The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-03-21

ulHnJldll lut oJIOHS DIduChSo VI tho
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 so high that
no one tried to go out of it. The little
family were fairly snow-bound. But
there was plenty to eat and drink for
themselves, as well as for old Brindle,
and frewood enough cut to last week.
Their only anxiety was for Mr.. Linn
and his oxen. Had he turned back be-
fore he reached Harrington or pushed
on to stay all night there?
Many a question was put to the anx-
ious 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 Brindle, her shed was in the lee of
the cabin and was not so much in
danger of being showed under.
eve must have blazing fire when
father comes home" said Annie,
cheerily. She had not seen the tears in
her mothers 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?n asked Annie, stirring away
with housewifely care at the pot of mush
which had been on the fire all the after
noon.
"No, child; it is late and the little
ones are sleepy"
1t was a 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 storytelling or
strengthening. Suddenly Sammy startled
them all with his exclamation: What's
that noise, mother? Dye hear it?''
"There's something or somebody
climbing up the tree. Just lsten"
Annie, whose lips were white with
fear, crept close to her mothers side.
Even the boys, big and brave as they
little, though they would not own it.
Soon the snow cracked on the roof,
as if with the tread of some heavy ami
NAL. 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, if 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 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, till morning. 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 a bed of Goals
which kept the hearth-stones warm.
AT last the old clock in the corner
struck six; and, going to the snow
mutfled window, the children saw a
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 look at the roof, so they
pushed their way through the snow
heaped against the back door far
enough to see the top of the chimney.
There, like great stopper, was 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 sometimes do, from his usual
winters nap so hungry that he had
gone out in search of something to eat.
Some deers meat which Mr.. Linn had
hung in the chimney to dry in the
smoke had attracted the animal with
its savory odor. He had climbed upon
the roof TO help himself to some of it,
when he was caught in the chimney
hue and smothered in his effort to es-
cape.
"Come out and see the show,
motherl " shouted the boys. " Hooray
That bear is done for, sure"
Mrs. Linn was making her way out
through the drifts as far as she coulC
when a sound was heard from the
woods, as though some human being
was there calling for help.
81 do believe that is father" eX
claimed Sam, plunging into the snow il
the direction of the voice. Another
moment and all doubt as to who wa
there was removed, as Mr.. Linn'i
"halloo " was plainly heard, though al
immense drift rose between him ant
his home.
Sam, who could climb like monkey
now made for the oak-tree. From ont
of its crotches he could see over thu
drift, through a break in the woods
which marked the course of the stream
the oxen and sled, and little in ad
vance of them his father, trying t.
make his way through the snow.
" Yes, it's father" said Sam to thu
little group who were waiting in tn,
snow for his report. Giles all right
The team seems TO be fast in a drift
No, they're moving. He'll soon reacl
a bare place on this side of the brook.
" Wave your handkerchief to him