Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-10-06
ADVENTURE WITH A BEAR.


vagrant cows-which, according to custom
in new countries, had been turned into the
woods to procure their own Subsistence from
the rank herbage Of early summer--just be-
fore emerging from the forest upon the clear
ing Of his neighbor, the late worthy Mr..
Sleeper, he saw a large bear descending from
a sycamore, where he had probably been in
quest Of honey. A bear escends tree much
more expertly than he descends it, being
obliged to come down stern foremost NY
friend Dobson did not like to be joined in his
evening walk by such companion, and with
out reflection what he should do with the
varmint afterwards, he ran up 10 the tree on
the opposite side from the animals body, and
lust on his reaching the ground, seized him
drmly by both fore-paws Bruin growlei
and gnashed his tusks, but he soon ascertain
ed that his paws were in the grasp of paws
equally strong with his own Nor could he
use his hinder claws to disembowel his an
tagonist, as the manner Of the bear is, mas
much as the tree was between them. But
Dobsou's predicament, as he had rather the
most reason, was worse yet. He could no
more assa the bear than the bear could as
sail him. Nor could he venture to let 90 Of
him, since the presumption was that Bruin
]
thus unceremouiously taking him by the hand.
The twilight was fast deepning into darkness,
and his position was far less comfortable than
il otherwise would have been at the same
hour, surrounded by his wife and children at
the supper table, to say nothing Of the gloo-
my prospects for the night. Still, as Joe
Seeper's house was not far distant, he hoped
to call him to his assistance. But his lungs,
| ,f he ~
the task, and although he haloed.and bawled
the livelong night, making the woods atd
welkin ring again, be succeeded no better
than did Glendower Of old. in calling spirits
from the vastly deep. 1t was a wesrisome
night for Dobson such a game of holdfast
be had never been engaged in before. Bruin,
too, was probably somewhat wesried; al
though he could not describe bis sensations
10 English, he took the regular John Bull
method ol making known his dissatisfaction--
that is to say be growled necessarily. But
there was no let go in the case, and Dobson
was therefore under the necessity of holding
fast until he felt as if his clenching and ach-
ing fingers and the bears paws had grown
together.
AS daylight returned, and the smoke from
Mr.. Sleeper's chimney began to curl up
gracefully, though rather dimly in the dis
,snce, Dobson again repeated bis cries Of
succor, and his heart was soon gladdened by
the appearance OF his worthy but inactive
neis hbor, who had at last been attracted by
the voice of the impatient sufferer, bearing
al axe upon his shoulder. Dobson had never
b-en so rejoiced at seeing Mr.. Sleeper, albeit
he was a very kind and estimsble neighbor.
why don't you make haste, Sleeper, and
un ha lOup At w han
you see christian in such kettle of fish as
this ?
L yum is that you, Mr.. Dobson, up agin
tree thar And was it you / hesr'n hal
loing so last night ! guess you ought to
have your lodgings for nothing if you've
stood up agin that tree all night
It's no joke, though can tell you, Joe
! Sleeper, and if you had hold Of the black
varmint it strikes me that you'd think that
you'd paid dear enough for it. But if you
heard me calling for help, and in the night
why didn't you come and see what was the
trouble ?
20, was just going tired to bed after lay
ing up log fence all day, and thought I'd
wait till morning, and come out bright and
arly. But if Id known was you
Known twas me, replied Dobson, bitter
| ly, you knew twas somebody who had flesh
and blood too good for those plaguy black
varmints though and knew there had been
smart sprinkle of bears about the settle-
ment all the spring
Well, don't be in a huff, Tommy. It's
never too late to do good. So hold tight,
now, and don't let the tarnal critter get loose
while | split his head OPEN
No, no. said Dobson after holding the
beast all night, think ought to have the
satisfaction Of killing MIN. soyou just take
hold of his paws here, and will take the
axe and let streak of daylight into his skull
about the quickest
The proposition seeming a fair one, Mr..
Sleeper was too reasonable man to object.
/ He was no coward either and thereupon
stepped up to the tree, and cautiously taking
the bear with both his hands, relieved Dob
son from his predicsment. The hands of the
latter, though sadly sliffened BY the tenacity
with which they had been c' nched for SO
many hours, we're soon brandishng the axe,
and he apparently made all preparations for
giving the deadly blow, and deadly would 1t
have been had he struck but 20 the surprise
of Sleeper he did not strike aud 10 his
further CONSERVATION, Dobson swung the axe
upon his shoulder and marched away, whist
ling as he went with as much apparent indif-
ference as the other had shown in coming to
his relief
1t was now sleepers' turn to make the for
est vocal with his cries. In vain he raved,
called and threatened. Dobson walked on
and disappeared leaving as sad prospect
for his breakfast as he himself had for his
supper. Hour after hour passed away, and
Sleeper still found himself at bopeep with
Sir Bruin. In the course Of the afternoon,
however, Dobson supposed that the lesson
he was teaching had been thoroughly learned
By his pupil. and when he thought the latter
would willingly forget the resensment for the
sake Of succor, the sturdy Yankee returned,
and by single blow relieved both man and
bear from their trouble in the same instant
Sleeper thought rather hard Of Dobsou for
some time, but no real breach of friendship
ensued, and, indeed, the two borderers be-
came afterwards better friends and neghbors
than before.
THE SOUTHERN EPIscoPAL BisHoPs.-
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