The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-16
Mernlug Star and Catholic Messenger.
JUVENILE COLUMN.


JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE WHITE BEAR.
HTell us a story about bear, grandpa"
said the children, as they gathered around
the fire one cold winter eveniDg-"a real,
true story" kaid Katie /; "something ex-
citing" said Harry; and a good long story"
said Mary. Grandpa looked around the
little circle, and saw that the children had
made up their minds to have story and
he knew by experience that he might az
well begin. So, putting down his paper,
and assuming very monotonous tone, he
commenced.
s'The White or Polar Bear is the largest,
strongest, and most ferocious OF the five
species of the bear. It's distinguishing
characteristics are the great length OF its
BODY. the smailness of the ears, the large
size of the soles of the feet, and the fneness
and length of the hair, which is of dingy
Bear will voluntarily attack a human being,
but it is certain that they will not turn out
of their way to avoid one, and if attacked,
they will pursue the assailant to the last"
':Stop stop, grandpa! we don't like that
kind of a story" said the children all at
We can read all you have told us in books,
and we don't want q book story"
Grandpa looked as though he was quite
surprised that they did not appreciate his
story. 81 have never had fight with
bear, children" said he "but will tell
YOU story that heard when was q little
bo !.r, ,.,,..,+. =. . .m.,, z;,,. .. wer.
very much astopished, one morning by the
appearance in their midst of a box shaped
cart, drawn by horse that looked as
though his feed had been reduced to the
least possible quantity.
s'He was driven along by a little speci-
men of humanity, clothed in a loose gar
ment of ancient cut, the wide collar of
which was turned up around his neck. His
head was covered by a seal-skin cap. the
collar and cap nearly hiding his face from
view.
"On each side of the cart was the follow
ing announcement, in large letters {:
GREENLAND WHITE BEAR
Ueighing 21OO Pounds
"The curiosity of the people was excited,
and in a short time q crowd had gathered,
all anxious to see the animal. The driver
of the mysterious vehicle informed the by
ISLANDERS that for the small sum of one dol
lar, he would bring out the wonderful beast.
A collection was taken up, and in few min
utes the sum demanded was paid over to
the Snowman, who proceeded to open the
box and bring forth the bear. Imagine the
surprise and contempt of all when the
Greenland White Bear proved to be moth
ing but stuffed skin, with the bottom of
two old junk bottles for eyes, and teeth
made of wood. The crowd felt sold, and,
after denouncing the Snowman as a hum
bug dispersed, with the exception of the
boys, who followed on till they saw the
driver put up at the public house. The
cart was securely deposited in the stable
yard, and the proprietor of the bear, hav-
ing in his possession one dollar, went into
the house to indulge in good dinner.
"He was soon, however, disturbed from
his repast by a loud noise, and looking out
n
thought, zebra in the stable yard, and q
large plumber of men and boys collected
near, shouting and laughing.
she ran out to see the sight, forgetting,
in his haste, to put on his cap. Arrived at
the spot where the zebra stood. what was
his dismay to find that his own bear cover
ed with green stripes from head to tail.
On the sides of his cart, the letter 'L,' in
Greenland had been erased, leaving the
inscription to read
GREEN AND WHITE BEAR
ssIt was too much for the little man to
stand, and he denounced all present in
strong language, calling one and all to
mortal combat. AT this stage of the affair,
a bystander suggested to- him the idea of
getting some spirits of turpentine, and
cleaning off the paint before it became dry.
He cooled down, and soon the beast was
well saturated with turpentine; somehow,
the paint did not come eff, but the green
only blended beautifully with the white.
While the little man was rubbing the head
and ears of the bear with a comb,
one of the boys applied lighted match to
the tail, and in q moment the bear was in
blaze. Such a smoke and smell /! such
shouting and yelling! The boys danced
around the fire, and the crowd concluded
they had not been humbugged so badly,
after. all. During the excitement, the
Snowman disappeared and doubt very
much if he ever paid another visit to that
village"
"That's o nice story" said Mary, after
the children had had good laugh at the
unfortunate end of the bear.
fBut want a story of bear fight"
said Harry $50 grandpa, tell MS one more,
won't you"
"Well, children, if tell you another, it
must be the last for tonight" said grand
pa "for it is already late, and you have
your lessons to study.
ga party of men had been out all day
hunting for bears, but without success.