The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-11-26
A Bearstory.

lu DAYS long since gone hy, there
dwelt jar up ihe western slope b q bro
ken range q tho Grren Mountains in
the town of Londonderry, W.. a man
named David HAzep. Possessing a
love for adventure Sna q greater love
for Wild game with which 70 stock bis
table, lie was som nelnes fearless. Kind
reader do not picture 30 yourself man
tall, thiek-set. sharp, expressive black
ewes, heavy flowing beard, dc, tha. Is
not our hero. II is yours, and We have
read Of him IL books This man was
hardly Of medium height, small dark
ewes, thin, dark beard, and on thowhole,
not a man We would select for a hear
story, were We not compelled to do 50
from the fact that this is true one, and
be was the man. X has been said man
kind are often governed by their appe
titles aud passions, and this much do
know, this man had almost ungovegna-
bic appetite Tor boiled game. The bear,
the coon, woodchacas squirrels, and
aame with which thefarests were stock
cd, often furnished the family a sayory
meal TO cater to this appetite, once
at least, led our hero into tight place
Far to the southwest, Siratton noun
tain rises before us, and to the north
west we look at The prominent peaks
between Peru and Dorset. Between us
and these mountains lies the valley
through which West river hurries the
swift current to the south. II was well
known that bears often crossed this val
ley from one mountain to the other, and
on their journey frequently made a re-
QUESTION upon tho farmers for little
green corn, tender lamb, or some eth
er small favor, greatly 10 their discredit.
On one bright summer sunny day in
'haviug time, an old bear Of the Ra-
Ger" breed made mis- appearance at the
upper extremitg Of the field where, Ha-
zen and his eldest son were at work,
and seemed to be seeking a passage in
to the almost ethiopian forests OF the
west. Not being IN situation just
then to dispute thst passage they fed
to the house for arms, ammunition, &C.,
with which to giVeehase. In his hurry
he took but three charges for the old
musket, and with knife in his belt
bid his son fellow with an AK He soon
came upon old Brnin, who seemed in
mo hurry, and manifested no disposition
to be hurried, and gave him the con
tents Of old Tom, as he called his gun,
which took effect in the bears thigh,
causing him to blead profusely. The
old fellow threw back his compliments
in the form Of fierce snarl which fair
| ly made the forests tremble and brou't
out the nearer neighbors to learn the
cause. Hazen succeeded in lodging the
remainder of his leaden missils in the
carcass of the bear and then with his
knife followed or. Faint with the loss
Of blood, Bruin soon brought up near
! d large rock on land then owned 10y
Daniel Harrington, when Hazen came
upon him. Not liking the man who
liking the man who haze proved but a
thorn in the flesh, he seemed inclined
to show the white feather and retreated
behind the rock What was to be done
| Visions of "bear steak" and ''bear roast
ers" danced before the hunters eyes,
The alarmed neighbors were within cal
and with the already sharpened appe,
tite could he consent that a second par
| ty should step in, help dispatch the beal
and then come in for share of the
game Not he. Without hesitation
the old hunter passed around the othel
way and the two met. Bruin determ
ined to die game with face to foe, raise
himself upon his launches, and boil
went in for a free fight. The old bea
was yet the stronger and laid his assail
ant low. BY few passes with whicl
the bear is familiar. the seanty clothin,
Of the hunter was reduced to shreads
Seeing his situation he was obliged t,
call for help. His own son coming I,
the rescue, with well directed bloy
with the head of the axe broke the skull
of the old bear and released his fathe
from his perilous situation. Years Of
tor it was the pride of the old hunte
/ to narrate this incident. and show th
] teeth marks upon his hands and th
| scratches upon his breast. A few me-
! are still living, who We're present, an,
} will recognize this Bear Story
Proctorsyill, vt. NJ. w.