Litchfield enquirer., 1878-10-10
From the aPittstaarg Eelegraph
A Hunters Yarn.
HOW BEAR HELPED HIM OUT OF AN UGLY


 HOW BEAR HELPED HIM OUT OF AN UGLY
 sCRAPE.
 One day, long. time ago, about the time Jackson ran for President the first time, per l-haps, I. was hunting upon the ridge between Meadow Run and Cucumber Run, which tum- blest of the rocks just across there. 1 had known for some time by the signs that there was nest of cub bears somewhere in the vi cinity, so on that day 1 concluded would put in my time finding them, as party up In Union1 own wanted a pair to send over to Bal timore to friend who was fond of outlandish pets. You see that it was along about the first of September, and pretty warm at that, and after walking up and down the ravines I began to get pretty tired. l was not so heavy then as l am now, and did not weigh more than couple of hundred pounds As I said Twas little tired, and 30 on the top of the ridge sat down by the side of smooth chest nut stump about twelve or fourteen feet high l hadn't sat there more than minute until I l herd something inside the stump and soon made out that it was a couple of cub bears playing with one another. knocked on all sides of the stump to find an opening but none was to be seen. Then happened to notice the inaFkspef claws np the side of the stump, and understood it. The hole went in at the top. set my gun against bush, up- ended the branch of tree, and was soon. at the top of the stump looking in at the two cubs, which were about the size of fullgrown rat dogs. was so Aexcited that Il jumped down into the stump and grabbed the cubs. They at first began to squeal, and then turned on me for fight. But they were small enough to handle, and in minute or two 1 had their mouths tied so they couldn't bite, and their feet fastened so they could not sefath. l knew that the old bear would be along pretty soon and make it hot for me if he found me in the nest so Eswung the youngsters into my buekskip belt preparatory to getting out 1
 Get out! Did 1 get out? Land of love! It makes me shiver to think of it yet l could no more get out of the stump than could fly. The hollow was bell shaped, larger at the bot tom than at the top SO large, in fact, that 1 could not put my back against one side and my feet and hands against the other and crawl up, as rabbits and other animals climb up in- side of hollow trees. In no way could 1 get up foot. There were no sticks inside to help me up, and made up my mind I had to die certain. About sthe time came to thisa conclusion heard the old bear climbing up outside Of the stump with only my hunting knife as means of defense, and in such close. quarters, you may possibly imagine the state of my feelings. The old bear was not more than half minute, at the outside, climbing up the stump, but it seemed like a month, at least I thought of alfniy sins dozen times, at least. At last she reached the top, but she didn't seem to suspect my presence at all, as she deliberately turned round and began slow lv descending, tall foremost. Ifetas though my last hour had come, and began seriously to think about lying down and let the bear kill me, so as to get me out of my misery as quick ly as possible Suddenly an idea struck me- and despair gave way to hope. l drew out my hunting knife and stood on tiptoe. When the bear was about seven feet from the bottom fastened on her tail with my left hand, with vise-like grip, and with my right drove my hunting knife to the hilt in her haunch, and at the same time yelling like whole tribe of h. dians.
 "What did she do? chorused the whole crowd'who had been holding their breath.
 What did she do We'll, you should have seen the performance. She didn't stop to re- fleet moment, but shot out at the top of the stump like bullet out of gun. A hairs breadth to the minute 1 held on until we struck the ground, 20 feet from the stump. Then the old bear went like lightning into the brush, and was out of sight in half second. Twas little bruised by the fall. but that was all. took the cubs to Uniontown the next day, and on account of the adventure got $5 piece for them, and in those times $5 was as good as $50 now. ,r, -,vv~~~,erf---