Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-26
WERE BOTH GOOD RUNNERS.
But Had the Bear Caught the Boy
Things Would Have Been Different.

From the New York Tribune
Gen. Plaisted, ex-governor of Maine, tells
how he once caught bear 1t was, of course
good many years ago, for the general was a,
that time only sixteen years DID, and his father
was cleari ng farm on the hillsides of New
Hampshire.
You may be sure" said the general. that
that part Of New Hampshire has changed a
good deal since those DAYS At that time orr
farm consisted of a goodly stretch of land, a
lot OF stumps where we had been making clear
ings, log house which we built ourselves. and
small log smoke house. That WAS about all
there was to the farm, with the exception of a
few sheep which we had There were not
more than half dozen families in the neigh
borhood
Il was called down from the hill one day by
great shouting and noises of confusion. | ar
rived just In time to see monstrous bear pull
ing himself toward the woods and dragging
along the quarter of sheep. He had gone to
the smoke house, where the quarter hung had
smashed the door aud seized the sheep. The
cries frightened him away
Il was young then" continued the general
with smile, and more enthusiastic over bears
than L should be now. Besides, l and my
younger brothers were possessed of good old
fashioned mountain boys appetites, and to
tell you the truth. mutton was something of a
luxury. 1t made me mad to see that bear tax
ing OH our sheep, and seizing a pitchfork
started after him.
The bear had good start on me, and did
not overtake him until he had almost reached
the last stump of the clearing OH that hill. AS
l came painting up to him brandishing nv
pitchfork, the big fellow turned and snarled a,
me.
The value OF that quarter of sheep dim in
ished suddenly, You may be sure. 1t didn't
seem worth saving after ALL l did not like
that bear, but soon discovered that he did
like me. In fact he stood upon no ceremony.
but started for me as if he would like to give
me hug Of welcome. BY one of those
strange revolutions Of circumstances it was
who was now being chased. That bear was a
better runner than /. and gave up a straight
course l took to the stumps. There weren't
half enough stumps to suit me. We went
around them. over them, lodged them and
played tag around them. never saw any
thing like the agility OF that bear.
while the bear and / were riyalinQ the
wind as travellers, horns were blowing at me
house and every one was shouting Soon the
settlers In the neighborhood began to appear
armed with axes. pitchforks. shovels clubs
anything that could serve as weapon. They
came running up the slope shouting and yelling
at the bear to brighten him away while the
horns sounded dismaily below. But the bear
was too busy t" pay any attention to them.
He seemed to be getting really interested in
the chase, and was growing and snarllng
furiouslv.
for the rescung party. Mr. Bear close upon
my heels Occasionally l circled a stump. the
bear following suit, and there was a din in nv
ears. Pitchforks and axes went into the bear
from all sides. He made a good fight but
numbers conquered him.
Il had an unusually good appetite for sup.
per that night and those bear steaks were deli.
cious. l don't think ever enjoyed a meal
more. The steaks were so juicy and tender
you know. And then as ate 1 couldn't help
congratuiating myself that it was who was
doing the eating 1t came very near being
different, you see."