Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-10-12
A WESTERN BEAR STORY.
FROM "LIFE in THE WOODS"

Among the earliest settlers in the
wilds of Salmon River, was a Yer
montese of the name Of Dobson-a
large resOlute man. Returning one
evening from fruilless hunt, after his
vagrant cows, which, according 10 the
custom in new countries, had been
turned into the woods, to procure
their own subsistence from the rank
heritage Of the early summer. Just
before emerging from the forest upon
the clearing of his neighbor, the late
worthy Joseph Sleeper, he saw a
large bear descending from lofty sy-|
camore, where he had been probably
in quest of honey.
A bear ascends a tree much more
expertly than he descends il, being
obliged to come down hind-loremost.
My friend Dobson did not like to be
Joined in his evenings walk by such a
companion; and without rejecting
what he would do with the "varmint"
afterwards he ran TO the tree, on the
opposite side from the animals body,
aud just before he reached the ground
he seized him by the fore paws
Bruin growlel and CRASHED his tusks,
but he soon ascertained that his paws
were in the grasp Of iron paws, equal
ly iron strong with his own; nor could
he use his hinder paws to disembowel
his antagonist, as the manner Of the
bear, is; inasmuch as the trunk Of the
tree was between them. But Dob
sons predicament, as he was endOw-
cd with rather the most reason, was
worse yet. He could no more assail
the bear than the bear could assail
him; nor could he venture to let him
go, very graciOns return for this UNI
tremendously taking him by the hand,
The twilight was fast descending into
darkness, and his position was far less
comfortable than il otherwise would
have been at the same hour, surroun
ded by his wife and children, at the
supper table, to say nothing Of the
gloomy prospect for the night. Still
as Joe Sleepers house was not far dis
tant, he hoped to be able to call hin
to his assistance;but his lungs although
none of the weakest; we're unequal tt
the task, and though he followed ant
bawled the livelong night, making tn
woods and welkin ring again, ne sue
ceeded no better than old Glendowe
ofoId, in calling spirits from the vast,
deer.
Il was a wearisome night for Dob
son; such a game Of hold fast he ha
never been engaged in before. Brul
too was somewhat worried, althoug
he could not describe his sensation
in English, albeit he took the regula
John Bull method of making know
his dissatisfaction, that is to say; h
growled incessantly.-But there wa
no let 90 in the case, and Dobson wa
therefore under the necessity Of holdin
fast, until it seemed to his clenche
and aching fingers as though the bear
Pawsand his had grown together.
AS daylight returned, and the smok
from Nc. SIeeper's chimney began
curl, up gracefully, though rather din
ly in the distance, Dobson again r.
peated his cries for succor; and b
heart was soon gladdened by the al
pearance Of his worthy but inactiv
neighbor, who had at last been attrac
ed by the voice Of the impatient su
lerer, bearing an axe on his shoulde
Dobson had never been so much r
joiced at seeing Mr.. Sleeper beEor
albeit he was avery kind and estimab
neighbor.
"Why don't you make haste, NJ
Sleeper, and not be lOunging at tn
rate when you Gee a fellow Christia
in such a kettle Of fish.
81 run! is that you Mr. Dobson, /
a tree there? And was it you that
heard FOLLOWING so last night! que
you ought to have your lodging
nothing, If you've stood up agin q
tree all night
ats not a joke, though | eau 4
you Mr.. Sleeper; ifyOu had TO no
the paws Of black varmint all mig
il strikes me you'd think you'd pa
enough for it. But if you heard I
calling for help in the night, why d
yon come and see what was I
trouble?
ooh, was going tired to bed, ali
laying up lOg fence 'aIl day, and
thought, ! would wait tilI morning, al