Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-12-14
Als FIRST BEAR.
TenderfoOt Lays Out Bruin by Chance
but Runs a Mile with Fright.

4 Tenderfoot Lays Out Bruin by Chance'
but Runs a Mile with Fright.
One morning, after driving over rough,
,illv roads and smooth bottom for several
laws started, with rather sappy looking
elbow. for drive to look up some land out
1ear the banLs of the Mississippi river.
The irrepressible combination of loafer and
adviser at the frontier hotel had volunteered
he information that wolves had been seen in
that heights rhood, and seeing in this a pos
sible chance to cover myself with glory,
borrowed the landlords old shotgun, loaded
Doth barrels with good charges OF powder
and three slugs each, and away we went. My
companion didn't seem to enthuse much over
the sportive turn our trip had taken. he even
seemed to doubt the propriety of 'monkeylng
with gun" as he expressed it, but set him
down for a chicken hearted fellow, and
rather pitied him for not feeling that thrill
of pleasure at the prospect of dangerous and
exciting sport which animated me-
A couple of hours drive brought us near
our destination, and the river stretched Its
length before us; stunted woods and under
brush skirted its banks, but no wolves had
thus far disturbed our peaceful meditations
and was beginning to feel that the wretch
at the hotel had been playing me for a ten
derfoot Suddenly huge black bear walked
out of the bushes and claimed our attention.
Now had always maintained that | was
naturally a very brave man; of course, had
never had any dealings with this class of ami
mails, but my vivid imagination had many
times pictured just such a crisis as this, and
my courage had always lin my mind, OF
course risen sublimely to the occasion. My
driver trembled like leaf in cyclone, and
didn't have the backbone of an office towel
left in his frame, while |, true to my imagi
nation, felt brave enough to fight dozen
bears single handed. stood up in the buggy,
and when | saw the brute making for us with
no uncertain tread | could fairly feel the
courage swelling within me. | scornfully
ordered the driver to hold the horses and
spraug lightly to the ground.
| have never been able to satisfactorily ex
plain just what caused such metamorphosis
in the aspect of things, but somehow the in
slant found myself on the same footing with
the beast began to feel lonesome. | began
to appreciate the company of even a scared
man and a team Of horses My chest didn't
swell as much, and the air seemed to thicken;
something seemed stuck in my throat that
persisted in distracting my attention from
the pressing business of the moment, when,
oh, horrorsI the bear gave a yell, the man
howled, and away went the horsesl
1t is surprising how lost confidence in that
old gun; and as it was really the only obstacle
between the bear and his breakfast, this had
a very depressing effect on my nervous svs-
tenn But the bear was upon me; | had no
time to entertain melancholy reflections. |
pointed the gun in the direction of his glover
ing muzzle and fired Instantly he arose on
his hind quarters with cry of pain. had
lust sense enough left to know that this was
my last chance, but the cool, calm confidence
so vital to my best interests had become
myth. l simply pulled the trigger, and the
ether three slugs started in the direction of
the enemy. The enraged beast dropped to
four footed business and started for me; one
short gaze at his glistenng teeth, red mouth
and big corporosity numbering toward me
was enough. Thoroughly demoralized,
dropped my gun, and, looking neither to the
right hand nor to the left, wildly fed.
l could feel the hot breath of my villainous
pursuer on my oscillating calves, and he
seemed to drop his ponderous feet into the
very tracks had just left not three feet be-
hind | strained every nerve and muscle to
increase my speed, but could not gain an inch
on the fearful tramping behind me- Soon
this pace began to tell on me; it also told on
the bear The way my labored breathing
was echoed back by the hot puffs of the beast
at my heels was paralyzing, as well as re-
markab,e As the various parts of my anat-
omy presented themselves before my harassed
mental vision as candidates for bear delica-
ties each seemed more precious than the rest,
and | never before realized what physical
treasure | was Then / thought of my life
insurance; wondered if policies held good
where the deceased was used to decorate the
interior of n bear.
The faint hope that his bearship would be
considerate enough to leave the buttons out
side for purposes of identification was a COM
paratively cheering reflection, so melancholy
had become.
Finally the fact was forced upon me that
could not keep up this terrible pace much
longer; l was lost physically, at least, and
now | tried to think of that mode of exit
from the scene that would be least shocking
to my oversensitive nerves, as well as salts
factory to the bear If turned and offered
to fight single handed, | feared the bear
might try to hug me, and as believe in sin
cerity in all things could not conscientiously
enjoy this mark of affection under the cir
cumstances.
finally decided that my feet would be the
least Objectionable part to present by way OF
introduction Since this country was annex
ed to Chicago, | have not regarded them in
the same light as of old So, dripping with
perspration, harassed by thousand IN
named fears, as wretched a bundle of hui
manity as ever was offered for sacrifice,
threw myself on my back, stuck my feet into
the air, closed my eyes and awaited my early
dissolution. | waited and waited in vain. |
had been running against time The bear
Law dead just about mile behind, not ten
rods from where had shot him.-Cincinnad
Enquirer.
American Credit Abroad.
A.o-;oo, oradit apDaars RI ha at tha 20