Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-05-09
THE DOUGHNUT BAIT.
A True Story.

THE D%OUGHNUT BAIT.
True Story.
A schoolboy a few weeks since told
me of an amusing encounter that he and
his brother had just had with a bear. 1t
was at Thanksgiving time, and they
were enjoying the few days vacation in
hunting in the Maine woods. The To-
cality, to be exact. was the north side
of Roach River, about halfway from
the first pond to where the stream
empties into Moosehead Lake.
Near q deserted log hut, known as
"McPheter's Camp" they had discov-
cred signs of a bear--his tracks, and the
spot where he had lain down among the
tall dead grasses.
"Let's stay here all night and watch
for him." said Willie-Willie was the
one who related the adventure to me.
"That wouldn't be right; for they're
looking for us at home" replied his
brother Dick to this somewhat tempting
invitation. "Besides there might not
come a bear here again for a week."
"Well, let's rest here q few minutes
anyway" said Willie.
Opposite the door of the hut was its
one window, the glass so covered with
cobwebs that very little light came
through. 1t was dark enough in there
for a bears den--he might, in fact, be
in there. But 1inging the door wide open,
the boys ventured in. There was Il visi-
BILE movement at the window, but it
proved to be only three or four great,
gray spiders hurrying to their coverts
from the unwonted light.
"What's this, Dick?'' and Will kicked
q tangled mass OF iron from q corner
into the sunshine.
Dick eyed it a moment. "Aha-it's a
bear trap" said he.
"Well, we wiM catch him, now," said
Will, triumphantly.
1.-The old things too rusty and weak
Dick pronounced finally, after eXamin-
ing it. ""Twouldn't hold a bear"
"Oh. let's Just set it, anyhow, and
try," coaxed Will.
After repeated efforts, in which Will
got caught himself-or, rather, his boot
they got the huge iron Jaws wide open,
and the trencher in place.
'NeNtthing'we must shoot something
for bait" said Will.
"I really think we haven't time, not
tonight, Will, said Dick. 1"See! it's
almost sunset. and we are two miles
from home through the woods"
"Wcll, then, I've got two doughnuts
left. Let's put them on"
"Very WE'LL" laughed Dick, good
naturally, "if you can wait for your
supper"
So the trap, with a doughnut tied to
the trencher, was placed a few feet Just
outside the cabin where any one within
could plainly see it from the window.
The chain was made fast, and the other
doughnut broken to bits and scattered
about.
The next morning the boyswere early
on the tramp, in order to visit q shallow
pond some three miles eastward, where
they expected to find moose. After
tiptoing about and impatiently watch
ing the shores till afternoon, they did
sea a moose; but before they were with
in range he turned to run.
"Fire, Will" shouted Dick.
The report of two guns echoed from
the woods about, while the moose, with
a sudden bound or two, disappeared
among the trees. They could hear the
great creature crashing through the
woods. and they hurried on in pursuit,
After going about a mile they lost track
OF him, and they gave it up, as neither
had detected any token that the animal
was hurt.
The chase had led them near a trail
that passed the McPheter's camp: and
they jokingly turned that way to see if
anything had happened there.
III that doughnut isn't gone. Tn
going to eat it," murmured Will. .I,m
awful hungry"
g" doubt that the birds and SQUIRRELS
have left any till this time,n said Dick
"a lnrge bird, Or a gray SQUIRREL
would get caught, if they touched II
wouldn't they?' questioned Win hone.
fully. nop'-
'.Perhaps-if the old trap wasn't So
susty-but hush-there's the camn
oupposlng we keep behind it and 90 in
an'll we see it there's anything. in the
They opened the door softly md
moved lightly in toward the window
Inc first glance gave them q start
There was a big bear SITTING holt
nprlght' with his forepaws hanging.
right before the window. He had ev;'
aently heard the sound of their an
proach, and was looking around fp p
1hem. Dick gave n long, but warv
look. Then he shouted: y
don "Atl right, WIN. He's caught! The
tor Il moment the boys stood LOOKING
out Of the window. and tbo hN"nin