The Opelousas courier., 1896-03-21

there, cleared a little place in the great
forest and began life in the new home.
Rebecca Morley soon became the real
head Of the family, for the husband and
father sustained a disabling injury in
the clearing, and in time became nearly
helpless.
The wife, a young woman with three
small children to look after, came of
Puritan stock and could look along the
line Of her ancestors to the landing
of the Pilgrims. Indeed, she had in
her possession the identical rifle which
der great-grandfather had brought
over from the old world in the May
flower, and with which, on more than
with Miles Standish.
At 1he particular period of which we
writ$Y the Indians were not very
troublesome, but now and then they
cam sneaking about the white settle
ment, but Gid 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.
iCily NIoIiCy > injury IlSlShoSo III
several ways, until at last he was I'M
able to leave his bed. He could not as
sist at all in the management of the
little farm, and his wife and children
were compelled to takeehis place.
Toward the close of an autumn day
one of the Morley children, who had
been to mill on the only horse owned
1y the little family, returned with the
report that a Dear had been seen ut the
bridge, about a mile from the house.
"We shall be visited tonight" said
Perry Morley, looking at his wife. 1.-The
animal will raid our pens, and unless
they are guarded we will be the
losers"
Mrs. Morley went direct to the fam
lily heirloom, which rested on a set of
polished a%ntlers, above the door, and
began to inspect it. She had handled
the rifle before, and could center-hit
n very small target at 100 yards.
Contrary to expectation, the bear did
not make his appearance, and at last
the family, tired of watching for his
bearship, retired. The rife, however.
was not returned to the a%ntlers, but
was placed within easy reach Of the
bed, and Mrs. Morley's hand rested
CLOSE to the polished stock.
Midnight had passed, when the hus-
band, lying awake on account of pain,
heard a peculiar sound outside the
cabin, and in another moment hal
Weakened his wife.
Accustomed to prompt action, Mrs.
Morley rose, and, rifle in hand, went
to the window and looked out. 1t was
dark lryond the door, SO dark, indeed,
that che could not see ones hand when
placed close to the face, and in vain
did tho pioneer woman look for the
meaning of the noise.
Suddenly a 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, and
in a little while the eldest child, a boy
of ten, and as courageous as his mother,
held above his head a FACET which he
had taken from the heap.
"Bc careful" admonished the Grip
pied father. "Don't fire till you see the
eyes, Becky, and then send the bullet
right between them"
Carrying the rifle and followed by
fhnp CON x,hx h11l AL A- - . 1
head, allowing its light to precede them,