The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-06-23

| would have served seven years just merely to
know how she regarded him. At last he
lapsed into state so unhappy and anxious
that even bis bear could not comfort him.
About this time Alice Bennett came home 10
remain, and In neighborly kindness, she and
her Younger sister came TO visit us. She had
never seen Ben's bear, and did not even know
of its existence. Ben shut Bruin into his bed
| room in compliment to our guests, and the af
ternoon passed pleasantly to all but the prison
er. ~
When the time came for Alice and her sister
to 60 b one, my brother and prepared TO
bear them company through the woods to
their opening. Ben incautiously opened his
bedroom for his hat, never thinking OF Bfuin,
and came running to catch us. The liberated
bear ran after his master and Jumped for Joy
upon him, hugging him after the manner OF
bears. Alice turned and saw Ben in the Ito
herr terrible embrace. She shrieked as a girl
with good voice only can shrek, but instead
drumming away, she rushed up to my brothei
and tried to help him like brave girl, crying,
dear, dear Ben, you will be killed.
My brother threw off the beast, and caught
the fainting Alice to his glad heart, saying,
Dear Alice, he is a tame bear do not be
afraid" q 4 aos aial 4A- dHOTEaAH
The poor girl looked like q broken white
lily, she was so frigh' ened at herself and the
oDAAsS 1ho SOuth uaI uiy fo3iilc hRab Inc DtaT
was harmless, and she was ashamed OF having
been betrayed into such an avowal Of q ten
derness for, Ben. When she recovered her
wits, she said, 10, I'll never come here again. y
sIndeed you will = said Ben. sIll banish
Bruin, or inprison him, or do anything you
wish.S go -
I It was surprising how clear-sighted Ben be-
came regarding faults on the bears part that
he had heretofore made light of. Ny mother
had no need to complaia OF stolen butter, or a
highway robbery OF honey on it's way from the
pantry to the tea table. Ben suddenly iiscoy-
cred that his pet was a nuisance. 81 dom
see how you have borne with him SO long as
you have, mother" he said in the most con
siderate manner when he had taken plum
pudding from my mothers hands, and made
his way to the woods withit si ID s.oiaes9
81 am glad you saw him take 1t ? said nay
mother. Eigsss aah
He must have prison" said Ben. ssas
Aud so 1t came to pass that the poor bear
was chained in the centre of the space that
had been cleared and leveled for our new
house, with the light surveyors chain used to
measure land. The bear immediately de-
scribed q circle, limited by the length Of his
chain, which he walked over, .turning sum
mersault always at one point. and only stop
ped to eat, or pay attention TO Ben, II he came
In his vicinity. Why he inaugurated this partic-
mar and peculiar exercise am unable to say .
but have often noticed tame bear keeps M
the circle and the summersauIt hour after
hour, and day after day. He did not tug at
his chain, nor quarrel with it, as we poor NOR
tails do with chains, but apparently accepted
1t as provision OF Ben's superior wisdom -
This view Of the case, If he took 1t, was sure
10 be abandoned at bedtime, when he would
inevitably break his chain to get into his mas
tef's bedroom. His indomitable desire to lie