Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-03-22
ne .tured freckled face, and eyes full o

| as I've got vacant seat in my buggy,
maybe can help you bit. I'm going
right past the Dodds's place, and can set
you down at the gate as easy as not
Perkins glanced dispsragingly at the
plain, little, mud despatched vehicle
dignifed with the name buggy, but con
descended to accept the offer
And presently, after some intentional
delay on Hiram's part, they were leisurely
jogging along the rough country road
~ suppose you ain'6 afraid OF the
/ lionS" Hiram remarked, as, after mile
or two, they approached a thick wood
through which the road lay.
Lion What Eon2" inquired Per-
kins, with look of sudden interest.
And then came out the story of the
wild beast which was supposed by some
to be roaming about the Five Forks
neighborhood, seeking whom or what he
might devour.
Perkins looked very much startled,
and glanced cautiously on each side the
road and toward the dusky wood.
~ should think" he faltered, ''that
-aw,-it would not be safe; that
ahem perhaps we'd better turn back,
as l have no pistols; and, in fact, II
amt used to lions"
"Well, we've come about half way
without seeing anything of the critter,
and maybe we might as we'll go on. If
we once get past that holler Gown there,
which is the very place where lion or
painter would choose to hide, l shall
feel tolrable safe have pistol, and
Jerusalem what's that"
From the rocky hollow in front of
them, overshadowed by dense trees, came
at this moment hoarse, muttcred sound
like the growl of wild beast.
Perkins turned very pale, and even the
spider on his scarf seemed to change to
livid hue and to tremble on its golden
legs.
Before he could say word the growl
had increased to tremendous roar, and
Hiram, as if terror stricken, wheeled his
horse and drove back at pace which
threatened to Jolt to pieces has light
vehicle.
The terrified horse needed no urging,
and Perkins, pale as death and trembling
all over, could barely manage to hold on
to the vehicle with both hands, as it
bumped and bounced over the rough
road.
Hirams face was very red, and he
seemed struggling to suppress certain
odd gurgling and gasping sounds which
threatened to choke him.
After awhile they turned off from the
MAN road and dashed into the yard of a
small farmhouse on the edge of the
wood.
1t was Will Owens's home, and he and
one of his brothers rushed to the door,
while Matte, with an apron half hiding
her head and face looked timidly from
the window.
whats the matter, Hi, for goodness
sake2 Seen the hon2'
''Just missed him! May be on our
track now. Quick, Will help Mr.. Per
kins into the house, and help me to put
away the horse in the woodshed. We'd
better make everything straight for |
tell you there's something down yonder
in the bottom"
"But, oh, Hiram, if that dreadful
creature comes tonight he can jump in
at the windows. There are no shut
ters." cried Matte, wringing her hands.
''Did you hear he had killed Mungo,
who lives in the log cabin near the bot
tom2" said Will. "And if he's once
fixed himself IN that place, he'll stay
there till he's hunted out.
Of course there was no question OF
Hiram or Mr.. Perkins leaving the house
that night. About dark, and twice dur
! ing the night. the same awful roar was
/ heard, once so near the house that Per-
kinss blood curdled with horror and he
nearly tainted.
Others heard it also, and by morning
/ the neighborhood was in state of wild
/ excitement.
| No one would venture off their ewr
places save a few young men, WHO, on
swift horses, sped to their nearest reigh-
bors, to consult about what was lest to
be done in order to rid themselves of the
! terrible beast
Fearful stories were circulated. One
woman, while milking on this previous
evening, had seen a lions brad looking
over hedge; and a man, con ing through
the woods last night, had beheld the
dusky form of the creature. crouched in
the fork of Tree, ready f3r spring.
The only person who manifested an
utter disbelief in these stories, and in
the presence of the lios, was Squire Par
sons, Kitty's father,
The old man had Geen greatly exer-
cised by the non-appearance of his ex-
pected son-in law, when everything was
arranged for the u arriage, and the pastor
waiting to perforn the ceremony.
Neither had tie Dodds ifade their APP
pearance-for, n fact, the report of the
''lion at large had frightened even the
old doctor from meeting his kinsman at
Five Forks.
The squire had heard of the latter
arrival in the stage coach, but the first
information as 70 his present whereabouts
was from Hiram himself, who, fearing
lest he might proceed to make inquiries
at Five Forks, slipped over early in the
morning.
The squire listened with supreme con-
tempt TO the account of Perkins's fright
at the Bottom, and their turning back to
! seek refuge at Win 0wenss.
"Look-a- here, Hiram, he said dog
gedly, II don't purfess to be fool, an
l don't believe in that ther' hon ]
heard the roarin', but it sounded to me
mighty like that Their Mungo and his
I big brother, with fetch of old Owens S
/ brass militia horn throwed in. As to
Jeems Perkins, go and tell him for me
that I'll give him to twelve o'clock noon
to put in appearance; and if he amt
here by that time I'll go over to Owens
and fetch him in my wagin, lion or no
lionr'
Hiram approved of this plan, though
Kitty tearfully opposed it, until he man
aged to whisper a few words, unheard
by the rest.
Then it was wonderful how her pretty
face frightened up, and how she sud
denly changed from tears to smiles.
Hiram, having witnessed this transfer
nation, rode away, and was at Five
Forks by eleven o'clock, in time to wei.
come a fine, manly looking young fell
low, whom he cheerily addressed a.
nDaye."