The herald., 1896-03-03
:!HE8EARs.

At a fixed date they were to BRING tnelr
bears to certain places appointed by the
Government and kill them with their own
hands. l happened to witness such an exc
cution in the town of Belsk.
From four counties the unfortunate gyp-
sizes gathered, with all their households
wives and children, horses and bears. More
than a hundred clumsy beasts. from cubs to
old gray bears CT immense size, were sta
toned at the outskirts of the little town.
The gypsy camps awaited in state of
terror the decisive day. These who came
first had to stay there over two weeks. as
the police authorities were waiting until all
the bear leaders on the list should arrive.
in order to accomplish the execution at one
stroke
The bear leaders went from village to vii
Iage, giving their final performances. This
was the last chance for the bears to display
their artistic skill; so they danced and
fought, they gave the familiar representa-
ton Of how the boys steal beans at the truck
farm, how the young lass walks and the old
woman creeps, 1t was for the last time, toe,
that they were treated to a glass of vodka
lbrandy). Standing on his hind legs, the
hear would take the glass with the solcs OF
his forepaws. and bringing it to his shaggy
snout, he would then raiac his head upward
aud let the liquor run down his throat
After this he licked his snout clean and
prolonged growls, mingled with strange
gasps. For the last time the old men and
women came to the gypses for the special
medical treatment known as Lying under
the bear" The patient would lie down On
the ground and the bear put himself with
his belly over him, stretching out his paws
on the ground on all four sides, and staying
as long as the gypsy considered sufficient
treatment for the money. For the last time
the bears were taken on their round.; to the
farm houses; and, where the bear walked in
Of his own accord, there was great joy in
the house, the animal was led to the place
of honor. in a front corner Of the room, and
everybody in the family felt happy, because
it is a sign of good luck. But when the
bear in spite of coaxing and patting obst-
natey refused to cross the threshold of the
house. the hosts were unhappy, indeed, and
the neishbors said
Something wrong inside. He knows"
Most OF the bear leaders came from the
western counties, and had to descend a two
mile slope before they could reach Belsk.
the miserable little town, visible in the
valley, with it's matched and sheet iron
roofs, and two or three church steeples.
NJ sooner did they doscry the place Of
their m;sfortunes than the air was filled
with an ndescribable bowling and wailng
of women. crying of children. and, above
all, the terrific uproar Of the bears, which
forced the passing trains CT wagons to turn
off the road To avoid the shying Of the horses
and oxen, and caused the accompanying
dogs to elink with a howl of fear far under
the wagons. Was it merely sympathy that
made the bears Join their masters in the
wailine7 Who knows? Maybe they be-
cama aware from the peoples talk, of the
sad fate in store for them.
At the gaze of the Police Captain Of Belsk
a few old gypsies we're in waiting. They
4, in hot, ba1i tira m
appear before the authorities in decent
manner. They all wore long black CT blue
coats. giriled with belts ornamented with
silver, silk shirts with gold gallooned col
lars, broad velvet pantaloons and large
boots. Some of them wore long boots Or
namented all around with flowers of differ
ent colors. and all of them had astrachan
caps. This attire is donned fer occasions of
Importance only.
"Aslecp?" inquired tall. thin old gypsy,
OF the policeman who had just come out
from the yard.
He is getting up; he is dressing. He will
call you aoon," replied the policeman.
The old men. who until now had sat in
silence, began to move nervously, and to
speak among themselves in whisper.
Nothing will come of it, said the Oldest
among them. "What can he do? Does it
depend on him? Bears are killed now all
over Russia"
I'VE will try Ivan, maybe in some way or
other" answered an elderly man.
I'VE Gun try" said Ivan, mournfully
"Only he cannot help us"
They were called in to the Captain and
thronged the waiting room. When man
with a heavy mustache, dressed in unbut-
toned police uniform under which q red
shirt could be seen, appeared before them,
the old gypsies bowed their heads low before
him; many of them wept
Fright honorable SIR" said Ivan, think
for yourself, what will we do now? We had
bears, we lived peacefully, We did not offend
anybody. 1t is true, we have some mis-
chievous boys among US, who are carrying
on the wrong trade; but, sir, have you not
great many horse thieves among the Rus
slams? We did not do anybody any harm
with our beasts, and it was an amusement
for oil. What will become of us now? We
will have to turn beggars, tramps and
thieves. Our fathers and forefathers were
bear leaders. To farm? We do not know
how. we are almost all OF us good black
smiths. it is true, and it was well enough
when we could so all over the country to
| find work; but now, when we have to live
in one place, the work will not come to us
of itself. Our boys, tir, out Of sheer neces-
sity will become horse thieves. AS before
God, speak the truth. A great wrong will
be done to US and to all the good people by
| y
will help us. God will repay you for it"
The old man fell on his knees and the
others did the same. The Captain looked
gloomy, with one hand in his pocket. the
other pulling at his mustache. The old mar
took out pretty thick purse and stretched
! out his hand.
Il will not take it," said the Captain
sternly, Il cannot do anything for you"
Take it. right honorable eir.V imporet
the crowd. Perhaps there lis some way
You may write somewhere.'
Il will not take it, said the Captain mor'
severely. Mot for anything. Nothing cal
be done. Il is a law! Five years wer'
given to you to be ready for it. What is t.
be done now?" He moved his hands in th
air. The gypsies stood silent. The polio
captain continued:
II know iayself what misfortune 1t il
fer you and for US; now we shall have t.
look cut all the time for the horses; bu
what can l do? You, old man, keep thi
money. When come Of your boys fall int
nay hands with stolen horses. Go not expec
mercy from me. Keep 1t, tell you, oil
man: ycu will need it by and by"
"Rigat honorable sir said Ivan, holdin
out the purse. allow me to say anothe
word. Let it he tomorrow (his voice bega
to trenble). Allow Us. sir 20 do away Wit
them tomorrow. We are tired out wit
waiting. l have been here two weeks wit
mine; have nearly spent all my money"
Another party CT bear leaders has t
come ye,, CID man. You must wait. TIL
whole town IS nearly crazy over you: pres
cree here II must be done al one stroke.
They are coming, sir. AS we came :;
you, We sa" them descending the hill Kin
sir dc not torture us any longer"
'W'eli, If they have come, tomorrow