Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-11-10
HOW DOLLY BEAT TIE HUNTERS.

'Charley, it, time to 90 after the
cows" said Farmer Goodwin to his
oldest boy,one summer day, near even
inc.
.rm off, father" replied Charlie, a
bright little fellow of eleven. and whist
ling to Tiger, Il large brin,lled mastiif,
he was soon marching toward the pas
ture with the dog at his heels.
This was ninety years ago, very near
ly. and the place was near the historic
mountain of kearsarge. in Central New
Hampshire. Moses Goodwin was one
of the early settlers of that region, and
his farm stood far up the cleared slope
of the mountain, on fertile ridge of
land. where the tielis of corn were
ripening for the harvest.
The sides of the mountain were COW
cred with thick forests, even as they
are to-day. aifordinr excellent haunts
for the wild animals of the latitude
The bark of the wolf, the screech of
the cougar. and the growl of the bear
were well-known sounds 10 most of the
early settlers. Indeed, it was no un-
common thing for families of the pio-
neers to be awakened at night BY the
fierce chorus of wild beasts around
their cabins.
There were large State bounties on
all these animals, and after Il few years
their numbers began to diminish. At
the time of our Story it was very sell
dom that bear or II panther was seen
about the settlement. If now and then
farmeriost fine sheep or favorite
calf, it was no more than was expected.
Farmer Goodwin had himself lost that
very autumn valuable young heifer,
which was supposed TO have been car
ried off by bear. None of the other
settlers had lost any OF their stock, and
it was supposed that the animal had
left the neighborhood.
Charley was gone longer than usual
after the cows on the evening in ques-
ton. His parents began to feel uneasy
at his protracted absence.
Its time he should be here" said
the farmer. The stock must have
wandered farther than usual
Il am afraid something has hap
pened to him." observed Mrs. Good
win, her fair face growing a shade
paler at the thought of her boys dam
ger. Perhaps he's met u bear or a
panther"
There he is now. all right, guess"
exclaimed the husband, Us he heard the
cattle going into the barn. IN 90
out and help him turn them i'm
AS he opened the door in rushed
Tiger, uttering fearful means, and
shaking like an aspen leaf. The mastitf
was in a aterrible condition. His brindled
hide was all covered with blood, and
there were torn places and gaping
wounds on his neck and shoulders,
showing conclusively that he had been
engaged in fight with some powerful
animal. Mrs. Goodwin sat down,
white and faint, in a chair.
''Charley is dead. l know he is. The
beast has killed my boy. Oh, what
shall l do?" she sobbed, half frantic in
her grief.
''Be calm, mother" said the settler.
81 don't believe it us bad as that. The
creature attacked the dog. Perhaps
Charley is hiding somewhere. I'll get
Neighbor Savary to 90 with me, and
We'll see if he can't be found"
He lit q candle and placed it in an
old tin lantern, and went to the house
of his next-door neighbor. Together
the two men followed the path to the
pasture, and searched that inclosure
all over; but they were unable to find
any trace of the boy.
Once or twice they stopped and
called his name, but there was no an
swer. As they We're passing through
the thick underbrush by the banks OF
the brook, Il fierce scream STAYED their
steps. There was the sound of Il large
body tearing through the shrubbery.
and by the light of their lantern they
saw the fierce beast spring up into a
tree and begin tearing the bark with
its claws.
ats a painter. sure enough" said
Goodwn's neighbor.
Wed better start for the house, see-
ing as how we amt armed
'.And must 90 home without nv
boy? How can | :? 1t will kill my poor
wife,
''It's the only thing left us. There,
the painters going away. It's useless
to stand here any lonscr.n
The beast WIS heard moving off, and
they turned sadly toward home.
On the following morning large
company OF men and bows, neighboring
settlers, We're gathered with their dogs
and guns around Goodwin cabin door.
The news of Charley's disappearance
and of Il panther in the neighborhood
had spread like wildiire through the
settlement. 1t was determined to hunt
the monster to the death.
The excited party started at once,