Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-16
rHE DAR,Y RECORD-U UNION.
A BgaE nuar STORY FOB TIE BOYS.

-
hay there's little left. The cLws haven't
had muca to eat this morlin'."
TIE speaker hobbled 10 a window and
looked cut upon the stumpy, snow-covered
field. for though it was the first Of May,
a heavy storm mad come tia night before,
giving the landscape a decidedly winterish
aspect though the warm sun would soon
dispel the heecy covering.
The clearing was not large, and on every
side the thrifty rock NAPLES and black
blrches lowered in the air, but the neas
log-csoin and snug frame barn bet0kened
industry, while half a mile away Mr..
Strong's eldest con Alfred was likewise
hewing for himself a home out OF the
Name wilderness. Alfred at this time was
absent riyer-driying, in which hazardous
occupation the elder Mr. Strong had re-
ceived an INJURED foot a week or 50 before.
The two boys, Charlie and Ned, started
br.skly forth on their errand, tramping
across the field through the melting snow,
where a lew head of cattle were stnglngto
satisfy their hunger by nibbEng around the
stumus where the snow had thawed away.
Charlie. fifteen years old, was rather
slight. delicate lad, resembling his mother,
whale Ned, two years younger, was active
and fuil of life as Q young colt.
They 4ed along the rough, narrow
road through tbe woods toward their
brothers clearing, Ned's voice ringing out
in laugh and song, while his companion
walked more ssdatsiy, swinging light coil
OF rope in his hand with which to bind up
the much-needed bundle Of hay.
Soon they came II sight Of the clearing,
the wallis and roof Of the new barn glim-
merinv through the ieshess trees This
opening was even smaller than the other,
aud Ike it was surrounded by huge forest
rrees on every eide, the barn being as yet
it's only building. As the boys neared this
latter. which sat upon cedar posts or
puncheons set in the ground, leaving
an opening OF a couple OF feet or more
uader the ell, they noticed tracks in the
snow resembling those Of an immense dog,
and coming from beneath the barn as
though the animal, whatever it was, had
sought shelter ia the empty building from
the storm during the night. The tracks
zig Jagged about the field, and then led in
more direct line to the northward, in
which direction the forest extended for
miles aud miles
What do ycu s'pose it is 2" asked Ned,
after examining the tracks atrentively.
"a dog, amt it p returned Charlie,
VINO was not as deeply interested as MS
brother
"No, there isn't any dog round here
with such big feet, answered Ned, decid-
edIy 'let's see what he's been dom IN
the bara."
They opened the door and entered
Charlie somewhat timidly, Md with all
the eagerness Of rat terrier seeming
game. At one end Of the barn floor lay
quantity Of loose hay, and in the hay at
one side, 10 some oAt straw, Ned found
where the animal had slept
Didn't he have a snug place p said
Ned, looking into the round nest in the
straw, rs though he wished the animal still
occupied it. I'm bet it was a bear" ne
continued, az Charlie drew back with
somewhat pale cheek, for he lacked the
true hunters instinct Of his younger
brother.
"Qn, 1 guess not at any rate we've got
TO get the hay, " returned the elder boy,
laying the rone upon the barn floor and
preparing to tie up a bundle of fodder; but
httIs Ned was out Of doors taking observa-
tions Of the tecks, his eyes ablaze with
excitement Then he rushed into the barn
again
Come. Charlie" he cried hurriedly,
let tho hay 90, We must have that
Teller. Nou run acress through the woods
aud get Billy Jordsn's dog and gun. He
amt TO home, but his motheV'H let you
have EN-, and old Iige will tree that bear.
don't believe be gone fur, cause he was
10, a. down through the field, know by
- tracks I'll 90 over home and get
father's b.ggun. Come, hurry now"
Little Ned'8 excitement was contagious,
and even Charlie became imbned IN great
measure with It. starting of IN D south
westerly direction, while Ned hastened
home.
con, father, there's bear slept in Al.
lreds barn las5 night, and | want the gun,
cause men Charles goin' to shoot him.
Charles gone over TO Jordan's after Billy's
dog and gun, and Ned's face was all
aplow, as he forced his words out in a
bunch.
" Nonsense" said the boys mother,
nervously, "what can you boys do bear
hunting 81 but Caleb Strong sympathized
with the lads ardent spirit.
"Ilet EN- 90, he said, "there's ben
somethin' prowlin' round lately, an pr'aps
they u shoot HIM Only-be CAREFUL he
added, as Ned, who needed no second bid
ding, took down the huge old musket from
the hooks over the fireplace and began
loading it with the skill Of veteran
backwoOdsman these vsrmlnts
claw terribly II you gt too
near to EN-. l wish / was well, I'd 90
with him but they won't overhaul the
crttor." continued the lame man, though
the mother looked anxioUsly after the
sturdy Little figure that bounded away gun
in hand aud powder-horn and bullet pouch
dangling It his side.
When Ned reached the barn again ne
found no sirus of Charlie, and impelled by
his eareruess he at once took the animals
trsil. 1t led orookedly through the field
and into tho woods, only few rods away
as though the bear, If bear it was, had
Ioitered along leisurely.
"Charle'l know TN gone by my
tracks, said the hey TO himself as he
pressed along through the open woods.
Soon lie came to where the animal had
scratched about the root of a fallen tree,
and here the tracks gave evidence that
Bruin had stopped and turned about, and
then on through the woods straight rs a
line he had bounded away as though scent
ing danger.
And at this moment a rush Of feet came
through the woods behind him, and Ned
turnad TO see Tze, Billy Jordan's big
briudle dog, dashing along like the fight
OF an arrow. Straight on he rushed in the
wake of the flying animal, paying 20 heed
20 the boy ana utteriug no sound, and Ned
fastened along at his best psce
The boy breath came thick with over
exerton, but still he sped onward All at
once tho deep baying Of Tige broke the
stiffness
lies freed him p cried Ned exultipgly.
and he paused and turned around to see if
he could hear anything OF Charlie.
Away in the distance he heard faint
"hello - which he answered loud and long.
while Tige's deep voice on ahead betokened
that the game was stationary.
Ia few moments Charlie came up pant
i,n as he pan