Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-09-13
4 story Of Pioneer Days

Years ago IN tho woods Of northern
Michigan, one clear moonlight night In
Novrmhrr, Mrs. Topping and her little
boy were sitting in their warm. pleas
ant kitchen before Il bright fire Of
blazing logs tho mother husily On
gagged In knitting. while Tony was
fAshionng II rude figure from n pine
stick with his greatest treasure II new
jackknife, stretched out ut full length,
with his feet toward the blaze, hay
'rigc, large black mnSt,ll. his body
Scared With the wounds of many bat
ties fought with Wild animals. which
ahoundcd in this region. In the op-
poSito corner OF the hearth n beautiful,
sleek eat, sat Winlting droWslly ut the
fire thinking doubtless of the plump
gray mice she had caught IN tho corn
crib for supper. Mr. Topping aud his
stnlwart son, Edward, had been away
further up IN the woods Tor several
days busy with their traps. which
were set for long distance alonE the
river
suddenly, Tigc, who had been snor.
ing, started up with n low groWl the
, hairs CA his back bristling from cN-
Citcmcnt, and rushed toward the door,
An instant later the distressed sqneal
ing Of II pig announced the fact that u
bear had paid Il visit to the pig pen,
and secured one OF the fat young
pVrkers therein, intending to make or
with 1t, by this time r,gc was bound.
Ing at the door, growing Hereby,
Mrs. Topping threw down her knitting
and hurried toward a gun which was
suspended Oh pegs near the fire place.
let Nge out, Tony, and we Will
have some bear steak for father when
he comes home" said She,
"Oh, mother lct me 80 ont with you
urged the little fellow; but his mother
said, NO" and babe him 80 look out
'ef the loft window.
As the brave woman FASTENED to-
ward lie pig pen Il h. black bear
could be plainly seen standing erect,
one paw resting on the upper part OF
the pen, while with the other 1t was
still holding the squCallns, struggling
pig III n tight embrace Ti2c mean.
while was making desperate efforts 10
scale the enclosure In order to attack
tho beast from the. rear.
I'm teach yon 10 touch my pigs, :"
said Mrs. Topping, NJ she took AIM
and the bear, which had without re-
leasing Its hold Of the pig, clambered
partly out Of the pen, fell forward,
shot through the head, the frightened
pig meanwhile scampefing under the
wood pile, while Tige sprang upon the
beast burying his fangs deep In the
creatures shoulder Thus the death
battle went on-the bear growing and
fighting desperately and tearing up
the sod for some distance around in
It's agony. Mrs. Topping ran for the
axe, which was leaning against the
woodpile, and soon dealt bruin ire
mendous blow between the eyes. This
gave her the victory, and after one or
two conyusiye movements the huge
beast lay still.
Good, Tige, poor fellow said Mrs,
Topping as the dog scratched and
bleeding from Il dozen wounds, con
tinncd 10 worry the carcass. Come
here sir. We will leave the old thief
until morning. and then you shall have
all the bear neat you can cat.'
Tge reluctantly left his fallen foe
and helped his mistress drive the
trembling pig into It's pen, after which
he followed her into the house. where
his wounds were tcnderly washed and
dressed, while Tony. greatly excited,
hoped about, telling what he would
have done bad he been permitted TO
70 out, and helping his mother de-
eide the wisest way to spend the ten
dollars which the skin would bring.
Az soon az 1t WIS tight enough the
next morning Mrs. Topping, equipped
with a sharp knife hurried out to skin !