The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-09-05
Select Story.
THE H0STLER'S STORY.
BY j. T. TRoWBRIDGE.

What amused us most at the Lake house
last summer was the performance of bear
in the back yard
He was fastened to pole by chain
which gave him a range of dozen or fifteen
feet 1t was not very safe for visitors to come
within that circle, unless they were prepar-
cd for rough handling.
He had way of suddenly catching you
to his bosom, and picking your pockets of
peanuts and candyifyou carried any about
you-in manner which took away your
breath. He stood up no his hind legs in a
quite human fashion, and used paw and
tongue with amazing ill..and vivacity. He
was friendly, and didn't mean any harm, but
he was rude playfellow.
shall never forget the ludicrous adven-
ture of a daudified New Yorker who came
out in the yard to feed bruin on seed cakes,
and did not feed him fast enough.
He had approached trife too near, when
all at once the bear whipped an arm about
him to his embrace, and went through his
pockets in hurry. The terrified face of the
struggling and screaming fop and the good
natured, business.like expression of the
fumbing and munching beast offered the
funniest sort of contrast.
The one-eyed hostler, who was the bears
especial guardian, lounged leisurely to the
spot.
Keep still, and be won't hurt ye, he said,
turning his quId. That's one of his tricks
Throw out what ye've got and he'll leave
ye'
The dandy made haste to help bruin to
the last of the seed cakes, and escaped with
out injury, but in ridiculous plight-his
hat smashed, his necktie and linen rumpled
and his watch dangling but his fright was
the most laughable part of all.
The one eyed hostler made motion to
the beast, who Immediately climbed pole,
and looked at us from the cross piece at the
top.
"A bear said the une-eyed hostler, turn
ing his quid again, lis the best hearted,
KNOWN est critter that goes on all fours. I'm
speaking of our native black bear, you un-
understand. The brown bear aintt so re-
spectacle, and the grizzly is one of the ugli-
est brutes in creation. Come down here,
Pomp.'
Pomp slipped down the pole and advanced
towards the one-eyed hostler, walking en- his
hind legs and rattling his chain.
Playful as a kitten said the one-eyed
hostler, fondly "I'll show you
He took the wooden bar from clothe;
horse near by, and made plunge with it al
Pomp's breast.
No puglist or fencing master could have
parried blow more neatly. Then the one
eyed hostler began to thrust and strike with
the bar as if in down right earnest
Rather savage play remarked. And {
friend by my side, who never missed I
chance to make a pun, added ; Yes de
cided act Of bar-bearity.'
'Oh, he likes it said the one-eyed host
Ter. You can't hit him.
And indeed il was so. No matter how o
where the blow was aimed, movement o
Pomp's paw, quick as a flash or lightning
knocked it aside, and he stood good-humor
edly waiting for more.
'Once in a while,' said the one-eyed host
er, resting from the exercise and leaning o
the bar, while Pomp retired to his pole
there's bear of this species that's viciou
and bloodthirsty. Generally you let ther
alone. They won't run from you maybe
but they wont go out of their way to pick
quarrel They don't swagger round with
chip on their shoulder lookin for some foC
to knock it Off
will they eat you, some one inquiredi Il
, there was ring of spectators around tt
performers by this time.
As likely as not, if they are sharp set,ar
you lay yourself out to be eateu but it ain
their habit to go for human flesh. Root
nuts, berries, bugs, and any small game thu
can pick up. satisfies their humble appetit
as general thing.
p But they're amazin' fond of honey, al
there's no end of stingin' they won't stal
for the fun of robbin a bee-nest. They
as omEivorous as hog
DO you mean to say bear doesn't hib
nate p asked.
He hibernates--yes, believe that's wi