Evening star., 1886-07-17
Mac0mber and the B'ar.

BARK PEELEis, CUB, AND THE CUBS
MOTHER ALL IN HOLLOW STUMP TOGETHER.
A AScranton, Pa, dispatch TO the New York sun
July S,says: Early one morning last week Rich'd Il
Macomber, a Goudsboro bark peeler, who was
on his way to the bark woods about TOUR miles
south of his home sat down to rest in barren
Knoll overlooking swamp. As he was about
to resume his journey he saw a bear come out
ol Tall hollow stump and wadd!e into the
swamp. MacOiuber concluded that the Old
pea pear had cub or two in the stump, and. AS he
has long desired to raise and tame a young
bear, he hurried down to the stump as
soon as he thought the old bear had got good
distance away. When he reached the stump
he found ii much taller than it looked 10 be
from his position on the knoll. Years ago the
wind had twisted the tree OFT about fifteen feet
from the ground, and Macomber, in order 10
get to the top of the stump cut down "A small
tree, got long pole from its trunk and then
lifted the small end of the pole to the top OF the
stump. and braced the other end against the
ground. Then he climbed up the pole and
looked into the hole in the stump.
His suspicious had been correct, for at the
potion OF the hole, where the stump was at
least four feet in diameter. a cub pear was pok-
ing his nose against the sides OF the stump, and
moving around in state of apparent uneas-
ness. Macomber made up his mind to get pos
session OF the cub right away.and so he lei Iiin-
sell down into the hole by bracing his arms and
Knees against the sides of the young bears cir
cular prison. When he got TO bottom the
cub began to whimper and whine but Macom-
Der seized nim quickly, and at once attemuted
To climb out OIL the stump one OF his arms had
TO be used TO hold the trembling cub. and he
soon found that getting out OF the stump was
comber had several times undertaken to ascend
with the cub i'll one arm he put the little fellow
down lor the purpose OF a>certaining whether
ne would be able TO climb out with the aid OF
both arms. He found that he could, and then
he took some strong pieces Of cords from his
pocket and was getting ready to fasten the cub
to his waist when he heard "a scratching on the
outside OF the stump. He listened. and the
next Notwithstanding darkened the entrance
to the hole.
lie Immediately loOSened his hold on the
whimpering cub and looked up. As he did SO
something began 10 sni1f and snort and growl
IL was the mother bear, and she was backing
down into the hole in great haste. Macumber
yelled at her to go back and leave him alone
with the cub, but she paid no attention to his
command until he grabbed both OF her hind
Ieet when she uttered roar and started to-
ward the entrance with Macomber hanging Oh
to her feet. He rellnquished his grasp lust as
sne stuck her head out OF the hole, and Draced
himself tor further developments. The bear
appeared to be greatly frightened, and, without
attempting TO turn upon the invader OF her
nome, she clumsiiy moved over the edge OF the
stump and backed down the outside. Then
Macombe hurried out and slid down the pole
with alacrity.
The mother bear met him at the foot, her APP
parent fright having been turned into furious
anger She rushed at him with a growl OF rage,
ana tumbed him into a heap before he had a
chance to flee, striking him down two or three
times AS he was endeavoring to get up. Ma
coLnber nnaily got on his feet, and in his efforts
to reach his axe at the side OF the stump the
bear forced him into another lively defense.
One OF her big paws struck him terrific thump
on the back as he stretched out his arm To grab
the axe. making him fully realize the tact that
the bear would soon kin him unless he could
disable her. MacomDer recovered himself and
grasped the axe heive, and then he lodged TO
the opposite side of the stump and dealt the
bear a killing blow with the sharp blade as she
made for him. The blow cut side OF her
head open, and she tell at his feet, bleeding and
groaning. Another blow finished her, and then
Macomber, alter having rested little, climbed
into the stump again, fastened the cub To his
body and got 1T safely out. He reached his
home a little before noon, and So highly
elated over the result OF his exploit that he
didn't peel any bark until the following day.