Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-08-30

against the pane, and his nose went through
the glass. Susan sank in a heap, while
mother, with deadly purpose, grasped her
curtain pole, expecting instant attack.
sit was not to be SO, however-for which
the world is much to be congratulated The
panther cut his nose pretty severely on the
broken glass, and shrank back, snarling vi
ciously.
Tho was more than ever convinced that
the skylight was a trap, and he would not
trust his muzzle again in the opening.
observing the beasts caution, mother
plucked up new hope. She remembered
having read that lions and tigers were afraid
of fire. and forthwith she hit on a truly brill
liant expedient.
"'Get up, Susan she commanded, 'and
be some use. Go and light that lamp on your
washstand and bring it to me-
Susan obeyed with alacrity, cheered by
the thought that there was anything left to
do. When the lamp was brought mother
laid the chimney aside and turned up the
wick so as to give faring, smoky blaze
Then she handed the lamp back to Susan
'''Take it, she said, 'and set it on the top
of the ladder right under the broken pane
''This was too much for poor Susan.
"tOh, | dasn't-neverr she whimpered.
backing hastily out of her mistress reach.
"Mother regarded her with whitening
scorn, then turned and looked at me, where
Law close behind Ter in the basket of old
clothes.
ASSURING herself that the panther could
not get me in her absence she seized the lamp
and marched up the ladder with it. The PAN
Their growled most menacingly, and thrust
his face down to the opening, but as the
smoke and flame came under his nose, he
snarled and drew back.
ION the very topmost step did mother de
post the lamp, where it blazed right up
through the broken pane. AS she turned
down the ladder the panther's claws were
heard along the shingles, beating a reluctant
retreat.
SIN a moment or two he was heard on the
shed, and then mother opened the skyhght,
reached out and clapped down the wooden
shutter Susans courage revived.
"Now that the danger was over, mother
picked me out of the basket and gathered me
again to her bosom, while Susan began to
speculate what the panther would be up to
next. On this point she was not long left in
doubt.
sin the corner of the barnyard was pig
pen, inhabited at the time by a pig three
months old. Presently the poor little pig set
upa terrific squealing, and mother and Susan
rushed to the gable window.
LAS have said before, this window COM
manded view of the barn yard The pan
Their was on the roof of the pen, peering
down through the cracks and scratching
vigorously to gain an entrance. Baby had
been denied him; but pork he was determined
to have.
"The pig squealed in way that mother
trusted would alarm the neighborhood, and
tried to hide himself in the straw from the
reach Of those pale, cruel eyes. At last the
panther quilted the roof and found the pen
door. Here he paused moment or two, sus
pecting another trap. Then, finding nothing
suspicious, in he glided There was one ter
rifle squeal, and all was still
81 fancy mother and Susan both wept,
thinking how well the fate of poor piggis
might have been their own-and mine.
"For long while the two women kept
watch at the window At last the panther
reappeared, walking very lazily and licking
his chops He glanced at the house in a good
natured fashion, as if he bore US no grudge;
cleaned his great face with one paw. shifted
the air thoughtfully in various directions
and then made off toward the woods-and
we knew that our pig went with him.
"When he was well out of sight mother
and Susan removed the barricades and for.
sock the attic. You may be sure they fas-
tened every window, kept keen lookout and
went about their work in fear and trembling.
"When my father got home, in the middle
of the afternoon, he heard the story before he
could unharness the horse. Straightway he
set out again and organized hunting party
among the neighbors. The party was armed
with all sorts and conditions of weapons; but
it bagged that panther before shutdown,
whereby was my mother much consoled. And
now, have stuck to the factsp' said Stranion
turning to Willis.
ITO my surprise, you havsf' responded
the latter.
"Wen," went on Stranion, un-ufiied
"since they took the trouble to get after me
so early, it's not so much cause for wonder
If they've kept it up"
At this moment strange, unearthly, CUR
Cling cry broke the nights stiffness. and we
started, involuntarily.
"He's on your track, sure, Stranion," ejac
ulated Sam. "But, to judge from his voice,
your story has rather sickened him."
''That noise came off the lake." growled
Willis "He's coming after you by water,
niaybel"
"My dear boys" was Stranion's sleepy re-
ply, that's nothing but q young loon, learn
ing his notes. Now it's time to turn in ~.
Charles D. Roberts in Golden Days