Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-12-22
Our Christmas Bear Story

'DNS N"N SN'N'N D'"@'DS hiNs a Aibc
nephew on one knee and a little niece
on the other, while Aunt KITE sat
quietly kailling in her own particular
corner.
Uncle Bob has two children OF hi.
own now, and that made his heart all
the warmer tooard every child he me-.
Tell US story, uncle said litlr
Dan, looking up from Uncle BoJ's len
knee.
4 know pretty good be=r story
replied Uncle Bob, with a sly glance at
Aunt Katie.
oh, tell US that, please cred little
Fannie. from Uncle Bob's other knee.
her pretty face all aglow with eager
curiosity.
Thirty years ago, Uncle Bob began
It was a Wild country ou' here. The
woods was full Of bears and wolves, nol
- speak Of other varmeni, and The SET
Hers had to keep sharp lookout, I tell
yoH.
4 was young man then. and rcck-
oned the bes. looking clap in these
parts Uscle Bob continued, VIII
another glance at Aunt Katie.
The latter looked back at Uncle Bob.
with her usual quite smile.
You know it yourself, Katie, re.
turned Uncle Bob; 'leaslway8 You
thought so once
Aunt Katie blushod, and went on
with her kpiitiug.
'Whatevermay be said ofme,' Uu.
Gle Bob resumed, 'tlere was a gal H.
the neighborhood as hadn't her match
for fifty miles around
Now, Rybert, expos,ulaled Aua.
Katie, what put such nonsense in youi
mead to-night'
IT'S only the sacred truth Urcl,
Bob protested; she was my first sweet
heart, and her name was Ka.le.'
'The same as auntie's,' intcruplld d
little Dan.
Jest so,' said Uncle Bob. That's
what they cali a coincideuce,'
The Big word reduced little Dan to
silence, aud Uucle Rob proceeded
'Katie's father was tie richest msl
IN the settlement. lie bad moved ou'
early, had help G.ht the IndIans, had
been sent to The Legislature. was Ju,.
uce of tie Peace, and owned more
than a thousand acres Of land. We
called him the Squire.
Katie and me had been as good as
engaged for a couple Of ears; but. you
see, was too sheepish 10 speak 10 the
Squire. l wanted Katie to do it, but
she said it wasn't none Of Aer place.
and SO ;Da,,ers stood.
AT last a swipiious looking chap
lis name was Sam Tibbetis-cOme oul
and started store aud grocery at the
cross roads. He wore store clothes
and had long curly hair, which he kept
OILED TO such an extent as disgusted all
the fellers aud enchanted all the gall.
None OF US had any eharca when be
was about. 1t was nobody but Mr.. Tib-
belts. He cut US all out by turns. j
you took a gal to meetin' or 20 singIn
school, expecting 10 see her home, je-l
rs you step up at the close OF the cxer
cises to offer her your arm. Ten to one
but Mr.. Tbhetts would scrougc in
ahs ad. and your gal would walk of' wllh
him. leavn' YOU the mitlen.
He came it over the Squire By
agreein' with him in politics, especially
On the wolf scalp bounty question ; so'l
when he begun to pay attention to Ka-
tie, the Squire looked pleased Ike.
L don't know if Katie wanted 10 make
me jealous, SOS to bring ne to tie
pint; any how, she seemed 70 take a
shine to Mr. Tibbetis, which drove mc
half mad. I'd thrashed tia, gculle
youth outer his paten' leather boots,
but he was allGs so polite that there
WANT no decent way o quar'lin' wi,h
him.
But you're long while coming to
the bear, Uncle put IN little Dan.
Were almost at him now said Un-
Gle Bob.
Nancy Hopkins gave a quilun' and
everybody was invited. The gals was
to quilt tie quilt durIn' day. aud tie
boys was to come and dance wiih them
ID the eyenin' and then see 'em home.
1 went over to the 'Squire'S to en-
gage Katie, but size said, with SISSY
look, she was much ableeged-Mr. Tlb-
belts has just been there aiGrc me.
The end fit was that went away il
the suk,, and d.du't 20 to tie qui.tlu'
at all.
well, that night, as Mr.. T.55otis
was SEEM Katie home, they was walk
in along, talkiu' po'try about The
moon, which was three quarters fall
and shinin' down bright, what do you
think come Lulgin' out into the path
right atore 'ems'
The bearv exclaimed little Dan,
excitedy.
The bear? echoed liiilc Fannie,
turning pale.
well, yes, said Uncle Bob, it vas
a big black bear. lie give one fierce
growl. aud Mr.. Ti1belts, jcrSin' his
arm loose from Katie took tsEis heels
and run for dear lite. He ddu't holler
murder for fear The beard hear HIM
and take him at his word
The big coward mutlered little Dan,