The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-05-02
A FAMOUS BEAR FIGHT.
Old Aaron's Desperate Hsnd-to-Paw
Conflict Ia the Florida Woods
Tho Night Adventure OF
Bcar Hunter.

1
parlor. however the bright lamps and
cheerful freight had formed IA leag ne,
offensive and defensive. 10 repel the
dampness OF the cloud-drops and to
-eplace the light that moon and stars
withheld.
Ii was one OF those country ''tav-
erns.N as they are called in the
Southwest. where the father of tho
family was both clerk aud landlord,
the mother. cook and stewardess. the
daughters waited ON the guests and the
boys took charge OF outdoor affairs.
In the home-liko room there were
gathered tonight four guests. all AZ
different as possible from each other
and also from their kind entertainers
But all the same they received cor
dial welcome. They had sat down
with tho family To a plentiful homely
supper and were now enjoying q cosy
smoke with the landlord and his boys
And as they smoked OF course they
talked.
One Of the travellers was famous
trapper and hunter we'll known by
reputation to the boys. and after many
winks. and pokes. and nudges. and
whispers between themselves the
youngest boy whispered 20 his father;
Father, won't you ask Mr.. Welch To
tell us storyP'
Here Is Mr., Welch, Jimmie; why
don't you ask him yourselfg"
The lad blushed all over his honest,
freckled face; and WEIGH. who was one
OF the best-natured men in the world.
called out: Come here. Jimmie and
tell me what kind OF story you want.
Thus encouraged. the boys crowded
about him and begged for real. true
story OF some hunting adventure.
Something about bears. said Jim
mic.
Welch closed his eyes for moment,
aud then. without word of warning.
broke ont into perfect gale OF laugh
ter so jolly and SO hearty. that every
one In the room laughed too, without
at all knowing why.
Well well. | must tell ydu what
happened once when | was spending
winter in Florida. had boen sick
with chills In the fall and went down
10 that warm country To see IL could
not cure myself by living out OF doors
while had little cabin not far
from 4 small settlement, mostly Of
natives and colored folks, and never
met u regular white man unless when
! had W 20 10 town for necessarics.
One sunday evening ! was walking
home through the woods whom ! was
overtaken by a negro who lived near
my cabin. lie had been 20 revival
meeting, and was In u joyous frame Of
mind walking slowly along and sing
ing ono OF his fayorite hymns, had
some bundles, and Aaron kindly offered
20 share my burden, SO ! gave him
basket that contained some medicines
md other things | had just bought,
1T was early, and the moon shonc
as bright rs day so wo walked along
quite happy, Aaron singing and |
listening and thinking OF far of friends
when suddenly we heard deep.
hoarse growl, and in "A moment more
great overgrown bear rushed ont OF
some bushes by the path and came
straight toward Us. Aaron. who was
just singing
DO not pass me by
ended the sentence with loud groan
and 'Lawd sabe AS! and rushed tn the
nearest tree, hoping thus 20 get out o I
lis bearship's road. But alas. | too
had selected that same refuge. and had
he start OF the poor fellow. so that by
,he time he had chance 10 climb IL
.he bear had nearly reached him.
''Bruin must have been hungry and
smelled the basket for all at once he
reared up on his hind feet aud adj
,anced right on 10 poor old Aaron.
The fellow backed up against the tree
yelling all the time and seeming 10 be
completely ratified Gas the boys Say).
On came the bear growing and show
Ing teeth, while his great outstrctched
paws seemed 20 the bewildered man Co
be- double their real size From the
tree-top oJuld see but little. as tho
leaves wcrs thick. but al venture |
called out; 'Whack him In the eyesl
Nhack him In the eyes with the bas-
lsetV Nearer and nearer cnme the
great creature and louder and hoarser
was the growl. when suddenly Aaron
recovered his wits.
lie seized bottle from the haslet
that hung upon his arm and brought IL
down ON the great blunt nose. II br oxe /
into dozen pieces, and filled the bears
throat and eyes with the horrible burn 4
ing Vinegar Bitters that had bought +
Tor my chills.
You can imagine Master Bruins .
nstonishment. lie stood still for a /
second. and then with dreadful growl I
Of pain and rage began 10 advance 4
Egaln ON Aaron. But by this time the I
old follows blood was up and his wits
at work. Once more ne struck his
rough enemy but this time with even a
Hnnlll.... ,r..n1,n., L., ~. l...I..-a 49,