The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-04-18
The Lion That Went
Through the Mill.

NtUS, Will HIS Nllt anu WV
nnd myself.
1t was lonely in the deserted camp,
terribly so at times. The canon was
deep and narrow, and the twilight
early in the afternon gathered round
the dark spruces which lined the sides
Of the creek. Yet the place had a
black and dreary grandeur of its own,
that held one in certain fascination.
We five mortals were sore put TO it
at times to find occupation which
would take our minds from the fact
that we were cut off from the rest OF
humanity. Every piece of necessary
work was elaborated and spun out
to the extreme limit. But of course 1t
would eventually come TO an end, and
then we were obliged to invent some
task.
One afternoon, as we were busy
constructing a small water-mill, Jack
stopped in his whiting and tossed the
knife to his boy, saying:
This thing wouldn't cut warm but
ter. Run over to the mill, Willie, and
give it a rub on the grindstone. Sally,
you go, too, and turn the stone for
your brother"
The children trotted cheerfully off
and were soon swallowed up in the
cavernous mill, while Jack and | sat
down to rest, watching the sunlight
creep up the eastern canon wall.
Suddenly Shrek after shrek rang
out from within the mill. Jack fairly
few in that direction, grabbing up an
ak as he ran.
made for the cabin to get the rife.
% Something wrong with the chill
dren!" | shouted to the astonished
house. l snatched up the rife and
rushed out again, followed by the
frightened mother.
Halfway to the mill we met little
Sally. She was almost out of her wits
with fright.
What is it, dear? What is it?" ask
ed her mother, shaking her vigorously,
from excitement.
Great big dog-tried to-tried to
jump on us!" cried the child between
gasps.
That was enough for me. | knew
there were no dogs round, but several
times lately we had heard the squalling
of mountain-lion close at hand, and
had also seen the prints Of his padded
feet in the soft earth of the creek
banks. We paid little attention to
these signs, for the puma, generally
speaking, is a cowardly brute, with
but little stomach for attacking a
strong foe, unless urged on by the
pangs of hunger. Then, however with
his great strength and agility, he be-
comes a very formidable antagonist
indeed
Evidently" l thought, the brute
has made his den in the mill, where
there are so many hooks and crannies
that he could stay a year without our
being whit the wiser, unless he chose
to reveal himself"
By the time had this reasoned cut
was at the door of the building.
Where are you, Jack?" l called, for
It was dark as pitch in there, and at
first l could see nothing.
Hereby the first set of stamps.
Got the gun?2
Eyes, indeed, What happened?"
Willie says that he and Sally were
sharpening the knife, when they heard
a noise and looking up, saw on the
blacksmith's bench "a"
Great big yaller animal" burst in
Willie. Most as big as a horse. And
he began to kind O wriggle his nose
at us an holler, and Sally she screech-
ed, an I picked up the knife an got
ready for him. But he didn't like the
noise that Sally made, I reckon, for
he jumped clean over the boiler!tan'
he's in behind there somewhere now"
This little story without stops was
effective.
Weren't you scared, Willie?"
asked, rather in awe of the youngster.
"Well-kind o. he admitted. But
l was going to stay with him just the
same"
Pretty sandy boy, eh?" said Jack,
with fatherly pride
well, I should say so! But what
do you think it was Jack-mountain-
lion?n
~, Sure"
What Are you going to do?"
dig him out" responded Jack,
promptly.
"'Um!" said l.
whats the matter? Amt afraid,
are you?"
Mono. Not at ALL" / answered,
earnestly. "Of course not. Why
should l be. The worst that he could
do would be to scatter me all over
the mill. To be sure, should prefer
a more collected end, as it were
Whats you plan of campaign"
why Willie will run up to the
cabin and get some candles and my
six-shooter, and then we'll drive him
into a corner and plug him full of
holes"
/ whistled.
WELL" said Jack, don't you ap-
prove Of the idea?"