The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-09

4
US by blazing trees at short intervals
along the way. Then he accompanied
us few times, to and fro, until he
thought we were sufficiently acquainted
with the route to be trusted to go alone
I'm those days school kept very
nearly all day, and before we reached
home it was quite dark. Our way led
through deep, dark forest, and we
were very much afraid as we trudged
along in the silence and gloom; and
every little noise, such as the rustling
of leaves or the cracking of bushes,
! filed us with terror
cts no wonder we were afraid when
we knew there were bears and
panthers in the forest and expected
every day to be attacked by one of
| those ferocious beasts. l think you
| would be afraid under such circum-
stances"
Grandma looked around on her audi
ence with smile, which deepened a
little as she noticed the serious counte-
nances before her.
WELL" she continued d, ~ will come
10 my story now, and tell you about
my adventure.
'One evening, as brother and l were
| going home through the forest, we
heard rustling and cracking among
the trees up on the hillside above US.
and pretty soon large, black animal
trotted into the road few steps be-
hind us. It was dusk, and we could
not see the creature very plainly. but
Uro hno nd
assured of it when it stopped and
reared upon its launches, and began
shifting the air."
''Were you scared, grandma" Jim
| Martin asked, while the whole com
pany involuntarily drew closer to-
gether.
Eyes, was frightened almos out of
my wits" grandma replied, land so
was my brother. That bear was not a
pleasant looking object, assure you,
and l suspect older people than my
brother and would have been fright
ened by his appearance.
ut was more than mile to our
home, and there was no other house so
near. SO no matter how much we called,
we could not hope to bring help.
For moment we remained staring
at the bear, and he in turn stood fixed
~ returning our gaze. He showed no
inclination to advance upon us so long
as we showed no inclination to run
away.
''When, however, we had sufficiently
recovered from the shock caused by the
bears presence to beat hasty retreat,
bruiD Immediately gave chase and COM
ing up with US followed closely in our
tracks.
"You may believe we ran with all
the speed we could command, and I
don't believe my feet ever flew so rap
idly before or since. At almost every
step Isaac, my brother. sent up a deaf
ening scream, while I gave vent to a
series of hysterical shrieks, thinking
all the time that every step would be
my last
Il don't know how far we ran before
I thought to throw away the dinner
bucket, but when l did think of it
dropped it at once. When bruin came
up with the bucket he stopped and
scratching the cover off began to eat
the portion of our dinner that was left.
That gave us little time and Isaac
Immediately availed himself of it to
climb tree with low growing branches
which stood near the road.
mot moving what else to do, 1 at
tempted to follow my brothers exam
pie, but b II never CHM bed trees, con-
sidering it tom-boyish act that girls
should never indulge in, and l failed in
my efforts as often as tried to ascend
"'Oh, Isaac. Isaac l cried at last,
help me. quickp
81 can't he replied. Climb up
yourself. There he comes now. Climb,
quick, or he'll get you
Il glanced around, and sure enough
there the bear was almost upon me. l
made one quick, frantic effort to climb
the tree, and, failing, took to fight.
Bruin gave pursuit again, and for
little while there was lively chase
between us.
II had not gone above thirty yards
when STUN bled and fell. / supposed
the bear would pounce upon me at once
and proceed to tear the flesh from my
bones, so l made no effort to rise, but
lay perfectly still, thinking of those at !
home, and waiting for the end. / don't |
think could have risen if had tried, |
for / was terrorized out of the use of !
my linn bs.
'Bruin came up and smelled over
me, and l shut my eyes, but felt his |
hot breath on my face, and though 1 |
shut him out of my sight could not
shut him out of my thoughts He |
seemed to be in no hurry to devour me, |
for he continued TO sniff me deliberate
ly for some time, after which he rolled |