Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-05-06
MisfRllunfnns.
From Porter's Spirit.
An ENCOUNTER WITH A PANTHER.
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.

William Glenn, young, powerful and ath-
letic man. left Portsmouth as early as the year
1874. and, with his wife and three year old
daughter, travelled northward until the lofty
tower of Mount Washington shut out the po-
lar star. In quiet secluded dell--now COM
prised in the township of Jackson-he fixed
his rough log house, spn built up his family
altar Broad acres of rich woodland, yet ur-
mutilated by the destroying hand of civiliza-
ton, stretched out their green, waving bill
lows far toward Ellis river, and the morning
sunshine looked down on t.Ie dell with
wealth of life giving power in its warm beams.
In truth, lovelier spot than Crag Dell
could not be found for leagues; and although
the nearest human habitation was seven miles
away, the Glenns were a happy family-liv-
ing. as they did. in little kingdom of their
own, unmolested and untroubled.
Three years fled. and the wild, forbidding
features which would have once struck stran-
ger so unfavorably, were almost entirely re-
moved from Crag Dell Wide fields of corn
and wheat, ripe for the harvest. rustled where
the stately forest monarchs had first nodded
haughtily in the breeze. The log cabin was
neater and more home-like in its appearance
the wild eglantine blossomed by the hum
BILE doorstep, and clusters ofpurple- bosomed
poles set in the earth beneath the one glass
window.
The prettiest thing about the place was toe
blue-eyed little Maggie, the sweet child who
stood by her mothers side. one magnificent
September morning, and be yged to be allowed
to go out TO a knoll but few rods from the
cabin. for whortleoerries. which grew very
thick and large there. At first, Mrs. Glenn
demurred, for there was much danger to be
apprehended flom rattesnakes, which were
quite numerous i'll the vicinity; but at last.
won over from discretion by two round bright
tears which glstened in Maggie's eyes, she
gave Der consent enjoining it upon her child
not to 90 out of sight OF the cabin.
With mothers pride and care did Mrs.
Glenn watch the little form until she saw Mag
gle at the knoll busily engaged in capturing
the delicious fruit and then with a cheerful
fee she re urned to her spinning.
Ever anu anon, the busy hum of the wheel
would cease, and the mothers face pressed the
window. to see if Maggie still remained upon
the knoll At last she looked forth, and
frightful change fell upon her as she looked
Her cheek became white as asnes-a deathly
coldness settled in all her limbs she would
have shrieked but her lips were sealed.
There, on the bold rock which overhune
satisfaction, fast filling the bucket with blue
berIies-crouched an immense panther. evil
IDENTIFY preparing for the fatal leap. Mothers.
Judge OF the feelings of that mother Far
from human sd--her husband at work In the
interval. two miles below-aud panther
about to devour her only child. The golden
hair would be dabbled in red blood; the lips
which had so often been pressed to hers in the
rich kiss of holy affection. would be torn and
crushed between the ravenous jaws of the
monster! That little body, now so warm and
beautiful with life. in a moment would be &
shapeless mass, gorging the fierce appetite OF
a wild beast.
In that hour Martha Glenn thought only
of her child She reflected not on the danger
to which she exposed herself in venturing
forth in sight of the ter. .ible animal. She re-
membered only that her child-the child she
had nourish I'd at her breast, and who, for six
happy years had slept in her bosoni-was IN
peril Forth she sped, her lands upraiSed-
her eyes fixed in moveless agony upon the
horrible tdbteau
The panther gave a low growl of delight, as
his restless eye fell on his new victim his
tail lashed the ground in his rage his red
tongue cleaned savagely over his white. glea-
ming teeth, AMI bis glaring eyes seemed liv-
| luS CUdio ia III
| Unheedins all-all but her child-the dis
tracted mother sped on !; the low. sweet voice
| of her darling reaching her through the dead
air--for Maggie was singing to herself quaint
o,d bsllnd or long ago. Ia an instant. Mag
gle was struggling IL her nother's arms, and
that mother, with the courage of despair.
turned and attempted to reach her cabin With
| the precious burden she bore.
In vain all in vain! Uttering fierce cry
the panther raised himself upon his launches
his fore paws dug deep into the matted
grass-a wild, maddening snort. and bis claws
were buried in the shoulders of the helpless
woman? Flinging Maggie upon the fragrant
| heaps of mountain heather which grew every
where in rich luxu-iance, Mrs. Green prepa-
red herself for the desperate and unequal strug-
gle. Unequal indeed for what was the strength
of frail woman. opposed to the fury of ra-
ging panther
Already the fangs of the animal were fas-
tened with an iron grip upon her left arm
the blood flowed in torrents down her disor-
dered garments the pain she felt was pas
all mortal conception. and yet in that fearful
hour the courage of Martha Glenn did no
fail her. A blessed thought flashed across
her mind-she seized with her uncon6nee
right hand the strong cord which fastened Il
her waist the long, sharp pointed shears
which were then deemed necessary TO the toi
let of every housewife. The glittoring stee
flashed bright in the sunlight. and with on
powerful effort, she drove the instrument t
the handle in the throat of her assailant'
D..