The Bessemer indicator., 1893-03-18
WERE FOND OF POETRY.
COYOTES THAT ARE INTER-
ESTED IN BOOKS.
They Must Have Poems Read to Them
Every Morning Strange story
Told About an Old Inhab-
liant of tho Sierras.

Down in Auberry valley, Cal, a
sight can be witnessed any day in tho
weok that is like an illustration in
Esop's fables. The real cause of tho
action OF the animals is a mystery,
although several men of scientific
Knowledge have investigated it.
1t all happens at Johnny Cunning
hams place, just at the base of tho
foothills of the Sierras, in wild and
remote spot.
Old John is quite wealthy, and is
said to be II little light in his head
His means are sufficient to enable
him to live in the best possible man
ner, but he prefers to be by himself
as far as human companionship is
concerned, and passes his life in n
small house several miles from any
other habitation.
A short time ago the relatives OF
John sent a physician by the name OF
Duncan up to his home to see il any
thing could be done for him. The
physician arrived at the place late in
the afternoon and was welcomed as
heartily as the owners retiring dis
position permitted him to be. The
house was well built and fitted up in
the most comfortable manner. The
room to which the doctor was as
signed was at the back of the house
and window in it opened on to the
porch.
The mans speech and action all
through the evening convinced the
Al II.
wrong with his brain, Just what the
trouble was it seemed impossible to
determine. He had n large library of
the best books, most of them poetical
works. and was continually reading
aloud from them.
The doctor was attempting to dis
cover the seat of the malady and did
not pay as much attention as old
John seemed to think his reading de-
served. This annoyed him and ne
reproved the doctor in the strongest
terms, saying he had no appreciation
of the beautiful and continually re-
ferred to his pets" saying their ap-
probation was a genuine love of the
beautiful.
The doctor asked where these pets
We're but received no answer, and
came to the conclusion that they ex-
listed only in the imagination of his
host The case puzzled the doctor
greatly, and after he retired he lay
awake several hours pondering over
it.
just about dayDreali he was awak-
ened by stealthy footsteps, apparent
ly those of some animal, on the porch
II did not sound like dog. and yet
it appeared to be perfectly at home,
and did not seem to fear molestatlon
He finally mustered up courage to
get out of bed and look through the
window-blinds His worst fears were
realized; "A large pack of coyotes had
possession of the yard ana were all
over the porch restlcssly pacing to
and fro. They did not seem to be
making any attempt to get into the
house, but no doubt they were wait
ing for the inmates to come out, when
they would be devourcd ut leisure.
The DOCTORS hair stood on end and
he trembled with fear. rs the beasts
looked hungry and desperate. They
continued their stealthy walk, never
touching one another. When one
was in the others way there was a
graceful. easy jump and the walk
continued as before.
The doctor wondered why his host
did not wake up and come TO his as
sistancc, as it did not seem possible
for person to sleep with those ami
mails walking around the house He
finally ran to his hosts room and beg
ged him to get gun and shoot u few
of the invaders for the rest to cat, Sc
they would satisfy their appetites and
leave.
His proposition evidently displeascd
the old man, for. drawing himself