The Newtown bee., 1879-08-20
"fHere stands a young couple,
 Joined heart and hand

an Hunt the Slipper, and lots O games that youngsters. .-don't think of these times. We weren't dressed to kill, with sashes yard wide under our armpits, and we could run, and jump, and laugh. Why, I've seen a young fellow who had maybe been ordered to redeem a pawn after game of button, chase a girl al- over an out; and round house half-a- dozen times, afore he'd git a kiss. You'd way nowadays, sich doin's were undig nifed, an all that, but l know that girls in my day weren't half as forward an knowin' as they are now.
 "Well, bout 'leven, we started for home, and we'd get so well acquainted that we talked lots more than when we came.
 "' 'Aint it dark?' said I, as we entered the thick woods. Nothin' would tempt me to go through here alone. Do you s'pose there's been any bears here late lyP
 "'Course not says Jedediah, If there were, you needn't be 'fraid long me- and he held my arm so close that all my fears vanished. What was there to harm one under the protection of such a strong, manly, fearless fellow !? How did look up to him!
 ''' aint afraid of nothin, he went on None O the boys ever could scare me. No matter what comes-any kind of a eritter-Id protect you, Hammer dear. I jest wish there was a bear here! yes, 8 real black bear! I'd show you how I could defend you!'
 "This was getting romantic, wasn't it, now? felt so grateful that tried to think of something to say to express my gratitude, when he gave 8 start and a cry
 Whats that?"
 "I pulled the wrappings from my face, and there, moving from the trees to Che left, was a great black somethin', coming straight toward us.
 '''Oh, Jedediah, I'm afraid" said I, my teeth beginning to chatter, there's a bear! Oh, dear! what shall do?"
 "'Jest hurry up,' ses he, and I felt his arm tremble. We'll have to git out of this mighty quick, and found he meant it, for I could hardly begin to keep up with him. The way he run was some- thing wonderful for so brave youth, but the quicker he went, the quicker came that dreadful bear. At last my valiant protector cried out:
 "' Let go, Hammer, let go!'
 "'Oh, Jedediah,' 1 gasped, "don't run away from me- and I just hung on tighter, while he dragged me along. Pretty soon he pushed me, but I would not let go.
 "'Let go of my arm, I say! There's no need of both of us being devoured; let go, sayn and with that he gave 8 savage pull at my arm, and away he went, leaving me all alone.
 "Well, dear, couldn't begin to tell you what 1 suffered. l can almost realize it this minnit, for all could think of was bowling wolves and horrid bears and everything that was terrible. I knew that black thing, whatever it was, was close upon me, for I could hear it breathe. Of course I had not stopped running when my brave protector left me, but my strength kind'r give out; I felt faint like, and thought there wasn't much light, the atmosphere turned blacker. Closer and closer the thing came.
 There was great clump of trees on one side if could make that, and steal behind it, the bear might pass on. I did gain it, and waited, sick with fear. I wonder my hair didn't turn white, as Lord Byron's did, poor young feller"
 Ut wasn't Lord Byron's grandma; it was the Prisoner of Chillon's;' Lord Byron only wrote about it.''
 "Oh, did he? well, it's all right, whichever way. I clung hold of the trees, trembling all over, and the thing did go past. Gals, I did hope it would ketch Jedediah, and eat him all up, I was so angry and mortified and fright ened. Well, pretty soon I stole out. The bear had gone deeper into the woods, but l knew where I was, on the open road leading to the house, which was only about half a mile away. I suppose the sound of my feet attracted the critter, for I soon found out that it was after me agen, and then there was a race.
 
 Screaming at the top of my voice, Father! help! murderr flew on, and on flew the critter behind me- Pretty soonI saw the light of the house. The front door was open, and father and mother were coming out, and screamed louder and ran faster, my voice growing more and more hysterical, till at last I fell into fathers arms, gasping:
 ".The bear! the bearr
 ''I guess I didn't really sense any thing till daylight. They were all frightened half to death, and old fat Dr. Baily was standin' over me, and mother rubbing my hands and cryin', and father walkin' the floor, and, oh, dear! but it was dreadful.
 Where is it-the bearp' I asked, weakly. Did it hurt fatherp did he