Connecticut western news., 1890-06-25
SAM AND THE BEAR.

There are less actors in the story of Sam and the Bear than there are in the story of "Betty and the Bear," and the former story is not as thrilling yet it is not exactly fable although the writer draws on his imagination to some extent.
 The Rev Samuel F. Adam, of Canaan, Conn.,, "Our Sam," is supplying the pulpit of the Episcopal church at Berlin Falls, N. H., while the rector is taking needed vacation. The country across the river from Berlin Falls is quite thinly settled and the almost un- broken forest extends many miles. A few days ago, "Sam" decided to visit a small settlement some 25 or 30 miles distant, and to make the journey on foot through the forest. Intending to camp whenever he got weary, or wherever night overlook him, he provided him. self with sleeping bag and three days provisions. After tramping several hours he discovered by the figures "blazed" on large tree that he had reached point IS miles distant from Berlin Falls. Here he sat down to rest and refresh himself, but while curiously tracing Nature through her various windings, to her most concealed re- cesses, and viewing with delight the handiwork of the Grand Artifcer of the universe, Sam suddenly recollected that he had an appointment to preach at Berlin Falls the following day. This dicament, caused by being absent mind ol 41,o o,,, xvoa IocoonI;por tho ,uaof and IS long miles must be retraced or the preaching appointment broken. There was no time to lose in halting between two opinions, and it did not take Sam long to decide that it was his duty to return. He merely asked him. self land answered) the question
 Can reach Berlin Falls by candle-light?
 Yes, for my legs are Timber and light.
 and then away he began to run in that direction While hurrying along, with Berlin Falls before Egyptian darkness settled down on the forest than in observing the objects near his pathway, he was suddenly transfxed with horror at seeing large black bear rise up 8 few yards in front of him. It is drawing it mildly to say that Sam's hair rose up simultaneously with the bear. Acting on the impulse of the moment, Sam drew his revolver and fired at the bear, but he now thinks the shot went in the direction of the moon at any rate he did not stop to interview Bruin or apologize to him. Bruin was equally unceremonious and evidently as much "skeered" as Sam, for he described a wide half-circle around Sam, thus leaving Sam clear track toward Berlin Falls.
 Then began an unpremeditated globe trotting race in opposite directions. The bear may still be running, at least we have no evidence to the contrary, or when he is expected to complete the circle of the globe, but Sam reach. ed Berlin Falls that evening, ahead o1 time, beating the best record from the IS mile tree, and yet in his frantic haste he wandered several miles out o1 the direct course and covered distance of Al miles for the entire day. At Berlir Falls the natives caught glimpse of { pedestrian running through the town al "John Gilpin" pace but they could not overtake him, so they tele phone6 on ahead and 8 posse of men succeeded in stopping him and finally persuaded him to abandon his globe-trotting ano let the bear win the race if he chose to At all events, if Bruin and the preacher had both kept up their pace, in opposite directions, soon on the other side of the globe there would also have been meeting of Sam and the Bear.