Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-05-20
From the Forget.Mc-Not for 1886.
LIFE IN THE WOODS.

- D'''ihou river, was NernonteSe Dy the
name OF Dobson-a large. resoutc and ath-
etic man. Returning one evening after q
lruIless hunt after his vagrant cows, which
according TO the custom Of the new coun-
tries, had been turned into the woods TO pro-
cure their own subsistence from the rank
heritage Of an early summer; Just before
emerging from the forest in the clearing
Of bis neighbour the late Mr. Joseph 1eeper
ne saw large bear descending syt a more
where he had been in quest probably of hon
ey A bear nscends tree much more eas-
~ than he descVnds it-being obliged 10
come down stern foremost My friend Dob
son did not very well like TO be Joined in
his evening walk By such companion, and
without rcheciing what be should do with
lne 'varminf afterwards he ran IN 10 the
tree on the opposite side from the animals
body and just before he reached the ground,
seized him firmly by both his fore paws.
Bruin growed and CRASHED his tusks, but
he soon ascertained that his paws were in
the grasp of paws equally iron strong with
his own. Nor could he use his hinder
claws to disembowel his antagonist, as the
manner ofthe bear is, inasmuch as the trunk
OF the tree was between them. But Dob.
sons Wedicament as he was endowed with
rather the most reason was worse yet He
could no more assai the bear than the bear
could sssail him. Nor could he venture TO
let go OF him. since the presumption was
that Bruin would not make him very gra-
cious return for thus unceremoniously taking
him by the hand. The twilight was fast
deepening into darkness, and his disposition
was far less comfortable than it otherwise
would have been at the same hour, surround
ed by his wife and children at the supper
table, 10 say nothing of the gloomy prospect
for the night, Still as Joe Seeper's was
not far distant, he hoped 10 be able. 10 call
him to his assistance. But his lungs though
not OF the weakest. were unequal to the task,
and although he ballooed the live long night
making the welkin ring again, he succeeded
no better than did Gendower Of old in call.
ing spirits from the Vastly deep, 1t was u
wearisome night for Dobson; such a game
of hold fast, he never had been engaged in
before Bruin, too. was somewhat worried,
although he could not describe his sensa-
lions in English albeit be took the regular
John Bull method Of making known his dis
satisfaction that is TO say he growled inces-
sanity. But there was no LEI go in the case
and Dobson was therefore under the necessi.
ty of holding fast, ill it seemed to his clenched
and aching fingers as though the bears
paws aud his own had grown together.
As the daylight returned, and the smoke
from Mr. Sleeper's chimney began to curl up
gracefully. though rather dimly in the dis
lance, Dobson again repeated his cries for
succour; and his heart was soon gladdened
by the appearance OF his worthy but inactive
neighbor who had at leas, been attracted by
the voice of the sufferer. bearing an axe upon
his shoulder Dobson had never been SC
much rejoiced at seeing MIR Sleeper before
albeit he was a very kind and estimable
neighbor.
"Why don't you make haste Mr. Sleeper
and not be lounging along at that rate. when
you see fellow christian in such kettle
Of fish as this"
al yum is that you Mr. Dobson, up 9
tree ihere2 And was it you | heard haloo
ing so last night? guess you ought tC
have your lodging for nothing, if you've
stood up agin that tree gil night"
Its no Joke though, | can tell you, Nj
Joe Sleeper and if you had hold Of III,
paws of the black varinint all night, you,
think you paid dear enough for it, But j
you heard me calling for help in the night
why didn't you come aud see what was III,
trouble"
/ "Oh, was tired and just going to bed
after laying up log fence all day, and
thought I'd wait till morning, and come GU
bright and early But if I'd known 'twa
YOU
"Known twas me |" replied Dobson bit
terly-"you knew twas somebody who hat
flesh and blood too good for this plagu,
. black varmint though; and you know there
been a smart sprinkle of bears about all tn
. spring" :.
, well, don't be in huff Tommy-Ifi
never too late TO do good. So, hold tigh
!, now, and don't let the tarnal critter ge
q loose while split his head open"
mo- no. said Dobson after holding
i the beast here all night think ought II
have the satisfaction of killing him. So yov
, just take hold of his paws here, and | vii
b let streak of daylight into his skull abou
the quickest"
d The proposition being fair one, M
4 Sleeper was too reasonable man to object
: He was no coward neither, and he thereur
a on stepped up to the tree, and cautiousl
r taking the bear with both his hands, relieved
!. honest Dobson from his predicament III
y hands of the latter though sadly stiffene'
by the tenacity with which they had beef
{. clenched for SO many hours, were sool
4 brandishing the axe, and he apparently mad
all preparations for giving the deadly blow
}. and deadly it would have been had h
MI struck-since like the sons of Zeruiah