The Newtown bee., 1903-12-11
HUNTERS, TO THE RESCUE.

For many years Mine Hill, ana Ule
sections of New Milford and Roxbury
adjoining thereto have been famous
for a variety of reasons, but never I'M
til within the last few weeks has this
region been noted for any especial pro-
priety in the behavior of it's inhab-
itants. But of late wonderful change
has come over it. Husbands no longer
linger out until the wee small hours
before returning to their peacefully
bones; children are no more tardy at
school because of too much lingering
by the way; the boys and girls no more
play truant from the wood pile and
broom on Saturday, or from church on
Sunday, to frOlic in the woods; women
no longer gossip with their neighbors
until after the early twilight has
fallen, leaving their husbands to wait
supperless for their return; even the
and unguarded through the long
night watches without the slightest
danger Of human marauderS. 1t is
not, however, as might be supposed,
the approaching millennium that has
effected all this, but the actual pres
ence in this region of strange and
ferocious animal, the very mention of
which strikes terror to the soul of the
people. 1t has hurled itself SO vicious
ly upon stray hunters that they have
barely escaped with their lives; it has
chased several women until they have
dropped from exhaustion on their own
door stones; the late traveller along
lonely roads is pursued for miles with
the soft and awful pad, pad, pad, of
cushioned feet, keeping abreast of him
at right or left,-all the more terrify-
ing because the animal keeps out of
sight, save for now and then a fieeting
glimpse of moving gray shadow, or
| the mOmentary CLEAN of fiery eyes;
| people are awakened at night by fear
| full cries that make even strong men
cover and SILVER. The experiences of
different people with this strange
creature are as varied as the people
themselves. A hunter, whose courage
has never been doubted, when return.
ing home at about dusk met the ami
with a savage cry it sprang at him.
and with that discretion which is the
better part Of valor he dropped his gun
which was loaded only with light bird
shot, and climbed the nearest tree
where he sat for hours, the creature
crOuching below, watching him with
it's great fiery eyes, and every now and
then varying the monotony of the nigh
by rising on it's hind legs, growing
and sharpening it's claws on the bark
Of the tree, as we have all seen house
cats do. For some unaccountable
reason the creature made no effort tt
climb the tree, and after several hour!
that seemed endless to the human
captive, the beast glided away. Oul
friend has given up hunting for the
who 60, to take in addition to thei
usual traps, and securely strapped tt
their persons, an air cushion, pair O
| "A caliber revOlverS, and some spirit.
SO securely bottled that they will no
all OOZe from their finger tips, as hi
did on that memorable night. Anoth
er man who was headed toward HON,
about l O'Clock Thanksgiving morn
ing, with a pair of fine chickens unde
his arm, was startled by snarl from
the clump of bushes he was just pass
ing. He caught one glimpse of som,
moving object, and started to run, bu
after few yards snarling growl, ant
the rending of cloth as sharp teetl
met in his flying coat, caused him t.
drop his birds as propitiatory offer
ing to the pursuing demon. Fear len
wings to his flying feet, but he distinct
ly heard the Sickening sound Of rend
ing flesh and craunching bones. Their
was great Thanksgiving in that on
mans heart on Thursday, but n,
Thanksgiving in his stomach. TIL,
Sunday night preceding a young mai
and woman returning from church
) lOitered on the way, as young peopl
will. When within sight of home
some instinct made them look back, t.
find themselves followed by some larg
animal. They started to run, but th
young man in his Self-Sacrificing eff
forts to attract the beasts attention
to himself, outran the girl, and dart
ing inside stable shut the door, hold
ing it fast. The girl succeeded il
reaching the house unframed. Ho,
long the heroic youth remained in tn
stable is unknown, as he and the youn
lady have not exchanged condolences
and it is even rumored that they hav
not spoken since. Only one man S
far has had the courage to face it. H
was totally unarmed, a half mile from
the nearest house, and with nothin
higher than an alder bush and a raj
fence in sight. lie saw it coming dow
gathering his hat full of stones, full
resolved to sell his life as dearly a
possible. just as the animal was al
most upon him, he 1.-THE NAM gave
terrific yell, and sprang towards it
This was such a reversal of all uSua
methods of procedure that the beas
gave one cry ''like hurt young one
and fled. The man did not pursue
though why he did not he does no
say. Everyone for miles around is cor
WINGED of the existence of some strang
. animal, and no man who consider
himself of the least consequence in tn
, world has failed to catch at least
glimpse of it. ALI sorts of affirmation
as to it's identity are made. Thos
who have not seen it say that it is