes being carried out
by equally simple and apparently humble agencies.
Let us, then, learn always to treat dumb animals with kindness and
consideration, since they are so often given to us as companions for our
benefit. Like the cat, you may by vigilance be of essential service to
others more powerful than yourself. For the same reason, never despise
the good-will or warnings of even the most humble.