There are restaurant disturbances, and then there are restaurant disturbances involving a cat, a Boston Terrier, a fainting woman, a fallen waiter, and one extremely determined lobster.
In 1910, a New York restaurant found itself thrown into complete chaos after a live lobster escaped its basket and took offense at being batted by the house cat. What followed was less of a dinner service and more of a slapstick stage act, with the lobster clamping down, the cat screaming, the dog joining the chase, and the customers offering increasingly ridiculous solutions from the sidelines.
Nobody in the dining room seemed quite prepared for a seafood uprising. The lobster, however, appeared fully committed to the fight.
The following newspaper account reads like a comedy sketch from another age, complete with shrieks, overturned furniture, helpful bystanders shouting bad advice, and a crustacean that refused to surrender without making its point.
Lobster Raises Tumult With Cat and Dog
NEW YORK. — The pet cat was in the kitchen of a New York restaurant when the cook’s helper placed on the floor a basket of lobsters he had just taken from the storeroom. A lobster crawled out of the basket and the cat jumped for it.
Poor Tom! He knows better now. The lobster was indignant when a paw struck the shell. The big claw fastened on the cat’s tail. Emitting ear splitting wails, the cat raced upstairs and into the dining room.
Miss Rose Leland had brought her Boston Terrier, Gus, to the restaurant. He was tied to her chair.
When the terrier saw the cat and the lobster, he got busy. So did the lobster. The dog made for the cat. The lobster grabbed him by the hind leg. Howling, the dog made a jump and pulled the chair from under Miss Leland. She screamed as she fell; then she fainted.
William Mollin, the head waiter, ran up when he heard the scream. Cat, dog, and lobster got tangled up with Mollin’s feet and threw him. Then the dog goy yo snapping and the cat to scratching, while the lobster just hung on.
The restaurant was in an uproar. Every person had something to suggest.
One man thought the police reserves should be called out.
“Get a cannon!” Shouted somebody.
“Turn on the hose!” Came from another.
“Get an ax!” Cried a third.
“Give the lobster a medal,” suggested a girl.
The manager got a club and when he found a chance to use it he persuaded the lobster to let go. A physician revived Miss Leland and the cat went upstairs.
Source: The San Francisco Call. San Francisco, Calif. July 5, 1910.
