The morning call., 1893-03-30
ALIGHTNING SHOT

"You must move on. I have dillydallied
On your motion long enough. must have
this land for sheep pasture. You under
stand?"
Yes, Caleb Rawson and lis mother under
stood.
1t was hard to be driven from the home
they had occupied several years, and which
Nathan Rawson had believed his when he
died but a few months before. His last
words were, II am thankful that l leave
you a comfortable home. Mary. you and
Caleb
Il had passed into the beyond with this
belief. and now the rich cattle king, Silss
Gudgeon, whose vast estate joined theirs
on the west, had found a flaw in Rawson's
title, and had secured the land and ordered
the widow and her son TO get off tae place.
II want no more fnoling, Mrs. Rawson,"
declared the cattle king as he turned to
leave the room. IF you and this impudent
boy OF yours AREN'T outside of here in
side of twenty-four hours my men will
throw you out neck and heels"
And then the hard mouey-getter strobe
from the room. leaving the widow in tears
and Caleb white with righteous anger,
The mean old skinfilntl' exclaimed the
boy. IL could kill himp'
"Hdsh, my son." uttered the mother in
shocked voice. you must not feel like
that. 1t is as bad as murder
~ can't help II" reloined the boy.
This is our home that we have enjoyed for
three wears. Over there father lies, aud
and"
The lads emotions overcame him and he
rushed from the room.
In the naXt apartment he snatehed rife
from tie hooks and went forth into the
sunlight, an awiul wilderness on his face.
Yes, | could kill him for robbing my
mother. BE Is rich, and has no right to
eoYet our little home. Mother. will save
you IL die for itl' and the reVengeful boy
hurried in pursuit Of the cattle king.
In the meantime the object OF so much
bitter feeling made his way along wagon
road that led through a ravine toward his
own home. mile distant
The cattle king had long coveted the rich
quarter section on which the elder Rawson
had squstted, and soon after the settlers
death Gudgeon began plotting to secure the
land BY the aid of a constituencies lawyer
the rich man discovered flaw in the Raw
son papers,. and in little while had secured
a title to the land.
Gndgeon was chuckllug to himself over
the situation when he was brought to
sudden halt BY peculiar sound.
IT'S the panther" exclaimed the cattle
King recOiliug as he caught sight of pair
of glittering eyes fixed upon him from
above his position In the narrow ravine.
On a juttipg rock, almost hidden by a
dense growth Of vines and bushes, not ten
of the West-R mountain panther.
0ue gIowl from the ferocious beast was
enough to halt the land king.
He realized that he had gone too far to
retreat.
Truly, death stared him in the face.
Tie animal was erouched ready for
spring. Gudgeon had no weapon. for which
he cursed himself at this moment.
For enc terrible second Silas Gudgeon
watched the flaming eyes and glitierng
n
banChed, his knees knocked together, and
he felt that he was dying.
Only one brief second!
Then the panther dashed upon his prev
Even as the animal gathered itself for a
spring the whiplike crack of rife rang
out. The next instant man and beast rolled
on the ground.
The panther rolled from its intended vic
tim in dying Rgonies.
A bullet had pierced its hearts,
A boy bearing a smoking rife In his
hand ran swiftly down the ravine and gave
the panther second shot, which quieted
its struggles.
Then the boy turned to Mr.. Gudgeon.
who still lay upon the ground insensible
and bleeding.
Going to a spring near at hand the lad.
using his hat for basin. brought water and
dashed it into the insensible mans face.
This had the desired effect, and Mr.. Gud-
geon. who had tainted from fright, was able
to stand on his feet once MORE
'The panther" gasDed the cattle king.
gazing shudde ingy about him.
There he is" said the lad, pointing to
the dead animal.
"Dead?"
Dead as he can be, sir" answered Caleb
Rawson.
Noticing the gun In the hand of the boy
Mr. Gudgeon understood how his life had
been saved. Putting out his hand he said
You saved my life, Caleb Rawson I
thank you. I'll give SO for the panther's
hide if sou will bring it to me al the ranch"
And then the great cattle king strobe
away.
Tears of Indignation and anger filed
and blinded the eyes Of the young home
steader.
"As mean as everp exclaimed Caleb
IF I'd only left my rife at home or hadn't
hred that instant our home would have
been saved. Skin the panther and sell him
The hide. l wish I'd never followed after
the old skinfiint to-day"
Then the boy turned on his heel and
rushed up the raVine toward home.
Two days passed and CALEB and his
mother had completed ali preparations for
departure. Both knew the futility of fight
Ing the cattle king, so made ready TO depart
len miles distant was an abandoned claim,
winch the widow and her son had decided
to squat on for the time.
Old Jake Benson had consented to make
the household goods without charge. az he
was an old friend of the family. With a
last sad look at the old home the widow
and her sen clambered upon the load. old