The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-12-22
We're a'most at him now, said

Nancy Hopkins gave a qu!ltin'
and everybody was invited. The
gals was to quilt the quilt durin'
the day, and the boys was to come
and dance with them in the evenin
and then see EN- home.
I went over to the 'Squires to
engage Katie, but she said, with a
sassy look, she was much ableeged
Mr.. Tibbetts had just been there
afore me. The end of it was that
I went away in the sulks+ and
didn't go to the quillin' at all.
We'll, that night, as Mr.. Tib-
belts was seein' Katie home, they
was walkin' along, talkin' po'try
about the moon, which was three
quarters full and shinin' down
bright, what do you think come
bulgin' out into the path right
afore 'em?'
The bear! exclaimed little Dan,
excitedly.
The bear!' echoed little Fannie,
tnrning pale.
We'll, yes, said Uncle Bob, It
was a big black bear. He give one
fierce growl, and Mr. Tibbetts,
jerkin' his arm loose from Katie,
took to his heels and run for dear
life. He didn't holler murder for
fear the beard hear him and take
him at his word
The big coward!' muttered lit
tie Dan, clenching his tiny fists.
SO he was, said Uncle Bob.
But poor Miss Katie?' inquired
little Fannie, from whose eyes the
tears began to drop.
The BEAR continued Uncle Bob,
growing excited as he neared the
climax Of his story, jest rared up
on end, cotched hold of Katie with
his fore paws, hugged her to his
shaggy breast, and give one bound,
carryin her off into the forest!'
Little Fannie sobbed. Little
Dams eyes flashed, but in spite OF
him, were full OF tears.
oh ! Robert, you shouldn' t
frighten the children so, said Aunt
Katie, looking up and dropping a
stitch.
Don't cry my dears, said Uncle
Bob, patting each of the little
heads; 'all's we'll as ends we'll
Mr.. Tibbetts had hardly finished
tellin the Squire about his darte1
bein' kerried of by the bear, in
spite Of Mr.. Tibbetts gallant efforts
to rescoo her Gn proof Of which be
showed the scratches he'd got in
runnin' through the bushes), and
the Squire hedn't near got done
callin' him all sorts o hard names,
when who should walk in, safe and
sound, but Katie herself, and me
escortin' of her.
''Bob Staples, says the Squire,
graspin' Of my hand, accept ia.
theirs blessin' n'!'
I do,' says I, bowin' my head.
ssBut the b'ar?' says the Squire.
':I'll make you present of his
hide tomorrow, says I, looEin
big.
''How ken I reward you 2 says
be.
ssNow's the time nor never !!
says I to myself, pluckin' up cour.
age. BY gi7in' me yor~ darter for
a wife, I answered.
Air you willin', Katiea' says the
Squire.
Il am, says she.
''Me, too,' Says I, not voting to
be axed.
FJine your right hands, says the
Squire.
we jined 'em.
BY virchoo Of the authority vest
ed in me as a jestice of the peace,
said the Squire, solemnly, 4 pro-
nounce you man and wife. Whom
God hath jined together let no man
put asunder ?'-and no man hahn t
neither added Uncle Bob, proudly.
Then it was Aunt Katie, after
ali cried little Fannie. sOh. annie.
weren't you ever so much fright
ened when the .bear carried you
Off
She would have been,' said Un-
Gle Bob, but you see the bear, as he
whisked her away, whispered some,
thing in her ear
How could a bear whisper, I
should like to know?' objected
doubling Dan.
We'll, replied Uncle Bob, I may
as we'll come to the moral of nv