“The appalling deed naturally excited a great deal of attention in the surrounding neighbourhood; and on the day after the body was deposited in the grave, which was made at the outside of the church-yard, a number of school-boys ventured thither, to view the resting-place of one who had at times been the subject of village wonder, and whose recent act of self-destruction was invested with additional interest.  At first, no one was brave enough to venture near; but at last, the appearance of a hole in the side of the grave irresistibly attracted their attention.  Having been minutely examined, it was at length determined that it must have been the work of some body-snatcher, and the story having spread, the grave was minutely examined, but as the body had not been removed, the community considered themselves fortunate in having made so narrow an escape.  The turf was replaced, and the grave again carefully covered up.

“On the following morning the turf was again displaced, and a hole, deeper than before, yawned in the side of the sad receptacle.  Speculation was soon busy at work, and all sorts of explanations were suggested.  In the midst of their speculations, alarmed perhaps by the noise of the disputants, poor puss darted from the hole, much to the confusion of some of the most noisy and dogmatic expounders of the mystery.  Again the turf was replaced, and again and again was it removed by the unceasing efforts of the faithful cat to share the resting-place of her deceased master.  It was at last found necessary to shoot her, it being found impossible otherwise to put a stop to her unceasing importunities.”

“Poor puss!  What a pity it should have been necessary to destroy such a faithful animal.  I wonder no one tried to gain its affections, and thus charm it from its dreary abode.  Uncle Thomas, did you ever hear Dr. Good’s account of a very extraordinary instance of sagacity exemplified by his cat?  I was very much struck with it when I saw it a day or two ago in his ‘Book of Nature.’  If you please, I will read it to you.”

“Very well, Harry, I shall be glad to hear it; I dare say it is an old acquaintance of mine.  I have been such a diligent searcher after stories of this description, that I think very few have escaped me.”

“A favourite cat, that was accustomed from day to day to take her station quietly at my elbow, on the writing table, sometimes for hour after hour, whilst I was engaged in study, became at length less constant in her attendance, as she had a kitten to take care of.  One morning she placed herself in the same spot, but seemed unquiet, and, instead of seating herself as usual, continued to rub her furry sides against my hand and pen, as though resolved to draw my attention, and make me leave off.  As soon as she had accomplished this point, she leaped down on the carpet, and made towards the door, with a look of great uneasiness.  I opened the door for her, as she seemed to desire, but, instead of going forward, she turned round, and looked earnestly at me, as though she wished me to follow her, or had something to communicate.  I did not fully understand her meaning, and, being much engaged at the time, shut the door upon her, that she might go where she liked.