Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-03-30
A Fortunate Fire Hunt.

y
the Revolution the Morleys came
down into the Mohawk valley from
the heart of New England, and settl-
ed there, cleared little place in the
great forest and began life in the new
home.
Rebecca Morley soon became the
head of the family, for the HUSBAND
sustained a disabling injury in the
clearing, and in time became nearly
helpless.
The wife, young woman with three
small children to look after, came OF
Puritan stock and could look along
the line of her ancestors to the land
ing Of the Pilgrims. Indeed, she had
which her great grand father had
| brought over from the old world in
the Mayfiower, and with which, on
more than one occasion, he hunted
and fought with Miles Standish.
At the particular period Of which
we write the Indians were not very
troublesome, but now and then they
came sneaking about the white settle
ment, but did little more than pilfer.
However, the war cloud which had
hung over the colonies grew darker,
and with every new report came
thoughts of war.
Perry Morley's injury increased in
several ways, until at last he was I'M
HI b II To
assist at all in the management Of the
little farm, and his wife and children
were compelled to take his place.
Toward the close of an autumn day
one of the Morley children, who had
been to the mill on the only horse
owned by the little family, returned
with the report that bear had been
seen at the bridge, about mile from
the house.
We shall be visited to night, said
Perry Morley, looking at his wife.
The animal will raid our pens, and un-
less they are guarded we will be the
losers.
Mrs. Morley went direct to the fam
lily heirloom, which rested on set of
polished antlers, above the door, and
began to inspect it. She had handled
the rife before, and could centre hit
very small target at hundred yards.
Contrary to expectation the bear
did not make his appearance, and at
last the family, tired of waiting for
his bearship, retired. The rifle, how
ever, was not returned to the antlers,
but was placed within easy reach of
the bed, and Mrs. Morley's hand rest
ed close to the polished stock.
Midnight had passed when the hus-
band, lying awake on account of pain,
heard peculiar sounds outside the cab
in and in another moment had awak
ened his wife.
Accustomed to prompt action, Mrs.
Morley rose, and, rifle in hand, went
to the window and looked out. 1t was
dark beyond the door, SO dark, in
deed, that one could not see ones
hand when placed close to the face,
and in vain did the pioneer woman
look for the meaning Of the noise.
Suddenly great noise was heard
toward the pens, and in an instant
the door was opened.
The bear has come at last, cried the
woman, glancing at her husband, and
then she dressed herself.
You cannot shoot in the dark, was
the reply. Benny will light you to
the pens.
The fire on the old fashioned hearth
still burned with a little brilliancy,
boy of ten, and as courageous as his
mother, held above his head a fagot
which he had taken from the heap.
Be careful, admonished the crippled |
father. Don't fire till you see the eyes,
Becky, and then send the bullet right !
between them.
Carrying the rifle and followed by
her son, who held the torch above his
head, allowing it's light to precede
them, the courageous woman advanc-
ed toward the pens.
The anxious husband leaned toward |
the window near the bed and held his
breath. 1t was not the first time his
wife had encountered Old Ephraim;
but hungry bear is not nice enemy
and is apt, if wounded, to make des-
perate battle.
In the neighborhood of the pens
everything had become suddenly still,
but the very silence was ominous, and
this caused Mrs. Morley to proceed
with caution.
We have lost the bear mother, said |
the boy, when he reached the pens |
and found no game.