Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-12-02
Fishermen's Luck.

At Avoca. Sseuben County, there dwell
two mighty hunters and anglers, named
Frank Barney and Ike Haskins. To-
gether or single they are mighty with gun
or rod. Either can kill his squirrel at
long range, or whip a trout stream to per
lection. Each is good at the "long bow"
as we'll, and, aside from true and doughty
deeds, can spin marvellous yarn of wood
craft. Fond of a joke, they give and take,
and 1t Is treat to hear Barney's Ha ha,
when the "nub" of a good story has been
reached. But there isone story. in which
both were involved, that they but half
relish hearing. In fact, il is sore sub
ject with them.
Shortly before the trout season closed
neither would take fish or shoot a bird
out of season for the world-they con
cluded to have good days sport and ac-
cordingly started early to fish Spring
Brock. They intended doing il thorough
ly, and by nighttall they had as fine lot
of speckled beauties as could be wished.
When the sun went down they were miles
from home, and concluded, therefore, to
take cut across lots and save time. They
travelled homeward congratulating them
selves on their good luck. But the dark
ness came on apace, and they soon found
that 1t would have been wise had they
followed the stream 10 the road which led
TO the village.
Ii had grown quite dark as they entered
a deserted orchard. As they crossed the
fence something big and black arose in
fence corner. The same idea seized both
their minds. II was the bear which had
been reported to be preying about the
vicinity. Both took 10 their legs and they
ran for their lives, the animal closely pur
suing. Finding that 1t gained on them
Frank sang out to Ike To take tree. They
had dropped poles and fish baskets as they
ran, and were hatless. Coming under u
tree whose branches could be reached,
they both leaped and caught branch up
out OF reach as the painting animal dashed
at their heels. Here was a pickle for the
unlucky fishermen. or course it was
bear-what else would have pursued them
so cioselys But would the brute climb
the treey They had heard of bears doing
that, They were in an awful plight. In
the darkness they could dimly discern the
huge brute walking about the tree, evil
IDENTITY considering whether 10 climb or
not. Our heroes were in CONSERVATION,
but 1t was far the best plan TO stay where
they were, unless dislodged by bruin.
Finally the animal lay down beneath
them. Sleep they could not and all that
dreary night these unfortunates chung To
their perches, half frozen and more than
half frightened out Of their wits. II Is
possible they would have persisted had
Franks flask not been well supplied with
the ardent. Once they thought TO slide to
the ground and steal away; but the mo-
ment they stirred the black monster was
alert, and they gave up the plan Finally
the gray dawn began 10 appear, and
they could seG their foe half hidden be-
hind clump of bushes few PAGES
distant. The light grew brighter and they
began 10 get their bearings. Half mile
away they could see the smoke ascending
from the chimney Of arm-houso. If
they could reach that they would be safe.
The animal seemed asleep and they de-
tcrmined To have ioot-raCe with the
brute. Together they dropped TO the
ground, began 10 steal away, when rustic
in the bushes caused them to take 10 their
heels without looking behind. They
heard the pursuing animal, when sudden
~ Frank felt something, and then turned
a complete somersault. As he struck the
thing went over with a. rush In pursuit of
Ike. Gathering himself up in terrible
hurry, he saw the " bear" just AS ii struck
Ike IN the rear and sent him sprawling.
Franks fright suddenly became uproar-
iOus. His laugh could have been heard
mile, IA hc recognized in an old black
ram the bear that had freed them all
night. The laugh must have frightened
the ram, for, having accomplished the
feat of soaring two bodied hunters
half 10 death, and then buiting them heels
over head, he took u straight course for
the house they had seen. These two fol
lows laughed, then swore, and laughed and
sworc again. Then they went back aud
gathered up their traps, and started for
that farmhouse hungry enough TO. have
eaten the ram. They shook hands on 1t
never 10 tell of their misadvcnture. But
neither could keep the secret. 1t was too
good, and, having been impaired 10 Il Sc
lect few, the story soon got abroad. But
say mutton" 10 either, and he will get
out OF sight az rapidly as though bear"
was after him sure. - Rochester IN ~
EFDTess,