Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-09-02
A mad" Fox.

Ii is theory OF crlminologlsts that GER
tain human beings are born without the
brain power OF self-control OF the normal
man, and that such persons, under favor
ing circumstances. become habitual crim-
inals. II is possible that similar cases
occur among animals at least there are
times when we can account for the ex-
traordinary behavior of animals only on
the theory that they are either demented
or inherently vicious.
Thirty years ago, when was boy,
writes friend of The Companion, the
neighborhood was stirred by the doings
OF a "nnad" fox. He ranged in the
Briesacher woods, and never was heard
OF anywhere else. never saw the mad
fox myself, but often heard his high,
querulous bark in the middle OF the night.
A much-used path led through the
Briesacher woods and on 10 the village.
The mad fox took 10 follow ing people as
they traversed this path, trotting along
behind them, stopping when they STOP
ped, from the time they entered the forest
until they emerged on the father side.
AS time passed, the animal grew bolder,
and pattered along within few yards OF
a pedestrians heels on dark nights, or
perhaps took up position in the path,
which he would hold until the traveller
approached very closely, when he would
spring few PAGES to one side, Snarling.
Some people said The fox had rabies.
but the more sensible ones pointed out
that rabid animal never lived more than
a week or so, while this scamp had been
keeping up his pranks for several months.
Louis Briesacher, whose father owned
the woods, had more occasion than any
one else to pass through them, and, &C
cording to Louis, the mad fox took an
especial dislike to him. II followed him
so closely, and with such evidence OF
vicious intent, that Louis carried club
every time he went to town. Al last he
bought revolver, with the determination
OF making an end Of his annoying escort.
Louis told the story OF the encounter
afterward. He was returning home from
town about eleven o'clock. No sooner
was he in the woods than the fox came
after him. Louis paid little attention un-
i'll il got so close that II actually snapped
at his heels. He then turned and fired a
shot at it, but the night was dark, and he
missed. The fox retreated, but in five
minutes was back again, swapping and
snarling more viciouSly than ever. AIM
ing as best he could at mark that was
never still, and could be heard rather
than seen, Louis discharged the remain
ing five shots from his revolver. All the
shots missed; the fox simply jumped
from side TO side with the flash OF the re-
volver.
When the last spurt OF flame died away,
the determined little beast sprang straight
at Louis, and fastened its teeth in his
trousers leg. The young man kicked
fierceIy but, kicked loose from one hold,
the enraged animal came right back, and
bit his legs severely. Finally it caught
his left arm, and held on like bulldog.
Louis brought the handle OF his revolver
down with full force on the fox's head,
and il fell stunned. Louis declared that
he finished his antagonist then and there,
and left it lying dead in the path.
The next day Louis showed us his bites
and scratches in proof of his story. His
trousers were badly torn, and some OF
the teeth wounds in the flesh were as
deep and ragged as if wolf had made
them. However, when we went to the
scene of the battle, the mad fox was gone.
He had recovered and made off, but was
never heard or seen again.