The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-31

Johnny will find enough to do to keep
you out OF mischief"
The next morning, bright and early,
Mr. Linn started, as he had proposed, to
go to Harrington; but, before he could
possibly have got there, the weather sud-
denly changed. The sky clouded over,
and the air was thick with snow, which
drifted by the wind, soon covered the
track made by the oxen and sled. AS the
storm increased, the trees around the
cablr were scarcely visible from it's
windows; and, by nightfall, the strong
branches OF the roof-tree, to which last
years withered leaves were still clinging,
were SO heavily loaded with snow that
they bent to the ground. A great drift
was heaped against the door 80 high that
no one tried to go out of it. The little
family were fairly snow-bound. Blu
there was plenty to eat and drink for
themselves, as we'll as old Brindle, and
firewood enough cut to last week. Their
only anxiety was for Mr.. Linn and his
oxen. Had he turned back before he
reached Harrington, or pushed on to
stay all night there?
Many question was put to the anxious
mother that stormy day. Sammy and
Johnny, the two older boys, kept the
path open to the wood pile until a great
heap was under cover. As for old Brin-
die, her shed was in the lee OF the cabin !;
and it was not SO much in danger of be-
ing showed under.
I'VE must have blazing fire when
father comes home" said Annie, chesrily.
| She had not seen the tears in her moth
er's eyes as she noted the candle which
one of the boys had set in the window
now completely blinded with snow. "Shall
we wait supper, mother?" asked Annie,
stirring away with housewifely care the
| pot of mush which had been on the fire
all the afternoon.
'No, child; it is late and the little ones
are sleepy"
1t was sober party that gathered
around the table that night; and Mrs.
Linn looked soberer than ever when, by
common consent, the supper things were
quietly cleared away, and circle was
made around the blazing fire. Mrs.
Linn took her heaped up work basket in
hand, and the older children got out
books and states to prepare the lessons
in geography and arithmetic which father
was expected to hear when he came
home.
But they soon tired of this, and no one
was in mood for story telling or story
hearing. Suddenly, Sammy startled them
all with his exclamation: "Whats that
noise, mother? Dye hear it,"
"There's something or somebody
climbing up the tree. Just listenl"
Annie, whose lips were white with
fear, crept close to her mothers side.
Even the boys, big and brave as they
felt themselves to be, were frightened a
little, though they would not own it.
Soon the snow cracked on the roof, as
if with the tread of some heavy animal.
Then there was a scratching about the
chimney-top; and though they could see
nothing save the sparks from the blazing
wood, they all heard enough to convince
them that some savage brute was up
there, struggling to get free.
Annie cried and chung to her mother,
who felt helpless enough, il she was the
Oldest one in the house. After what
seemed to be long time, all was still.
But no one felt easy about the strange
visitor. What was up in the chimney, or
why the noises had ceased, no one could
tell. All but the baby and two-year-old
Harry sat up, wide awake until morn
ing. Fresh wood was put on; but, as
the smoke would not go up the chimney,
| it was taken off again, leaving the room
very cold and cherries except for bed
of Goals which kept the hearth-stones
warm. At last, the old clock in the cor
ner struck six; and going to the snow
mufled window, the children saw faint
glimmer of light, which showed that day
would soon break in the east, and that
the storm had cleared away.
The boys were very eager to get out
and have q look at the roof, 80 they push
ca their way through the snow hesped
against the back door far enough to see
the top of the chimney. There, like a
great stopper, was q huge black bear.
One of his hind legs and his tail told the
story of his adventures that eventful
night. He had walked, as bears some
times do, from his usual winters nap SO
hungry that he had gone out in search Of
something to eat. Some deer's meat
which Mr.. Linn had hung in the Chin
ney to dry in the smoke, had attracted
the animal with its savory odor. He had
climbed up on the roof to help himself to
some of it, when he was caught in the
chimney hue, and smothered in his effort
to escape.
"Come out and see the show, motherl"
shouted the boys. "Hoorsyl That bear
is done for sure"
Mrs. Linn was making her way out
through the drifts as far as she could,
when sound was heard from the woods,
as though some human being was there
calling for help.
81 do believe that is father" exclaimed
Sam, plunging in the snow in the direc
fion of the voiea Anothar TnOmant and