The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-24

the tops Of the neighboring trees. The
bark on this tree was unusually rough,
thus affording an easy climb FOR the GU
coon. Slowly he climbed, now and then
slipping from side TO side as he threat
| ened to fall back upon the ground. Wnen
at last a large limb was finally reacheu ne
pulled his heavy body up and unnesi-
tatingly stretched himself out upon the
broad limb. His gray colored fur blend
ed perfectly with the natural weather
beaten bark of the old tree. Here ne Slept
peacefully while the hot sun beat down
upon the shiny LEAKAGE above. Here ne
was bathed by the cool breeze that swept
down from the distant mountain IN
deed, he slept the sleep of the Just, better
far than ever he had previously, SAFER
perhaps tina when he slept quietly in ms
youth in a snug nest high up In a mol
low tree.
Again he was breathing ne untainted
air far from the recent smell OF blood.
This was pleasant indeed. The air was
pure, scented by a million flowers and
blossoms in the field beyond. Not once
aid he awake to scan his surroundings,
though once he heard peculiar noises. But
when the cool evening called him again ne
was down and away.
Half a dozen men, followed by a score
Of noisy, reckless boys, had already or
ganized a hunt and were out TO nnd the
coon that committed such serious crimes
the previous night. Three bright lanterns
twinkled among the thick foliage of the
,inderbrush, while the boys noisiiy yelled
and thrashed the underbrush in the most
remote parts of the woodland. Iwlce
only did they see the unfortunate coon.
But the old coon had long ago been
hunted in the same manner as he was this
night, SO he was well equipped Win
enough wits to elude his pursuerS. inns
hunt kept up until long past mldnignI,
while as for the coon he cuDningly SUNK
off and hid in a large drain pine In
this place he was comparatively safe. for
no eye of man could spy him when SO
hidden, and he was about to curl up FOR
another nap, when a meddlesome dog that
had enough to do in minding his own pusl-
ness to keep him busy for the remainder
of his life, II he but knew it, happened
along. But the dog did not; he could
never miss a chance to NEEDLE in the
affairs of some one else, II possible: sc
he shifted around the edge of the drain
and soon caught scent Of his game, wher
he gave forth several uncanny. bowls
mingled now and then with a Dark o.
joy. The poor coon backed up against th'
side of the drain and showed fight, hi
teeth swapping viciously In the darkness
But the dog was of no fighting breed; HI
was only a common cur and feared Il
face his foe, for those teeth surely mean
trouble for him if he but entered. s.
thus he employed himself as a noise
maker and Eelped and howled at the en-
trance OF the drain until every hunter II
the whole wood was at the mouth of tn
drain ready to dispatch that coon. Tn
dog was encouraged and even made 4
enter a few steps by the coaxing Of tn
boys. When he did the coon shot out an
turnbled and squirmed at the feet of tn
hunters In his mad effort to reach tn
briar patch just a few feet away. Tht
he did, and here even the dog refused I
enter. Then -one by one the hunter
, dropped out, until in an hours time tn
last of the hunters filed out of the wood
lands. After a short time the coon him
/: self crept out, for he hates briars a
much as a dog does, and only does h
I coll fo1. THAR haln uuhan r~0nfrnnfp6 Wif
danger ms he was tonight.
The old room was alert and keen. for
sight of danger. and slowly and CAREFUL
! he crept through the underbrush until a
7 last he reached a gigantic tree that fun
7 its heavy branches far over a bungalow
! Up this he climbed, agile indeed ompare
: with his climbing of the previous morn
! ing. Up and out p o a huge limb h
: climbed. and IN sheer curiosity he jumpe
down upon the roof Of the bungalow an
] awkwardly clambored across the single
roof. His feet loudly ratified the drie
: shingles at every step.
Backward and forward he ran. In ques
of a place where ne could climb dow
. but in this he failed, and after a ha
hours tramping the ceaseless noise awok
: one of the inmates of the house. and h
hastily donned his clothing and starte
to investigate the cause.
The darkness Handicapped him In se'
ing his quarry, save now and then Il dar
form passed before him and vanished. il
SANITY the man jumped the renee I'M
his neighbours yard and aroused him frol
his slumber by a loud rapping on his doc
When he appeared he was told a loni
fearsome story in regard to a ghost tn;
was haunting his roof and causing unto
disturbance He was told to get his gu
and investigate the matter. This he oh
and after circling the house a couple
times he spied a dark form. Instantly
loud report broke the stiffness. follow'
quickly by another. With a heavy tht
the body of the coon fell limp upon III
ground. The two men peered at the
was. "A coon, A coon!" shouted Il
are. in for trouble now all right"
added. as he dragged the limp body out
obtain a better view. without sayii
another word he picked the dead coon l
and hastily ran over to another neighb
OF his and cast the body out upon Il
lawn. where he would be sure TO see
the following morning.
Sad. sad. indeed, is the Whole care
of this coon's life! A child Of freedo
who knew no other home but the bro
expanse of natures gardens. and tn
captured and confined, a close prisons
deprived of Its humble joy Of freedom.
be a pet to satisfy the fancy of some CHI
dren. Then again to escape. to feel on
more the pleasures OF the wildwood,
live the life worth living. Why shou
he not kill chickens for his foOd2 Did
not kill partridges and quail in his FORE
home? He was forced 70 live among m
much to his dislike. Then as a rewa
he Is shot, murdered by the hands II
/ kept him captive.