When Etna basks and purrs
Naples is more afraid
Than when she show her Garnet Tooth－
Security is loud－
Naples is more afraid
Than when she show her Garnet Tooth－
Security is loud－
(F.1161/J.1146)
[1] purrs:: murmurs as a cat. Etna:: name of a cat.
[2] Naples:: name of a mouse.
[3] Garnet Tooth:: an inflaming tooth; the cat has a toothache.
[4] Security:: the alerting of a healthy cat.
He had a valuable tortoise-shell cat, that for days did nothing but moan. Guessing the cause, he looked into his mouth, and seeing a decayed tooth, he soon relieved it of its pain. The following day there were at least ten cats at his door; the day after twenty; and they went on increasing at such a rate that be was obliged to keep a bull dog to drive them away. But nothing would help him. A cat that had the toothache would come any number of miles to see him. ─ Hettingers Dental News (1863)