The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-26

and we could kill it with the hatchetp
cried Vic excitedly.
"Pooh that's just like girl r. retort-
ed Dick loftily. 'tDo you think that bea-
ver'll come out here just on purpose to
be killed?"
Hector's uneasiness continued, how
ever, and he seemed reluctant to le ave
the children's side, keeping close to them
and uttering short barks. Suddenly
the bark changed to q fierce Rrowl and
the twins stopped their work to look
around. Close to them, hardly ten feet
away, was an animal they had never seen
before. It's eyes glowed like Goals OF
| fire, and it dashed it's tail in fury at Hec-
| tor.
The dog and wildcat-for it was q
wildcat of the largest species-glared at
each other for few moments, while Dick
and Vic were too frightened to move.
Then with spring the cat buried its
claws in Hector's neck and the struggle
began. Dick seized the Ratchet and Vic
looked around for stout stick, uncon-
scious of any danger to themselves. Hec-
tor and the cat rolled over and over on
the ground SO rapidly that it was impos-
siple for Dick to use his Ratchet for fear
of cutting Hector. The dry leaves flew
in all directions, and the underbrush was
broken from the force of the struggle.
Dick jumped from side to side cheering
Hector excitedly. When Vic saw the
blood streaming from the dogs neck she
begged Dick to help their pet.
"When the horrid thing comes on top
again catch hold Of its tail, Vic, while 1
use the hatchet !" shouted Dick.
And Vic, nothing loath, waited her OPP
portunity and seized the waving tail. She
little knew the danger she ran, for the
| cat left its hold on Hector and turned Oh
Vic, fixing its cruel claws on her dress.
As the glaring eyes we're turned upon
her and she felt the sharp claws in her
flesh Vic screamed piteously for help
Poor Hector, nearly overcome, stood pant
ing in every limb, but at the first cry for
1
to her aid and Selling the cat by the back
of the neck, held it firmly until Dick fin
ished it with blow from the Ratchet
The two viewed the cat curiously as it
lay stretched on the ground.
at must be the wildcat" said Dick,
''that has killed SO many of the neigh
bors' chickens lately. Lets take it home
and maybe we can sell the skim"
1t was sorry-looking party that filed
into the kitchen, causing Mrs. Duncan to
hold up her hands in horror. Dick, hat
less and costless, with face and hands
stained with Hector's blood; Vic, with
her dress in tatters and her eyes red with
crying; and Hector with great patches
of hair gone.
"Oh, my children p cried Mrs. Dun
can, what has happened to you alp"
"The wildcat did it," answered Vic,
beginning to sob.
"The Wildcat" echoed her mother.
"Don't scold, mammal pleaded Vic.
"We did it for the pitcher !"
pitcher /" exclaimed Mrs. Duncan,
more mystified than ever.
Then, with more sobs, Vic threw her.
self into her mothers arms and told her
the whole story; of the fear that she had
broken the pitcher; of their plan to set
beaver traps and make money to buy a
new one; and finally OF the unexpected
encounter with the wildcat in the hollow.
Dick interrupted her story many times
with graphic descriptions of the fight
they had had, but their mother could
see with her own eyes that it must have
been severe one.
1--WE will have to thank the Lord that
you were not killed." she said, holding
Vic tight in her arms.
"There is a taxidermist at Pierre" said
Mr.. Duncan, when he in turn had heard
the story, "whom l know very we'll. 1t
may be he will buy the skin to stuff
The next morning he went with it him.
self in the hope of selling it.
"There /" he said that evening, throw
ing six shining dollars in Vic's lap, show
will that help toward the pitcher?'
Vic carried it joyfully to her mother.
"Isn't that most enough, mammal"
at would be for pitcher" replied
her mother, "but new one could never
take the old ones place. 1t was the asso-
Citations which made that SO dear. We
will lay this aside for communion SER
vice."
In spite of many disappointments, be-
fore the winter was over enough beaver
skins were obtained to buy a very mod
est communion set. When it was I'M
packed and set out on the kitchen table
for the family to admire, Mrs. Duncan
said
"There never is any loss without some
gain. II my pitcher hadn't been broken
this set never would have been bought.
sit wouldn't without our wildcat fight,
either |" chimed in Vic and Dick.-LOuise
Thrush, IN the Advance.
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