The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-03-13

Jneln aIJer you. 30 now "
But, so far from being penitent or
frightened, the bear took this interfer-
ence, and especially the blow, in very
bad part, and after a moment Of blink
ing astonishment, he sat ur ON his
launches, growled a little, showed his
teeth, and intimated very plainly that
unless that pail of berries was restored |
at once there would be trouble for some |
one. But this was not the first bear.cub |
that Roxie had seen, and her temper |
was up as we'll as the bears. So, firm
ly grasping the pail, she began to retreat |
backward, at first slowly, but as the
bear dropped on his feet and seemed
inclined to follow her, or rather the pail
of berries, she lost courage, and turn
ing, began to run, not caring or noting
in what direction, and still mechanically
grssping the pail of berries.
Suddenly, through the close crowding
pines which had so nearly shut out the
daylight, appeared an open space, and
Roxie hailed it with delight, for it was
the river, and once across the river she
felt as if she would be safe. Even in
the brief glance she threw around as
she burst from the edge of the wood,
she saw that here was neither the bridge
nor the ford which she had crossed in
the morning point altogether strange
and new to her, and, as she judged,
further down the river, since the space
from shore to shore was considerably
wider. But the bear was close behind,
and neither time nor courage for delib-
Grafton was at hand, and Roxie, after
her moments pause, sprang forward
upon the snowy ice, closely followed by
the clumsy little beast.
At that very moment, mile further
up stream, Mr.. Beamish and his son
Jake were cautiously driving Rob across
the frozen ford, and the old man was
saying:
I'm afraid we'll have to go round by
the bridge after this, Jake. / shouldn't
wonder if the river broke up this very
night. See that crack"
/" 1t wouldn't do for Roxie to come
over here alone again, said Jake, prob
ing the ice-crack with his stick.
And Roxie-poor little Roxie-whom
Jake was SO glad to think of as safe at
home, was at that very moment step
ping over a wide crack between two
| great masses of ice, and staring forlorn-
| ly about her, for little way in advance
appeared another great gap, and the
| bear close behind was whimpering with
terror as lie clung to the ledge of the
| floating mass upon which Roxie had
only just leaped, and which he had
failed to Jump upon. Shaking with cold
and fright, the little girl staggered for
ward across the ice until at its further
edge she came upon a narrow, swiftly
rolling tide, increasing in width at every
| ha nf oTI1-
Genly set free from it's winter bondage,
and rapidly dashing away it's chains.
Roxie turned back, but the crack that
she had stepped over was already far
too wide for her to attempt to repass,
and gentle shaking movement under
her feet told that the block On which
she stood was already in motion, and
that no escape was possible without
more strength and courage than a little
girl could be expected to possess. The
bear had climbed up, and now crouched
timidly to the edge of the ice, moaning
with fear, and seeming to take 80 little
notice of Roxie, that she forgot all her
fear of him, and these two, crouching
upon the rocking and slippery floor of
their strange prison, went floating down
the turbulent stream.
The twilight deepened into dark, the
stars came out bright and cold, and so
far away from human need and woe
Little Roxie ceased her useless tears,
and kneeling upon the ice put her hands
together and prayed, adding to the
! petition she had learned at her mothers
knee some simple words OF her own
! great need.
! A yet more piteous whine from the
bear showed his terror as the ice-block
gave sickening whirl, and crawling
upon his stomach he crept close up to
the little girl, his whole air saying as
plainly as words coulu have spoken:
"Oh, I am so scared little girl, aren't
| you? Let us protect each other some
how, or at least, you protect me-
And Roxie, with a strange, light
hearted sense of security and peace re-
placing her terror and doubt, let the
shaggy creature creep close to her side,
! and nesting down into his thick fur,
warmed her freezing fingers against his
skin, and with a smile upon her lips went
peacefully to sleep.
She was awakened by tremendous
shock, and a struggle, and fall into the
water, and before she could see or know
what had happened to her, two strong
arms were round her, and she was drawn
again upon the ice-cake, and her brother
was bending close above her, and he was
saying:
q Oh, Roxie are you hurt?"
"No, Jake, II believe not. Why,
why, what is it ali? Where ls this, and
and-oh, 1 know. Oh, Jake, Jake,
was so frightened |" And, turning sud
denly, she hid her face in her brothers
coat and burst into passion of tears.
But Jake, with one hurried embrace and
kiss, put her away, saying:
"Wait just one minute, sis, till we
finish the bear; father will shoot him. 4"
"No, no, not" screamed Roxie, her
| tears dried as IL nv magic 90 Don't kill