Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-08-04
EVENING STAR.
TIE BEAR AID THE BABY.
A NIDsuPaAS's STORY,

Settlng myself into full tog, was displa yinl
my hoI semanship near the biological Gardc
Ia London when L saw, in the path lead ms
t. the entrance, one of the lovelest woneT
that ever appeared to the eyes Of an ex-reefer
lt was thing completely settled in my mind
that was n full grown man, and that a full
grown man with oustaehes has a right 10 lool
at any woman. In short, dismounted, gave
my horse To the groom, and followed my d.
vinlty. little girl was behind her, walking
with the narse-inaid, who had another child
an infant, In her arms; and to my great salts.
faction, this careless servant put the baby pre-
sently into the arms of the older girl no.
much bigger than itself. / watched the pro.
ceeiins, saw the little creature, whose wali
WIS but totter at the best, swaying to and
ire under the burden, and the hAby's loac
clothes trailing on the ground.
MADAM" said / to the lady, touching my
hat in quarterback fashion, . that baby.
tear, Is in dangerous hands; you are perhaps
not aware OF 1t ~ She TUNED round Instant
ly 1t was what L wanted, but the II asa re-
ceIved from her beautiful eyes had a world of
haughtinoss in It; and, although she bent her
hea1 slightly, and sail, " SIR thank you, -
d d not dare 70 continue the conversation.
out walked rapidly on. In fact. it was OBJ.
vi0us the woman thought L had taken an uB-
warTaEtabie liberty in criticising the arranye-
Lnents OF her walk; and as when turning away
caught smile at my discontinue on the
face OF the nurse-maid, who srasehed the b 10y
roughly away, Indignation mingled with my
aTkwardness. As L saw her enter the Gar
dens, my heart gave a great leap for L consid-
cred 1t uncommonly Iikeiy that a lion wonld
break loose, or something or other occur TO
traW i0rth my chivalry, aII extort her graft
;ude. L was not IN error 10 my as.i.ipa.ior,
although the circumstance tna did 0c.ur WAS
100 Wild even ior az imagination ike mine.
Had 1t come sud ieAly. / almost think should
have shut my eyes, bel III breath, and stood
still; but as it was. | had no time 10 reflect
The uppermcst idea in my mid was. that
would do something heroic, something dcs,,ar-
ate; and when opportunity offered, instanta-
neously did it.
The party, with may others, were looking
over the enclosure at tn bear on bis pole; aud
n order that all might see. the nurse NJ aia
had the little girl in ber a-,ns. whiie the li,fIe
girl had the bal Y in hers. This arrangement
Vas q, very reprcnc nslble, as a IuonIentary
freak, for the maid of course had goo hoII %.
both tbs children, the elder OF whom was
Ju:npine with glee; ard my attention, there
fore, wss exclusively directed To the lady. who
stood absorbed Ia the spectacle be- =. ms All
oi Sudden, there was a scream from tie lit.
tie siri-the unfortunate baby was .Eer the
enc.osure, and lying seuscless C. rs lace iu toe
area-and The gigantic bear was hastily lie
TO c!lu.b tue enciOyurc, and sp.inc into the
arca, did not take me many moments-but it
tooi me TOO many. was AT Satle distance
from the spat, and before L s1ched IL. tie
bear had caught up the infant. whose little
little face WAS buried in its iar and oB NY
approach mIce FOR JAe pole, ami began t. q
ceIG UIth great rapidly. L L CIawed without
giving myself time for moments reflection.
and wniic l climbed caught hold Of rAs long
clothes Of the baby. The action was well Ia.
tended; but the coEsequences were dreadful
perhaps fatal; for the bear loosel his hold.
AMI the poor little thing fell to tie ground I
began mechanically TO descend but Iii ngt
dare t. lock at what was, in al prol ability, a
hteiess corse. And presently 1 could npt
look, f,Ir the exigencies - my own position
demanded my every thought. The bear above
was descending with huge strides and algry
grUwls, and another helow-a great black
monster. OF wbaee presence in the enclosure L
"a al lot been aware-was shaInbling a,oug T.
the support of his cOmrade, and had aiIeLay
almost reached the pole.
The fix was terrible, but il lasted onIv aa
Instant for the keeper Low made his appear-
ance, aud with few hearty woilops sent the
black bear tn the right about, while my bur-
suer stopped shcrt with q terrible grUwI
What are you doing hereH'' cried tie
keeper, as l staggered upon the ground. II
must siTe you in charge of The police for q Ia
matte ~
Never miGd me, said /, faintiy; "look
to the child, for L dare not
I" The Child what child ?'
Are you blind? There aad fo.ced uly
eyes upon the hideous spectacle.
The creatures head was cf! II W.. wax!
L harlly know hcE l got over the enclosure.
A sound of laughter was in my b.ain, as i:
was made Of ears, and every ear ringing is
loudest. The nurse maid enjoyed the adyen-
tarc more than any body, but the little giII la
her arms clutched It me furiously, as if charg-
ing me with the murder Of her doll and was
not pacifed till the fragments of that sicl;en-
ing baby were handed TO Ler over my shou,-
der. darted away; and il was Ligh time to
do so, for all the company in the Car ais were
rushing 20 the spot.
Inc lair cause of the mischief was stludi.c
q little way OFF, leaning on the arm of ta;I
Eoble locking man, with mous.7ci es ten times
as big Gs mine. She seemed choking b3ty, cen
recent alarm and present mir,h; and rs L
passed, g Sir" said size, with sweling cheeks
and unsteady voice my husband wishes t.
thank you for our little gIV,'s doll.'' Bat L
was of like n shot without waiting even l.
touch my hat; and thankful [ was TO get out
of tie gate, for many of the spectators Oh see
ing Inc run, followed mechanically. As soon
as / reached home, went straight u my own
room, locked and bnlted myself in, sat leIib-
crately down before the glass, drew forth my
razor, and shaved of by mOustaches.