The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-11-29
How a Bear was Caught-The Adyan-
tage OF n Gap In the Fence.

% Brlen's menagerle mas gone into
winter quarters at Girard, aud among
the pets belonging to that concern is a
good sized black bear, which was kept
chained in the yard OF the Avenue
House. The house was built on side
hill, and To 90 10 the baf.room from the
roadway it is necessary to ascend flight
of steps set on the slope. A day or two
ago there was a jolly party assembled in
the bar.room, among whom were Col.
Swan, Lilly Ellison, OF North East, j.
Wadsworth, of Glrard, and half dozen
more equally well-known citizens OF the
county. During lull in talk about
politics, Col. Swan went to look at the
bear, going too close, as the bar-keeper
thought, but Swan didn't heed the adj
monition, and the bear made plunge
at him with such effect that he broke
the chain. The gallant Colonel made
the liveliest time to the bar-room, dis
tancing the bear at the hrst Jump.
Bruin, finding himself at liberty, began
to put on lordly airs, and trotted round
the yard in search of some one to hug.
The place was fenced, with the excep.
ton of the stairway to the street, and
man with a pitchfork jumped on that
TO dispute Bruins passage, should he
try it. The others got hold OF clubs,
pokers, hoes and anything handy Tor
weapons, and Wadsworth was 80 lucky
as to secure fish-spear. The magic
touch of "elbows' inspired courage,
and the men began to advance on the
bear in platoons, Bruin slowly retreat
ing, as among so many he didn't know
-, Ia, stata Of N
decision he finally turned about and
trotted into his kennel. I've got
him." shouted Jim Wadsworth, as he
jumped to the front, and presented the
tive-pronged spear at the mouth OF
Bruins den. The echo hadn't died
away before the spear was broken in two
or three pieces, and the bear turned
Wadsworth back somersault and rolled
over him. The astonishment and scare
were mutual, but the bear was up first
and he charged through the line, heed
less of "belts" from clubs, and made
for rear fence. Here the unscientific
construction of the fence got the better
of him. At the corner where he
mounted, the bottom of the post was
! close to a stone wall, but the top leaned
to the eastward so as to leave an open
ing like the letter V, and in the bear S
hurry he dropped his fat body into the
gap, wedging it fast. His fore legs were
dangling on the side where liberty
awaited him, but his hind legs were still
in the yard. Comprehending Bruins
situation at glance, Wadsworth
grabbed hold of one of the hind legs
and pulled as though he meant TO tear
the leg out. The bear tried to turn tC
bite this source of annoyance, but he
could not reach far enough, and in hi:
fury he tore big chunks out of the tor
fence board with his teeth, and broke
one tooth trying to bite the top of the
post off. dozen bed-cords and as
many trace-chains as could be touno
were brought, and, after infinite trou
BILE, slip-nooses were got into the bear:
mouth, and around his neck ana legs
and when he was trussed up like 6
mummy, five or six men lifted him out
But he was not conquered; and of TIL!
he gave evidence when the party trieC
to remove some Of the ropes, an opera
ton that was necessary before he coulC
be properly chained again. Finally
some one sent for Adam Forepaugh, tn,
lion.tamer, and he took the ropes off
put the chain on and fastened the bea,
to his kennel.-Erie Pa Dispatch.