New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-02
MISS BRENNEMAN'S WILDCAT.

II is now something like six months since the
American Girl finished her slaughter Of wild
beasts. Our readers cannot have forgotten the
war of determination which she waged during the
early part Of last winter, principally against the
jaguar, though the great swamp-bear also SUI
fcred Indeed the iaguar was entirely swept
away and is now ranked as an extinct animal.
along with the mastodon, the mermaid, the will
pus-walpus and forth. AS for the swamp
bear, he may be said to have escaped by the skin
Of his teeth. as he exists now only in museums
ard in the remote parts OF the swampier swamps.
But with the extinction OF the laguar and the
practical determination OF the swamp-bear. the
American Girl ceased her warfare. Just forest
lire will when it reaches the edge of the woods,
or as a Philadelphia treasurer will stop stealing
when there is no more money in the treasury.
Wolves and wildcats were beneath her. But
when wolves or wildcats attack her she fights
bacls-vith the result that might be expected.
Samuel Brenneman lives in Juniata township,
West Virginia, and has, as the writer's in the
family story papers would express it, one only
daughter. Her name is Caroline and she is
eighteen years old Among Caroine's other
duties Is numbered the task of milking the family
COW, a large brnded beast with one horn pointing
upward and the other downward. Caroline is
not given TO carrying the milk-pail home on her
head and specializing on new green-silk gowns
like the unfortunate young women Of the in
genious Mr. Noah Webster. Rather she is an
eminently practical young person. as any one
must be to sit Oh a one-cgged mill<ing-stool and
not fall off. Last Saturday night. Just as she
was finishing the cow large wildcat sneaIed
up through the gathering dusk and, with an UNI
earthly scream, sprang on Miss Carolines Shout
ders, forcing her to the ground and pnnng her
arms to her sides The cow was frightened and
leaped some eight or ten feet TO one side and be-
gan surveying the situation. This intelligent
animal soon decided TO give the wildcat a sturdy,
brindled-cow kick and see what effect it would
have on him Accordingly she turned around
and began backing in his direction. II took
some time for her 10 get into good kicking pO-
stion and while she was lacking and manoeuvring
she kept her head her shoulder. with both
eyes intently fixed on the cat. When at last.
after a good deal of backing, going ahead and
swinging about, she got the range on the cat
she turned her head forward shut her teeth
close together and gave a mighty kick with her
right hind foot The recoil nearly threw the
knowing animal on her head and she mped away
with a sprained leg. The kick seemed in way
20 hurt the wildcat but IL did knock him off the
young lady. Instantly however he sprang up
TO renew the attack Apparently be had never
heard OF the fate of the iaguars and swamp-bears.
Caroline Brenneman up soon as he.
Pouring the milk on the ground the young girl
turned and began beating the cat over the head
with the pail OF course such unequal con-
test could not last long. In five minutes the cat
lay dead at her feet. Then she turned TO the
cow which had done such good work. finished
milking in the battered pail and went into the
house The wildcat measured four feet aud two
inches in length
We do not believe that any other country on
the face Of the globe can show another eighteen
year-od girl capable Of doing what this young
lady Of blue Junata township did Sull 1t is