The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1878-08-06

An Incideot Of Rocky Mountain
Lin.

kbcdIeO 10 Do one OF the mOSt uOIOItuu
ate. Together with other neighbor.
Dick had removed from central Color
ado to the western slopes of the Stern
Nevada Mountains His home was il
wildly romantic and beautiful slot
and fortune appeared to smile upor
him. % far Is bic Pecuniary natter
were concerned for his lands yieldet
well in the summer, and the mines
gave a fair yield Of yellow dross" il
colder months.
But death came to the family o.
Dick.
The first stroke fell upon his eldes,
boy, a lad of twelve years of age. Tn.
little fellow was fond of hunting, and
with his rifle he would often venture
a considerable distance from his home
and sometimes was very successful in
bringing down small game. But one
day he was absent much beyond hi.
usual time, aud q search discovered hi:
mangled remains lying at the bottom
Of a 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 bravely up nnder hi.
grief, while the woman gave way t.
melancholy.
Not long after a second child-a lit
tie girl of Eve years of -sickened
and died. 1t now appeared as if Mrs.
Barron would 60 mad, and for a time
her agony was terrible to behold. But
this gradually subsided. and the
mother began to sink RAPIDLY, and 10 q
short time after she followed her little
one-leaving still another child-a
daughter three years Of age-to the
care of the stricken father.
The grief of Dick was not Of an ex.
plosive character, but it was deep and
enduring. Still be 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 he had come to
the conclusion to make as much as pos-
sible before Spring, AMI then to sell
his property and 60 to San Francisco,
where he could secure the advantages
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 a
difference Of opinion in regard to these
depredatiops. Some said they were
committed by Indians, others by
wolves, and Others by bears. But rs
vet no snow had fallen, and as the
ground was frozen very hard, no tracks
could be seen.
One morning. however, the alarm
was given. A light snow had fallen
during the night. and tracks we're dis
covered. A large grizzly bear was the
thief and dispoiler, and he must be
hunted down at once. 1t was not sup
posed that they would be obliged to
go far to find The animal, so Dick
seized his rifle and Joined the party,
leaving his child still in bed.
The tracks were fresh, anG dozen
excited men were soon Oh the trail. In
a short time they were soon upon the
monster; but each man paused. turn,
ing their eyes toward Dick, and wait
ing for him to speak. The bear was
near the cabin door of Barron,
gazing 10 at the child who was seated
at the doorway. watching the move
ments of the animal with evident Gu
riosity, but without exhibiting any
signs of fear.
Dick felt his very heart sick within
him as he saw this but his weakness
passed away in an instant, and with
out removing bis eyes from the bear.
he asked:
Men, can you use your rifles With
steady hands ?"
Yes" replied several.
"Then raise them and have them
ready. BE sure your Sim is good, and
that every bullet would be buried in
The body of the beast in case of firing.
But hold your shots until give the
word"
Instantly every rifle was raised.
Dick moved carefully around to-
ward the back of the cabin. 1t was
his intention to enter the window,
'eize his little one, draw her back, and
closing the door, save her.
But now the animal began to utter
leep growls, and advance slowly tn.
ward Eva. The father saw this, and
exclaimed
"My darling, get up; go into the
house, and close the door"
The child looked up, smiled, and
hen arose. attempting to do the bid
ling of the father. But the monster
advanced with a fearful howl, and as |
he door was clneed against him, he
truck it with one of his huge paws,
hattering it into splinters.
81 feared this. Fire; but be care.
al not injure my child! !" cried the "a
her.
He discharged his own piece. and at
he same time q dozen other rifles rang
ut The bear gave a fearful howl,
urned upon his enemies. glaring upon
hem with eyes Of fire. and seemed
ast on the point of springing upon
hem. Suddenly, however, the beast
ppeared to change his mind. Turn.
ng quickly around. the monster en-
cred the cabin. A shrek was instant
= heard. and the father rushed for
'ard, knife in hand, to save his dar.
ing. But he was too late, for with a
ound the beast had dashed through
he window. holding Eva in his teeth.
Oh he ran with all his speed toward
he highest mountain peak, while the
ries of the little one came back to the
ars Of the half frantic father.
And now the monster began it, as.
mt hearinU its nroc;o,,a burden m