Griggs courier., 1888-10-19

Theater, was at the "Eremitage," restau-
rant, think without an equal in the world,
awaiting the return of my friend P who
had driven lady to her home. was chat
ting with some acquaintances when p en-
tered and asked me with smile: "Apro-
pos, what will we pay for the bear!" re-
sponded that did not want to buy, but
wanted to shoot bear. After many funny
remarks l learned that we would have to
buy the bear before we could hunt him.
The peasants make it their business to dis
cover the lair of the bear, and as soon as
they find one send word to their landlords
or to a well-known hunter asking what
price he will pay per pud. The pud is thirty
six English pounds and the peasants gener.
ally ask from ten to twelve rubles per pud
They usually get eight rubles (about four
dollars) per pud. After the bargain is COM
pleted the day for the hunt is fixed, and, the
hunters having been posted, the peasants
enter the woods and drive the bear out to
them. After the animal is killed he is
weighed and the price agreed on is paid.
The Monday following the meeting at the
Eremitage our party, six in number, boarded
the St. Petersburg express, leaving Moscow
at nine o'clock p. III. At4:30in the morning
the conductor awakened US, and at five we
alighted. Friend P.'s country seat is only
about two versts distant from the depot, and
soon two sleds conveyed us to that hospita-
BILE roof. Comfortably heated rooms re-
ceivcd us, and after having taken a cup of
hot tea we all went to bed again to enjoy
some more rest. as we did not intend to
start on the hunt before ten o'clock. AT
nine o'clock we We're called to sumptuous
breakfast. The faithful Ivan gave me re.
port of the locality, where and how the
peasants had discovered the bear, what
preparations had been made and how the
bear should be driven within the shooting
circle We then started Our equipment
consisted of thick but not burdensome furs,
high,impermeable boots, heavy short double
barreled guns, revolvers and long hunting
knives In two sleds we rapidly proceeded
on our way to the wooded hills of the Waldai
Mountains. After drive of about one hour
we ahghted, and led by Ivan, climbed and
glided down q deep ravine, not an easy Job,
considering our outfit. Then we marched
for about fifteen minutes along the bottom
of the ravine until we came on the right to
a second broad detile This was to be the
theater of our present expedition, for in
some of the recesses of this gorge the lair
of bear had been found. Then the chain
Of hunting was formed. the respective po-
sitions being determined by lots. Fate as.
signed me the extreme left wing where
stood some distance up the mountain side.
About 100 PAGES on the right stood my next
neighbor. When had settled myself in the
snow, which was not very deep, waited
for events. had not much confidence in
the advantage of my position for thought
it certain that the bear would make its es-
cape along the valley and not up the slopes.
After about threequarters Of All hour
heard the first noise, and then with fire.
quent occurrences the cracking of branches,
but without seeing any thing. Nearer and
nearer came the noise of the drivers, but no
report of a gun was heard; nothing re-
sembing the breaking through the woods of
heavy animal was heard. Now the
drivers were so near me that I fancied
could see them at any moment; believing,
besides, that the driving had been fruitless
1 stood there lazy and detected, the gun
resting on my left arm. when suddenly, a
little above me, something broke through
the bushes. What thought at that moment
l do not recollect, for thought was COM
pressed into seconds, but at any rate did
not imagine that this was bear and, as no
shot was to be fired at any other game, did
not even raise my gun The cracking came
nearer, increasing all the while in force
and suddenly, not fifteen yards distant a
huge brown bear emerged from the under
brush, coming down upon me in al oblique
line. Without adjusting my gun properly
for which had ..ot tho necessary time)
fired and yr;,lk { ..issing gro,.n 5ruiu we@.t
down, turning somersault after somersault
But. before had time for I; second shot, he
was on his legs again and had disappeared
in the direction OF the other hunters. First
my neighbor fired and then several
other shots followed almost stimuli
taneously. just when | had reloaded. my
neightor fired another shot and the next
moment the bear emerged from the bushes,
coming for me a second time. He was not
farther than fifteen yards. With my gun
ready stood awaiting his advance He ap-
preached a few PAGES before he discovered
me- At first he seemed surprised. Then he
reared and made ready for fight. He was
not more than eight PAGES distant and
could see his small eyes set with blood, and
bloody saliva flowing from his jaws. His
ears were thrown back, and with his mouth
wide open he presented a terrible aspect, but
in the presence OF imminent danger. my
self-possession returned. aimed at the
point between his malicious eyes and fired
When the smoke cleared away, bruin was
on the ground, his huge frame shaking with
convulsive movements. IN little while he
was still. but waited some time with my
gun ready before l ventured to approach
him. Then I summoned the other hunters
to see my prize, for mine he was, as had
fred the fatal shot.
1t proved to be powerful female bear
weighing eleven pud. The heaviest ever
killed in that country weighed thirteen pud
She had received eight balls; my first ball
had entered the flank, gone through and
through and made its exit at the other flank
To carry the bear home was task left to
the overjoyed Ivan, who praised my shot
above the eyes. No one was happier than
on our way homeward.
To-day this she bear-stuffed under my
direction-is standing, almost exactly in the
same position as when sent that ball into
her brain, on one of the steps of my house.
exciting the admiration of every visitor by
her huge frame powerful steel-like claws
and terrific jaws.-St. Louis Republic.
New Colors for Winter.
Here are some of the shades adopted
by syndicate of Paris manufacturers
for the goods they will make for the
winter trade: