Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-11-19
A VERMONT BEAR HUNT
Described in Rhyme by the Late DIR j. G.
Holland
Springfield Union.

When the late DR.. Josiah e.. Holland,
the well known author and lecturer, was
pursuing his studies and was about 2l
years of age, he taught school at Wards
boro, this state. \ pamphlet copy of the
history Of the town of ardsboro, con
tans DR.. Hollands account of bear
hunt in which the doctor participated y
woman who had watched with sick
friend in Wardsboro all night and was re
turning home in the morning on horse
back came in contact with Il large black
bear in the road. Both the woman and
her horse We're very much frightened, and
She turned back to the house which she
had lett and reported what she had seen.
The whole town rallied AT once and sur
rounded the woods and finally captured
two bears. Dr.. Hollands many admirers
will be interested in seeing this specimen
of his early verse:
Twas August, just the twcnty-sccond day,
The hour, think about the eleventh.
That is counting from midnight time
! (ENCuse that Just for the sake of rhyme
when mounted upon chargers, fierce,
! Appeared in hast" two mount alnears,
Direct from Ilammond's vale:
| Both halted from their furious Canter
| In Wardsboro, think the Centre,
| And told IL startling tale :
"A bear bear !" they cried "a bear
Has just been seen :. by whom when ?
Where Z"
Cried each pale boy. with jaws wide parted
And looks that showed him chicken hearted ;
"What man has seen one Z" "Oh, twas no
man,
Only Il good, veracious woman;
| She saw and ready stands to swear
! She saw II great, black, awful bear
Now quickly every man turn out
old, young, decrepit. jo n the scout "
Gather together all your ours
| If you've no whip, why take stick.
| Then up and go 'all-fred quick
Then. heavens what rush and run
| For rifle, long, and training gun
Some went to loading, some TO swapping
| Others their greasy fiints to rapplng
Then bounded furious to the stable;
Those to keep horses who were a1Ie;
| \ Il others that attend the shoot
| Must needs, of course, trudgc on aloot:
Then quickly ever horseman mounted,
| And wildly every charger bounded,
| And loud their Clanklug hoois rcsounded,
| Till the whole forest was surrounded;
Then ranged along the eastern border,
| With dogs and guns and all IN order,
| \ lilc OF men, some looking grave,
Others with aspect molly brave,
! All swearing to devote to rum,
| Poor, lonely. unsuspecting bruin.
| Then rose shout, Il shrll halo
"On D.! ON, my boys, the forest through
And if he fight don't stir a peg,
But kill him if it takes leg
All to their guns in fury started,
And all into the thicket darted,
Nor magic clan OF Roderlc Dhu
Fer quicker disappeared from view.
| Bahcurk was there. hunter hou,
| Who hunted wolves ana bears OF Ola,
| And swift DER rocks ana rotten logs,
! Bounded and beloved lhbcock's dogs. $500
"HHrk .hark :" they cry, tine track IS found ~
Eethunders how the woods resound.
Ger every hill and tangled glen
! Press ON the furious, painting men;
Each uttcrlng forth Il cry OF y
Ana Yelling to their uogs, "stahoy w
And every cur put in the faster,
And every one outstrlpped hi master,
Till to their joy and glad surprise,
A brush heap burst upon their eyes,
Round which they stopt in consultation
| y "a he W
And choosing them delegation,
To make n tour of exploration,
Waited with lOlling tongues outside,
To hear by whom twas occupied. ,
Not long ruey stood, not long they talked
When forth the bear, unbdden walked
Handed her paw to each with grace,
And then marched or with rapid pace
zach dog was now chop fallen quite
To see the "Crectur" So polite,
Aud thinking they had met her cody
They one andull determined boldly.
To 20 ahead. have one embrace,
And get Il chance to kiss htr lace
With tins drOll custom unucqulnleu,
| wonder that she had not itlnled
But being II Green untain lass,
She was not frightened by such sass,
For, all alone in that condition,
She took II as an impositluu,
And turning ON the NOISY rabhc,
| Began II fierce, unequal squahhlt,
BahcOCk at tn time coming up,
Seci her hte his darling pup,
Told his old gun TO throw her lead.
Directly at the lady's lead
He though his balls were safely lodged
hut they were not, the "creetur' lodged
And turning round with 'bear''ing proud
She swore that BabcocS talked too loud
said he was out OF order, qulte,
| For mere witness OF the nght,
But there to stand was more absurd
For Babcock could not say word.
The reason he could say no more
Was. he had said the whole before
And thinking she might wish for prey,
Before he had aught else To say,