Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-10-20
A HUGGING MA TCH.


on a Flint & Pere Marquette train the
other day, was full-grown black
bear. Bruin rad been in captivity for
two or three years, end was on his
way East for geological garden HIS
owner was allowed to ride with him In
the baggage car, and he seemed to
think the bear was the greatest animal
on earth. He was ready to bet that
brcin could out-hug and out bite any
thing human, and was rather disap-
pointed when the railroad men refused
to dispute this point with him. He
was indulging in his brag 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 in
dignation of the owner, who called
out:
"Mebbe you think I'm toting an old
hyena around the country ~
II guess it's BEAR" slowly replied
the other, 'sbut see nothing remarKa-
BILE about him."
"You don't, Ell? Well, / do Mebbe
you'd Ike 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"
1--WE got son in the back car"
refectively observed the old man and
then he stopped and looked at the
bear
"Your son Egad Will you match
your son agin my bear 2" chuckled the
owner as he danced with delight
II 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 in chew
of tobacco, left the car and when he
returned be had his son Martin with
him. Martin seemed to be about
twenty-seven years of age, and little
taller than hitching post. He was
built on the ground with a back like a
writing desk and arms which seemed
have been sawed from railroad ties
Martin, this 'ere man wants to bet
five to one that this bear can out-hug
you," quietly explained the father as
sat down on q trunk.
Eyes, that's it-that's just it"
cackled the owner I'll muzzle him so
he can't bite, and I'll bet five to one
he'll make you holler in two minutes"
"Muzzle your bar" was all that
Martin said as he pulled out five dol
lar note and handed it to the baggage
man. The bear man put S25 with it,
grinning like boy in a cherry tree,
and in minute he had the bear ready.
Martin removed bis coat and paper COL
lar, and carelessly inquired
.''Is this to be a squar' hug, with no
gougiDg?"
Jess so-jes |" replied the bear
man. "You hug the bear, and he will
hug you, and the one who 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 10 sell out on the
crowd.
"Go for him, Hunyadol" |" yelled the
bear man as they closed, and the bear
responded
One could see by the set of his eyes
that he meant to make jelly of that
young man in q York minute, but he
failed to do it. Some little trihe stood
in the way For instance, it wasn't ten
seconds before be 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
rolled his eyes in astonishment.
"Go in Hunyado-go in-go in !"
screamed the bear man, and bruin laid
himself out as if he meant to pull
railroad water tank down.
"You might squeeze little harder,
my son." carelessly suggested the faith
er, and he spit from the open door, and
Martin called out his reserve muscle.
Each had his best grip. There was
no tumbling around to waste breath,
but it was stand-up and stand-still
hugging match. Little by little the
bears eyes began to bulge and his
mouth to open, and Martins face slow
ly grew to the color of red paint
Hang to him Hunyado-I've got
my last dollar on your head !" shrieked
the bear man, as he saw a further bulge
of his pets eyes.
But it was no use. All of 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 heap on the floor.
"Well, may be shot!" gasped the
bear man as he stood over the half-life-
less heap OF hair and claws.
Martin" said the father as be
handed him the thirty dollars, you'd
better go back thar and watch our
satchels.'
Eyes, guess So" replied the son
as he showed the bills into his vest
pocket and retired without another
word or look at the bear.
That was the bear they were feeding
cruel in q saloon on Randolph street
two evenings ago-one man was feed
ing him Cruel and another feeling along
his spine to find the fracture.
~ - " r. r.