I was indeed glad to find that my ambition to have an education was to be
realized. In my early days at the meat market I used to slip out on the
sidewalk and try to spell out the words on the daily bulletin blackboards,
such as "Spare ribs, 25 cents," "Best spring lamb, 30 cents," and "Best
rump steak, 45 cents." I used to wait until some plump old lady with a
market basket came along and read these signs. She often scolded, but I
did not then know why. I have since learned that my childhood was in a
time when the high cost of living was in everybody's mouth. As I had
learned so much in that way, I felt that I was able to skip the primary
grade, and so started in with a great deal of confidence to pick up an
education. For instance, the fact that I was allowed to roam in the
various rooms in the evenings permitted me to observe, among other things,
how the earth revolved on its axis. I often proved this fact by tapping a
large globe with my paw and watching Africa chase Asia and Asia in turn
pursue America as it turned swiftly around.
The janitor had an office in the basement, and I was supposed to stay
there during the school session, but I used to creep softly up the
stairway and listen at the class-room doors. Often the door of a
dressing-room chanced to be open and I could enter here and watch through
the crack of the school-room door. I learned to read in this manner, and
took up arithmetic, which was rather difficult, but I studied hard
evenings and made good progress, until I came to vulgar fractions.
Remembering mother's dislike of anything unrefined, however, I closed the
book and did not dare to go on. I fared very well, for the janitor's wife
sent me bread and milk, and occasionally bits of fish and meat. I had the
run of the school at night and consequently could learn a great many
things while prowling around in quest of rats and mice; in fact, I always
managed to catch a few and leave them where they could be seen (I did not
care to eat them) before I settled down to hard study, and so revealed to
the janitor that I was doing my duty. I used to find some choice tid-bits
in the desks, some of which opened at the end, and did not lift at the
top; pieces of cake, numerous pickled limes (for which I did not care),
and also plenty of cookies, and sometimes a sandwich.
I observed by the aid of a mirror standing on the floor in a teacher's
closet that I was growing large and good-looking; my dark coat was smooth
and glossy, my white shirt-front set off a well poised head, and I
possessed as fine a pair of whiskers as ever graced a cat. Of these I was
extremely proud, but used to keep my entire person well groomed as well as
that particular portion of my features. I exercised in the school yard in
order to keep in good form and also took boxing lessons from an
acquaintance, who occasionally called. I soon began to tire of the school
life and dull studies, however, and longed to go out somewhat during the
evening, but the janitor was careful to lock me in the school at eight
o'clock.
One evening I found that a window on the ground floor had been left open.
It was but the matter of a moment to vault out and I found myself on the
street alone at night for the first time in my life.
I remembered mother's advice, but thought that she was rather too
particular; indeed I felt that I could come to no harm, so walked down the
street, keeping an eye out for dogs, as mother had warned me to do.
I soon perceived that the broad highway was too much exposed for my
traveling, and so I proceeded into a back yard, jumped a fence, and found
myself on a back road, where market men deliver their goods. It was really
quite attractive and sociable, for I came upon a group who seemed to be
serenading some mutual acquaintance. I had listened to the children
singing at school, and had looked over the song books, and had even
practised a few scales. In this way I discovered that I had a very clear
tenor voice, so I immediately joined the group. They did not seem
particularly anxious to have me do so, and as I now look back, I can see
how young and fresh I was.
Jumping upon a fence, I at once threw out my chest and proceeded to give
them a tenor solo. I was wholly unprepared for what followed.
In an instant they all charged at me, howling, spitting, and finally
succeeded in knocking me from my high position. Down on the ground we
rolled and struggled. Fur flew! Oh, how they scratched and kicked and
pummeled me. One bit pieces out of my ears, another gave me a black eye.
In my agony I thought of mother and that her warnings were right after
all. I found out afterwards that the object of their serenade was a lady,
and my fine appearance and good voice made them wild with jealousy. I
could have put up a good fight against one or two enemies, but an army of
five proved too much for me. However, I got in a few savage bites and
scratches, which I think they remembered for some time.
During this terrible battle we all gave vocal selections in different
keys, which could hardly be called pleasing to the ear, and were rewarded
by a shower of empty bottles, old shoes, hair brushes, and finally some
unkind person threw a pitcher of ice-water at us, from a window above.
This last offering served to break up the encounter, as well as the
pitcher.
Upon being invited behind the scenes of a theatre some weeks later, and
peeping from the wings, I noticed that a young girl (who gave a song and
dance) was showered with roses, violets and other beautiful flowers. I
could not understand this great difference as her voice did not sound any
better than mine, I thought, although it may sound conceited in me to say
this.
I finally escaped with the remains of my ninth life and when I got away
from my new friends (?) I limped painfully back to the school house,
thinking how glad I should be to clamber in again and nurse my wounds.
When I reached there and looked for the open window I found to my horror
that it was closed. What should I do? Too weak to run from an offensive
dog, must I lie helpless in an open school yard? It was not to be thought
of.