BOARD AND MAINTENANCE OF A CAT.

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 89, 28 February 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

BOARD AND MAINTENANCE OF A CAT.

On 10th. November, at Brompton County Coui-t, an' amusing case was heard by his Honour Judge Stonor, in which the plaintiff, Mrs. Silverton, a laundress, sued Madame Corner, a lady residing inMontpelier-square, for £15 13s 4d, being balance of amount alleged to be due for the board and maintenance of a oat. Mr. Bobinson appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Bickards for the defendant. In opening the case, Mr. Bobinson informed his Honour that the cat, which was a favourite, and was also a very valuable one, came into the possession of the plaintiff in June, 1883, when an agreement was entered into by which the plaintiff agreed to keep the animal, and supply it with half a_pound of liver every day, and a pint of milk, for which she was to receive 2s per week, payable by sums of £l in advance. Defendant paid various amounts up to August, 1884, and several letters passed enclosing the instalments, one of which ran as follows: — "Dear Annie— Enclosed is £l off James* (the cat's) account, and a tin of sardines for his dinner — (laughter)—' which I hope he will enjoy. — (Benewed laughter.) I enclose also a loin of pork, which. I trust will be equally acceptable to yourself." — (Much laughter.) In August last year. the defendant became desirous of having '' poor Jim " (the cat) poisoned, and sent a messenger with a letter begging that the cat should be handed over to the messenger for that purpose. The plaintiff, sworn, said that in 1883 Mrs.' Corner, a wealthy, lady, lived in Sussex-street, Pimlioo, and plaintiff was ier ohar-

woman. On changing her residence she asked witness to take care of her cat. She was to feed it as above stated. Mr. Rickards— Have you a receipt for what you fed that cat on? Witness— No, but my solicitor has.— (Laughter.) Very often my husband . has fed that cat when we jtave been hungry ourselves. We did it out of respect to Madame Corner. She sent us many presents, such as a loin of pork. Mr. Robinson— lt was a very valuable cat, was it not ? WitnessYea. Mr. Rickarde— l should think so; He ate almost enough to keep a man. — (Laughter.) .Witnesß^-I wouldn't like to keep you on it long. (Laughter.) Mr. Bickards— ;Not 0% loins of pork ?— (Loud laughter)." Witnosa— We ate the pork. "Jim 1 ' ate the sardine?.— (More laughter.); Ultimately his Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff for the amount' claimed.