The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-11-07

THE BEAR AND HIS BURDEN.
Nv this aureole. all flooded with sum
light, the poor little thing stepped out
on the path which sl<irted the Cliff to
the brink OF the abyss.
Tbs poor child was going TO her death
In pe.n sight OF many men and women
ans TO what dreadful DEATH And
not one of them could help herl No
one could either save her or warn her OF
her danger
All were condemned 10 gaze, inactive,
ut the dreadful event which was on tho
point Of happening before their eyes.
The women raised cry and fell to
weeping. The majority of them sobbed
themselves into Mysteries beforehand.
The men, even those who had been in
battle more than once, who had beheld
death and blood, said afterwnrd that
they became cold and dizzy, and many
turned away their eyes in anguish. But
those who endured the ordeal, on the
other hand. beheld n marvel.
Because OF the ta-n in the path the
child could not see the terrible fellow
traveller who was coming TO meet her.
She only caught sight OF that dark
brown shaggy mass at the moment
when IL almost came in contact with
her. The huge beast completely
blocked her road. His left paws stood
on the very edge OF the path, while with
his right side he almost dubbed the
cliff. They caught sight OF eaca other
almost at the same moment
Probably a cry or an exclamatsfn ON
the part OF the child revealed her pres
ence 10 the beast, as he was walking
along with his muzzle and his eyes
dropped earthward. They stared fi1edly
Mt each other. The little girl was petri-
fed with fear; the bear hnlted. in indie
cision. no doubt much nstonished, IL not
frightened. For one moment proba-
bly,, he reflected: "What am / TO do
now?" It was impossible TO pass with
out crushing the unexpected obstacle.
without striking IL or hurting IL into
the abyss The path was so narrow at
this point that he could not even turn
round on all fours. What was TO DO
done?
Down below the people waited with
bated breath, expecting mt any moment
10 see the unhappy child pushed into
the abyss. But evidently that was not
the way in which fulfilled and there
fore good-natured "Milxhail Ivan'itch,
General Toptygin" had settled that
problem. He wished neither death nor
harm 10 this tiny creature, helpless be-
fore him, with open mouth and staring
eyes. having lost through fear all power
OF crying, and awaiting his will In trem-
I bling silence. And "MishenlSa" carried
out his will.
with a faint growl, caused not by
anger, but by the necessity OF putting
himself TO trouble, he reared up on his
hind legs. strobe up close 10 The lit.le
girl and, bracing his back against
the cliff, clasped his forepaws around
, her, just beneath the shoulders.
, shreks and groans OF despair re-
sounded from below. The ladies who
still continued 10 gaze with dim eyes
grew faint; but the men, especially the
) huntsmen, who were acquainted with
, the murderous habits OF the bear fam
I iiy. lenped In spirit and with hope
: n mad hope-for the child's safety.
= They perceived that Mishka was behav-
? ing in n very remarkable manner, with
+ ali the caution and dexterity that he
o could command.
4 They were not mistaken as 10 his un-
prccedentcd goodness. The lind-heart-
p cd bear lifted the little girl up, careful
c Iy bore her over the precipice, and, turn
Z ing on the pivot of his hind paws, sci
Il her down ON the other side of the path
Y Having performed this gymnastic ex.
;, orclsc the bear, without waiting TO Id
o Thanked evidently he was well nc
u euainted with the human race) ,whirled
v about. dropped on all fours, and pro
d cceded quietly on his way. swayinl
from side TO side, grunting contentedly
In anticipation OF sweet repose in hid
i. lair not far away.