Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1886 — The Slaughter of Cats. [ARTICLE]

The Slaughter of Cats.

! “Did you over hear," asked an old resident of a reporter, “how the ‘slaughter of the oats’ was brought about?" “No," was the answer. “I never knew of any particular slaughter of the feline species.” • . 1 “Well,” continued the old resident, “fprty years ago or thereabout, there was a square not far from the Patent Office in which the cats multiplied so that it was a mooted question whether the rodents or felines were in the ascendency. The cats and kittens fairly swarmed, and those who lived on the square finally came to the conclusion that the person who would devise some effective means of thinning them out would be entitled to the gratitude of the neighbors. This set. the wits of some of the inhabitants at work, and it was not long before there appeared before one of the doors an immense placard: ‘Wanted! * Cats’hair. Highest cash price will be paid.’ As may be supposed, this soon attracted the notice of the boys, and due inquiry elicited the reply that a sudden demand for genuine cats’ hair had sprung up, and that article at that time commanded $2.50 per pound. The immediate result was that for several days none of the boys of the neighborhood could be seen on the street, but the continuous sound of stones thrown at the cats in the alleys told where they were and what they were about. Home six or eight days had passed . and the sign did not appear to have drawn in the first ounce. About sundown the dealer noticed approaching his shop from the alleyway a crowd of some thirty boys bearing in their midst a long, five-bushel hay sack, stuffed full. It was dropped at his door beneath bis astonished gaze “ ‘Why, boys,’ asked the dealer, ‘what have you here ?’ “ ‘Cats’ hair, sir,’ said the largest boy. ‘Every bit cats’hair; killed them first and then plucked the hair; can swear to it all, sir.’ “ ‘Why,’ exclaimed the dealer, ‘I fear you will break me if you want your pay in a lump, but bring in the bag. L et’s lookwt iti ' . ■ “The bag was carried in and hastily opened, when the dealer exclaimed: ‘Tut! tut! boys, you have it all mixed. I aan’t do anything with the hair as it is.’ After hesitating he continued: ‘Since you have had all your trouble I’ll tell you what I’ll do. Just sort out the hair, put every Bhade to itself, and I’ll allow you an advance of 75 cents on the pound ; that will make $3.25 per pound.’ “This satisfied the boys, and they returned with the bag, and it is needless to say that after an attempt to separate the hair they gave up the job. The neighbors had accomplished their object. and the number of cats was reduced to less than nothing. Washingtgn Star.