Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-07-25
HUNTED BY A LION.
The Adventure Wasn't Pleasant,
But Its Results Were.

During the annual fair at Deepvale,
known as "Rushbearing,n a lion
escaped from a travelling menagerie.
The fair ground, which is just behind
the Roebuck Inn, is traversed by Lord
Street at one extreme end, but gener-
ally speaking is surrounded by old and
dilapidated houses. | am thus particu-
lar in location because of the events
that followed.
The lion escaped on the second even
ing OF the fair, probably about ten
o'clock at night; that is, half an hour
after the menagerie had closed, and
under cover of a pouring wet night
skirted the dilapidated houses, made
its way unobserved into the open Lord
street, down which it ran a short dis
lance.
At the foot of Hill street a dead dog,
crushed and mutilated. was found in
the morning. Hill street, which runs
at right angles out of Lord street, is a
somewhat steep ascent; more than half
way up this street. in fact. just oppo-
site the Baptist chapel, small butchers
shop had been broken into. the side of
a sheep dragged down and carried
away
A black cinder lane leading from
Hanging Road Mills, cotton factory,
runs into the street at the top. The
iron mill gates were open, as two work
men had passed in, and down this Gin
der pathway. with its absence Of lights,
its sense of quiet and its vista of dark
ness and gloom, the lion turned. no
doubt. as to welcome haven of refuge
from the strange gaslit streets and the
noise of belated vehicles.
Just how long the animal roamed the
yard is not known, but presently. at
tracted by the shelter and warmth of a
large boiler-house, it made its way in
there. The two men were inside one
of the boilers, and were engaged in
Sealing" its interior; this is done with
small hammers that knock and break
away the incrustations or scales"
caused by the action of the water after
a certain length of usage. The men
were working overtime" but at the
moment of the lions entrance were de-
sisting or resting from their labors.
The top of the boilers was covered with
a thick felt clothing" thereby render
ing footballs inaudible. especially the
stealthy cat-lile tread of this strange
intruder.
When Tom Fitton put his head
through the man-hoIe on the top OF the
boiler, preparatory to climbing out, he
was greeted with a low growl: there
upon he disappeared, and his prompt
ness was commendable-no one is brave
in the dark.
Having obtained a lantern from his
fellow-workman, Rogers, he again
climbed up with the light in front of
him, and rapidly running his eye along
the level of boilers deserted in the
corner, against the whitewashed wall,
a great brown moving mass.
So little did Fitton realize what the
object was that he exclaimed in a tone
of derision: ''Dick, here's some on
them gowks playin' the fule w US"
CHUCK thy hammer at him" re-
sponded Rogers, cheerily. Nay"
said Fitton, Il Gamma max it ont weel. -
as his puzzled gaze still dwelt on the
corner, "here. thee COON up thyser,"
and FittOn again descended. Rogers
at once Intercepted the stranger with
the choice medley of condemnatory
epithets, and then turned white and
sick; the lion had arisen and stood
with name erect and blazing eyes. The
man Immediately OWNED the truth; he
had seen the beast the day before at
the show, and speedily cOniectured it
had escaped.
Eitton would not believe it and some
what recklessly put his head out again.
The lion had seized a portion of the
half-devoured carcass and stood de-
family watching him. 1t was evidently
disturbed in a meal that it did not in
tend to relinquish. Here was a terri
bic dilemma-two helpless men i'm
prisoned in boiler with such a warder
standing guard over them.
Luckily they had a good supply of
candles. even if the oil in the lamp
gave out; but the question was how to
escape and give the alarm, and this
consideration the brave fellows at once
thought of They were comparatively
secure. as II was impossible for the
lion 10 get through tie man-hole, even
if it attempted to do so, which was I'M
likely. And the consideration for
Others came 4earer home to them,
though both forebore for a while to
speak Of it, but presently Fitton said: