Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-04-01

had been apprized of, or had foreseen
but her full confidence in her mothers
better judgement led her checrfully
to accept the situation which policy,
if not necessity seemed to require.
All regrets for the above mentioned
losses of comforts and anticipated
trials, were either entirely banished or
were we'll concealed; still our heroine
from the many stories which she had
both read and heard of murderous
Indians and ferocious beasts, could
not divest her fancy of the reality Of
existing perils and constant dangers
in any and every part of new and
sparsely settled country. Those
childish fears had been formed and
magniied by the great operations
so prevalent among the REALTORS and
recorders Of wonderful adventures
and miraculous escapes. These fears
she had never wholly eradicated, and
her thoughts and reflections in refer
ence to their anticipated removal
were filled with indefinite and indie
scribable tancies of Indian warwhoops
and ravenous animals. Among the
latter, the bear stood conspicuous and
as she had never seen one or heard
its growl, she might well have been
struck dumb with fear by the deep
muttering thunder which broke upon
her ear and the sight of the monster
that had uttered the sound. If any
of our readers have experienced the
same or similar test of their bravery
they can only wonder at the moral
and philosophical courage evinced by
our heroine after the first paroxism
had subsidized. Such, and such only,
can realize the strength Of nerve she
must have possessed in readily CO.
operating with her companion for the
furtherance of their escape. She even
was surprised at herself, and soon dis
covered that, Notwithstanding her
early fears and fancies, she was brave
enough to face with composure the
very peril which from her infancy I'M
til now she had Of all others most
dreaded. She did not quail when
Charles informed her that for the sake
of revenge the bear would probably
continue the pursuit, and her conf
dence in her protector was greatly in.
creased by the knowledge he display
ed of the character Of their enemy.
Charles, before his last departure
from home for the purpose before
mentioned, had become quite famous
as a hunter of small game, and the
many phesants, quail and squirrels
which graced his fathers table, or
were literally distributed among the
neignpors, gave Talr evidence Vi iiie
proficiency and skill in that branch of
sportmanship. And although he some
years before had succeeded in bring
ING down buck, and still retained its
antlers as a trophy, he could not as
hunter compete with Edward San
ford, who was not only famous as a
deer slayer, but who had Included
among his victims several wolves and
wildcats, and also a bear. But if
Charles had never before encountered
a bear, except brief view at a dis
lance, he still was we'll versed in their
habits and peculiarities, and lie in
formed his companion that in case
they were again pursued, a tree of
the proper size and description might
furnish them a refuge until they were
found and rescued by their friends.
In view Of such an alternative he
closely scanned each tree on their
way, and soon fortunately discovered
one a short distance ahead which APP
peared to be clibable and well adapt
ed for their purpose. A thr catching
growl admonshed that the discovery
was made not a moment too soon.
They fastened to it, and Carrie, dis
carding all false and affected modesty,
suffered Charles to assist her to an ell
evated position among its branches.
The tree was species of hickory,
usually called bitternut, and its
smooth bark and strong limbs prov
ed it to be the best selection that
could be made in the immediate vicin-
itv. Charles at once assembled TO her
side, and they awaited not without
deep emotions of anxiety the approach
of the black, shaggy and hideous look
ING monster which they had aroused
from its quietude, and by whom they
were now imperilled. The bear, after
several futile efforts to ascend the tree,
growled forth her displeasure and
with the tenacity of its kind partrolled
as faithful sentinel between the lair
of its progeny and the tree of refuge,
with an apparent determination to
protect the one or to make a jugger-
naut of the other.
The black bear of North America
can never be safely petted, it may be
subdued by force, but can never be
controlled by kindness-it may ap
pear harmless, inoffensive and even
playful at times but it is an assumed
and affected humor which though
apparently friendly, is uncertain, I'M
reliable and dangerous. The 5rute
is never friend, and when once pro.
voked, is forever an implacable
enemy. When aroused and offended
its hatred is undying, and the object
Of that hate is never forgotten. Other
wild animals will at times appreciate
favors and remember and often res
ciprocate kindnesses, but the bear
never once foe he is forever an
enemy, and any outward appearance
of fawning on his part is only omin-
Gus of an outbreak that is Matching
within this at the slightest provoea-
ton, or without q shadow of excuse
even, is ever ready to burst forth and
impel the destruction of everything
within his reach. With such guard
over them how hopeless would have
been the Imprisonment of our friends,
had they not looked for and expect
ed assistance from abroad. That an
immediate effort to find and rescue
them would be made they did not
donht Init how l9np time would