Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-07-10
THE, BEARS DINNER.

So exclaimed ono and another of O
group of little ones, climbing around
their father Us ho sat resting by the
evening fire.
"Well, as have nothing to do,' I
suppose must. What sort of o sto-
ry shall it be?
"a bear story" said ono; go, yes,
tell Us about tho boar who stole o
dinner!"
Papa protested that he had told
that story over and over again, but
indulgently gavo it again, as reqaes-
Ted.
We listened, too, to the story which
was such favorite with the children
and as wo havo novor seen it in tho
newspaper, We thought it might per-
haps amuse our little folks"
"a good many years ago." said pa.
pa, "beforo L was born, my father and
mother went to live in tho northern
part of New York State. If YOU
look on your may, you will soc towns
and villages dottod about' whero then
there were scarcely any settlements
nothing but thick woods"
"Beurs in 'em ?'''' asked boy with
wide-opened eyes.
81 shouldn't think your father and
mother would have liked to 70 and
live whore tho bears were."
go, the bears did not often trouble
settlers. do not know that any
ever came near my fathor's place.
But afterwards when they had como
buck to tho East to live, and 1 was a
little fellow climbing on my fathers
knee, just as you do now, he used to
toll mo this story about a man who
settled out there-I suppose some
where near them.
"Tbis man had built a saw-mili
some distance from his house, and Of
ten he used to 60 to tho mill to work
all day, and taking his dinner with
him.
"You have seen q saw-mill. You
know its use is to saw big, heavy logs
the trunks of trces-into nice,
smooth boards, to build houses with.
"Welt, one day tho man had been
hard at work all the morning at his
mill, and whom it drew near noon he
began TO feel hungry, and thought
he would stop and cat his dinner.
So he. sat down upon a large log up
on which tho saw was working, With
his tin pail by lis side. Was he
afcaid Of The saw7 o, no; he could
jump off at any moment, if he cams
too near tho saw. E, =. So -.
"While he Was eating the good
things which his wife had put up for
him. and thinking of, his work, his
home, 'and his babies, who should
come up but rough old boarl -, .,
"Bruin smelIed the goodies, and
thought he would put in for share.
So no quietly mounted the log. on
tho other side Of; the dinner phil, and
stuck his nose. into, it, as who should
say, Give me somo.' -, =
:"The good man was somewhat
startled, you may bcl,eye, by tho ap-
pearance Of such q visiior. OF course
he would not be 80 impolite as to re-
fuse him share of the feast but he
was afraid that when Bruin had 6n>
ished his .dinpor, he might take, it into
his head to give him a loving hug by
way of thanks-so he sprudenily
withdrew to safe distance. apdgave
up the whole to him. Bruin MUNICH
ed in perfect content, with his nose
in the pail aad his back TO the say,
while the owner of the. dinner look
ed on from his: hiding place, and
wished for q gun. -:
"But 10 the mean time the log had
been gradually working up towards
the saw, and now all at once tho bear
felt a slight nip! at HIS tail:s At this
he growled, and gave an angry shake
moving q lille further along the log.
Presently he receieed.* another nip,
and growled, more savagelg, but
could not turn from his delightful
repast. But whsd hi. . was moved a
thirdllne within ,reaeh Of the saw,
aud felt another bite, ), his bear nasure
could stand it no longer, and huggsd
sbe old say With alf Bis might: I1d
what happened 1hen.l Why, Of
course, he was cut ID two; and, Die
man bad bear meat senoueh for q
number Of djpners, besides aios! Bear
akin oaps for bis G.tle boys, 70 Keep
their ears warm" ~. -
Now,yop hate been. toId;: to look
gut f:r o. moral ..ia q story: Whst
yhalI, We; learn: from this ? Why,
fara., that he who steaIs i i dinner Il Il
likely TO- Psy sdear :tor i; { sseond,
That he who Hinge .hinssk /, into q
passion, sgaass apy thing that az:
ES~,,, sNs,sil ~. SSf-yL u