The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-04-05
TWO VIEWS OF AN AFFAIR.

Durln2 the oays of reconstruction m the south, and especially in Arkansaw, northern men found business so profitable in the land of flowers that they fiocked in great numbers to the new fountain of trade. Little Rock seemed to be a place of extra advantage, for men who mo- mentariiy expected assassination, came down and embarked largely in business. Captain Steele, one of the best known planters within the neighborhood of Lit tie Rock, tells an amusing story of a northern man, who, contrary to his bet ter judgment, although there was really no danger, ventured down into the coun- try during the reconstruct The gen. tleman had become well known mer- chant, and his visit to the wilds of the lowlands was made for the purpose of effecting settlement with country tradesman. One day Captain Steele was out bear hunting. His dogs had struck trail, and he had travelled hore-back about five miles from the place of start ing, when the "scent became sui ticiep;ly warm for him 10 sake stand and watch for the bear He turned into road, and with caibine read, for inn mediate use, a, on his horse listening to the 1cgs and gazing expee:an,ly into the
 'iel tangled undergrowth of the woods.
 .e...ns the sound of hoofs, he looked around. saw as the captain relates he story, "a man approaching. raid b.; little attention to him, ss kEeW the bear would shortly make his appearance. The man approached very slowly, ard said nothing, so intent was in watching for my game. lust as ne passed me, saw the bear, took quick aim, and fired. The bear fell, and turning to the man, said:
 " I've go, him. Get down and help me skin him and I'll give you as much as you can carry"
 , He complied rather reluctantly. He seemed 10 be uneasy, but thought, that his nervousness was in consequence of excitement. told my name and he told me his, yet he was i'll at ease The bear was a monster, and when we reached him, foundering and mashing down the ] saplings, the mar said
 ". Grea: Lord. Do such things aroS around heseZ
 =, Oh, yes the woods are fuii ot them. Ge, out your knife and lets skin him, began, after explaining the method of procedure, and had done considerable execution when, glancipg at my com panion, saw, that with little penknifc he was trying to cut around the bears foot. Here said l. let me do th.5. You might work all day with that thing and wouldn't cut through the hide took up my horn and began to blow it, and after awhile man and his son came to us. asked him to help me skin the bear and that would give him as much as he wanted. To this he readily agreed. He said that he only lived short distance away, and asked the boy to go to the house and bring me an axe and rope. Just as the boy started away. the man whom had found in the road, turned and said:
 "' don, think that hitched my mule very securely. Believe I'll go back and see if he is all right
 He Jeff us and shortly afterwards heard him galloping away as fast as his long-eared steed could carry him.
 The next tune came to town, and while was sitting in a billiard hall, a friend approached me and began ,o laugh. asked ,he cause of his merri- ment, and saying when arc you going to kill another bear! laughed until he i grew red in the face. At last l learned the cause of his merfiment, and then joined him.
 The cause can be best told in the mer- chants own words, recital with which he entertained his friends when he re- turned 10 town:
 was ridiag along lonely road, :" he said. when suddenly a long haired man. with his gun ready to shoot, rode out in the road a short distance in front of me. woald have turned and en- deavoced to make my escape, bu, I was riding mule while the assassin was mounted on good horse. was un- armed and knew no, what to do. His looks plainly told me ,ha, i, was useless to beg for mercy, and sas seized with fear which hope never to experience again. \, las, decided to ride up and face an inevitable death. The man ken, i on gazing into the sores, and wouldn't even lcok at me as approached Isaw that his gun was cooked, and mor,enta- YflFr eAl r.