Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-08-28
An Oxford Bear.

In Oliver Optics Boys and Girls Mag
azine for August, in an article on Hunting
and Fishing in Maine" is the following
humorous account Of a bear which many Of
our citizens will recall With amusement.
We remember very comical bear that
belonged TO Mr. Hammond. and amused
with his tricks the mirth loving people of
Paris. in Oxford County. many years ago.
He was captured when a lit,le cub, and was
brought up by hand as one Of the family.
He claimed the warmcst place on the hearth.
stone, and nestled in cold weather with the
dogs before the Ere. None of the pet
animals about the farm were tanner than he
and none loved better to climb up into his
masters lap and receive his caress, or
understood the wilkins OF his mistress. when
begging FOR choice mo-scl His serious
countcnarce always gave great effect to his
antics aud be seemed to understand when
he caused laugh among the household.
As he was OF a playing disposition. and for.
ever pcepipg into every bole. the family
were obliged 10 lock up everything, even
the closets where they kept their clothing.
When lac took it into his bead to make up
a nest. il was all jhc same to him whether
the articles lie heaped together were
woollen or FUR, cotton or silk. II = hen
cackled when the egg was laid. Mr.. Bear
understood il as well as any Of the family
or The feathered tribe; and If he was not
prevented, he would find j, and suck it be.
fore the cackling fowl had ceased her SOM.
On Sunday tbe family went to church and
LETT the bear alone at home Bruin imrrov-
cd the opportunity. and rummased all over
the house in search Of fun or something TO
eat. Unfortunately ,he-cooi house wife had
left the cellar door unlocked and ajar; and
IL was NOT long before The bear discovered
1t and crept down the stairs. Once down
IN the &C lar. he eSpicd the molasses bar.
rel; and # there was ANYTHING in the
house he was excessively fond OF. il was
moiasses or honey. BIuin paved over the
barrel, licked the iighily.driven bunr. and
was about abandoning it in despair. when
he espied the Spite. GraspiuC it with his
strong teeth. he easily withdrew II. and on,
came the thick molasses ia a steady stream.
TO the great delight OF the bear. Who clap
ped his mouth 10 the hole. and sucked away
with grunts of self satisfaction.
The molasseS still flowed. and sin the
bear kept his mouth to the orifce. pausing
now and then 10 take a long breath. At
length he was full his stomach could hold
no more yet las appetite was not satisfied.
He squatted on his launches and viewed
the still running stream with disgust. 10
think that the Supply was so abundant. and
that. alas , be could hold no more, The
moiasses had now run out IA large quantity.
and had great pool on the floor; but B,uin
dove into l.. and rolled himself thousand
times IN the thick fluid. unit! biz shaeg,
coat was covered, from his nose To- his tail.
with molasses, dirt and gravel stones,
There be- lay in the sweet pool. the
picture of set satisfaction. as cats roll and
tumble in Geld Ct ciuip herb. All Al
once Mr. B,ag became sick g, The stomach
and ii ~as u new sensation 20 hin some
thing he had never felt before. A. he crew
worse. be thought Of his master and
mistress. and so crcpf up stains TO ask for
their consolation; bu; they had not returned
lTom church. Then he crAwI.l up another
story, and got into the sir!'s bed. drawing
the snowy Whit sheets over bis bcs.ncar.5
form. There be iay groanine aud granting.
the sicSest bear ever seen in that part Of
the country.
When the girls arrived they were Lor.
r.iicd at tie scene. aud we're going Go "A,
The bf.omsuck over Btuir, whoa hc started
On The ran Tor the hlymow with the sheets
sticking to his back 1; vas some time
before the bear got well. and suA longer
before hfs mistress lorgayc lin.