The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-09-21
HUNTED BY A LION.
The Adventure Wasn't Pleasant,
But Its Results Were.

During the annual fair at Deepvale,
known as "Rushbearing," lion
escaped from 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. I 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 pouring wet night
skirted the dilapidated houses, made
its way unobserved into the open Lord
street, down which it ran short dis
lance.
At the foot o. Hill street a dead dog,
crushed and mutilated, was found in
the morning. Hill street, which runs
at right angles out of Lord street, IL a
somewhat steep ascent; more than half
way up this street, In fact, just oppo-
site the Baptist chapel, asmall butchers
shop had been broken into, the side of
sheep dragged down and carried
away.
A black cinder lane leading from
Hanging Road Mills, q cotton factory,
runs into the street at the top. The
iron mill gates were open, astwo 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 a 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 q
large boiler-house, it made its way in
there. The two men were inside one
Of the boilers, and were engaged in
scaling" 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
Q certain length of usage. The men
we're 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
thick felt "clothing." thereby render
ing footballs inaudible. especially the
stealthy cat-like tread Of this strange
intruder.
When Tom Fitton put his head
through the man-hole on the top OF the
boiler, preparatory to climbing out, he
was greeted with low growl; there
upon he disappeared, and his prompt
ness was commendable-no one is brave
In the dark.
Having obtained 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,
q great brown moving mass.
So little did Fitton realize what the
object was that he exclaimed in tone
Of derision: "Dick. here's some on
them gowks playin' the fule wi us. y
''Chuck thy hammer at him." re-
sponded Rogers, cheerily. May
said Ntton, II Gamma max it out weel, "
Is his puzzled gaze still dwelt on the
corner, "here. thee COON up thyser, ("
and Fitton again descended. Rogers
ut 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 conjectured it
had escaped.
Fitton would not believe itand some
what recklsssly put his head out again.
The Hon had seized . portion of the
balf-devoured carcass and stood de-
fiantly watching him. It was evidently
disturbed In = meal that it did not in
tond 70 rolinouish. Here Was = terri