The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1888-06-22
the UNWELCOME VISITOR.

Atlanta Constitution.
wv all, yes; that thar was onct a
painter, ~ said old Teb, pointing to a non
descript looking affair OF a muddy hue,
much frayed at me edges, and with the
hair well worn off in spots. Don't look
much that way, do hito Butyou see me nd
Calline have raised seven children one
after anuther, nd they've all wallered on
that thar hide, letten' alone OF usin' hit
fur a bed kiver every winter fur twenty
years come mex Janowary."
Old Teb was a grizzled, wiry hunter OF
the Blue Ridge Mountains, whose long
rifle and coonskin pouch were better
known in the wilds OF Buncombe County
in those days that the features OF far more
celebrated men. His cabin was a mere shell
Of half-decayed logs, with a dirt floor, and
its roof held down by stones and poles.
In summer it was airy or wet, in winter
cold and smoky, Dried venison hung
from the grimmy ioists; lean hounds slept
in the ashes Of the fireplace, and on the
outer walls the skins OF ioxes, coons and
groundhogs were stretched out to dry in
odorous profusion.
His wife, a lank, sailow woman, clad in
a dirty homespun was griffin roas' in
years" on d homemade tin crater for
their daily supply of grit bread" while
several ragged, ciay-eating children squat
ted about, ~vacantly silent and observing.
The youngest boy sucking its thumb upon
the panther skin, and Teb himself was
cutting some creased wads for his long
rifle.
Painters nowadays is erbout ez skaze
as hens teeth he continued, but that
thar varmint war my fus' one, tho
I've knocked over a many 6 one sence."
So Teb repeated the oft told tale
that hunters delight in and without fol-
lowing his peculiar odium, we will give the
substance Of his narrative in our own
words.
Several years before his marriage he had
lived in this same cabin with his mother
and sister. One bitter winters night he
and his sister were left alone, their mother
having gone down to the little store at
Lasher's Gap to DO some trading She
was not expected back before morning.
Teb was then a lad OF sixteen and Mag
some two years his junior.
1t had been a bad winter. There was no
mast in the woods, and Wild animals as
well a s tame were furnishing. Bears had
been seen down in the caves, and the mel
ancholy howl OF the wolves had been
heard at night far from their usual haunts.
1t was said that a large panther had
caught q yearling close by "old man
Ferry's'' cowpen, and many were the In
s,,rnNsan. lag1 - TaE..,I Me- NV 4hatm
mother as to remaining in after dark.
So that night they brought in the yellow
tcur dog for company, barred the door,
built a ~rousing FIRE OF oak and pine knots,
and felt quite cosy, despite the cold
draught pouring in through the half chink-
sd logs, or the sad whistle OF the night
wind down tht gorge, where yellow creek
moaned and toiled on it's cours down to
the river below. But as the fire died, they
went TO bed to keep warm; and Ted was
Just dropping into q doze when he heard
the house cat mewing to be- let 10. Then q
piaintive cry floated down the hollow,
that seemed not unlike that Of q child in
distress, winding up, however, vita a pro-
ionged snarl. The cat redoubled its on.
treaties, and scratched Justify at the
DOOR.
Ted rose, shiyering with cold and vague
apprehension, and slipping the wooden
bar let the poor creature In. The cry
was again raised nearer by, entering the
| open door With startling distinctness.
There was a ferocious ring about its con-
Guiding echo that caused Teb to slam to
and rebar the door With p~recipitate eager
ness.
His precaution was timely, for ID q min
ute stealthy unhuman footsteps we're au.
dible without, then came fierce breathiRgs
at the walls and at last q heavy scr atch.
ing sound. while the dog, thst.had at first
| raised his bristlea with low growls, nov
skunk under the bed with an igDominiouA
whine. II realized the dangex that menac.
ID them. and Teb. with rising ieafs,
thought 81 the widest tales Of savage
beasts he bad ever heard, and wished vpiu
What i bit, Tebga whispered Ma. who
had walked up.
.Pa tntere-oT mEbb6 bears, Qu0tf T6b,
as though the yard Was througed with
them. II wish wc'uEs had Pap's old ride.
The animal, after smiling at the door,
began slowly circEfng round the cabin. The
Ere had burned low, and Teb, fearful 81
She strength 81 che log. erouched near tht
9ed, where Mag lay shiveriug with appre
tension. Tie minutes passed, and there
anne no signs more alarming, he dozed
realty, but was reused by an exclamation
som his sister: who said
s0h, Tebs SOmetain' air q pullin' Of
the kiver.
Teb stuck q pine splinter 10 the embers
md as itShlazed up advanced towards tht
bed. Mag vas on the side iarthest from
The waIlAaad BY the flaming light they saw
! huge yellow pow thrust between d wider
shink Of the logs with It's claws buried ID
,hs ragged QUIT. Though alarmed az al
unknown danger. a elim pee Of its exact ma
lure neryed the youth. He looked about