RUFFLE, THE SWIMMING CAT.
D
EAR Mr. Editor,—Not long ago I was given a little tabby Persian kitten, about four months old, which I called "Ruffle." We soon became great friends, and when I went out she would follow me like a dog. At the bottom of our park there is a river, in which we have a bathing-place. One morning when I was going to bathe I thought I would take Ruffle with me, as it would be a nice run for her, and I could leave her with my maid in the punt whilst I was in the water. She did not seem in the least afraid until I was in the water, and then she began to mew. She would not stay in the maid's lap, but ran to the side of the punt mewing piteously. I came to the side of the punt and stroked her and she began to purr at once. I thought she would be quite happy now, and so I left her, but I had hardly turned my back before I heard a little splash and turning round saw my maid vainly trying to rescue Ruffle, who had jumped into the water! Instead of trying to reach the bank she swam to me. Of course I picked her up, little drowned mite that she was, and took her into the bathing-house and dried her as well as I could. I need not say that this proof of her affection made us firmer friends than ever.
Marian C. Brodrick.
(Aged 14.)
Peper Harow,
Godalming, Surrey.