Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-05-23
TALES AND SKETCHES
A BEAR ADVENTURE.

Dick Barron was one of the most daring
among the pioneers, and he appeared to be
one of the most unfortunate. Together
with other neighbors, Dick had removed
from central Colorado to the western slopes
OF the Sierra Nevada mountains. His home
was IN wildly romantic and beautiful spot,
and fortune seemed to smile upon him, so
far as his pecuniary matters were concerned
for his lands yielded well in the summer,
and The mines gave a fair yield Of the "yel-
low dross" in the colder months.
But death came to the family of Dick.
The first stroke fell upon his eldest boy,
a lad of ten years. The little fellow was
fond of hunting; and with his rife, he
would often venture a considerable distance
from his home, anG sometimes was very sue
cessrul in bringing down small game
But one day he was absent much beyond
his usual time, ard search discovered his
mangleG remains lying at the bottom of q
ledge of rocks. He had evidently fallen
from above, and thus met sudden and
cruel death.
The blow fell heavily upon Dick and his
wife. But the man bore brayely up under
his grief, while the woman gave way to
melancholy.
Not long after, q second child-a little
girl of five years-sickened and died. 1t
now appeared as if Mrs. Barron would go
mad; and for time her agony was terrible
to behold. But this gradually subsided,
and the mother began to sink rapidly. In
short time after she followed her little
one, leaving still another child-a daughter
OF three years-to the care Of the stricken
father.
The grief of Dick was not of an explosive
character; but it was deep and enduring.
Still he had something yet left to live for,
and went to work like q brave man to pro-
vide for his little Eva.
Winter had set in, and Dick had come TO
the conclusion to make as much as possible
in the mines before spring, and then to sell
his property and 60 to San Francisco, where
he could secure the advantages of education
for his little one.
For some time the neighbors of Dick, as
well as himself, had been much annoyed by
theft Several sheep and lambs had been
killed, and poultry in large quantities sto-
len.
There was difference of opinion with
regard to these depredations. Some said
they were committed by Indians, others by
wolves, and still Others said that bears had
been around. But as yet no snow had fal-
len; and, as the ground was frozen very
hard, no tracks could be seen.
One morning. however, the alram was
given. A light snow had fallen during the
night, and tracks were discovered. A large
grizzly bear was the thief and despoiler,
and he must be hunted down at once.
1t was supposed that they would be oblig-
cd to go far to find the animal, and so Dick
seized his rifle and joined the party, leaving
his child still in bed.
The tracks were fresh, and dozen ex-
cited men were soon on the trail. In a
short time they were upon the monster ;
but each man paused, turning their eyes to.
ward Dick, and waiting for him to speak.
The bear was standing near the cabin door
| of Barron, gazing at the child, who was
seated in the doorway, watching the move
ments of the animal with evident curiosity,
but without exhibiting any signs of fear
Dick felt his heart sink within him as he
saw this; but his weakness passed away in
an instant. and without removing his eyes
from the bear, he asked:
| hands 2"
"Yes," replied several.
"Then raise them and have them ready
Be sure your aim is good, and that every
| bullet will be buried in the body of the
beast in case of firing. But hold your shots
until give the word"
Instantly every rifle was raised.
Dick moved carefully around toward the
back OF the cabin. II was his intention to
enter the window, seize his little one, draw
her back, and by closing the door save her
But now the animal began to utter deep
growls, and advance slowly toward Eva
The father saw this and exclaimed:
| My darling. get up, 60 into the. house
and close the door"
The child looked up, smiled. then arose
to do the bidding of her father. But ths
monster advanced with a fearful howl
and as the door was closed against him. ht
struck it with one of his huge paws. shat
tering it into splinters.
u feared this. Fire, but be careful moi
10 lrJure my child" |" CRIED the father.
He discharged his own piece, and at ths
same time dozen rifles rang out.
The bear gave o most fearful howl, and
turning upon his enemies glared at then
with eyes Of fire, and seemed on the point
of springing among them.
| Suddenly, however, the bear seemed tc
change his mind.
Turning quickly around, the monster en-
tered the cabin. A shrek was instantl,
heard, and the father rushed forward, knift
in hand, to save his darling. But he wa,
too late, for with bound, the bear dashed
through the window, holding Eva in hi
teeth.
Of he ran with all his speed toward tn,
highest mountain-peak, while the cries O
the little one came back to the ears of th,
balffrantic father.