The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-04-28

1 lOHg, cTouculnS IOrU, the DrO1u, cdtIlkt
head with its square, eager chin frosted
with white,and the two points OF vel
low light fixed on Farley.
The little fellow turned just then in
obedience 10 his sisters call, and
smooth as oil the crouch!ng thing glid'
ed forward.
The sudden anguish In Mrs. Tyler's
heart strove to express itself in a gasp.
ing breath that seemed to tear her
throat. Maternal rage swept aside her
fear. and she few round the corner Of
the house prepared, IL necessary, 10
| throw herself upon the creature and
| fight ii with her bare hands.
| Before she could reach the front she
| heard the panther scream, the raspy,
sudden cry OF creature alarmed and
in pain. The next moment she saw
It's 1.-THE body struggling on the door
step. The head was hidden. The stout
door, directed by some one within. held
the animals neck firmly between its
edge and that Of the jamb.
80 mother! Quick! Helpw
1t was Mercy's voice. The brave 1T.
tie girl had run down from the loft
just as the panther thrust his head over
the threshold. and had succeeded in
slammlng the door 10 upon its neck.
Mothers here" cried Mrs. Tyler.
Keep the door shut tight, Mercy!
Tight! Mother'll help"
Frantically she looked about for some
wes pom, a stick, a stOne-anythlng that
might aid her Mercy was sobbing
with fright. The snarls Of the trapped
beast grew more ferocious, and with
It's long claws II ripped white spllnters
from the pine boards.
Animal-llke. the panther put its
whole strength into the effort 10 with
draw It's head, thus unknowingly i'm
prisoning itself more securely. II could
easily have overcome Mercy's feeble
opposition If it had tried to force its
way inward; but 1t feared 10 place its
body farther within what II naturally
believed was trap.
Mrs. Tyler was at her wits end when
she noticed the reins still hanging from
the handle Of the door The ends were
close TO the creatures hind quarters.
but she darted upon them with thrill
OF hope.
The musky odor Of the beasts heated
skin almost sickened her as she caught
up the leather lines. Fortunately they
were long. She ran back until they
were taut in her hands.
Mothers got the door, dearw she
cried. "Now listen. Make Parley go
up into the loft and then take down
your fathers musket carcfully-it's
loaded-and crawl out the back win
dow and bring 1t to me. DO you under
stand?"
The panther seemed TO realize that
his chances for escape were diminish
Ing. With legs bgaccd against the
doorstep until the sinews showed like
ropes under the SKIN, he tugged fran
tically and swung his body from side
to side. Blood appeared on the edge
Of the door, but the animal now seemed
insensible TO pain. It's hoarse, choked
growing expressed nothing but rage.
1t seemed TO Mrs. Tyler as If Mercy
would never come, but presently the
courageous little arl appeared around
the corner of the house, carrying the
gun.
Mercy" said her mother, "do you
think you can shoot him while | hold
the door?"
Mercy tremblcd. "No, no, can't do
ii" she exclaimed. her face growing
n shade paler than before.
l,A1I yAtn
while do It," said Mrs. Tyler. She
saw that the girl was weak from fright.
and she added "You must be brave.
dear. See, mothers not afraid"
She forced the reins into the
trembling little hands and took the
weapon in her own. She was afraid.
in spite of what she had said to Mercy.
Her heart beat hotly as she advanced
toward the furious beast. but never
theleSs she walked close up to the lean,
painting side. She intended that one
charge should finish the work.
She held the muzzle just behind the
left fore leg. where the hair was thin,
and fired. The panther made con
vulslve leap forward, pulling the reins
from Mercy's weak grasp, and landed
within the cabin. 1t died probably In
mid-air, for rs It struck the floor its
legs crumpled under II, and it fell in a
twltching heap.
The ordeal over, Mrs. Tyler behaved
in truly feminine way. She dropped
the gun, and putting her hands to her
eyes, began to cry Historically.
why, mother" said Mercy, who, on
the contrary, felt quite brave now, lit
can't hurt you! It's dead
Mrs. Tyler gathered Mercy into her
arms.
81 know, dear" she said. That's
my own weak self. | ought rather to
thank our Father. who made me strong
enough for the moment to meet the
for giving me such
brave. quick witted little daughter.'-
Youths Companion.
WISE WORDS.
"