Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-01-06

1--WE will not be able to stay out long,"
said my father, for this is the kind of
weather which puts fellow to sleep, and
once fairly off there is no awakening
from its overwhelming influence"
very soon felt that what he said was
correct, for we were both compelled to ex-
ert ourselves briskly, he with his ak and I
with my Ratchet, on the logs before us to
keep of the soporisc influence of the at
| mosphere.
| A number of sticks had been added to
the pile, and my father was just saying he
thought that would do for the day, when
we were both startled by sudden snap
ping OF the frozen twigs, as if by heavy
stepping object just directly behind us.
Turning quickly in the direction of the
sound we were Mortified to find ourselves
in close proximity to one of the largest
black bears TO be found in that portion of
the country
We both made an attempt to dodge out
of his way.
But alone was successful, my father
| being caught in his terrible embrace be-
fore he could spring away beyond his
reach.
My father always carried his rifle, no
matter what the occasion might be, and
on this morning, as usual, it had not been
left behind; but in the bitter intensity of
the cold he had no thought that it would
be required and so left it standing against
a tree at some little distance from where
we were at work.
Intense indeed must have been the long
ing for food to bring bruin out on such
morning, for it was too cold, one would
have thought, even for bear.
But there he was, Z" as large as life and
twice as natural" and my poor father
undergoing the overpowering pressure of
his unyielding paws
For few seconds I stood paralyzed
with fear on the spot where / had sprung
in my terror when first beheld him.
But cry OF most intense pain from nv
father as he received an additional
squeeze recalled me somewhat to nv
senses.
Dick" called my father, speaking
with difficulty and stopping between each
word, as if to try and regain his breath.
stake - the-riie-and - try-to-shoot
-
Here his further conversation was c1It
short by another hug from the strong
limbed, hungry monster, and low growI
warned me to hurry up.
Although decidedly heavy for me, at
once seized the weapon, and with the full
realization that on my efforts alone de
pended the safety of my fathers life I
raised it to level with bruins car.
| also saw that I must act with great
care, or my fathers head instead of the
bears would prove the target for my shot.
Steadying both my nerves and hands with
great force of will, pulled the trigger.
The bear toppled over as a matter of
course, and my father also went with him,
his hold never relaxing a particle until [
had dispatched him with the aid of our
wood-cutter's ak
l received a few scratches from him nv
self, the scars of which can still be seen on
my breast, for as my father rolled from the
animals grasp he made a final reach for
me, but fortunately he was too far gone to
do me much harm
After some little time my father recov-
cred his senses, which had been nearly
squeezed out of him, and with the slight
aid l could give him managed to walk
home.
The following day we made UP a sort
of family party, and, going to where the
carcass lay, successfully took off his hide.
1t made famous addition to our bed
clothes, and for some reason or other I
was ever after styled by the rest of the
folks {" brave boy ,"-Loudse G. McCorty,
III Ohio Farmer.