Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-01-26
sglpMth's Column.
For the Monitor.
GRANDMOTHER's BEAR STORY.


interested in stories that their grand
parents tell, will venture through the
columns of the MONITOR, to tell them
true bear story: In northern New
Hampshire, almost beneath the Old Man
of the Mountain, and surrounded by the
wooded forest hills, lay the beautiful
valley farm. Here farmer William built
his home many years before, and had
cut away the forests, until his broad
fields and green pastures stretched
wide in all directions. His humble log
house had given place to more c0mmo-
dious and pretentious dwelling. where
from early morn to shadowy eve the hum
of busy industry was heard, and the
music of happy voices resounded.
1t was beautiful morning in October.
An early autumn frost had fallen in the
night and sparkled on every leaf and
grass blade. Farmer William was up
betimes, and it was barely light when he
brought in his two pals filled with foam
ing milk. The good housewife and
mother had prepared generous break
fast, and her nine bright, happy, health
full children (they had large families in
those days. were ready to gather around
the long dining table. The blessing was
reverently said, and the care of our Heav-
emily Father was invoked. When break
fast was ended, farmer William said to
his eldest son, Samuel you can yoke
the oxen and take the cart to the back
lot, where the boys can fill it with pota-
tatoes to-day, as the potatoes must be
dug you and l must work for nelghbor
Pike, but when we return we will 90 to
the lot after the cart. See that it is set
where tho younger children can come
easily and empty their baskets"
This announcement made quite stir
among the children, and the older boys
made preparations to 60 to their task.
while the girls asked the privilege of &C
cOmpanying, that they might pick up
the potatoes. But there was little John
only six years of age, and Flora still
younger; when they saw the older chill
dren going away they we're anxious to
60, and got the permission of their moth
err. John thought he could take care Of
Flora, and both promised to assist in
picking up the potatoes. The little farm.
ers were soon on their way to the distant
lot. The forenoon wore rather slowly
away, and the smaller children were get
ting weary, hungry and thirsty. There
was cool spring in the edge of the
woods not far away, and John and Flor;
} started alone to get drink of water.
"You must hasten back" called sis
ter Matte.
But the birds were singing so joyfully
| the day was so bright and everythin,
was 50 beautiful that they made no haste
Having reached the spring they botl
! lay down and drank a cool draught
At once Flora called out "see Their
John, there is your big black calf com
ing after water"
"My black calf,' said John. IN
it is big bear, let's run for our lives.
Sure enough large bear was approach
{ ing only few feet distant, either for
: draught of water, or to attack the Chi
: dren.
John and Flora were terribly brighter
g ed, but they did not lose their presenc
$ of mind or faint in fright. Fast as eve
5 children ran, they fastened back to thei
e brothers and sisters in the field. Whe
0 they came within speaking distance the
s cried. ga bear, bear, we've seen
) bear"
= ga BEAR" cried Will, "let him CON
/ on, want to see him." 80 lifting h
u hoe high in the air, he set out to me,
e the ugly brute.
e He did not 60 far, for sure enough
; there was bruin slowly approaching
e Will siezed John, and Matte took lit
q Flora, and they all ran swiftly down tt
T. hill toward the house. The bear fo
J. lowed, and when the children had all q
y over the log fence beside the pasture, l
~ was close upon their heels. The Chi
g dren quickly secreted themselves behir
lc some raspberry bushes. The bear can
e to the fence, reared up, put his paws {
If the top log. and looked about to s.
ie where the children had fed, but th,
y we're out of sight and he gave up Il
es chase, turning back into the pastul
IS Will and the other children as soon
" they dared move, seeing the bear wa
st away, hurried to the house, when in
III few moments the sheep and young c;
ID tie came rushing down the lane in gre
at fright to the barn.
is But there were two animals in t
IL pasture that bear could not frighte
Ut They were veteran old yoke fellows, a
P when the bear approached they beg
IN by loud bellowings and paving Of t
ct earth to show their disposition to fgl
ed Just what the battle was, or how long
Pr lasted no one knew, but the bulls We
ey not harmed. When the ground was G