The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-09-02

there nv brother had seen her. Her cool
ness toward him was great torment to an
impulsive lover | believe that Ben would
have served seven years merely to know how
she regarded him; at last he lapsed into aState
50 unhappy and anxious that even his bear
could not comfort him. About this time
Alice Bennett came home to remain. and in
neighborly kindness, she and her younger
sister, came to visit u.s. 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
afternoon passed pleasantly to all but the
prisoner.
When the time came for Alice and her
sist to 90 home, my brother and prepar
ed to bear them company through the woods
to their opening. Ben incautiously opened
his bedroom for his hat, never thinking of
Bruin, 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 Il good voice can
shrek, but instead Of running away. she
rushed up my brother, and tried to help him
like brave girl crying, Dear dear Ben,
you will be killed"
My brother threw oh'thc beast and canght
:" Dear Alice, he is a tame bear, do not be
afraid"
The poor girl looked like broken white
lily she was so frightened at herself and the
bear She could hardly realize that the
bear was harmless, and she was ashamed of
having been betrayed into such an avowal
of tenderness for Ben. When she recov-
cred her wits she said, 80, Ill never come
here again.
Indeed you will said Ben. Til Danish
Brun, or imprison him, or anything you
wish"
1t was surprising how cear-sighted Ben
became regarding faults on the bear part
that he had heretofore made light of. My
mother had no need to complain of stolen
butter or highway robbery Of honey on its
way from the pantry to the tea-tabIc. Ben
suddenly discovered that his pet was nui-
sance. ~ don't see how you have borne
with him so long as you have, mother" he
said in the most considerate manner, when
he had taken plum pudding from plate
in my mothers hands, and made his way to
the woods with it.
~ am glad you saw him take it, said my
mother.
90 He must have a prison." said Ben.
And so it came to pass that the poor bear
was chained in the centre of the space that
had been cleared and levclcd for our new
house. with the light surveyors chain The
bear Immediately described a circle, lmi'cd
by the length Of his chain, which he walked
over, turning a summcrSault always at one
point, and only stopped to eat, or pay at
tentjon to Ben, if he came in his vicinity
Why he inaugurated this particular and
peculiar exercise am unable to say, bgt
have often noticed tame bear keep mp the
circle and the summcrsauit hour after hour.
and day after day. He did not tag ut his
Chain, nor quarrel with it, as We poor NOR
tails do with chains, but apparently accepted
it as a provision Of Bcn's superior wisdom.
This view of the case if he took it. was sure
to be abandoned AT bedtime, when he would
inevitably break his chain to get into his
masters bedroom. His indomitable desire
to lie on the foot of Ben's bed, or to hqg IN
old vest under it, was sure to make him
break away from any breakable restraint
Therefore prison was made for him. 1t
was made Of small logs, " cobbed up;'i that
is, the ends notched with an ak, and the end
ola log fitted into each notch. The roof
was of boards destined for the new house.
held in place by heavy stones The first
night the poor beast occupied his new den
he raised the boards in his struggle to get
out impellcd by his desire TO see his master
He got his head out and then hung by his
neck, and so choked to death. ! she'd some
tears for him. and my mother rejoiccd.
think Ben was not very sorry Under other
circumstances he would have mourned for
the loss Of his sublimcly ugly pet: but he
had new and lifelong pet in prospect
perhaps many other pets after that and he
hal no need OF, and not place for, bear.