The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-14
BEAR ruUMrED TIE PIANO KEYS.
II was at y suunmcr Hotel, Likewise Cleaned
the Larder while Quests Fled.

Nne bAFueE Nuue eueAth Eteu.
From the Providence journal.
There arc not many hucklcbcrries being
picked in the vicinity of tho Rocky Point road
just now, that is. by human hands. Somewhere
in that part of the country there is n bear. and
there is II general feeling that this animal has
p%reSmptcd all hucklcbcrry, as well as all other
rights. There nro not any too many buckle.
berries for Bruin, and, besides. the inhabitants
Of that district have become tired OF huckle-
berry pic, slump, and turnovcrs, anyway.
Some brave spirits pooh.nooh the idea that
there is any bear around, and say II there Is ono
IL is n stuffed escape from Brown University
museum. Nevertheless, they are not taking
any strolls in the woods. There is a bear, how.
ever, and he has been seen by several persons
who were pronounced sober when they told
their story.
A week ago while tho guests were dining at
David Sawyer's hotel. Tho Willows, they
heard the piano in tho parlor giving forth all
sorts OF sounds. First there would be a thun.
derous boom from the bass notes, as II some ono
had struck tho keys with a slcdge hammer.
Then the unseen and unknown player would
run up and down the keys OF the instrument
with tho touch Of n pilo driver. Tho piano
shriekcd and groancd. clattered and growlcd.
The artist on the stool was without doubt either
drunk or intent upon demolishing the instru.
ment.
HS u nihtttT vi lhCb, bnouEh III eutCtihlIiIUenb
did not show 1t, the performer had one Of tho
chief requisites Of a tirst;clasS musician. That
envy. A bear was the, drummer, and it was
having q great timo; 1t had been travelling
e empty, say save n a few WIN Sue dEdiets r1es and a." the s'0 shsdE
retreat of The Willows offered a haven OF
rest. 1t walked into the yard, unobserved. on
all tours and entered the parlor. After investi.
eating. the contents Of the room and finding no
one II investigated the piano. 1t braccd itself
its paws on tho keys. Occasionally the ella wa
would catch; and Brnin, angry at such, importi:
he were trying to annihilate them.
The brute was enjoying itself Immensely. wag-
and some Of the guests entered the room to as.
certain thlI the cause q T, the pianos discordant
} partS ons6 of ut heres' n f seree feh Of ie msm oeG t Of the he
rooms in the other part OF the house. They bar.
ricaded the doors with furniture and awaited
The entrance Of the party, distracted the at.
%tention OF Bruin; Through the open dining
struck the hungry animals %nostrils with mag.
netic force, and dropping on all fours the brown
progress was not hindered by the gentlemen Of
the party. A sight of those glistening. teeth.
ren Tongue ran and bs Save @rnmah Jaws dispelled their
room. 1t ate everything there was in sight.
stuck its nose in the mustard pot, tipped over
the gravy dish. aud smashed Crockery.
Its hunger was appeased, however, and when
the attacking party. who had obtained weapons
came into the room determined to kill or be
killed. Bruin was very much astonished. What
had he, done that they should como after him
with all those clubs : He didn't make a move. and
prepared to enjoy q good after-dinner slumber.
ticed that a red. white, and blue ribbon was tied
about Its neck, andi 1t dawned upon them that
the bear was an escaped pet. They took courage
other, and got u rope tied around the interloper's
neck. There was nothing but meek submission
on the bear part. and 1t walked TO barn as IL it
desired to do nothing else.
Mr.. Sawyer kept the bear two days. Then he
WAS obliged to release the captive on account Of
a threatened famine. The prisoner in the barn
ate as much at one meal as the hotel guests con:
to free him or go into bankruptcy.
man who was walking along the road yes.
stop for a close view Of the brute. but took to
his heels. an action which Bruin viewed with
disapproyal. The traveller, reported his adven-
was recognized.