The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-03-02

ultle, VIII his FlHe;. h1 keepluR tie
larder filled. His father being a hard
working man, was but little at home,
as he worked at a. saw aaill six miles
away, going to his work Monday morn
ing and. not returning: until Saturday
night.
When Hugh was sixteen, his father
bought him a repeating rifle, With
which the boy was more, than delight
ed. He promised to be more faithful
| than ever to repay his f;vther for so
fine a present.
It was not long ere both boy and par
ents had cause to rejoice ut the pur-
chase.
Hugh frequented the woods more
than ever now, and was quite success
full in bringing down game. On one
| occasion he had the good fortune to
| shoot two large bucks; thus supplying
| the family with meat for g. long time.
One afternoon in autumn Hugh was
returning from a hunt along the river
several miles from home, with his Win
| chester swung over his arm. carelessly.
His face wore a grave expression,
| since he had met with ILL luck that day,
having expended. several rouzlds of am
bunition without bringing down any
game.
AS he emerged intoa little settlement
on the river: bank he was attracted by
a crowd Of people gathered Ia front Of
a house, talking rapidly and seemingly
deeply excited.
| The lad hurried forward, anxious to
learn the meaning Of the excitement.
MY women folks seen q bear down
In the berry bushes,' explained tall
settler, in answer to- a question from
Hugh.
1T was. the biggest critter I ever
seed,' put in one of the women ''TWas
black as ink, am biggpr'n our COW
Ii tell We, wasn't mem MeGssy scarf
though! We streaked it fur home. !
fell down twice, am split AM my be1:-
RES
The woman paused for want of
breath, and Hugh turned to the men,
who had armed themselves and seemed
ready to start in pursuit of the bear.
eff you have no objections 1 will ac-
company you.' said Hugh, modestly.
IF you amt afear'd, you can go, of
course" said one Of the settlers.
Hugh laughed at the idea of fear,
armed as he was with a sixteen shoot
er, and at once prepared to accompany
the men in the hunt for bruin.
It was only mile to the berry patch
and the three men with Hugh soon
reached it. After shor search, see
ing nothing Of the bear, the four came
together for short consultation. After
some discussion it was decided to sep
arate and beat UP the bushes thor
oughly.
The berry patch was about half :
, mile in extent, composed OF dense
, mass of fallen timber, as we'll as ;
thick growth of blackberry bushes
The berry season was nearly over, an<
, bruin was doubtless foraging for tn
last crop. when seen by the settlers
wives.
: Hugh found himself skirting tn
, south side of Il windfau, when he wa
: brought to sudden standstiH by
= low. angry growl. At once he droppe
l his Winchester to a level a.. peere
1 sharply ahead. Only a minute thus
t when the bushes were agitated and
!. black sno91t was poked over falle
= tree not ten yards distant. Quick
Y Hugh raised his gun and fired.
: With howl of pain the bear droppe
d from sight. The bushes were agitate
as the brute rushed away. Hugh wa
deeply excited now, fully believing b
had wounded the bear. He felt elate
at the thought that he might be alb
l. Ito kill the huge animal before any {
e the men came up.
a Pushing boldly forward the boy W.
soon in hot and eager pursuit. Soc
4 he heard furious bowling and thras
IS Ing in the bushes not far distan
a Bruin seemed to have become fastene
In a treetop, much to the delight
~ Hugh, who believed that he could no
o dispatch the animal without danger
n himself. ~ >.ls.e =.
IS Eagerly the boy pressed forwa
\ and soon found himself upon the bea
is which was thrashing about madfy,
o tangle of limbs and bushes:
le Standing within twenty feet OF
brute, Hugh leveled his rifle. Aimll
at the huge shoulder, the boy pull
the trigger. With the report came
n cry Of pain anu Hugh saw a red sta
coursing down the shaggy coat !.
bruin. Another shot will finish nj
is thought the boy, who trembled w
ca excitement.
n Hugh realized that the report OF !
al; gun would bring the men to his sl
which made him anxious to dispa'
= the bear before they should arrive.