Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-11-24

dulging in the original ms incts ofour nature
True, he will not relish his savage ways a
great while. His old habits will lead hiu
back to civilization, to the luxury OF a com
Portable room, the quiet Of an easy chair, and
the repose of a soft bed. We were simply
| charmed with our visit, il has been the great
event of our life 1t was the noiseless still
ness of the unbroken solitude that almost mad.
dened US with admiration--there was for us
pleasure in the painless WOODS
| Society where none intrude.
There was such calm resting upon all and
everything around US, such an impress OF re-
pose upon the forest, such cheerful, quiet
and serenity in all directions that we could
scarcely refrain from rejoicing aloud in the
beauty and the glory which enveloped our
camp. Then We enjoyed the mode and man
ner OF living, the utter abrogaiion OF every
conventionality-its freedom, and above all
the campfire kinded just after the greyness
Of twilight came stealing through the thick
iorest-as the stars stole out silently, and set
their watch in the night.
My reply did not appear TO please or be
quite practical enough for the old gentleman
for he called halt and asked
Did you see any wild cats?"
| No, we quickly replied
Meadow Mountain is fullof them, and il
is strange you did not see or hear any"
| We are glad we did not and IL we had known
of the existence OF the animals in those parts
you bet your last dollar we would never have
rem ,ined alone at that camp, whilst the hun-
ters were out in the woods.
"rhere was not the slightest danger-wild
| cats will not disturb any one. But this can
tell you-they can whip any other animal of
their own weight that walks the earth or
Climbs II tree. will never forget fight that
| witnessed between one OF Dad s famous dogs
and an old wild cat. had gone through
bear. panther and wolf fights, but this fight
surpassed anything in the range OF my experi-
ence. II occurred late in the afternoon as
and my brother John were returning home
from one ofour hunting excursions. We heard
the dog give sharp quick shrek or cry and
al once recognized il as one of alarm and
pain. And they were almost continuous.
When we reached the place where the fight
was going on, the unearthy shrieks and cries
of both dog and cat were fearful. Every lick
or blow the cat struck maze the fur from the
dog fly like q carding machine aud when the
cat mounted the back Of the dog we could
hear his nails cutting into his hide. II sepa-
rated for an instant it was to renew the at
tack with still greater ferceness, and each
putting in its best blows. Sometimes the dog
would catch his hold and shake him as had
oiteu etcH uiui sihhc u SHhhe-tHen Tue cat
would slap him in the face with its claws,
when he would let 60 his hold, but only to
come again. Finally the cut got upon his
back, driving in his teeth and claws. An At
tempt to shake him of was futile, so | let
drive ball and he fell Instantly. When ex-
amined his claws | found they were US long as
the first joint Of your thumb and M thick and
hard AS a piece of barb wire.
when we reached home my brother said
to the old man, 'your old dog. calling him
by name, has been badly licked Licked by
what, said Dad. Licked by wild eat,
was the reply. Get out boy, the idea OF being
licked by wild cat when he has cleared out
every bear tina: he ever tackled Il tell you
Dad, said brother, 'darned il you ever saw
wild cat 6ght-the old dog was whipped
and whipped weli--al along the road home
after the fight il bird flew up he would run
and howl like some frightened beast My
experience has been and have heard others
say, that II ever dog came in contact with
a wild cat 1t cowed him for life.''
At this point Of our conversation Madam
Browning appeared and announced that din
ner was In waiting. II was indeed mort
sumptucus one. In addition TO the many
nice substan,ials WAS large wild turkey
which had been shot during our stay in the
mountain, portion of nice baked coon.
We cannot now recall if we had wild ducks
upon this occasion or subsequently, We re-
member that at this time Dick and his uncle
were having fine sport in shooting them on
the lake. We observed closely how the old
gentleman made for the turkey and coon and
more than once. Indeed he remarked as he
finished his dinner that he had eaten more
than he had tor week, and looking nj me
he said did not tell you that all | wanted
before me was something liked then my APP
petite would draw the food like cutting box.
Dinner being over we returned to our seats
ut the stove. We have neglected TO state that
q short time before dinner Senator Browning
had returned from Oakland, where he had
gone the previous morning to make some
further arrangements for the campaign. Now
that he had joined us, the conversation natur-
ally drifted into The political channel, pend
ing which the old gentleman said 10 me, 81
see by our paper that you are announced to
speak al several points in the county" Yes,
we replied and we hope we will be able to re-
main and meet them. 81 see," he said, "the
meeting is Saturday night at Oakland. -
Well ] will he present to hear every word"
long ride for you and particularly so II
you return after The meeting, we added.
81 don't mind it, am Democrat and you
know what that means. | was a Democrat
all through the war and you know what all
that means also Why, sir, YOU have no idea
how was hunted and bounded blythe men who
remained al home during the war and never
smet gunpowder. ! was DISTINGUISHED for
several years. Finally concluded to swallow
and did all the oaths which they stuck at me.
Even then they refused to let me vote, but |
brought the judges Of the election who re.
fused TO take my vote to their senses, and
there are two OF them remember it 10 this day.
One of them was Ralph Tbeyer, now 90 years
of age, and q brother-in-law. He Just left my
home this morning where he has been spend
ing several days. The other is old Joe
Friend, near q hundred years old. After they
refused to take my vote just went quietly 10
Cumberland and engaged the services OF Nc
Kaig, Gordon and Walsh. II was long aud
tedious fight. The late Judge Pearre was at
torney for Theyer and Friend. The trial of
the cause resulted 10 my favor, giving me
damages for u little less than a thousand dol
lars and costs This was all the satisfaction
! wanted and ! told my lawyers TO take the
amount OF damages awarded and divide II
among them In return for their services. This
they agreed TO do and the par ties had TO
plank down every cent. After the trial | said
TO Theyer, my brother-in-law, who was one
OF the judges as have already mentioned that
10 future we would live AS friends and never
breach the subject Of politics, and we Ia We
continued to live up to The agreement, IN ough
he still remains II rabid Republican and will
until he dies
1t was late 10 the afternoon when Mr..
Browning arose from his seat and said, all Is
time ! was moving 10 the direction Of home"
| and turning to us said, 81 want you to go
along with me-" We saw no reason why we
should decline his invitation. Indeed, we
we're anxious TO know more Of the ! lie OF this
remarkable man-to become acquainted with
the inmates of his immediate family-Jo see
/ 10 l. I....lI u..lt al f...
learn something o; its cultivation and Its
| productions. We had heard much OF its fer
liliiy, its marvellous and romantic beauty
Gov. Frank Thomas, during the latter days
of his life, pronounced II one Of the most pro-
ductive and picturesque estates 10 Western
Maryland. More than this, all Of the Brown
ings have grown conspicuous because OF
their warm and opeu-hearten hospitality
With such inducements IL did not require
much time for US 10 reach a conclusion.
The distance TO the home OF Mr.. Browning
! IL n l. "A - =