The National tribune., 1892-11-10
A SKETCH IN
BURNT MATCHES.
A Story Which Proves That Circum-
stances Alter Cases.
BY r. L. KETCHUM.
EON RID HARDIE,

~ EONARD HARDIE
! |: !:
0NNIEM patrician, was quite ar
| afEESIII3 ordinary young man
NIHgg,EA that is, he differed
IF%j ssSiTGgA\c in no essential par
| AI1lfsfsF FH&N ticular from hun
al 3IkVskS dreds and thousands o.
Esx ;ifEeS" other young men of his
| SAVI ilVSIM own age, race, and
| T(AHI iikSAAH~~\ station. I did not
o,Il iiNTMS%E mean to imply that he
| III diRSgtHftS n was lacking in bril-.
81 Sas.-z4laeUS(aN liancy, ability, or men.
g ~lSS tai accomplishments
~2sssH=- Not at all. l merely
Syj& wished it understood
that he possessed these
qualities in no greater degree than did plenty
of others. For the rest of it. he was % and
moderately goodlooking, in an unpro::
nounced blonde way; he was wealthy and
indoent; he was or pretended to be, blase and
world weary he had a very good-indeed, an
excellent-opinion of Leonard Hardie; and,
lastly, his health was not very good this Sum-
mer of which 1 write. The principal differ
ence between this young man and others of his
kind lay in the fact that he was not aware
that there was not much dif'erence-most
naturally, he believed himself more than q
little different from the resin which, oddly
| enough, it will be observed that he was again
very like all the other young men, whose num-
Der has been heretofore suggested by the care
| less mention of "thousands." After all, now
/ am abont it. may as well confess what has, n
doubt, already been guessed at-Mr. Leonard
Hardie's chief claim to distinction lay in the
fact that his digestion was not in first class con-
| ditop and he had come West to find climate
| and mode of living that would enable him to
eat three meals day and sigh for more.
| For a month or two after coming West,
Hardie wandered around in an aimless way.
| He looked at Denver and Pueblo and won
dered. He took in Manitou, Pixies Peak, and
| the rest of it. and became disgusted-he was
tired of doing just as other people did.
Then he became possessed OF an idea. In one
of the wilder sparsey- settled Counties over the
range there was little mining camp. and his
father was President of the company that oper-
ated the mines there. Leonard had heard
much about the advantages possessed by the
country round about Camp Ludlow in the way
of shooting and fishing, and thither he betook
himself along with sundry paraphernalia of the
chase and full supply of anything and every
thing calculated to lure the wary and super
suspicious trout from its native haunts.
Hardie was cordially received by Penhale-
gon, the Superintendent. The latter's cordial
ity, however, was by no means exaggerated on
account of the fact that his guest was the son
of his employer. The Superintendent was not
that kind of man. He was glad to receive
Hardie, for the reason that visitors at Ludlow
were lew anu IdT DetWecu, tuTtHcT, DccaUSe
be Immediately "siZed up" the New Yorker as
being good fellow and congenial spirit, albeit
one not of his own station; for John Penhalle.
gon was plain man-one of the people.
Hardie thoroughly enjoyed his first days at
Camp Ludlow What time Penhallegon WAS
not busy he spent in showing his guest the best
trout pools the most frequented haunts of
grouse and cartridges flor it was now almost
the last of August, and young birds were nearly
yp1 ha in for for
the sketch-book of the New Yorker, who was
toierable hand with the pencil. In the even
ings Hardie found plenty of amusement in
listening to the "reminiscences and anecdotes
oftener blood-curdling and hair-raising than
otherwise-told by the citizens who gathered
after supper at the store, and an occasional
bout at chess with Penhallegon served to while
away an hour or two before bedtime.
In few days Hardie was feeling better than
he had felt for long time. He enjoyed his
meals and his sleep; be enjoyed not having to
wear dress clothes and attending all sorts of
"borish" social affairs; and he enjoyed being
away from civilization and experiencing new
sensations. So, when Penhallegon suggested
that he prolong his visit into late October, in
order to take few shots at the large game, he
was more than willing, and made his arrange.
ments accordingly.
Leonard Hardie was in a very contented
mood as, one day about fortnight after his
arrival, he rode out over the hills in the direc.
ton of favorite trout-stream. 1t was early
morning; the dew was still On leaves and grass,
and the bracing GOODNESS of the night air was
not yet gone. He shifted the air apprecia-
lively. and eyed the mountain scenery in
satisfied way. He was as happy as he had ever
been in his life.
Suddenly he became aware that all was not
well with him. His usually wel-behaved pony
halted very abruptly and reared, causing his
rider, who was but an indifferent horseman,
much trouble in keeping his seat Hardie car
ried his shotgun; this he grasped firmly in his
right hand and cast his eye about to ascertain
the cause of his mounts uneasiness. Then, be-
fore he could have mentioned Mr.. John Robin
son, there was vision of something big and
black and hairy coming toward him from the
underbrush; there was a snort. lunge, and
the clatter of 3 terrified pony's hoofs rafting
up the road; and Mr.. Leonard Hardie found
himself prone in the dust with decidedly
fierce looking bear coming right at him, and
only shotgun to defend himself with.
Hardie was no coward, but he rose to his feet
10 some haste, as hastily fred both barrels of
his gun into the. face of tho foe, and without
waiting to see the effect of his shot, inconti-
nently fed in search of tree, which he found
without difficulty and Skinned up" with, per-
haps, more celebrity than he had ever before ex-
hibited. He was none too soon; for he had
hardly secured somewhat precarious hold on
the lowest limbs. when Bruin. his face and
muzzle bleeding from the wounds inflicted by
the quail.shot they had received, was ut the
foot OF the tree, making the bark fly, and caus-
ing the welkin to ring with his roars of pain
and disappointed rage.
Hsrdie did not know much about bears, and
was not sure whether they could or could not
climb trees. He was therefore, in quandary
as to what he should do He secured firmer
and higher seat and began to think. Presently
he had an idea; il was ridiculous idea. but he
proceeded to act upon it, He had torn his own
shooting coat, and this morning had donned
Penhallegon's. in one Of the pockets of which
was large plug Of tobacco to the use of which
the superintendent was addicted. Its presence
and the CORY face of his besieger gave Hardie
his idea. He had never chewed tobacco in his
life, but he at once bit off a large piece and
masticated it fercely for few seconds Then
he leaned over, took careful aim, and spat di.
rectly In the eyes of his enemy.
The experiment was bowling success. Bruin
left his post and rolled over and over in an
abandonment of grief for several minutes
Then. madden then over, he returned to the
IA