Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1867-05-09
g&l&6t s tory.
LIFE I'm THE WOODS.

Among the earliest settlers in the
wilds of Salmon River was Vermont
ese, by The name of Dobson--a large,
resolute, and athletic man. Returning
one evening from a truitless hunt after
his vagrantcows, which according ocus-
tom in the new countries, had been turn.
ed into the woods toprOcure their own
subsistence from the rank herbage Of the
early summer, just before emerging from
the forest upon The clearing of his neigh
Dor, the late Mr.. Joseph Sleeper, he saw
a large bear descending from a lofty syc-
amore, where he had been IN quest, prob
ably, of honey. A bear ascends a tree
much more expertly than he descends it
being obliged 10 come down stern
foremost
My friend Dobson did not very well
like to be joined In his evening walk by
such companion, and, without rejecting
what be should do with the "vNrmint"
gfteward, he ran up to the tree or the
opposite side from the animals body and,
JUST before be reached the ground, seiz,
ed him firmly by both his fore-paws.
Bruln growled and gushed his tusks,
but be soon ascertained that his paws
were in the grasp of paws equally iron,
strung with his own. Nor could be use
bis hinder claws to disembowed bis an
antagonist, as the manner Of the bear is
inasmnch as the trunk Of the tree was
between them. But Dobson's predica-
merit, as be was endowed with rather
the most reason, was worse yet. Nor
could he venture to let 60 of hin, since
the presumption was that Bruin would
not make him very gracious return for
thus uneeremoniOusly taking him by the
hand.
The twilight was fast deepening into
darkness, and his position was far less
comfortable than II otherwise would have
been at the same hour, surrounded by
his wife and children at the suppertable
to say nothing Of the gloomy prospect for
the night. Snll, as joe Sleeper's house
was nos far distant, be hoped to be able
10 call him to hls assistance.
But his lungs, though none of the weak.
est, were unequal TO the task; and, al
though be hallooed the livelong night,
making the woods and the welkIn ring,
he succeeded no better than did Glen.
dover of old, in calling spirits from the
vast deep.
! II was a wearisome night for Dohson !;
such game Of hoid-fast he had never
been engaged in before. Bruin, too, was
probably somewhat worried. although be
could not describe his sensations in Eng
lish--albeit he took the regular John
Bull method Of making known bis dissat-
isfacliOn that is to say, he growled in
cessanily. Bot there was no let-go in
The case, and Dobson was therefore IN.
der the necessity Of holding fast. until II
seemed TO bis clinched and aching fng.
ers as though the bears paws and bis
Town had grown logether.
As daylight returned. and the smoke
from SleepeT's chimney began to cur
J up gracefully, thongh rather dimly in
The distance. DebsOn again repeated
his cries for snccorg and his heart was
soon gladdeusd BY the appearance Of hls
worthy bus nacuve nelghbor, who had
at last been attracted by the voice Of the
impatient sufferer, bearing an ak ppor
his shoulder. Dobson had never beez
60 much rejoiced al seeing Dir. Sleeper
before, albeit he was q very kind estima.
mable neighbOr.
"Why don'l you make hastes Mr.. SlseT
/ per. and and not be loplging along a
shat rate, when YOU see q fellow-chris.-
ian III such keltie Of fish as this s''
Il van Is thatyou, MT. Dobson, ,uE
a tree there And was 8 you heard
hall0oihg 50 iass night. / guess yol
ought 10 have your lodgIng for nothing
4 If you've stood up agin the tree all nigh
'sIt's no Joke, though, can tell yoo