The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-17

cue From the Wild Beast.
From the St. Louis Republic.
Several years ago, when was on visit
to my brother who lived in, small town
in Montana, had an adventure which,
while not especially startling, at least has
the merit of being queer.
was fresh from an eastern school
where had enjoyed the splendid training
in physical culture given by such colleges
nowadays as part of the regular course,
and considered myself quite an athlete. |
stand six sect two inches, and weigh 1870
pounds, and training, added to great
bodily strength, made me quite formid-
able opponent in our college football team.
Among other things of the kind, had
learned TO ride bicycle. and, possessing
one, took it to Montana with me.
One bright morning in early spring the
train drew up to L., the station nearest
nv brothers. ranch. and / soon Joined him
on the platform, where he stood awaiting
ny arrival
After the first greeting was over we
turned our attention to my baggage, as it
was being unloaded. When the porter
passed down my high-wheeled bicycle. l
noticed look of utter surprise surmount
the features of my brother, and he turned
to me with the exclamation:
''Of all things TO see out here in these
mountains What blooming idiot do Won
suppose owns that thing.
Somewhat abashed, l modestly acknowl-
edged that it was mine, at which he
turned around with the remark that ga
plump idiot had got into his fathers
family at last"
And when tell you that mountains
great grey, shaggy old fellows-rose upon
every side of US, seemingly almost pene-
trating the very skies, you may see the
force of my brothers. remark, and | must
say at that particular moment l wished
my machine in any other place than be-
fore me, as it was.
Loading nay traps into the wagon in
which my brother had come from his
ranch. fifteen miles away, we found that
the various things filled up the small We
hicle so completely as to leave no room
for my bicycle and so l almost gladly left
it with the agent. For about three
quarters of mile we proceeded by a pre-
cipitous highway which led up the noun
tain side, but having advanced that dis
lance we suddenly rounded a curve. and
saw stretching out before me the most
beautiful sight had ever witnessed.
Far away below could be seen large
ranch, which 1 found to be our destina-
ton, while the intervening distance was a
gradual decline or slow descending plain.
covered with trees, but through which
might be discerned the road along which
we were progressing, winding in and out
by gradual turnings. Close by the ranch
below US was river of considerable size,
and between where we then were and the
river was dead stretch of fourteen miles
of road-a road smooth and even: the
best in the state, as my brother re-
marked.
What grand place for coast on nv
bike" was the involuntary ejaculation
which escaped my lips as sat entranced
with the view spreading so grandly be-
fore US.
"Humph, - replied my brother Bert, as
shall hereafter call him, you'd break
your neck before you were half way
down"
well, I'll try at any rate, said, and
as we proceeded on our way this idea was
uppermost in my thoughts: How on the
morrow l would go to l., get nv
machine and make the grand coast OF
fourteen miles. Having in view a ride
over the road in the near future !
watched its every turn very carefully,
looked for stones and ruts, but found it to
be even smoother than Bert had said it
was.
Early the following morning l set
out on foot for the station Before start
ing Bert handed me a six-shooter. saving
that might need it before / got back. or
at least might have some sport with it on
the way.
With light step | soon trayersed the
miles or more of intervening plain before
reaching the foot hills, as the land which
formed a gradual ascent to the mountains
was called, but by the time had Travelled
nve or six miles with an effort very SINH
lar to that required in mounting an ordi-
nary pair of stairs, the elasticity of step
with which | started had about vanished
and began to wonder how much longer
could stand it. The exercise of walking
up NIL continuously Tor hours found to
be more exhausting than swinging dumb
bells or rowing a boat.
But at last, tired and sweaty. found
myself at the highest point of my journey,
ana could once more gaze on the wide
spread valley below me and my brothers.
ranch, and by turning see the winding
trail of the railroad on which had come
70 thls region, with the depot at the foot
OF the hill on which was standing.
Resting for few moments | viewed
The beautiful scenery about me, and then
after fifteen minutes walk was at the
depot.
IL was about noon, and after eating din
her / started out with my wheel. 1t was
uphill, as l have before stated, to the ton
u Tie emlnence from which | first viewed
Bert ranch, and l was obliged to push
my wheel for this distance. The climb
was soon accomplished, and leaving my
Hachlne against a tree | sat down to rest
before mounting for the long ride before
me-. While leaning against a rock by the
roadside peculiar noise came suddenly
70 my ear. Getting upright and listen
ing closely, ] soon located it to be behind
Ghe rock upon which l had been resting
Feeplng cautiously about me, / walked
around the huge bowlder, and there on
Ihe other side, gam boiling with each other,
auu IN their play emitting the noise
winch had so suddenly reused me, were
Two homely little panther kittens. l
knew them to be panthers from having
9eeh one about the same size in Central
Park, New York.
Immediately upon seeing me they ut
Tered succession of sharp whines and
Sputtered and spit in most Entertaining
way. Quickly removing my coat, /
pound them up in il, not escaping a few
scratches during tine operation, and tying
the coat to my belt, hurried rapidly
was
had hardly reached the road when the
most trightful scream ever listened to
iell on my ears. Turning quickly be-
held a full-grown female panther bound
ing from the underground by the road
side not 10 rods away
L 90 unnerVed To have nv wits abo,1t