The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-09-27

Strategy Saved Georgia Mans Life VINES
he Was Hard Pransod.


Strategy Saved . Gsoryis Mans Life When
Hs Was Hard Prssssd.
The following story is told by Mr..
". III. Minerey, who has returned
from Towns county;
II visited the commencement Of the
Young Harris institute. Having en-
joyed the exercises, ! decided to take
a trip through the mountains on foot,
and, being unable to persuade any
one to accompany me, proceeded
alone. By the time the sun had
reached its zenith / had left the wav-
ing fields Of grain behind and was
among the mountains. sat down
upon a fiat rock by the side Of
streamlet, which murmured by, dash
ing down little shoal just below.
Here, after resting a short time,
pursued my journey and travelled on
until 2 O'clock, when / saw to my
right mountain towering high above,
its summit almost kissing the sky. ]
decided to ascend.
II had not proceeded far when a
perpendicular cliff about seventy-iive
feet in height confronted me, but l
decided to flank it and pursue my
way. Turning to the right, came to
a place where the cliff was more slant
ing, and here and there grew few
vines, shrubs and punches of grass in
the crevices. I began the task Of
climbing, which / found difficulty in
accomplishing, and was soon appraised
of the fact that when once up would
not be able to descend at that place,
but by the aid of my walking cane
and pulling to the vines, grass and
bushes, I soon succeeded in reaching
near the top. But was much con-
fused when saw another perpendicu-
lar cliff, about twelve feet high, still
above, shutting in on all sides. Look
ing around for some way to escape
from this prison into which ! had
rambled. ! was delighted to see mar
row passage leading out above the first
cliff which had impeded my progress.
Taking this narrow passage. which
was the only way to escape, had not
proceeded far until l discovered that
the upper cliff became nearer and
nearer to the edge Of tho lower one,
until tho passage disappeared.
II had gone about fifty feet, where
the passage was about four feet wide,
and was directly over the frightful
precipice below; but the cliff above
had gradually become lower, till it
was about breast high where was,
and l could with ease spring to the top
of it and proceed without difficulty, as
the surface was almost level for some
distance above, and overgrown with
weeds and shrubbery about waist high.
II leaned back against the cliff to
rest and view the country, when Isud-
denly heard a rustling behind, and
quickly turning was Mortified to see
huge, shaggy bear approaching. Ris'
ing on his launches he began growl-
ing, Struggling his shoulders, and
showing his white teeth and ugly
claws, as it were, to make known what
had to meet. There l was with no
weapons save walking cane and
penknife. There was no hope in fight.
To retreat was death; to go forward
the same.
ITO throw myself down the preci-
pice would be an easier death than to
be torn to pieces-but that would be
suicide. The monster was within ten
feet of me. l fell upon my knees not
TO pray, but to escape the sight of the
monster. In order TO put into effect
the stratagem upon which had fallen.
jerked off my coat and hat and placed
them upon my cane. By this time the
bear was almost ready to leap upon
me. pitched out my cane with the
coat and hat upon it, IS if it were my
self making spring to get away. The
bear, with roar, made clumsy leap
at them, and over the precipice he
went, carrying coat and hat in his
embrace.
In the height of ecstasy l called
out, 'Good-by, old fellow. Take good
care of my coat and hat, will go
down after them after bit
Il leaped to the top of the cliff
above, and, going around some dis
lance, got down there at last and
found the bear had no further use for
the coat and hat.
Il went to house some miles dis
tant and told the man about what mad
happened. lie told me to make my
self at home and he, getting up some
others, went for the bear. They came
in next morning with him and gave
me the skin, which Z snail keep all
my life, and dying, mention it in my
will, bequeathing it as rich legacy to
posterity. ATLANTA Constitution.