Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-11-17
A LITTLE HEROINE.
lOonfiict Between a Small Girl and
a Great Bear.

town. at the edge of which runs little
river known as Rock River. Schools
and churches are abundant there, and
they have even a small opera house.
while the streets are full Of the busy
hum of traffic.
Years ago, and not so many but that
those living can well remember it. the
spot now covered by the prosperous
village was a farm. rescued from its
first wilderness BY Kentucky farmer
named James Spry. Mr.. Spry had
once been quite wealthy. and owned .
fine place in his .'old Kentucky home"
But reverses overlook him. and he
went. with his little family, to An un-
settled part Of Indiana, there to make
a new home in the trackless woods.
He built him a cabin, cleared a few
acres of ground and put in his crop,
bearing patiently. with his wife and
little family. the privatons of life in
the wilderness.
The danger of attack by hostile In
diaus was not at that time great. But
the woods were full of wild animals.
which were welcome when slaughtered
for food. but terrible to meet As enc
mics. Many loss was suffered by the
hardy pioneers from the ravages OF
these beasts. but Mr.. Spry was, for a
long time. entirely exempt from their
attacks. He had fine sow with lit
ter of very nice pigs. which were his
pet and pride. and to which they all
looked with visions of juicy hams and
fragrant sausages for the next winter
rare luxuries in that out -of-the-world
region.
The three children. Mary, a bright
girl of twelve. Susie, who was eight
years old. and Willy. almost six. made
many Journeys daily to the pen where
the fat little porkers dozed and grunted,
and thought nothing could be prettier
than their sleek sides and curly tails.
One day Mr.. Spry put sack of corn
on his horse. and rode away TO have
il ground into meal. He had to 60
nearly twenty miles to mill, and they
did not expect him home until after
midnight. But the weather was hot,
and .he moon at its full. 1t would be
much pleasanter riding by moonlight
than in the heat of the day.
Mrs. Spry had the bold courage of a
true backwoods woman. and did not
fear to stav alone with her tile family,
even though the nearest neigbbor
lived over three miles away. The
evening work WAS done. and the Sprys
were Just closing their little cabin at
night-fall when that very neighbor.
Mr. Wilson. came riding over in hot
haste for Mrs. Spry. His little child
was very II. if not dying. and he had
come for Mrs. Spry to 60 over and stay
with his wife while he went for the
doctor. to the nearest settlement Mrs.
Sprv was greatly worried to decide
what to do. She did not like to refuse
kindness to q neighbor in trouble.
but how could she leave her own little
ones alone?
Mother. GO" said little Mary. I'm
not afraid to stay with the children
until father comes"
I'm little afraid" said Susie, ''bu,
/ would not like to have Jimmy Wilson
die. and nobody be there, SO You 60.
mother"
We'll. I'll venture it. There is
really nothing to hurt you. if you stay
in the house. and father will be here BY
twelve" said Mrs. Spry, hurrying tc
get ready.
Giving Mary directions to keep the
cabin shut. and on no account to step
out of it, she bid them all . loving
| good-bye, and mounted on Mr.. Viii
sons horse, behind him. and rode
( away.
As the echo of the horses hoofs died
away. the children felt very lonely,
but Mary kept their courage up by
telling them lively stories until theil
bright eyes grew heavy. Then she un.
dressed them. heard them say theiI
prayers, and put them both snugly tc
bed. where they were soon fast asleep.
She meant to go to bed herself, but
not to 60 to sleep until her father
came home.
I'm Just lie down BY the children" ="
she said. land it won't be so lonely
But before taking off her clothes
Mary went to the window and dreW
the curtain to look out at the moon
light 1t was gloriously beautiful,
making the night almost as light ~
day
Father will have a lovely ride
home" said Mary. just about to droE
the curtain. and go to rest.
Suddenly a new object caught hel
eye. and stopped her breath. 1t was
large object, dark and woody, and il
was nso,1ng. creeping along the edge o
the field. straight toward the pig-pen.
Mary knew what it was! Ii was {
uo1strous brown bear. and she ~ls u
alone with the children! She did not
believe he would come to the house, or,
be able to get in even if he did. as the
door was barred strongly. But the
precious pigs! Could she stand there
and see them al devourec before h0
eyes'
oh, if father were only here to kill
him. she cried. clasping her hands in
distress, and glancing at her fathers
small rifle, which rested upon its pegs
against the wall.
The next instant a bold thought
formed itself in the mind of this little
backwoods girl.
"Couldn't do it myselfp" she whis-
pered. Mother did tell me not to 60
out, but she did not know the bear YVES
coming! l can shoot pretty well-I
believe I'll try!'
She climbed on a bench. and took
down the rifle which her father had
taught her to use. The settlers in
those days did not ride through dan
gerous woods without weapons. and
Mr.. Spry had one trusty rifle slung at
his back when he went to mill. The
smaller one he usually left at home.
and both Mary and her mother were
expert in its use.
With the gun in her hand she went
to the door. then drew away from it,
saying:
mo, I won't open the door. He
might get in, if left it open. and any
thing happened to me. and kin the
children. l can got out of the win
dow"
A sharp squeal and terrible grunt-
ing and snorting outside told her that
the bear had found the pigs. She
dew to the window. set hsr gun out
olimhed ont altar r. u2okaA r mn ~