Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-01-19

hahitual courage. and thus lost a splen
did opportunity Of securing the prize.
SiIas' especially, was wrotby, and laid
u all to the cowardice of the landlord,
ami asserted that his only object in
retiring was so as not to frighten the
bear. which he wanted TO capture alive.
notwithstanding this, he proceeded
very cautiously 10 bolt and bar the
door. possibly from regard for the
bears welfare.
Narlonsly wcaponcd the tavern
hab'tnes retired to their homes about
ten o'clock. having first decided upon
a signal To be usei in case OF attack
during the night. The bear did not
put IN an appearance that night. But
next morning there was quite an ex-
| citcment in the village over the an
nouncement that the landlord had
been robbed of twenty-five dollars
during the night. The publican stoutly
asserted that oLe of his customers of
the previous night must have been the
thief but a. he could not say which
one, he blamed all.
On this day >iias went TO the market
with two loads of wood. one Of the
teams driven by boy. Having sold
his WOO, with about ten dollars in his
/ pocket. lie proceeded homeward bat
when about two miles from the village,
/ large black bear strobe directly in
front of his horses. rearing himself up
ON his hind legs, and presented an im-
/ passlbie barrier. Silas probably not
/ decming IT worth while TO exert him.
self over one bear. jumped from the
wagon and started to run. lie WAS
soon oyerhaulel by uc bear. which
handled him so roughly that it lett him
scarcely clothes enough 10 cover his
nakcdness, aud then with Slas' whole
wardrobe IN his mouth dlsappt ared in
the woods
Silas. after soundy cursins the boy
ior his coWarilCc in running away.
mounted his own wagon and drove
rapidly home, whittier the news of the
encounter had already proceeded
him
Worth, in answer to the inquiries OF
the villagers, said;
Nv al. yer see, was attacked by a
whole drove o bears, mcbbc twenty.
or more /; just backed up agin
fence. and accordingly a. they KUN for
mc. just settled en-. calkcrlate
mought sent ten OF EN- ter sleep.
when the other uarn skunks tux to
thar heels and arter en-; but taey
J. I
up 10 en-
Well suggested one OF the listen
crs, suppose We 20 ont ami bring
home those ten carcass ses the SINS
are worth something. aud might COM
pcnsate for the loss OF your money
Piled siIas. ''rhet's jus, why was 80
anxious to ketch un with the cowardly
critters
"What reason, Silas
Wal. yer sec, when they found they
couldn't stand up and fight 1t like, men,
they jest each one slung dead bar
over thar shoulders, and. retired. car
rS4ng oil thar dead and wounded"
The serious and prompt manner Ia
which this was said LETT no doubt Of
Is truth upon most Of the listener ),
who knew very little about hunter
craft. aud whose belief in Worth, ex
perioncc was uubouhlcd.
"You should have followed them up,
and YOU might have found their bury
ing ground" said young HOPKINS, who
had just joined the group.
"See hyer, youngker," replied Silas,
Indignantly. "ef yer want 10 lake the
hides of dead bars, yer Kin follcr EN-
Slas Worth amt thet kinder man.
| He'd scorn it-he would. When he
I finds bar ash stand up an fight like
a man. he'll take the hide.-Let boys
/ take them from dead bars :"
Hopkins was yanquished, for not
only Silas bu. the whole group looked
/ upon him with contempt.
| The villagers resolved Ia indemnify
! Worth for the loss Of his clothes. and
sufficient amount of money being
subscribed, Silas mounted his horse
and rode away TO the nearest town TO
procure new suit. This time large
" - l'A.AStAi a~icSp
his saddle, and lie firmly resolved 10
kill bear if he could find one.
Near the scene of his former en-
counter, at bend in the road, while
neryously looking about for any sign
of danger, he was ruthles,,y seized by
the leg and dragged TO the ground, be-
fore he had an opportunity To use his
gun.
As before lie found himself in the
ruthless embrace of bear, which
simply satisfied itself with tearing his
clOthes-a borrowed suit-and, picking
up his gun, discharged both barrels
and walked off.
Silas was now truly indignant, anu,
as lie .gazed after the retreating ami.
mai, he Imagined there was CLEAN oi
triumph in the sullen eyes as his bear
ship turned once to look at him.
Twenty dollars and Bills suit ol
clothes all gone TO onct,' he said, a,
he mounted his horse and rode doefully
bark.
Sias quicKened his pace AS he
neared the village, and by the time he
reached the tavern he was all out o.
breath, and il was not until he had
taken pull from the brandy bottle
that he spoke in answer to the eager
crowd.
Bars that aint no name for it.
fit as long as my weapon lasted but
it want no use. That's about thou
sand Of 'em. Yer see, the ones that
, chased yesterday went an gathered al
the rest, an now thar advancin' Oh
the village in force to have revenge
an they're bearin' with 'em the dead
bodies Of those what killed, to give