Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-08-21

ly."
yes" said the trapper, with his
mouth full; 'goin' down fur powder
An shot
A moments silence, and then Jake
said slowly, with an injured air: You
can buy it right hyer on the spot You
ought to patronize home trade, Tor
petus."
The trapper took another bite OF
crw:ker ami said slowly: Yes, an
paw for it let over. Times are hard
an H. iry is money! and with this
orac, ,>sertion Torpetus slowed the
balaL VI his lunch into his biz pocket
and rose to his feet kin | hev
nights lodgin'?n he demanded.
II 'spose, so,' said Jake. ''Air ye
ready ter turn imp
Yes. | recon / am. fur I'll start
afore daylight"
WAL, the beds ready. You kin
find yure way. Straight down the
hall, fust door. Mebbe you'll hev a
candle, Torpetus; thar's no light, you
know, only that small winder up along
the wall"
The trapper secuted the idea of light,
and. hanging his rifle on the deer
antlers over the window. he strobe off
down the hall. Jake heard the heavy
oaken door closed and bolted, and then
he stretched himself out on the bench
to wait for Dick and ruminate at his
leisure on the old trapper's refusal to
patronize home trade at a loss to his
pocket.
Postum run was a mile or more
down the river from the tavern, and by
the time Dick reached the boat dark
ness was creeping on very fast.
He spent full minute admirng the
fish, which were indeed beauties, and
ther started on the return journey,
pushing the narrow canoe-shaped boat
rapidly up stream with long pole.
When he staggered up the slope an
hour later, bending under the weight
of the fish, bright light shone in the
tavern window, and from the open
door floated an enticing odor of coffee
and fried potatoes.
His father was busy over the stove.
but he looked up when Dick entered
and asked gruilly: What kept you
SO long? Go clean the smallest bass
and well have him for supper Whose
mule an wagon is that in the shedPn he
added. Seems ter me it looks famil-
Jar
20 pap | clear forget to tell YOU"
cried Dick. Luke Carter and Sias
Heck was here while you were away
an they put up the team aud went
across the river, an they left"
Went across the river, did they?n
interrupted the father. "Why could.
MT they put up here, Ed like ter knowp
However it don't matter fer old Van
King has the extra room. He's on
his way ter town to buy powder an
shot instead of--why, Dick, what
ails youP You're as pale rs a sheet"
20 pap" gasped Dick excitedly as
the situation flashed over him, there's
"A panther in the back room-a live
panther in box | was going to tell
you all about it, and -"
"A panther in the back room. Why
what do you mean, ladP'
Dick began to stammer out an ex-
planation but without waiting to hear
the end his father pulled down his rifle
from the hooks and hurried to the end
of the hall. He tried the door, but the
bolt was showed. More from force of
habit than from necessity the trapper
had made all secure before turning in.
Then he raped gently, calling in a
low whisper, "Torpetus, air ye therep
Git up an open the door"
A ,1rnVu,r roynnngn n,n,n r,D,,, nth
in. Then a bolt ratified in its fastCn-
ings. and AS the tavern-keeper shook
the door, puzzled to find it still last
ened, an angry scream was heard, fol-
lowed instantly by heavy fall and a
scuilljng noise,
20 pap" Dick cried in an agony of
terror, "he's opened the wrong door
in the dark an the panther's got him.
The uproar suddenly increased, the
old trappers voice now mingled with
the snarls of the enraged beast
Jake threw himself against the door,
but it held firm. mo use, Dickr' he
groaned Its too strong for that.
Do your best Torpetusm he shouted,
loudly. And now, Dick" he added,
run and try the shutter, while | git up
Oh the room an open the trap-door.n
Poor Dick hurried with all his might
round to the outside, but the one win
dow that gave access to the room was
tightly barred from within. The house
had been built in "A time when Indian
attacks were not uncommon, and every
part of it was strong and substantial.
With fast-bcating heart he listened for
u brief second to the loud cutlery that
still continued within, aud then, rs
voice called Loudly, Dick! Dickr he
pulled himself into big tree that
stood by the house and dropped from
the ovcrhanging limbs to the roof His
father was standing, AK in hand. be-
side the open trap, from which came 4
succession of furious snarls and
strange, ripping noise
I'm afraid it's all up with him,
Dick. - he said huskily, for I've called
him and he don't make no answer. I'd
go down if | could 80 through the trap,
but" he looked ruetully at his mus
cular bulk and then At the narrow door
cut between the heavy beams. Dick
stood still in mute despair. What
shall we do. papP' he cried, Sudden