Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-01-24

ternoon, with his two bags Of grist in
front of him on his horse, he ventured
to turn into this short cut, cherishing
the hope at the same time that his sus-
picions might be verified, and that he
might go home with q true story. He
had gone about mile when suddenly
Dolly's ears flew back, and then as
quickly Strengthened themselves out
like flags of distress. He remembered
hearing his father say that the pricking
of Dolly's ears was enough warning
| when danger was at hand. He watch
ed and waited so long for that sign, and
now that it had come it sent thrill of
terrible JOY through him, and then he
bethought himself of his terrible reck-
lessness, for he had not g. thing with
which to defend himself. Still he did
not, coward like, put heel to his horse
he just Strengthened himself in his sad
die, letting Dolly take her own gait,
While he scanned either side of him.
At first bis ear caught sound of q eau
tlous rustl1ng, his eyes instantly turned
IN the direction FROM which it came.
AS have said before, ne was acquaint-
ed with the habits Of wild animals only
theoretically. The quietness and
silence which prevailed convinced him
at once that catamO1nt or panther
(I believe they are one and the same
grandfather always called them cata-
mounts) was near, and might at any
moment pounce upon him. Keeping
his eyes upon the spot whence the rust
ling issued, he saw a sleek, gray crea-
ture steal slyly from q thick clump of
wood and underbrush. It turned as if
to spring.
MQuick as thought he off with his cap.
whirled it, then tossed it high in the
air, feeling sure that the moment
would distract his plans. You will say
that you see no bravery in this. Yes,
but was there not cunning and fore
thought? Does it not show that in any
emergency he would be cool, and not
cowaldly? He admitted, however, that
in this instance he was foolhardy, for
he had rushed right into Danger I'M
guarded, and had it not been for bis cap
he would have had nothingto aid him,
in his strategy After riding safe dis
lance, he ventured to look back, and
sure ough, there in dim light and
distance, he saw something being pretty
roughly handled (by s. lively-looking
beast), which he had no reason to
doubt was his cap.
This was enough. He put heels to
Dolly, who seemed to take in her young
masters feelings, for there was no let up
to her until she brought him safely
around to the back door.
ss'TaEo tho no oo ox,,io 10 oo;J L, IL
his father, who came out to assist him.
i've story 1aoy to tell, that you'll all
believe, l guess"
'But where's your cap ?" queried his
father.
"And thereby hangs tale Come
in, while call mother and the boys,
and We will have it OUT" And 50 he
recounted his adventure in very few
words, and the absence of his cap
proved that something had happened.
This little incident stimulated him to
action. The next morning, as soon as
possible, he, together with his father
and the neighbors, went to the scene of
action. And there was found proof
enough, in the shape of shreds of
once nice cap, to convince the most in
credulous. Having provided them
selves with more formidable weapons
this time, they all took holiday, saw
signs and many tracks Of wild beasts;
and from that day grandfather says
his fame began.
Being doubly sure now that there
must be lively times up in those noun
tains, off and on, he did not rest until
he had an encounter not with
catamount, but with great she-bear,
of which [ should like to tell you
another time.
We always liked this story, though,
because we thought it so cute in grand
pa to think Of throwing his cap up
Rural NeaU Yorker.