Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-09-05

I ONS0 W VuO ORVA VA0Hs 0uPUOk GNU
captive then gazed at each other with
gravity. The Grant infants attire cone
sisted a calico shirt of gaudy hues, .
pair of little moccascns, much frayedy
and a red flannel string. This last was
tied about his struggling hair, which
fell over his hair like the shaggy name
of a bronco colt and yelled, but could
not obscure the brightness Of his black
eyes.
He did not cry; in fact, this srnal II
stole never even whimpered, but he
held the bacon, or what remained Of
it, clasped tightly to his breast and
gazed at his captor in silence. Glanc-
ing at the bacon, the Captain saw it
all. Hunger had induced this wee
wanderer to enter the trap, and in de-
taching the bait, he had sprung the trig-
ger and was caught.
"What are you called, little onep'''
asked the Captain at length, in a re-
assuring voice, speaking Spanish very
slowly and distinctly.
"Osito," replied the wanderer, in 81
small piping voice, but with the dignity
Of a warrior.
'Little Bear!!" the Captain repeated,
and burst into a hearty laugh, immedi-
ately checked, however, by the Thought
that now he had caught him, what.
was he to do with him? The first.
thing, evidently, was to feed him.,
So he conducted him to the cabin.
and there, observing the celebrity with
which the Jumps of sugar vanished, he
saw at once that Little Bear was most
aptly named, Then, sometimes lead,
ing, and sometimes carrying him-for
Osito was very small-he set out for the
Ute encampment.
The approach was the signal for a.
mighty shout. Warriors, squaws and
the younger confreres of Osito, crowded
about them. A few words from the
Captain explained all, and Osito him.
self, clinging to his mother. was borne
away in triumph-the hero of the hour.
Yet, no--the Captain was that, 1 be-
ieve. For as he stood in their midst
with = very pleased look on his sun
burnt face, the chief quieting the. hub
bub with a wave of his hand, advanced
and stood before him. @.The great Cap
tain has a good heart" he said, intones
of conviction. "What can his Ute
friends do to show their gratitude:?"
Nothing" said the Captain, look
ing more pleased than ever.
"The Captain had been troubled by
the bears. Would it please him if.they
were all driven back to their dens in
uhe great mountain toward the setting
sum-"
cit would" said the Captain; 'can
it be done?"
SIT can. It SHALL" said the chief,
With emphasis.
Tomorrow let the Captain keep his
eyes open, and as the sun sinks behind
follow also"
The chief kept his word. The next
day the uproar on the hills was terrific.
Frightened out of their wits the bears
forsook the acorn fields and fled inglor-
iously to, their secret haunts in the
mountains to the westward.
In Joy thereof the Captain gave a
great farewell feast to his red allies. It.
was spread under the pines in front Of
his cabin and every delicacy of the sea-
son was there, from bear steaks to
beaver tails. The banquet was draw
ing to a close, and complimentary
speeches 'twixt host and guests were in
order, when a procession of the squaws
was seen approaching from the. en-
campment. They drew neal and
headed for the Captain in solemn
silence. As they passed, each laid
some gift at his feet-fringed leggings,
beaded moccasons, bear skins, coyote
skins, beaver pelts and soft robes of
the mountain hons hide-until the pile
reached to the Captains shoulders.
Last of all came Osito's mother and
crowned the heap with a beautiful little
brown bear-skin. 1t was fancifully'
adorned with blue ribbons, and in the
center of the tanned side, there were,
drawn, in red pigment, the outlines of
a very stolid aad stoical-looking pap
poose.-F. L. Stealeq, IN Wide Az0aEe.