The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-03-24

full OF the strength OF the walls.
crouched in corner, his heart beat
ing heavily; but as the minutes
passed, aud no other signs of the un-
known presence without were mani.
tested for time, he again fell into q
doze. He was aroused by an exclama,
tion from Johanna. who was still in
bed.
"Mose." she screamed. "Oh,
Nose. something's a-pullin' of the
kiyer."
Nose thrust a pine splinter into
the embers, and when IL blazed up
he advanced toward the bed. Johanna
was on the side furthest from the
wall. BY the flarlng light they saw
a huge tawny paw thrust through
wide chink between the logs, with
its great claws buried in the ragged
quilt. Nose looked hastily around
for some kind OF weapon.
Though he had been at first fright
ened by the sounds OF an uncompre-
hended danger, the sight OF visible
peril restored his nerve.
keep quiet, Johanna" he eau
toned. "The creatur' can't do
nothin' yet awhile"
The family spinning wheel was
still standing where their mother
had left IL that very morning after
spinning the "tilln'" OF some jeans
she intended to weave.
Hardly realizing exactly what he
was doing Nose lerked the long head
post from its socket, W tn its trans
verse steel spindle; then, swing ing IL
high, he brought it down with all his
strength. The sharp point of the
spindle was driven through the yell
low paw far into the log beneath.
With a snarl OF pain and anger the
beast strove TO withdraw his foot
But the upper log catching the head
post il did not succeed.
There was hatchet lying in the
crack above. Nose seized it, and
with frantic strokes drove the spindle
farther into the log At every blow
the animal without growled and
whined alternately. Johanna watch
ed her brother, clasping her hands
and shuddering. When she saw that
all the beasts efforts TO release itself
were futile, she gave little nervous
cry OF relief.
"Massa me, Mose!" she exclaimed;
chow can we uns get any sleep with
that there leg a-holdin' TO the bed
kiver?"
but she did 90 TO sleep after
a while, despite the dolorous noises
with which the imprisoned animal
testified 70 its dislike OF these pro-
ceedings Nose, however, kept wide
awake and watchtul. He was more
keenly alive TO the possible perils at
tached TO so dangerous neighbor.
The dog remained cowed and sub
dued.
Morning at last came, when, not
witnstanding Johanna's entreatieS,
Nose armed himself with an AK and
sailed forth TO view his mysterious
and half-conquered prisoner He
found, as he expected, a large pan
ther clinging TO the wall OF the cabin,
now deeply SCARED by its claws in
vain efforts TO release itself
1t was still furious, though
wearied. and its eyes shone with a
yellow flame. He dared not approach
it closelv So violent were its lunges
at sight OF the lad, so, taking Johan-
ma along, they trudged two miles to
Jabe Writings cabin. .Jabe was not
at home, but long rife hung over
the fireplace Carefully loading it,
Nose and Johanna started back. Ar
irving at their home, they found the
panther good deal as they had left
1T and the dog barking at the beast
with recovered courage.
Now Jo," said Nose resting hi
gun on the garden fence. "Now,
30, you stand back Fm agoln to
take him right ahind the fore shout
der. See is | don't"
The brute lunged frightfully. ut
/ tering a terce scream as the ball flew
true, then hung limp and struggling.
Nose reloaded aud gave it another
SHOT, To make sure: then took of his
hat and gave a youthful imitation Of
what afterward was known 10 fame
as the "hebel Yell" When his
mother arrived, Nose was quietly
Sklnning his victim, with Johanna
watching 10 dumb admiration. The
bloody spindle and Lattered head
post leaned against the cabin wall.
She looked at her children, at the
dead panther. and finally at the
much.valued spindle. Her first words
characterized the contempt OF danger
and absence OF petty solic tude which
the savage isolations OF mountain
life engender and encourage.
Good Lord, Nose" SIC exclaimed.
What have ye been a-doin' TO my
spinn n wheel?"
MCse and Johanna volubly ex-
planned, while Mrs Boddle's manner
seemed to divide Itself between ad-
miration OF her BOYS pluck, gatitude
at their escape and censure OF the
reckless methods pursued anent the
spindle. Finally after giving each
OF her children a hug, she delivered
herself judicially as follows
III nit weren't that this yere
nant'er might have ketrhcd the roam