Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-07-19

"7he sailor aud the bear. A Hull wha-
Ter was moored to "a field of ice, on which.
at a considerable distance, a large bear
was observed proving about for prey. One
of the ships company, emboldened by an
artificial courage, derived from the fire g
use of rum, which in his economy he had
stored for special occasions, undertook to-
pursue and attack the bear that was with
in view. Armed only with whale lance,
he resolutely and against all persuasion, set
out on his advententurous exploit A IA
tiguing Journey of about half league over
a surface of yielding snow and rugged hum
mocks, brought him within a few yards of
the enemy, which, to his surprise, undaun-
tedlv faced him, and seemed to invite him
to the combat. His courage being by this
time greatly subdued, partly by the evap-
Grafton of the stimulus he had employed,
and partly by the undismaved and even
threatening aspect Of the bear, he levelled
his lance, in an attitude suited either for
the offensive action, and stopped The
bear also stood still In vain the adventurer
tried to make the attack; his enemy was
too formidable, and his appearance too i'm
posing. In vain also he shouted, advanc-
ed his lance, and made feints attack? the
enemy, either not understanding them, or
despising such unmanliness, obsinately
stood his ground. Already the limbs OF
the sailor began to shake, the lance trehl-
bled in the rest, and his gaze, which had
heretofor been steadfast, began TO culver;
but the fear Of ridcnle from his messmates
still had its influence, and he yet scarcely
dared to retreat. Bruin however, possess
ing less reflection, or being more regard
less Of consequences, begah, with the most
a,Idacious boldness, to advance. His nigh
approach unshaken step subdued the spark
of bravery and that dread of rideule that
had hitherto upheld our adventurer; he
turned and fled. But now was the time
ofdanger The sailors fight encouraged
the bear in his turn to pursue: and being
better practised in snow TRAVELLING, and
better provided for it. he rapidly gained
upon the fugitive The whale lance, his
only defence, encountered him in his re-
treat he threw it down, and kept on. This
fortunately excitedth BEARS attention. he
stopped, powed it, bit it, and then renewed
the chase Again he was at the heels ofthe
painting sailors. Stratagem succeeded, and
while bruin again stopped to examine 1.-THE
IuJlIiVc Improving TIC tbtOiFdi, HIuhO NOl-
siderable progress ahead. Still the bear
resumed the pursuit with the most provok-
ing perseverance,, excepting when arrested
by another mitten, and finally by a hat, which
he tore to shreds between his teeth and his
paws, and would no doubt have soon made
the incautous adventnrer his victim, who
was rapidly losing strength and heart but
for prompt and wel-aimed assistance of his
shipmates, who, observing that the affair
had assumed dangerous aspect, sailed out
to his rescue. Tho little phalanx opened
him passage aud then closed to receive
the bold assaiant. Though now beyond
ihe reach of his adversary, the dismayed
fugitive continued onward, impelled by his
fears, and never relaxed his exertons until
he fairly reached the shelter of the ship!
Bruin once more, prudently came to a
stand, and for moment seemed to survey
his enemies with all the consideration of an
experienced general; when fin ding them too
numerous for reasonable hope of success,
he very wisely wheeled about, and sue
ceeded in making safe and honorable
retreat = Scoreby's Journal
s"GRATITUDE i remember once that
Philadelphia merchant many years ago,
whose wealth and Importance were only e.
qualled by tho goodness of his heart and the
purity ofhis sprincples, rescued mechanic
from the clutches of poverty, and what was
worse in those days, the hands of the
sheriff. The son of the mechanic was
was young, but old enough to know his fa-
theirs benefactor. Many years after this,
the merchant fell into difficulties, and at
the most trying moment, when all his for
mer friends had forsaken him, the me-
chanic's son, now comparatively wealthy,
stepped forward to his relief ~ am much
indebted to you," said the reduced mer-
chant.-By no means said the other; (" /
have only paid the debt which my father
contracted at the corner. of Chestnut street
thirty years ago, when | was just old
enough TO know the cause of my poor
mothers tears The merchant grasped
his hand and burst into flood of tears.