The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-06-08
CHILDREN'S CORNER.
eoHSr.s cATAMouST.
BY LOUIS NJ. ALc0TT.
(coSTIS

cabin Abner had spoken o. onst
before this happy moment he had
heard a shot fired somewhere IN the
forest, and as he hurried toward the
sound ne saw ar animal dart into
the hut, a. if for shelter.
Whether il was rabbit wood
chuck, or dog, he had not seen, as
turn in the path prevented a clear
view; and hoping it was old Bun
looking for him, he ran in, to find
himself face to face with Il cata-
mount at last
There it was, the big, fe &c CIT,
crouched in corner, with fiery eyes,
growing and splitting at sight OF an
enemy, but too badly wounded to
fight, az the blood that dripped from
It's neck and the tremble of It's limbs
plainly showed.
SHOWS my chance, ] don't care
who shot it. I'll kill it, and own its
skin, too, if | pay my last dollar TO
it." thought Corny; and catching up
a stout bit of timber fallen from the
old roof, he struck two quick blows,
which finished poor puss, who gave
mp the ghost with a savage snarl,
and vain effort to pounce on him:
This achievement atoned for all
the boy had gone through, and only
waiting to be sure the catamount
was quite dead and past clawing, he
flung his prize over his shoulder, and
with renewed strength and spirit
trudged along the woodland road
toward home, proudly imagining his
triumphal entry upon the scene OF
suspense and alarm.
81 wish ! didn't look so like a
scarecrow; but perhaps my rags Will
add to the effect. Won't the girls
laugh at my swelled face, and scream
at the cat. Hope there's a house not
very far off, for | don't believe | can
Jug this cat mnch further, I'm so
starved and shay"
Just as he paused to take breath
and shift his burden from one shout
der to the other, a loud shout start
led him, and moment later several
men came bursting through the
woods, cheering wildly as they APP
preached.
1t was Abner, Chris, and some OF
the neighbols, setting out again on
their search, after night of vain
wandering. Corny could have hug
ged them all and cried like girl
but pride kept him steady, though
his face showed his Joy as he nodded
his hatless head with a cool "Hullo.
Chris burst into his ringing laugh
and danced a sort of wild jig around
his mate, as the only way in which
he could fttly express his relief; fol-
he had been bowed down with re,
morse at his imprudenca in letting
Corny go, and all night had rushed
up and down seeking, calling, hop
ing, and fearing, till, almost exhaust
ed, he looked nearly as dilapidated
as Corny.
The tale was soon told, and receiv
ed with the most flattering signs Of
interest, wonder, sympathy, and ad
miration.
"Why on earth didn't you tell me
-Pd a got up hunt for you wutl
havin.' You oughtn't to have gon'
off alone on wlld-goose chase lik'
this. Never did see such a chap TO
gettin' inter scrapes,-and out O
'em too, Pm bound to own" growlet
Abner.
"That isn't wild goose, is it?'
proudly demanded Corny, pointin.
to the catamount, which now lay OF
the ground, while he leaned agains
a tree to hide his wearincss; for h
felt ready to drop, now all the ex
citement was over.
"No, it's not, and | congratulate
you on good job. Where did yo'
shoot it," asked Abner, STOPPING t.
examine the creature.
81 didn't shoot it; / broke my gul
when ! took that header down tn
mountain. | hit the catamount
rap with club, in the cabin wher
l found it," answered Corny, hearth
wishing he need not share the priz
with any one. But he was honest
and added at once, "Some one els
had put a bullet into it; only fin
lshed the fight"
"Chrls shot it, then; he fired no
long ago, and we saw the critter rur
but we were too keen after you
stop for any other game. Cues
you've had enough of catamount
for once hey?" and Abner laughe
as he looked at poor Corny, who wa
more sorry spectacle than he knew
ragged and rough, hatless an
shoeless, his face red and swelle
with the poisoning and bites, hi
eyes heavy with WEAKNESS, and in hi
mouth bit of wild-cherry bari
which he chewed ravenously.
''No, | haven't l want this on
and I'll buy it if Chris will let m
] said I'd kill one, and l did, and
want to keep the skin; for l ougt
to have something to show after a
this knocking about and turnin
somersaults half mile long," al
swered Corny stoutly, as he tried I
shoulder his load again.
"Here, give me the varmint, an
you hang on to Chris, my boy, {
wen have to cart you home. Youv
done well, and now you want a GOO
meal to set you on your feet agai
Right about face, neighbors, an
home we go, to the tune of Ha
Columby!'
AS Abner spoke, the procession s
forth. The tall, hearty man, wit
the dead animal at his back, wei
first; then Corny, trying not to lea
on the arm Chris put round him, bl
very glad of the support; next IL
good farmers, all talking at ono