Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

A DANGEROUS PET.-Mrs. Swisshelm, the
editress OF the PIttsburg Visitor. in some
comments upon an article descriptive Of
the American cougar, which recently sp-
peared in Chambers Edinburg Journal.
gives an interesting account of her own
personal experience in the panther line.
She says that eleyen years ago her hus-
band bought in Arkansas a young panther,
SIX months old, which had been caught
while kitten in the woods. He was
brought home, and remained there four
years, until the time of his death. Tom
for that was his name) was about nine feet
IN length, of a grey color on bis back and
sides, and nearly y white on the belly and
throat. His back generally was perfectly
straight, his form symmetrical, and his
movements 1.-THE and graceful. In twilight
Of evening the animal was accustomed to
pace back and forth to the full extent of
bis limits, ever and anon utternga short,
piercing shrek, which made the valley re-.
vertebrate for half mile or more in every
direction. Mrs. Swisshelm says these
sounds were the shrillest, and at the same
time the most mournful, she ever heard.
They might perhaps be likened to the
scream of woman in an agony of terror.
The natural ferocity the panther was at
length so far subdued, that his fair mis-
tress sometimes yentured to stroke bis head
and feel his paw, when he was in good
humor. On one occasion, indeed, when
he had broken his cham, and all The men
in the house, with the exception of Mr..
Swisshelm, had fled to the barn for safety.
she seized him by the collar as he took ref
uge in the dining room, and held him un-
til her husband took efectual measures to
secure him. At length, however, Mrs.
Swisshelm was thrown from carriage and
so severely injured that she was confined
to her bed several weeks. She says:
"When we appeared on crutches we
inadvertently went quite near him, and
were warned by low growl that he was
regarding US as his prey. We turned and
found him crouched within FIVE or six feet
of US, ready to spring-his eyes green and
blazing, and the tip Of his tail moving from
side to side. We kept our eyes fastened
on his there was no one within call, and
We tried to make him remember us by talk.
! ing to and naming him.
"Tom, poor Tom !" but Toms eye lost
none of its fire, and the tail kept up its reg.
uar motion.
Then we tried 10 intimidate him as we
had often done before, by assuming voics
OF command. Tom, Tom Down Tom,'
but Tom kept his hostile attitude, and wo
in doubt as to whether his chain was long
enough to reach US or strong enough to
resist the spring we saw he intended ma
ling, kept our place and tried TO stare him
out of countenance.
After what appeared TO us long time.
trusting to the power Of the eve 10 keep
him still, we set our crutches, and still speak
ing TO him, threw ourself backward step.
The instant We moved he sprang, but the
chain held him, and being too short, he re-
bounded against post about eighteen in
ches from u.s.. u
| Her pet Tom never showed the same de-
sire to attack man that he did to attack
woman or child. When child was in
sight he would pace back and forth, lol.
out his tongne, and sometimes scream with
rage, that he could not get at it. He nev-
er purred except when caressed and in an
extra good humor. When IN fear ba
bumped his back, bristled his hair, and spit
like cat. He was in all respects "a large
grey cat; looking on all animals as rats,
mice, and birds. Men to him were large
rats whom he thought best TO let alone"