The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-01-05


up, an peekin' through the haw bushes,
l saw"
1.-The wild man?" interrupted an
eager voice.
Nav" snorted Abb "Twas the big
gest coon ever l seen. Must weigh
ed"
Blame the coon! Tell us about the
wild man, broke in several voices.
Thus admonished, Alb. proceeded:
jest as was loosenin' up the trap
spring, 1 yeared sumpin' behind me.
Hooked round, an good gov'ner
WHAT"
1.-The wild man stood there within
four feet of me! 1 jest stood there
with my mouth open. Couldn't said
a word if I'd a-be'n killed for it My
foot was on the trap spring an the
coon wiggled out an started to limp
away. The wild man flew at him like
wolf, an killed him with two ticks of
his big club. As soon as he went for
the coon, / sorter came to myself. an
broke out through the timber like the
dickens before daylight! Hooked back
onct, an the wild man was goin' the
other way, draggin' the coon. Biggest
coon | ever seen. Bet he"
But eager questions interrupted Alb.
again, and the description of the coon
remained unfinished. From Abs ex-
cited description, it was learned that.
although no taller than an average
boy. the wild man was hideously de-
formed, being the possessor of body
distorted nearly out of all like
ness to human form.
If Abs testimony was to be
believed, the wild mans appearance
was enough to brighten timid person
into fits. He had claws. Alb. affirmed.
and teeth as sharp as those of a wolf.
The browning horror IN de the listen
ers hold their breath in establishment,
only to burst out a moment later with a
great ''waln' of amazement
He hadn't but one eye" Alb. said,
proudly, IAN that was square in the
middle of lis forehead, an was red an
CLOWN like coal of firer' So clated
was Alb. at his sudden popularity that
he hardly realized where fact ended
and fancy began. He paused and
chorus of excited voices arose.
Thar said Phin Dozak. "that
thars jest watts ben stealin' our
shoats an chickens. No longer ago
than yistiddy, 1 told old man Bower
that / bet that"
'.Shucks!" sneercd Perdue. the mer-
chant.
"Walr' retorted Phin, "you kin
shucks all You want to. but hits fact.
Didn't tell you, Bower"
But old man Bower was already n
rod down the road and the little crowd
was melting rapidly away, all intent
upon being the first to retail the news
at home. Phin Joined the rush and no
one knows what he really had said to
old man Bower.
Every trace of apathy had disappear
ed from Radical City e'er the sun went
down.
Ameeting was held at Perdue's store
that night. After several more or less
eloquent speeches it was decided that
the wild man must be gotten rid Of
"Who knows" cried one self-ap-
pointed orator, "but W at the monster
has stold away our leetle child en- an
eaten EN- alive?"
This was received with groans of
horror No children, large or small.
were missing, but that fact was not
taken into consideration.
mo doubt that thar was the fate
that overlook Jake Eldof;!r' Ii .,le orator
continued.
The truth was that Jake had disap-
appeared from Radical City, leaving
behind him a small mountain of debt.
The stage driver reported having seen
him at BacOnville next day. but in spite
of this the theory that the wild man had
eaten him was generally accepted.
All the women and children of the
''city" were present for the reason that
they were afraid to remain at home.
As before, the only two persons who
were absent were old man Bitley
and Alb. Stacker. These two were en-
gagged in earnest conversation in the
front room" of the little house where
the farmer "batchedn alone.
Abb" old man Bitley was saying.
with a nod of his white-wrapped head.
by way of emphasis, "thar's right
smart Nv money in hit for us if we work
hit right"
Bitley presented a rather peculiar APP
pearance just then. That part of his
face that was not concealed BY the
huge bandage that enveloped the ma
ior portion of his head was of de-
cided saffron hue.
How air we goin' to make it?"
asked Alb.
jest this way. Them fools'-with
a jerk of his thumb toward the crowd
ut Perdue' s-"them fools want to kill
the wild man. Stead NV that, its our
game to ketch him alive"
What for?" querel Alb.
Old man Bitley began to unfold his
plan TO the open mOuthed Alb. The
wild man was to be captured. taken to
some large city. to be exhibited at
museums or sold to some Snowman for
a goodly sum.
WHY broke out the elder schemer.
"thar's bari NV money in hit for us!
Jest think what cur osty he'd be!
The woolly boss or two-headed girl
hain't no whur! A eye in the middle