Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-06-12
Bear Story

Here is the best (and biggesD bear sto-
ry we have ever read. Dave Crockett never
matched it. Moreover it claims our favor
as Vermont affair which occurred in this
town. o pf5t OH tfe.e..
Living in the town of Rockingham, Ver-
mont, in the last century, was a family
named Simonds. Vermont in the days of
my story. was a wild, new country, to
which people went as they now 90 10 Mimi
esota or the territories beyond, buildings
huts of logs. and cutting away the forest
about them for acres sowing. in the place
of the tall trees, wheat and rye, and plant
ing large fields of Indian corn. What
strange cries nigh. have been heard by
night in these forests! Something more
than the call of the katydid and the whip.
poorwil, the noise of the frogs and the
boot of the sullen owl. For panthers,
wolves and bears lived in the dark of the
woods about these clearings and some
times the settler would be startled from
sleep by the squeals of the distressed moth
er of family of pigs, and then he knew
that, without doubt, great, clumsy, black
bear had scrambled over the side of the
pen (which was, by the way, built of logs.
and thatched with hemlock bark.) and
possessed himself of one of her young ones.
But was going TO tell you about the
family nsmed Simonds. Tney had a nice
field of corn at little distance from the
house, and night by night bear had made
havoc in it. She broke down the corn.
rkn off tb h, L.. In.l
under foot, she wasted most inconsiderately.
They set the bear trap in the field. but it
was carefully avoided. One morning, two
of the boys went out as usual 10 look at the
trap. There it stood, with its huge jaws
voraciously open, the cruel teeth holding
nothing. They took up the trap to move
it TO another spot.
What is that so black on that tree, Eli
iiah 2 asked John suddenly.
John was about eleven years old, while
Elijah was thirteen or fourteen. The boys
moved as fast as possible toward the tree,
carrying the trap between them. There
were two little cubs, only just large enough
to climb, clinging among the branches.
Brother,' said Elijah, in most excited
tone, have plan; one of US must go up
and punch the cubs to make them cry, while
The other shall hold the trap down here,
and catch the old bear in it when she comes.
Yes,' said John.
Well, have your choice, John
I'D rather stay with the trap.
Without further words, up went Elijah to
tease the little bears and infuriate their
mamma. Poor little bears they were
greatly alarmed at the sight of that rough,
clambering boy, intruding into their green
drawing room; and they trembled and
cried out piteously for their mother. In a
moment something black was seen on the
top of hillock, and on rushed the angry,
savage beast. directly towards the nursery
where she had left her darlings.
What are you doing at the foot of my
tree, you ugly boy Now I'll eat you right
up! said she, by actions which speak
lowder than words. .r1u
John was holding the large trap open be-
fore him, his back against the tree, the end
of the trop resting on the ground, when the
bear dashed at him furiously, with mouth
wide open. Snap went the trap and poor
Mrs. Bruin was fast. Home went the
boys, each of them carrying cub. Faith
er, brother Gardnerl we've caught bear J!
Yes, held the trap, and the old bear
ran at me with her mouth wide open, and
ran her head right in the trap, and there
she was.--See the cubs! The bear is in
the trap now!
.ImpossibleP said Mr.. Simonds.
'Impossiblep said brother Gardner.
But they went back with the boys, and
there, sure enough, was the mother bear at
the foot of tree, muzzled with heavy trap.
So she was shot, and her meat filled the
pork barrels. Even at this distant day.
cannot but feel sorry in my heart for thai
poor bear. But ! dare say the boys who
read this will all be on the side of Elijah
and John; and to you older ones, who
will understand me, cannot help saying
that wish certain other black bear that
we know OF, savage, malicious beast, that
has trampled and devoured and wasted in
Uncle Sans cornfields to its hearts cou-
tent, were as effectually trapped and gagged.
-!Studem and Schooimate.
A Dutchman describing span Of horses
which he had los. said - M