Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-05-11

| LOOK QUICK hm TWO reports rang Ouli anu
two balls went through the head of the
bear, who dropped dead in the bottom of
the sledge. On went the horses, galoping
more slowly, but still going at a rapid
rate.
"Ioi hop said one Of tho hunters.
"Something has happened If l am not
mistaken, those were tho horses OF General
Batasbef, and that is bis sledge."
~ think you are right" said the other /;
"but how came bear in it2 He could OF
have lent bis sledge TO a bear, especially
one who drives so recklessly. Something
has happened, as you say. Let US go back
aud see what 1t is"
So back toward the woods went the hum
ters. When they had proceeded some dis
lance into the forest, they saw two doleful
figures approaching them. One was Ivan,
who had hurt his leg when he sprang from
the sledee and he was limping along, partly
supported by the general, who had rolled
into a bank, and, with the exception
of shaking up, had escaped injury.
They were glad enough TO see the hun
ters, and still more happy 10 hear Of The
death Of the bear, for Ivan had had great
fears that the brute would jump out of the
sledge and come back after them.
The two men took Ivan between them,
and by resting his hands on shoulder of
each of them, be found that lie could get
along very well. The news Of the death OF
the bear really made his leg feel better.
The general was strong and vigorous, and
so they hoped 10 get home Without much
difficulty, although there were six or sew
en- miles to be walked.
Not very long after this, the three horses,
painting and smoking, trotted into the
courtyard adjoining the generals stables,
and stopped before the great stable door.
Some of the men who had been expecting
the general, came running out, but when
they saw no one in the sledge but dead
bear, they were stricken dumb with amaze
ment.
"What is this?" said one, when he found
his tongue. "This beast has killed aud de-
voured Ivan and our masterr'
"How can that he so?" said another.
"He is dead himself. If he killed them
first, they could not have killed him after
ward; and if they killed him first, lie
could not have killed them"
"True enough" said a big man with a
gray beard, who had charge Of the stables.
"Thoy cannot be hurt, or they could not
have shot The bear so WELL | see how 1t
was. The general shot the bear; lie shot
him twice,-there are two wounds in his
head. Then he and Ivan were lifting him
into the sledge when the horses took fright
they hate bear, dead or alive-and ran
off, leaving Ivan and the general standing
in the road. Here,-quick Bring out
another sledge and team. Harness in haste I;
l will go back myself aud bring them
home. But remember, every man of you
Not a word of this in the house until re-
turn"
The three fresh horses soon met the par.
ty on foot, and, as the sledgc was a large
one, they all were taken into t,-the gem
eral insisting on the hunters coming to his
house and taking possession of the bear,
which was certainly their prize.
When the sledge reached the generals
home, it stopped first at the courtyard, and
Ivan and the bunters got out.
The general was driven to the main en-
tdHCc VI HlS DdusIOu, WueTe us wife,
hearing The bells Of the horses ran out 10
meet him.
After he had alighted, and they were
about to GO together into the house, she no.
ticed that eraybeardej Michael was The
driver, and not Ivan, whom she had seen
start of the day before, and she asked how
this change had been made.
"Oh T. said the general, AT have changed
drivers, asd have changed sledges and
horses also, on the way. ! even got out of
my sledge, because an impudent iudividu-
al whom we met on the road wanted TO ride
in H."
"And you let him have it2" asked his
wife, in amazement.
Yes" said the general, 81 thought it
well TO give it up 10 him. And now let us
go in, aud | will tell you the story."-IS.
Nicholas for Nay.