Animals: Lily’s Caretaker

When 84-year-old Spinster Annie Hansche died in Sacramento, Calif, month ago, she left $55,000 to her kith & kin, $5,000 to her kitty, Lily. Executor of Annie Hansche’s estate, onetime Mayor Claude Hubert Stephenson Bidwell, announced publicly that whoever took over Lily would get $50 per month for the black alley cat’s care and feeding. Immediately 330 persons applied for the job. All said they loved cats, especially black ones. Many claimed they could feed Lily for less than $50 per month, promised to turn over the surplus to charity, said they themselves were in dire need, or offered to kick back up to $40 to Attorney Bidwell. After due consideration of all replies, Mr. Bidwell selected Lily’s caretaker—grey-haired, kindly Mrs. Claude Hubert Stephenson Bidwell.