The Forrest City times., 1895-08-09


 II knew it well enough, but I had just dug lot of worms and had every thing ready to go down to the creek and try for trout. So said:
 Yes, father. But the trout are biting tremendous, so they say
 Is that sop said father. Well, my son, s'pose, then, you've been digging fshworms?
 Yes, father.' said 1, feeling good, for father was an indulgent parent.
 And got your pole and line all fixed ready, too, s'pose?' said he
 Yes, father l said. and felt just as ii was as good as on the creek.
 Well, said he, I s'pose it wouldn't make much difference if only one of us planted 'taters to-day?'
 Not bit, said I, If it don't make any difference to you
 |. "'No, 1t don't says he. You're sure you got fishworms enough?
 Plenty said, starting to get my pole.
 And you're sure the trout are bit ing good?' said he.
 They were never biting better, said l.
 "'All right said he. I guess I'll take the pole, then, and go down to the creek and see what luck I'll have. You go on planting 'taters as if wasn't here, and get in as many as you can, for it's good day for planting. If you get that field all in to day you can go fishing yourself all next week.
 Il was trifie set back, but I couldn't help admire the preponderance of the business idea in my father. It wasn't fishing that he cared so much about. It was the getting in of the 'taters, and you'll notice that he didn't make up hls mind to go fishing until he found l could get along with the planting all right. My father was a remarkable man in good many respects, and it is with feelings of great thankfulness that look back now and know that he let business overpower indulgence that day.
 Along back in March that year I was out trying the maple trees, with an eye to see how sap was running, when out of the brush, off to one side of me, an old she bear came rushing. She hugged a cub to her breast in each arm. and terror actually rolled out of her eyes. She saw me and came almost to my feet, where she crouched down and turned her eyes up at me with an appealing look that almost made me sob. l soon knew what was the mat ter with her, for out of the brush sprang tremendous big panther. He stopped when he saw me, and glared at me and the bear family. The old bear trembled and moaned, and the baby bears cried painfully human-like l grasped the situation at once. There was nothing in the woods that partners dotted ou as they did on fat, juicy spring bear cubs, and they never hesi- tated to snatch 'em right out of their mothers arms. if they couldn't get 'em any other way. This panther had got on the train of this particular bear mother and her little ones, and had made up his mind to have a meal or two on the cubs. She had fled from him, and seeing me, had thrown her self and family on my mercy, and was there appealing to me to save her chil- dren, just as plain as plain could be-
 II don't suppose it is necessary for me to tell you that she brought her cubs to the right market for safety stepped between that glaring panther and that trembling, wailing family of bears. l had my ax with me. The bears crouched at my heels and moaned and whined. The panther lashed his tail and glared. He knew what I was there for, and made up his mind to show me how little he thought I knew about it. He lifted up his voice and yelled. Then he lifted up himself and leaped straight at me. I swung my ax The ax and the panther met in midair The partners blood flew around and me up considerably, but I couldn't help but feel pleased over the way that ax had slid through him, from his nose clear to the very tip of his tail. One-half of the panther fell on one side of me and the other half on the opposite side. A butcher with his knife and cleaver couldn't have carved him in two any prettier. was pleased. was, indeed. And the old bear tried to lick my hands and feet, she was so grateful; but stood her away, and she took herself off with her young ones, her eyes beaming with gratitude as far as l could see her.
 That's all right said to myself I've saved them cubs, now, but they'll grow up. I'll have some fun with 'em one O these days
 ''So I went home and thought no more about it.
 ''The field we were planting to 'ta-