Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-11-06
NO. g..
For The HERALD.
Frightened by a Mammoth Lion |

Oct. %. A party in search of
Autumn leaves, ferns and grasses in
the Dense Forest in Opequon District
were enjoying their walk forever
and auon, peal of merry laughter
broke the solemn stiffness, while
snatches of jolly songs rippled out
occasionally on the soft Autumn air
giving unmistakable evidence of the
happy hearts of the singers when
suddenly there was dead halt /
every face blanched, every heart for
an instant stopped its beating for
there right in their path lay
SLUMBERING LYON,
fully eighteen feet in length. His
majestic head lay between his great
paws that looked like beams. His
noble name fell in heavy folds over
his shoulders and neck, and his shag-
gy brows almost covered his large
full eyes. His lank side and his vlsi.
BILE ribs spoke of q fast of some
length while his whole air betokened
an exhausted and profound sleep.
fl housed La0n.
The terrified screams reached his
ears. He raises his head and glares
around threatening destruction to
those who dared disturb his repose.
He spies his victims, and vaults,
(rather awkardly for a lion). He
rolls his eyes in frenzy, chaws the
earth and leaves with his paws and
lashes around his prodigious tail till
almost hidden from sight, and then
springs for the group of human crea-
lures.
The Encounter.
A pale delicate looking woman
steps in front and faces the infuri-
ated beast. Her little form proudly
erect, her white face betokens no
fear, the blue veins standing out like
tense cords and the firm mouth tell
of desperate resolve. Her eyes
flash the fire of defiance back upon
her enemy, while poised above her
shapely head and held firmly in her
small hand is a sharp stick on which
| read painted in golden tints these
letters L r q I ii, over her breast
in sparkling diamonds l see the
word HONOR, for thirty-two years
those brilliant diamonds have been
the pride of the owner and who DARE
SAY one gem is missing. Where is
he who WILL say that he carried one
off and left dark spot on that breast ?
There she stands fearless Of the
consequence. The SHOWS of a North
ern cline have bathed that brow and
some of the staunch blood of the
Puritan Fathers flows through those
veins, who will guess the result.
There crouches the King Of Beasts,
ready for the last spring, eager to
devour his victim-here stands nine
ty pounds of human flesh and blood,
but she springs before he is aware
and gives him sharp punch in the
side. The aim was sure and follow
ed instantly by long bray of pain,
and the animal reared and plunged
to get the stick out for it had struck
home. In these frantic efforts the
Disclosure
was made. Small iron shod hoofs
were kicked out of the paws, next
two long ears raised like sentinels
out of the shaggy head, then a short
closely sbaven tail squirmed from its
covering, another roll and the brute
had Invested itself of its entire COW
ering, and stood mute and demure
before the little woman, who now
spoke. :" am sorry / wounded you,
You poor little insignificant brute,
(said she,) while stroking his long
ears and removing the cause of his
pain. 81 thought was having an
adventure with the LORD OF THE
FOREST, there an amused smile
played over her features) and j felt
myself quite a HEROINE but how
badly | was deceived. / was fight.
ing only-AN ASS In A LYONS
SKIN.n
AN EYE WITNESS OF THE SCENE.