The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-03-27
I BEGAN TO PULL

and looked in, when instantly big and
savage black bear made furious
plunge at me.
II naturally started back little,
though I had been anticipating trick,
| and then the big laugh which those
| rough fellows had been storing up burst
| forth, regular Homeric peal which
made the whole forest ring. They
laughed long and loud and smote their
! thighs. They evidently deemed it the
| browning joke of the winter.
II took it all very coolly, and kept
my attention fixed on the bear, which l
saw at once was chained. 1 noticed also
that the animal was standing on three
| legs in such manner as to indicate that
it's right fore-shoulder was actually dis
located, and made up my mind that
would set that shoulder at all events.
II waited till they had enjoyed their
laugh. Then quietly remarked that I
had as lief set bears shoulder as a
mans, and proceeded to overhaul my
case and get out my chloroform.
"Will one of you be kind enough to
| fetch good strong line and stand by in
case 1 should need any help?' said L,
quite as matter Of course, as I pulled
off my coat
''They looked astonished; evidently
they had expected to see me completely
discounted by their joke and covered
with confusion.
"Come, come urged, it il custom
ary to aid a doctor in little matters like
| this, believe; I may not need any
help, but do want line"
''They grinned and hesitated, but
finally one OF them brought . coil of
warping line, such as is used for rafting
logs. took it up, examined it care
fully and made slip-n DOSE at one end.
Then advancing cautiously upon my pa
tient, for he was an ugly and a danger
GUS brute, I watched for an opportunity
and presently, at the first toss, threw
the moose over his head. Running back
ward then with all my force, l hauled
the bear forward to the extrepe length
of his chain, and made the Hne-tight
as t1ddle-string-fast around stump.
''1n two minutes the animal was
choked completely limp by the moose
around its throat, and his tongue came
out from his mouth. I then opened my
chloroform, saturated my pocket-hand-
kerchief and applied it to the bears
nose. AS soon as the anaesthetic had
taken effect I cast of the rope, which
would soon have choked him to death,
and set to work to reduce the disloca-
ton.
This was the really difficult part Of
the business for me, for although knew
how in theory, 1 had never actually
done such thing.
''The animals muscles were COM
pletely relaxed. I felt out the disloca-
ton and determined its character and
position; turned the creature over, so
as to be able to apply my strength TO
advantage. Then getting firm grip
upon his old black paw with both hands
and planting both feet against his neck
and side, I began to pull. giving the leg
the necessary twist as did so.
Twice pulled about as hard as
could and began to think that l should
have to ask for assistance. Still wished
very much to do it unaided, and collect
ing all my strength, made q third effort.
This time was successful, and had the
satisfaction of throwing the head Of the
humerus back into tho socket-with 4
snap
1.-The men heard it go back; was
aware of little stir among them, and
murmur either of amusement or ap-
proval. But paid no attention to
them and did not even look around.
"As worked on the bear I had been
thinking what would be my best course
with them. knew that if I meant to
disarm the ridicule Of those rough fell
lows and command their respect must
do something more than merely replace
the bears paw. 1t was necessary to
show them that they could not impose
upon me with impnnity and get . laugh
at my expense. must turn their joke,
somehow, and show them that was
more than match for them.