The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-11-06
The Visitors Adjourned.

EThe Thirteen Club, Of New York,
has many precious relics In It's rooms
at Capt. FOwler's Knickerbocker Cot
tage, but its most precious relic is a
panther skin, which the Captain shows
with much pride. IA few days, since
the Captain gazed fondly into the glass
eyes, stroked tho fur lovingly, and
SAID: ~ ~ !. ;l,'
son September 13, 1870, was hunt
ing on the Mamakating Barrens, up in
Sullivan County. l wasn't looking
tor panthers, not by a long shot. Deer
was what had enticed me out there and
l was in shape not to raise any obiec.
tlonst TO a boar, should one come IN,
way. @Dne Of ny barrels was loaded
with thirteen buckshOt. Ever been up
on the Malnakating Barrens? No?
well, they're pretty we'll up being, by
actual measurement, 1873 feet above
tide.n
"l'd been tramping over the Barrens
on this particular day when suddenly [
hearu a noise or to my right. Iturned
ana looked, and there WAS this panther
tearing straight for mo. just up
with my-gun and whanged away with
my thlrteen buckshot. The panther
gave il yell that made me turn Dale.
put he stopped for good. always step
Just three feet when L walk-;tlways.
L never knew it to vary an inch, l
walked toward the dead panther. L
remembered afterward that took lust
tour OF my steps, and not quite the
length or my foot over, To who're the
panther lay-thirteen feet. My foot is
Just thirteen inches long. Queer, oh?
Wen, began TO haul my big game out
to the road. 1t was Il tough pull, but
finally got him OF tho Barrells. L
managed to get Il horse and wagon to
carry me and my game in. After we
had loaded tRe panther into the wagon
asked the boy who was to drive inc
III, how far 1t was to Wurtsboro.
'PlumO thirteen miles, and we've
got a hill for every mile, said he.
I'VE got to WurCsboro, and when
looked at my watch 1 found that we
had been thirteen minutes over three
hours coming in. began to find fault
with the boy for taking so long.
well, said lie, that's a tough road
and l think l've done first rate, beiu's
ls this horse was thirteen years on the
canal before we got him, and that was
thirteen years ago this month, just the
time was born"
"Of course the panther and myself
created Il big excitment. But 1T wasn't
until 1 counted the panther's teeth, and
found there were only thirteen left, and
then found that he measured just thir-
teen feet from tip to tip, that began
to think about the singular thirteen
business connected with the killing of
this animal. Let's see-September 13,
1913 feet above tide, 13 buckshot, pan
ther with Is teeth and l3 feet long,
dropped dead with l3 buckshoC in it, Is
feet from me, l3 miles from Wurtsboro,
Is hills OH the road, boy 13 years old ,
driving u horse that had been Ii years
on the canal, and 13 years with the
boys family. Ii you don't call these
singular condolences, don't know
where you're going to get en-.
Anu--n
The Captain suddenly stepped talk
ing. An expression OF concentrated
awe appeared i'll his face. Then ho
struck his fist OH the sideboard and
said:
Why, holy smoke? September 13,
1901 That's just thirteen years ago
next meeting day of this club! Gentle.
mon, Comel"
There were thirteen bulging based
corks Oh the sideboaru all hour laLor,
wlien tiio visitors adjourned.