The Newtown bee., 1879-08-06
Beaten at his own Game.

DIulH Hau Deen Ill CapllVlGy TOT two or three years, and was on his way East for a geological garden. His owner was allowed to ride with him in the baggage car, and he seemed to think his bear was the greatest animal on earth. He was ready to bet that bruin could out hug and out-bite anything human, and was rather disappointed when the rail- road men refused to dispute that point with him. He was indulging in his brag when an old man came into the car to see about his trunk. He saw the bear, of course, but the glance of con tempt he bestowed on the animal in- stantly kindled the indignation of the owner, who called out:
 Mebbe you think I'm toting an old hyena around the country!"
 Il guess it's bear," slowly replied the other, "but see nothing remarkable about him."
 "You don't, ehP Well, do! Mebbe you'd like to see him hug that trunk of yoursp What he can't silver when he gets his paws around it has got to have roots forty feet under ground
 "Ive got a son in the car "-refiec- lively observed the old man, and then he stopped and looked at the bear
 "Your son? Egad! Will you match your son agin my bear?" chuckled the owner, as he danced with delight
 ''I guess so."
 You do? Bring him in! 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 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 seven years of age. and little taller than a hitching-post. He was built on the ground, with a back like writing desk and arms which seemed to 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-that's just it!' cackled the owner. "Tll muzzle him so he can't bite and I'll bet five to one he'll make you holler in two minutes!"
 "Muzzle your b'ar," was all that Martin said as he pulled out $5 bill and handed it to the baggageman. The bear-man put 1925 with it, grinning like boy in a cherry-tree, and in minute he had the bear ready. Martin removed his coat and paper collar and carelessly inquired:
 ' Is this to be a squar' hug, with no 1 gouging?"
 "Jess so-Jess!" replied the bear man. Y ou 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 his eye and the two embraced. It was a sort of back-hold, with no sell-out on the crowd.
 "Go for him, Hunyado!" yelled the bear man, as they closed, and the bear responded One could see by the set of his eyes that he meant to make jelly of that young man in a York minute, but he failed to do it. Some little trifes stood in his way. For instance, it wasn't ten seconds before he realized that two could play at hugging. Martins hand sank down in the bears coat, the shoulder muscles were called on for duty and at the first hug the bear rolled lis eyes in astonishment.
 "Go in, Hunyado-go in-go imp screamed the bear man; and bruin laid himself out as if he meant to pull rail road water tank down.
 s'You might squeeze little bit harder, my son." carelessly suggested the father, and Martin called out his reserve muscle.
 Each had his best grip. There was no tumbling around to waste breath, but it was a standup, standstill hugging 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, Hunyado-I've got my last dollar on your head!'' shrieked the bear man, as he saw further bulge to his pets eyes. r.
 But it was no use. All of a sudden the bear began to yell and cough and strangle. He was a goner. Martin knew it, but he wanted no dispute and so he gave Hunyando lift from the floor, a hug which rolled his eyes around like pin wheel, and then dropped him in heap on the floor.
 Well, may I be shot," gasped the bear man, as he stood over the hah lifeless heap of hair and claws.
 Martin" said the father, as he handed him the $3O, you'd better go back thar and watch our satchels.n
 Yes, guess so," replied the son, as he showed the bills in his vest pocket, and retired without another word or a look at the bear.
 That was the bear they were feeding gruel in a place on Randolph street two evenings ago-one man was feeding him