The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-11-16

w. AFNiAhtlbhN huu
asked. "What is it. Sam?" There was
something besides mischief in the
bright black eyes raised to mine. ~ he
said 'Thcre is n new scholar in the
schoolhouse yard. He seems to he u
little bashful about coming in. He's
eating his lunch now. Shall | go ont
and ask him to come in WHEN he il
through?"
Certainly, Sam" | said, ego and
invite him in. Well try and make him
feel at home, and he'll forget his bash.
fulness when he finds We are nj! his
friends
A look of amusement curiouslv
mingled with something else came over
Sam : face IA he walked ont of the
school-room. into the entry, carefully
closing the door behind him The next
moment | heard the outside door close,
and the kew turn in the lock.
Before ] could wonder at Sans
strange conduct, lie came in aud becN.
oning to mo said in low voice.
Come and see the new scholar"
went to the window, and looking out
ia the yard, saw an enormous black
bear walking around, picking MP the
crusts of bread aud cake the children
had thrown from their dinner pail, at
noon
a mist passed before my eve the
black form lopkcd as large rs an clc.
phant, AMI multiplied before me until
the yard seemed full OF bears
~
grasping hisrough boyish hand in mine.
"Clo7e the shutters rs quick as we
can" he whispered, and in moment.
almost. we had fastened the heavy
wooden, inside blinds. and thick dark
ness shut ont the faces of The wonder
ing children. Then [ sail in low
voice, Children don't move or stir
there's bear in the yard"
The children only too well knew
their danger and save II soft rustic as
some little one crept nearer nm older
brother or sister no sound broke the
stiffness except Sans step as he stole
into the tiny woodshed and fastened
the back door with its heavy bar
Then he mounted guard at the front
door, where, through chinh, he
could watch the movements of the
bear.
An hour passed thus. Every mo.
nent the feeling Of horror grew more
unhearnbie.
Once Sam came in to say the bear
was still roaming around. but had
made no movement toward the school
house.
Another uneasy half hour passed and
rs | sat revolvinga n hundred wild plans
for our dcliverance Sam again crept
softly to my side
''He is getting restless, be whis-
pered, ''and I'm afraid if he comes
nearer he'll find out we are here, and
you know the lower panel of the door
is cracked and 1t won't stand much
pushing, so I'm going to slip out the
.op * DOC, ssi saii ~1;.th1opehstP c'-'re
and get help. Ii
ooh, Sam - gasped, don't; he'll
hear YOU and then" paused, shud-
deripo at the thought.
No, he won't. said Sam resolutely,
the bushes will hide me; aud see
here, thrustiug something cold in my
hand, there is my pistol. I've car.
ried IT i'll my pocket all the term, with
out you knowing it, II he tries to get
in-he cant anywhere except in front
fire this right in his face. 'Taint
likely you'd kill him unles, you hap
pened to hit him in the eye, but you
might frighten him oil. 1t amt more
II half mile cross lots to Mike Mnl.
lens, and I'll he back with him and
gun less n no time.
"Oh, Sam - | shuddered, 81 cant
fire pistol. | don't know which end
goes on
Was there shade OF contempt in
Sam 5 voice as he showed me which
was the business end of the pistol. and
told me how to hold It? If there was
| was too cuwed to resent it.
With many prayers for his safety,
let the brave boy out of the back door.
and barred it behind him, then sat
down 10 my weary waiting. Suddenly
| heard loud shutting mt the front
door, then heavy steps, and low growls
circuit of the s,hoolhovse,
then "thump' on the front door
that made it crack, and the growls
grew louder and angrier.
A time of terror followed bear
ran round and round the house, shak-
ing the doors, dashing his great paws
through the windows, whose heavy
inside shutters held fast, and roaring
with the pain of the cuts the broken
glass gave him.
AT last the sagacious brute seemed
to realize that the only weak spot in
our defense was the front door, and
concentrated all his fury there.
All this time the brave ch ildren had
made no sound. AS for me-though [
knew that unless help came quickly |
or some of my little charge must sure
ly perish-l was never calmer III my
life.
Without emotion I thought of nv
distant home-I saw the golden
fruited hop vines-the grape vines
swing in the woods the maple trees