Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-09-24

Flint and Pere Marqu ette train Ihc
other day was a full grown black hear
Bruin had been in captivity for two or
three years, and was on his way East
for a geological garden. His owner
was allowed to ride within the bagga re-
car, and he seemed to think Ilis pear
was the greatest animal on eSn'h. lie
was ready to bet that bruin could out
hug aud out bite anything human, and
was rather disappointed when tie rail-
road men refused 10 dispute this point
with him. He was indulging IN thi'
brag when an old man came into the
car to see about his trunk. He saw
the bear of course, but the glance OIL
contempt he bestowed on The animal
instantly kinded the indignation of the
owner, who called out:
'Mebbe, stranger, you thlnk I'm tot.
ing an old hyena around the country"
L guess it's bear slowly replied
the other, but don't see anything re-
markable about him.
You don't, eh? Well, l do! Mebbe
you'd like to sec him hug that trunk OF
yours ? What he can't shiver when he
gets his paws around it has got to have
roots forty feet under ground
'I've go' a son back in the car re-
ncctvely observed the old man, and
then he stopped and looked at the bear.
Your son? Egad! Will YOU put your
son asin my bear?' chuckled the owner
as he danced with delight.
L guess so.'
You do! Bring him 10! Trot him
out I'll give him all the show he
wants and bet FIVE to one on the bear! !
The old man slowly took 10 a chew OF
tobacco. left the car, and when he re-
turned he had his son Martin with him.
Martin seemed to be about twenty-seyen
years OF age and a little taller than a
hitching post. He was built on the
ground, with back like writing desk
and arms which seemed 10 have been
sawed from railroad ties.
Martin, this 'ere man wants to bet
FIVE to one that his bear can out-hug
you,' quietly explained the father, as The
son sat down on trunk.
Yes. that's it-tha's just 1t" cack>
led the owner; I'll muzzle him SO he
can't bite, and I'll bet five to one he'll
make you holler in two minutes!
'MuzzIe your BARI was all that
Martin SAID as be pulled out Eve dol
lar bill and handed 1t to the baggage
man. The bear man put twenty-five
dollars with it, grinning like boy in a
cherry tree, and in a minute be had The
bear ready. Martin removed his coat
and paper collar and carelessly inQuir-
/
ed:
'Is this a squar' hug. with no goug-
ingf'
jess so-jess so! = replied the bear
man. You hug the bear and he will
hug you, and the one who squeals first
loses his cash. Now, then, all ready
As Martin approached the bear rose
up with a sinful glare in bis eye, and the
two embraced. 1t was sort OF back
hold. with no sell-out on the crowd.
Go for him, Huryado y yelled the
bear man as they clio sed, and the bear
responded. One could see by the set
of his eyes that he meant to make jelly
of that young man IN York minute,
but he failed to do 1t. Some little tri-
fles stood in his way. For instance, 1t
wasn't ten seconds before he realized
that two could play at hugging. Mar
tins hand sank down in the bears coat,
the shoulder muscles were called on tor
duty. and at the first hug the bear rolled
his eyes in astonishment.
Go in, Hunyado go in-go in!
screamed the bear-man, and bruin laid
himself out as if he meant TO pull a rail.
road water tank down.
You might squeeze little harder.
my son. carelessly suggested the
father,as he spit from the open door aud
Martin called out his reserve muscle.
Each had his best grip. There was
no tumblng around to waste breath
but it was a stand-up, staod-still hug
plng match. Little by little the BEARS
eyes began to bulge and his mouth to
open, and Martins face slowly, grew to
the color Of red paint.
Hang to him, Hunypdo-Fve got
nv last dollar on your head! shrieked
The bear man, as he saw a further
bulge to his pets eyes
But it was of no use. All oil q
sudden the bear began TO yell and
cough and strangle. He was goner'
Martin knew it, but he wanted no dlss
pute, and so he gave Hdnyado a I'LL
from the floor. hug which rolled his
eyes around like a pin wheel, and then
dropped him in heap upon the noor'
well. may l be shot! gasped the
bear man. as he stood over the halls
lifeless heap of hair and claws.
Martini said the father as he
handed him the thirty dollars, you
better 60 back thar and watch our
satchels =
Yes, guess So, replied the son. as
he showed the bills in his vest pocket,
and he retired without another word or
a look at the bear.-EchO Ne'cs.
An asylum for aged domesticated
animals has lust been opened by an