Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-04-15


get anyone.
Mother. 'spose you take the children
and go with me ez fur ez Uncle Mar
tins? don't like leavin' you ALA
passel O. winner folks" he said. laugh.
ing at the very small one on his lap
"by yo'selves all day; and mebbe I'll Be
back late"
"lt'd be powerful lonesome here"
answered bis mother. 'thet's a fac.
But how would know when you was
back?" she added. unxiously.
"Why, I'd lowed on meetin' you at
the dividin' fence bout dusk. and totin'
the baby fur you. An the moon d be
up early; ef l git back sooner, I'll come
up ter the cabin, but I'll be sho' ter be
at the fence, by nightfal. anyhow"
Mrs. Brown enjoyed her long. neigh
borly day, getting a new receipt from
sister Martha, and hearing old Martin
say how "peart" the baby was, and
Lucy as rosy as peach blossom. As
for David. she never wearied in talking
Of him. and it was really dusk before
she was fairly started. The dividing
fence" a boundary line between two
large tracts of mountain land. was often
used as trysting place by others than
lovers, and would save David q good
many steps.
As they reached the fence in tie
woods cloud was over the moon, and
it was quite dark; but she could see
dim figure on the other side.
David, have you been waitin' long,"
she called out, and handed the baby
over in hurry, turning as she did 50
to see what was the matter with Lucy;
for the child chung to her skirts in
fright, and cried out that it wasn't
David.
When with some difficulty she had
lifted her over the fence. struggling
and crying still. and had herself
climbed over-Mrs. Brown was not as
active as she had been-there was no
one in sight.
"David!" she cried. She heard
rustling in the bushes; but the moon,
shining out at that instant, showed the
place empty. David" she cried,
again, in terror.
Then he appeared just at the bend Of
the mountain path, whistling cheerily
and with Spot leaping and barking at
his heels. But where was the baby?
For he had called out to her to give
him the child as soon as he had caught
sight Of her, and David was not given
to fooling. She could not answer. for
her sobbing and crying.
Lucy tried to tell him the strange
story. When she said: "A big. black,
shaggy man" he threw himself on the
ground, examining every mark. Spot
smelled, too, and his yellow hair began
to bristle with rage. and he growled
ficrcely. for there were surely the re-
cent footprints Of some large animal.
"Mother, run back and rouse the
neighbors. Tell 'em to bring their
rifles" and, breaking off stout stick,
David dashed into the bushes, Spot
sprlnging in front and leading the
chase.
Once David thought he heard half
stifled baby's cry, and hurried faster.
For q "common-sized" boy he was
making good speed; but Nine. Bruin
was on the home stretch, and she
knew 1t.
At last be caught glimpse Of big,
clumsy, dark form. trotting briskly
along with what seemed like u bundle
dangling from its mouth. He was none
too soon. The cave in which the little
black cubs rolled about, impatient for
their supper, was but hundred yards
or so distant. He thought she must
be near home by her quickened gait,
and he knew. II she ever got the baby
inside its black, yawning mouth, there
would be no hope Of bringing it out
alive.
With the energy OF despair he darted
forward and gave the bear sharp blow
over the nose with his long stick. Spot
closed in at the same moment, yelping
and swapping at her legs.
The huge beast, enraged but not hurt
by this simultaneous attack, dropped
the baby, and reared up on her hind
legs, looking in the mingled moonlight
and shadow so like human figure that
David did not wonder afterward at his
mothers mistake. She showed her
sharp, white teeth with fierce snarl,
and stretched out her forepaws for a
She was near her own babies
now, and she meant fight.
David looked at the precious bundle.
1t lay just under the creatures terrible
claws, and to attempt to pick it up
would have placed him utterly at the
bears mercy, unless her attention could
be diverted.
"At her, Spot! at her. good dog!"
he shouted; and again he rained o
shower Of blows on her eyes and nose
SO quick and fierce that, blinded and
confused for the instant, she backed
step or two, growing horribly.
Spot inflicted a sharp bite on her
hind quarters, and she turned her head.
1t was his only chance. Quick as a
fash he seized the baby and fed, leav-