The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-08-15
A BEAR STORY.

"Do you see that island whose foreground
seems too steep for mans step to tread 20
asked fellow passenger-a countryman-
who stood by my side. as the Lady of the
Lake, was ploughing her path through the
blue waters.
with the large beech tree upon the sum
nit ?''
Eyes. And do you notice that spreads it.
self, fifty fe ct or more above the water, like
table, one leaf of which only has been
drawn out ?'
"Yes.n
general Moulton has made that rock ia
nous BY his encounter upon it with bear.
Any boy in Carroll county can tell you the
story"
GAS the boy is not here, sir, to tell the
story" [ replied, perhaps you will be good
enough to supply his place."
"CertaiEly,' answered the gentleman, who
proved, as is seldom the case, to be well up
III folklore, and other lore as well, in spite
of his rural speech and provincial garb, and
the rather because traditional narratives ex-
hibit one of the motives that brought about
the settlement of this rugged coast. Il was
beyond doubt the love OF adventure, the era
wing of an excitement which the st6id down
county settlements lacked, more than broad
acres, that brought our early settlers here.
They knew well enough what the soil was
and what its clearing would pay but they
could not resist that element of savagism,
existing more or less in human nature every
where, which, after all that may be said
about rights of conscience, played no small
part in the settlement ofNew England. But
10 my story
The General. for such is the title he has
always held among US, lad Ueen out all day
| fishing for p!ckGral and salmon trout A
the evening came on, he drew in his lines
J and made for the shore. Midway between
Bear Island and the main land he discovered
bear swimming in the same direction, for
whom he made at once. Bruin no sooner
discovered the boat than he turned around
towards the island Moulton did the same.
1t was q race between the boat and the
| bear. The latter won by few seconds and
clambered Instantly up the activity. The
| hunter, however, was after him, forgetting
the want of weapons, save an ak which he
seized as he sprung from the boat forget
! ting in the excitement OF the moment to Sc
cure his boat also; MOulton, grasping at
roots and branches, made his way up the
precipice in rapid pursuit. Ordinarily, owH
ing to his short fore legs, a bear will outruu
d man in an uphill chase; while, doWnhill he
! is apt 20 stumble and lose ground. But in
this instance the footing was bad for Bruin,
aud before he had reached the summit his
pursuer had seized him by the hind leg, and
| with Herculean strength hurled him down
the hill. 1t was an act without thought,
done in the excitement OF the moment The
bear, brought to close quarters, having no
way of escape, enraged at his fall, now be-
came the assailant. Turning upon his foe,
he made up the ACTIVITY apparently intent
upon a close wrestle, AS has been said, the
General had his axe, but ne knew very well
that no blow aimed at the head of bear,
when either of his fore legs is at liberty, ever
reaches it. 1t is parted as quickly as light
ming. Moulton's only resource, therefore,
was some standing place separated from his
foe by chssm for rms table ra6aea rGck was
animal, blinded by rage, followed; but. as
he attempted to span the fissure,, both fore
legs being occupied in the leap, Moulton's ak
sunk into his skull, and he rolled lilelesS
carcass to the foot of the precipioe."
and what became of the boat" asked q
, bystander, who had been attentlVely listening
to the countryman's story.
THAT is q part Of the narrative" replied
8 The latter, (which has no moral. | don't
5 mind telling you, however, that though boat
fish and lines had gone atloat, and the hunter
was left alone for the night on the island, ht
came safely home the next day, bringing his
spols with him .'-Cor. ". Y. B0cfaSng Post