The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-16
THE CUB AND THE TAPE-LINE.

A Trout Fisherman Chased Little Bear
and Captured 1t by Stratagem.
M. Z. Lilley Of Canton, Bradfo I'd County,
captured this springs cub few days ago,
after lively and funny chase. Lilley was
trout fishing along the Sinnemahoning
Greek. when the little bear came out of the
woods and stood on the bank, curious
observer of Lilley's sport. The bear seemed
so tame that the fiserman laid down his rod
and started to capture it. The cub stood
still until Lilley was within few feet of it,
and then turned tail and scooted up small
chestnut tree, from the crotch Of which 1t
gazed down mischievously at the man.
The more Lilley saw of the baby bear the
stronger became his desire to have it. After
gazing back at the savage little chap in the
tree for minute or more, he made up his
mind he would climb the tree and fetch the
CUB down. He Skinned uD the tree. and
when lie had his hand almost on the bear,
the bear walked out on q limb out of reach
OF its would be captor. Lilley crawled eau
tously after it, and, when the cub had got
as far as IL could go. 1t suddenly doubled its
hind legs and dropped off the limb. 1t re-
sembled a big rubber ball when it struck
the ground. When it struck it got to its
feet again and looked up at Lilley in a man
ner that aggravated him. If he had had a
gun that cub would have been goner there
and then.
Lilley crept back to the trunk of the tree
and let himself to the ground. He was very
hot, but he still wanted the cub: so he
chased 1t again, and it ran up another tree.
1t took position similar to the one it had
taken In the first tree, and apparently an
tlclpated some more OF the same kind of
fun with its pursuer.
1t so happened that Lilley had with him
pocket tape-line, and while he stood looking
up at the impudent cub and wondering how
he might Outwit the funny little rascal. the
tape-line came to his mind and with il an
idea He quickly made slipping moose in
one end Of the line, and, calculating about
whrre the cub would strike the ground if it
rolled itself up and tumbled from the second
tree, he plac ed the moose around the spot,
Keeping the box end of the line in
his hand, he climbed the tree. The
cub waited again until Liley was
almost within touching distance OF 1t, and
then walked out on the limb as it had be-
fore. Lilley followed. and the little bear
went almost to the end OF the limb. Then
1t ducked its head between its hind legs
again and dropped to the ground. 1t struck
outside the loop in Lilley's tape line, but
bounded directly inside the circle. Getting
up on its feet it looked up at Lilley, and Lii
ley says that he could actually detect grin
on the little cuss' face. But if the cub was
smiling the smile soon left its face, for Lii
ley yanked his tape line and the moose was
drawn together around both of the cubs
hind legs The cub kicked, but that only
made the moose tighter. Lilley kept the line
taut and hurried to the ground. The little
bear fought like fiend for minute or two.
and inflicted some deep scratches on Lilley's
hands and face. But the cub give in at last
and went submisSively with his captOr.
From the fact that the mother of the cub did
not put in an appearance it is supposed that
She must have been shot or trapped, leaving
the cub an orphan. Lilley has the little
bear at his home in Canton, and it is as
tame and docile as dog. -Sinnemahoning
spe cial to n Y SIM