LOST IN THE BIG WOODS - ANTHONY PIERCE

PIERCE, MCVEY

Posted By: David (email)
Date: 2/12/2005 at 18:28:48

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, January 2, 1908

Quite an excitement was caused, way down southeast in the Pleasant Grove
district, a few nights since. ANTHONY PIERCE, who resides on the old
homestead farm with his aged mother, took a notion he would walk down the
river a few miles through the timber to the McVey saw mill, where he found
things so interesting that he remained longer than he had intended, in fact
the night had stolen on unawares. Owing to his not returning, for he never
before remained away from home in the evening, his mother became alarmed and
mistrusted that he was lost in the big woods, so she notified the neighbors
by telephone and they instituted a search, bearing torches, building bon
fires, sounding conch shells and sending up sky rockets as such occasion
demanded. The ferocious timber wolves were seen gathering on the ridges,
whetting up their teeth and occasionally a grizzly bear was disturbed in his
nocturnal prowl, while through the distance resounded the penetrating sad
scream of the panther, which was answered from the opposite direction.

The still darkness seemed full of lurking dangers. The catamounts scampered
across the paths and small gleam from the stars above cast an awe about
which caused the stoutest hearts to palpitate with dire foreboding. All of
a sudden there was a rustle in front and crackling of dry twigs in the
pathway. Lights were flashed, guns were extended and all anxiously held
their breath awaiting the appearance of man, beast or devil -- and the lost
ANTHONY loomed up on the crest of a torch beam. At a glance he suspicioned
what was up and was ready:

"Why, Anthony, where have you been?" inquired a dozen voices in concert.

"Been! Why, I've been hunting for the cussed neighbors. They've all got
lost in the woods somewhere."

Then they all went their way rejoicing.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
January 17, 2005
iggy29@rnetinc.net