Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1878-07-10
A BEAR ADVENTURE.
An Ineiden, or Hoeky Mountain Life,

daring among Inc pioneers, hhu up
pearcd TO be one OF the most unior-
tunate, Together will other neigh
bors, Dick had removed from central
Colorado 10 tho western slope OF the
Sierra Nevada mountains, Ills home
was in wildly romantic aud beauli-
iul spot, and fortune appeared to
smile upon him, 80 far as his pecunlory
matters were concerned for his
land yielded well In tho summer and
the mines gave iair yield of yellow
dross" in the cold months,
But death came to the family Of
Dick,
The first stroke fell upon his eldest
boy, q lad OF twelve years OF age,
The little fellow was fond OF hunting,
and with his rifle, he would often
venture u considerable distance from
his home, and sometimes he very
successful in bringing down small
game. But one day hc was absent
much beyond his usual time and I"
search discovered his mangled remains
lying at the bottom OF n ledge OF rocks
lie had evidently fallen from above
and thus met n sudden and cruel death.
The blow fell heavily upon Dick and
his wife, but the man bore bravely
up under his grief while the woman
gave way to melancholy
Not long after second child u
little girl Of five years OF age
slckcned and died. 1t now apppeared
rs if Mrs. Barron would go mad
and fora time hcr agony was terrible
to behold. But this gradually sub
sided and the mother began to sink
rapidly, and in short time after So, .,,
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
explosive character, but it was deep
| and enduring. Still he had something
vet 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 to sell
his property and go to San Francisco
where he could secure the advantages
of an education for his little one.
For some time the neighbors OF
Dick, as well as himself, had been
much annoyed by theft. Several
lambs and sheer had been killed, and
poultry in large quantities stolen
There was difference Of opinion with
regard to these depredations. Some
said they were committed by
Indians, Others by wolves,and others by
bears. But as yeti snow had fallen,
and as the ground was frozen very
hard, no tracks could be seen.
One morning, however, the alarm
was gwen A light snow had fallen
during the night, and tracks were
discovered. A large grizzly bear was
the thief and despoiler ard he must
be hunted down at once. 1t was not
supposed that they would be obliged
to 20 far 10 find the animal, and so
Dick seized his rifle and joined the
party, leaving his child still In bed.
The tracks were fresh, and dozen
excited men were soon on the trail. In
a short time they were on the monster;
bnt each man paused, turning their
eyes toward Dick,and waiting for him
to speak. The bear was standing
near the cabin door of Barron, gazing
at the child, who was seated in the
doorway, watching the movements OF
the animal with evident curiosity, but
without exhibiting any signs oftear.
Dick felt his very heart sink within
him as he saw this but this weakness
passed away in an instant. and with
out removing his eyes from the bear,
he asked.
"Men can you use your rifles with
steady hands 2"
eyes, replied several.
Then raise them and have them
ready. Be sure your aim is good and
that every bullet would be buried In
the body of the beast in case of fire
ing. 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
bis intention TO enter the window
seize his little one, draw her back, and
save her. But now the animal began
to utter deep growls and advance
slowly toward Eva. The father saw