Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-14

- ~, -. 80 snn ngss snas hmp On yoW
vuuhx<and md bring II 70 ma
Gpzan ohsysd with alaerity, cbeesed BY
IL thought that there vas anything left 20
do. Wken the lamp. was brought moeh0
lid the chimney aside and turnsd up ths
wick 70 q 70 give . aarinx, smoky blAsal
rhen shs BANDED tho lamp back 10 susan
-sraks IT, de sid, and NJ IL on the top
Of The ia1dss, right under rhe broken pane
This w.s too much Tor poor Susan
"'Oh. / dant-neverF sns whimpersd.
backing hastily ont Of her mistress reach.
-Mother regarded her With whitening
scorn, then turned and looked 1t me, where
I lay cloas bshind Ter in the basket OF old
ciotbeA
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 growlsd most menacingiy. and thrust
his facc down to the opening, but as the
smoke and dame came under his nose. he
Anarlsd and drew b.ck-
On tbs 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 psnthers claws were
heard along the shingles, beating reluctant
retreat.
she'd, and then mother opened the skyliSht,
reached out and ciapped down the wooden
shutter Suxan's courage revived
Vow that the danger was over, mother
picked me out Of the basket and gathered me
again 70 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.
In the corner u the barnyard was pig
pen, inhabited at the time By pig three
months cid. Presently the poor little pig set
upA terrific squealing, and mother and Susan
rushed TO the gable window.
As have said before this window com
nanded 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 a 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 be glided There was one ter
rife squeal. and all was still
II fancy mother and Susan both wept.
thinking how well the fate OF poor piggie
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, a. il he bore US no grudge;
cleaned bis great face with one paw. shifted
the air thoughtfully in various directions,
and then made of toward the woodland
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 no
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 factsf' said Stranion,
turning to Willis.
"To my surprise. you havei" responded
the latter.
We'll" went on Stranion. un-utiied.
since they LOOK the trouDle 70 get hItef ul~
80 early, its 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.
Hes ON your track, sure, Stranion, ejac
ulated Sam But, to judge from his voice.
your story has rather sickened him."
THAT noia came Oh the lake." growied
Willis Hes coming after you by water.
maybeI''
ely dear boys" was Stranions sleepy re-
ply. that's nothing but young loon, learn
ing his notes. Now it's time to turn in ~"
Charles d. Roberts in Golden Daya