The suburban citizen., 1901-08-31

creature might fight hard"
The little girl started to obey, but
had no sooner reached the door than
| she turned back with a scream of
fright. ran to the corner couch. and
flung herself face down, half faiting
with terror.
A snarling scream Of rage thrilled
through the room, and shook every
nerve in Miss Barglof's body. She
turned from the beast inside to face
one, many times it's size. that had
thrust its great yellow head in at the
doorway.
1t was a mountain lion-the dam OF
the spotted cat Its big round eyes
scintillated with q greenish light its
cruel fangs were barred, and the cren
ture snared and hissed in most threat
ening fashion. The plucky terrier
faced this newcomer, barking fiercely
into its very teeth
The old cougar and its kit were evil
IDENTIFY the animals that the strangers
dogs had chased TO cover from the
creek bottom. The old one. on ac-
count of the house so close at hand,
had lain in hiding; but the kit, when
all was quiet, had descended to run
about AS this little creature knew
nothing Of mems habitations, it had
approached the school house, and had
promptly leaped in at a window when
the dog attacked. And now the saw
age old dam had come to the rescue
of her young one.
The teacher felt that the beast must
be kept outside at all hazards
Trembling but courageous she took
her place, with uplifted Ak, behind
the plucky terrier.
The threats Of the old cougar were
fearful. She had discovered her kit
and her eyes roved from its perch
to the barking dog, while she hlssed
and snarled and rumbled forth grOwls
in deep chest tones Her square Jaws
were opened quite wide enough to
take in the terriers head, and yet his
demonstrations alone seemed to hold
her in check. Doubtless, too, she
hesitated to enter, fearing a trap, and
yet she had plainly no intention of
abandoning her kit
The teacher found strength and
courage to flourish her AK above the
dog, and actually attempted to strike
the threatening lion upon it's head.
At this demonstration the beast leaped
backward, and instantly Miss Barglof
closed the door.
She then ran to the nearest window
and let down its lower sash. There
Wore still three open windows, and as
she turned to close another fresh
alright awaited her. The old cougar
had reared herself against the wall,
and had thrust head and claws in at
the opening.
But for the dog the beast would
doubtless have entered the room. The
terrier, however, leaped upon a desk
top, and thrusting his fierce little
muzzle almost within reach Of the
beasts claws, barked savagely. The
kit Joined in the clamor with fright
ened whining.
Several times the teacher had shout
ed to Nettie to lie perfectly still, and
the little girl had not once lifted the
terror-strlcken face she had buried
In her arms.
The dreadful threatenings at the
window continued for a full minute.
Miss Barglof hesitated, wondering II
she might not attack the kit and drive
1t out at a window But when she
attempted to approach it the dams
demonstrations became too ominous.
BY this time the teachers nerves,
stout-hearted as she was, had reached
high state Of tension. Her desire
to end suspense was well-night un-
controllable. With teeth set, she laid
her ak upon the stove, and while
fresh threats stormed at her from
the open window, she seized heavy
top griddle or lid and stepping in
behind the dog, hurled it with all her
might at the lions head. The heavy
missile struck the window still with a
crash, and again the cougar bounded
away to seek another entrance.
Miss Barglof quickly let the window
down with a jarring bang that shook
the building, and then turned her at
tentlon to the whining cougar kit.
She secured her ak and attacked
1t boldly. determined to get the crea-
ture outside, dead or alive. At her
first stroke the young lion leaped to
the floor, and the terrier closed with Il
instantly.
A sharp and furious struggle tool,
place upon the floor. Snarling,
splitting cat and growing dog rolled
over and over in what seemed a
bouncing ball Of black and tan and
! yellow
From the first however the terrier
had the advantage, and soon his teeth
clGscd upon the nape of the young
cougars neck, and the fight was
ended