St. Landry democrat., 1893-10-14
A MUTUAL FRIGHT.
Interesting "Reminiscences of an Old
Topographic Operator.

A dozen years ago or such matter
was working at odd jobs here and there
as extra telegraph operator on one OF
the great oil pipe lines that radiate in
nearly every direction from the petro-
leum fields of western Pennsylvania.
Late in the month of Dee. | received
orders to take a pocket instrument, a
coil of office wire, pair of climbers and
other necessary tools and proceed to a
point midway between pumping stations
NJ and RI and there "cut in on
the wire for the purpose OF aeeor,iing line
walkers the means of reporting the CON
dition of some new pipe that was about
to be tested
The country between Nj and
RI was and is still, almost an un
broken forest, rugged, mountainous and
rocky with now and then a low, narrow
valley with precipitous sides in which
some hardy pioneer had made his home
by erecting hut and "clearing' a little
farm.
At NJ station, from which I was to
walk to my destination, [ received a
highly colored description of the route
and directions for finding the log
"house' at which | could be accommo-
dated with board during the few days
would remain. | also had confirmed
with many solemn oath the report
had heard before, that bear was plenty
and but a week before one Of the line
walkers had met Bruin face to face with
in half mile of the place to which |
was going. Being unarmei and not used
to hobnobbing with bears in their native
wilds, | mentally determined to be on
the alert.
The following morning after arriving
at - started out alone on my dreary
fifteenmil tramp, and by the middle of
the afternoon had reached a telegraph
pole with an old soap box nailed to its
| side, which was one of the signs telling
me had reached the scene of my labors
The next day placed my pocket relay
on the box. made the usual wire CON
nections and my "ofice' was open for
| business
Several uneventful days passed. I be
came accustomed to my novel surround
ings, the monotony of which was broken
by the frequent arrival of men who were
patroling the line | actually began to
wish for bear to make his appearance
50 might have a good story. founded
on fact, to tell my friends afterward.
But nothing more alarming than SPUR
rels and cartridges came my way.
At last one evening | was detained
later than usual on account of leak in
the line couple Of miles west of me. l
was told to stay on duty until the men
who were making repairs should return
and report. At five o'clock the twilight
gloom in the forest was fast deepening
into darkness. Six o'clock came and the
darkness was complete. | did not ex-
pect to be relieved before seven. I
gathered an armful of dry twigs and
started fire over which | lowered to
subdue the effects of the chilly air.
The stiffness around seemed to grow in
tense-broken only by the soft murmur
of the breeze through the pines and the
occasional rustic of dry leaves on the
ground disturbed by mouse or squirrel.
l was not afraid; oh, no! but found
myself starting nervously at every
slight sound. 1t was lonesome, to say
the least.
My fire burned low, and / got up to
look for more fuel, when l heard the
sharp crack of twigs as though some
thing heavy was stealing through the
underbrusb fifteen or twenty rods above
me and away from the line.
"a bear, as sure as fate'' was my ter
rifed mental ejaculation, and | was in
clned to make double-quic retreat in
the opposite direction, but instantly |
felt that my safety would not be increased |
by that course.
Then | remembered a bit of advice |
given to me in Jest, and | determined to |
act upon it. In few seconds my climbers |
were attached to my boots, | grabbed |
stout club and went up the telegraph |,
pole as though Old Nick himself was at
my heels.
Painting for breath I sat down on the
cross arm and listened. Yes, here it
comes. Evidently had gained my perch
none too soon for the footsteps had near
Iy reached the opening cut for the line
to pass through and not more than two
or three rods from me.
How regretted that my fire was not
burning brightly. As it was, the dying
embers cast but the faintest rays of light.
Everything was quiet for a moment
then, with a blood curdling shrek,
lark object threw itself into the open
NC and crouched motionless on the
ground!
All not bear, after all! Worse still,
, panther. How many times have | read
md heard tell that the cry of the panther
sounds like the scream of woman.
Now, suspected he was preparing to
pring at me. l fixed myself firmly on
he cross arm and grasping my club de-
ermined to ''sell my life as dearly as
possible"
Just then | saw the flicker of lanterns
n the distance and knew the workmen
we're coming. / shouted to them to hurry
or heavens sake and save me as there
vas panther after me.
"Where is he9" came the response.
Fright here on the line, watching
very move Make" | returned.
Cautiously, with pickaxes and shovels
Irawn as weapons and lanterns held
loft. they advanced.
"That's a deuce of a panther" re-
marked Connors as they drew near.
"It's womanw exclaimed Jack
,ross.
And sure enough it was young girl
wing in the vicinity who had lost her
vay anl darkness had overtaken her.
he saw me On the pole and not knowing
that it was, screamed and tainted. |
ot back to NJ in a few days without
aving seen even raccoon's track while
was gone. A. F., in Callicoon
N. w. Echo.