There are cases where one must not spare the knife, even though our tenderest and most sensitive feelings recoil, for the cure will be sure. There are crimes perpetrated every day, in the name of Science, that need just such stories to expose their iniquity. For I believe ignorance is the cause of cruelty in many instances, and a little story told attractively, where retribution follows the deed, will have more effect than reproof. I do not believe there are many hearts so callous, that a little anecdote of cruelty to these helpless creatures will not touch them.

There are many who will read this book who have lost dear little pets, and I would say to them that the dear Father has them all in his care. In the boundless and beautiful fields of Paradise they will find the dear little friends they have lost waiting for them.

I trust my readers will pardon the many imperfections of this little book, believing that an earnest wish to help our dumb animals is my heart's desire.
MIRANDA ELIOT SWAN.

Boston,
December 11, 1899.


CONTENTS

[CHAPTER I]PAGE
Early Days1
[CHAPTER II]
My Mother's Story4
[CHAPTER III]
My Home17
[CHAPTER IV]
Daisy's Party21
[CHAPTER V]
Reverses28
[CHAPTER VI]
Daisy's Adventure36
[CHAPTER VII]
Cat Memories46
[CHAPTER VIII]
An Accident50
[CHAPTER IX]
Cat Tales61
[CHAPTER X]
Little Pearl66
[CHAPTER XI]
Reminiscences73
[CHAPTER XII]
Cat Tales83
[CHAPTER XIII]
My First Theft90
[CHAPTER XIV]
Religious Aspirations96
[CHAPTER XV]
Cat Anecdotes106
[CHAPTER XVI]
Cat Pranks115
[CHAPTER XVII]
The Story of Freida132
[CHAPTER XVIII]
Thanksgiving145
[CHAPTER XIX]
Mews and Purrs165
[CHAPTER XX]
Heads and Tales187
[CHAPTER XXI]
Jett195
[CHAPTER XXII]
Watch and Chloe216
[CHAPTER XXIII]
The Story of Blackie235
[CHAPTER XXIV]
Retribution249
[CHAPTER XXV]
Eventide261

DAISY

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CAT