The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-08-19
A Hugging Match.


A. MoNG the baggage coming down on
"A Flint and Pere Marquett train the
ether day was a full-grown black bear.
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 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 railroad
men refused to dispute that point with
him. He was indulging in his brag
I when an old man came into the car to
see about his trunk. He saw the bear
of course, but the glance of contempt he
bestowed on the animal instantly
kindled the indignation of the owner,
who called out:
"Mebbe you think Pm toting an old
hyena around the country 2"
&C guess it's bear," slowly replied
the other I" but see nothing remark
able about him.
You don't, hey Well, do Mebbe
you'd like to see him hug that trunk of
yours What he can't silver when he
gets his paws around it, has got to have
roots forty feet under ground"
"I've got son back in the carr re-
flectively observed the old man, and
then stopped and looked at the bear.
"Your son Egad Will you match
you son against my bear p'' chuekled
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 chew of
tobacco, left the car, and when he
returned he had his son Martin with
him. Martin seemed to be about twenty
seven years of age, and q little taller
than hitching-post. He was built on
the ground, with back like q writing
desk, and arms that 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 his father, as
the son sat down on trunk.
Yes, that's it-that's just 1t +" cack-
led the owner. "Ill muzzle hiasa so he
can't bite, and I'll bet five to one that
he'll make you holier in two minutes 4"
Muzzle your bar" was all that
Martin said, as he pulled out q $5 bill
and handed it to the baggagemen. The
bear man put $25 with it, grinning like
q boy in cherry tree, and in minute
| he had the bear ready. Martin removed
his coat and paper collar aad carelessly
inquired:
| gouging 7"
"Jess so-jess !" replied the bear man.
"You hug the bear and he will hug you,
and the one squeals first loses his cash.
| Now, then, all ready"
AS Martin approached, the bear rose
up with sinful glare in his eye, and
| the two embraced. 1t was sort of back
hold, with no sell out on the crowd
$50 for him, Hunyadop yelled the
bear man, as they closed the bear re-
sponded. One could see by the set of
his eyes that he meant to make jelly of
that young man in York minute, but
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 roll
ed his eyes in astonishment.
$50 in, Hunyado-go in-go in |"
screamed the bear man, and bruin laid
himself out as if he meant to pull rail-
road water-tank down.
"You might squeezea little bit harder,
my son. carelessly suggested the father,
as he spit from the open door and Mar
tin 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 open, and
Martins face slowly grew to the color of
Hang to him, Hunyado; I've got
my last dollar OH your head ~ shrieked
the bear man, as he saw further bulge
in his pets eyes.
But 1t 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 Hunyado lift from the floor,
hug which rolled his eyes around like
pin-wheel, and then dropped him in a
heap on the floor.
"Well, may / be shot !" gasped the
bear man, as he stood over the half
lifeless heap of hair and claws.
Martini" said the father, as he hand
ed him the $50, you'd better go 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 OF
look at the bear.
That was the bear they were feeding
Cruel in saloon ON Randolph street
O.