A WILD CAT FOR A BEDFELLOW.

Bruce Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 1209, 4 June 1880, Page 6

A WILD CAT FOR A BEDFELLOW.

Apropos of limiting and fishing, did you ever hear of a wild cat taking possession of a spare bed in an inhabited cabin ? Such a case really occurred this winter in this vicinity, at the herd-house of Overholt and Grouse. A Mr Burns had been left in charge, and for several nights, after he had retired, was disturbed by a scrambling noise in the chimney, followed by the sight of two glaring, fiery eyeballs in the opposite bed ; and when he (Burns' moved or made a noise the low, fierce growl of some wild animal. This kiud of thing, occurring for several nights in succession, so discomposed Burns that he finally vamosed the ranch, and for some time the intruder had things his own way. With plenty of fat beef and venison in store, he must have come to the conclusion that he had struck comfortable quarters. John Gariison, a miner, hearing of the circumstance, made his way to tho herdhouse, determined to interview tho beast that had taken possession. When he arrived at the ranch about 4 o'clock p.m., he was somewhat surprised to find the animal in bed and disposed to fight for the Garcelonated establishment ; but at sight of the gun the miner carried he flew up the chimney and iuto tbe brush. Garrison hung around until dark, then went to bed placing his gun where he could reach it, and quietly waited for Mr Cat. About 10 o'clock he heard a scrambling iv the monstrous chimney, lollowed by the sound of stealthy footsteps across the floor and the sight of the flaming eyes peering out at him from the spare bed. John carefully raised his rifle, took as good aim as he could in the gloom darkness at the shining orbs, and fired. The report of the vifle was followed by a short scream of agony

then the sound of struggling in the opposite bunk. The intrepid hunter struck a light, and there, sure enough, was his cat, fully five feet in length, lying in the bed, its lifeblood slowly oozing through a bullethole in its breast, and bedabbling with its crimson stream the blankets on which it had sought repose. — 'Salt Lake Herald.'