The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-05-21
Selert Sturv.
A BEAR ADVENTURE.

Dick Barron was one of the most dar.
ing among the pioneers, and he appear
ed to be one of the most unfortunate
Together with other neighbors, Dick had
removed from Central Colorado to the
western slope of the Sierra Nevada
mountains. His home was in a wildly
romantic and beautiful spot, and fortune
appeared to smile upon him, so far as
his pecuniary matters were concerned
for his land yielded well in the summer
and the mines gave fair yield OF "yel-
low dross'' in the other months.
But death came to the family of Dick.
The first stroke fell upon his eldest
boy, a lad of twelve years Of age. The
little fellow was fond of hunting, and,
with his rife, he would often venture Q
considerable distance from his home,
and sometimes was very successful in
bringing down small game. But one
day he was absent much beyond his
usual time, and search discovered his
mangled remains lying at the bottom of
ledge of rocks. He had evidently
fallen from above and thus met a sud-
den and cruel death. The blow fell
heavily upon Dick and his wife, but the
man bore brayely up under his grief,
while the woman gave way to melan-
choly.
Not long after a second child, little
girl of Eve years Of age, sickened and
died, It now appeared as if Mrs. Bar
ron would go mad, and for a time her
agony was terrible to behold. But
this gradually subdued, and the mother
began to sink rapidly, and in a short
time after she followed her little one,
leaving still another child, daughter
three years of age, to the care OF the
stricken father. = ~
The grief of Dick was not of an explo.
sive character, but it was deep and en-.
during. Still he had something yet to
live for, and he went to work like q
brave man to provide for his little Eva.
Winter had set in, and Dick had come
to the conclusion to make as much as
possible in the mines before spring, and
then to sell his property and go to San
Francisco, where he could secure the ad-
vantages Of education for his little one.
For some time the neighbors of Dick,
as we'll as himself, had been much an.
noyed by theft. Several lambs and sheep
had been killed, and poultry in large
quantities stolen. There was differ.
ence Of opinion with regard to these
depredations. Some said they were
committed by indians, others by wolves
and others by bears. But as no snow
had fallen, and as the ground was fro
zen very hard, no tracks could be seen
One morning, however, the alarm was
given. A light snow had fallen during
the night, and tracks were discovered
A large grizzly bear was the thief and
|despoiler, and he must be hunted dowr
at once. It was not supposed that they
would be obliged to 60 far to find tht
animal, and SO Dick seized his rifle ani
Joined the party, leaving his child still
| in bed. J1oe ssE 5!3ags g1ss 8til
The tracks were fresh, and q dozer
Iexcited men7were soon on the trail. Ii
a short time they were on the monster
but each man paused, turning his eye'
toward Dick, and waiting for him tt
speak. The bear was standing near th'
cabin door of Barron, gazing at tn,
child who was seated in the doorway
watching the movements of the anima
with evident curiosity, but without ex
Ihibiting any signs of fear.
| Dick felt his very heart sink within
him as he saw this; but his weakness
passed away in an instant, and withou
removing his eyes from the bear, ht
asked:
"Men, can you use your rifles will
steady hands ?" e7F79a ,d < eaav
qT"Yes," replied several. asa 7,4soa
! i"Then raise them and have then
ready. Be sure your aim is good, ant
that every bullet be buried in the bod.
of the beast in case of firing. But hol'
1your shot until ! give the word"
Instantly every rife was raised.
Dick moved carefully around towar,
the back of the cabin. 1t was his inten
ton 10 enter the window, seize his littl
lone, draw her back, and closing the doc
save her. But now the animal began t
utter deep growls, and advance slowl
toward Eva. The father saw this, an,
exclaimed: ffi a#E
""Myldarling, get up.go into the house
and close the door"
The child looked up, smiled. and the
arose, attempting to do the bidding o
the father; but the monster advance,
with fearful howl and as the door wa
closed against him, he struck it with hi
hugh paws, shattering it into splinters