Sharp County record. (Evening Shade, Ark.) 1877-1976, 1897-03-05
For
Boys
And
Girls.
JOHN BEARJOslN AND
HIS BROTHERS.

and looked at the bears, sitting
grumly in a corner. "HlIlo, you
fellows! DO You live here? | did
once; and ! shouldn't wonder if you
were my brothers. What has bo.
come of old lady hear?"
The bears made no answer, but
looked at him with curiosity. Be-
fore he oould speak again there was
the report OF gun outside. at
which the two bears began to tread
around uneasly.
"Don't tie scared" said John,
"l'll tx it all right" and he hurried
out, and was climbing down the
rocks when a crowd of the hunters
came along.
"What you doing up there?' they
called oat.
Looking around for game" ans,
wered John, sliding down,
"Dld you see any,"
81 want you men to give me a
fair start if | tell you" SAID John,
reaching the grodnd. "rhere was a
big buck just went down that
draw"
They didn't wait TO hear more,
for someone shouted: "Here's his
tracks," Every man of them went
trooping off leaving John Beayohn
chuckIing over the way he had
saved his brothers.
John had been saving when
small boy, and managed to accunu,
late sonle stock with winch he traded
until, finally, he owned a team and
wagon with which he made good
wages, hauling freight to the farther
west, passing through much un.
settled country ON the way, and run.
nlng come RISKS and hardShips.
One time he had load of match-
ed flooring, and when still ten miles
from the place where he intended to
stop for the night, he saw a bizzaed
was coming down on him, and
would strike long before he could
get to his destination.
Halt a mile away he could see the
tops of trees along a narrow thread
of water, and he turned IN that d.
rec,,on. He got there a little ahead
of the worst of .he blizzard, and
found it to be the very spot he
would have chosen. There was a
straight bank which would keep the
wind from him when he got down
at Its foot, and there wss a place
where he could drive down without
danger OF an upset. In a few min
utes he was building temporary
shanty OF the boards IN his load.
Once inside, he and his horses
were very well sheltered. lie had a
little fire, though it dldr't seem to
do hun much good, and he had food
for himself and his team, When it
grew dark he b.anketed the Shiver-
ing ANIMALS and wrapped himself IN
his overcoat and blanket, but really
feared that they would freeze before
morning. lie hadn't had time to
gather much fuel before the storm
reached it's height, and could only
keep little blaze, by which he
could see dimly the inside OF his
cabla. When he looked through
the opening everything beyond was
as black as could be, and Tue wind
whlstled aud howled and raved, and
the snow came sitting around with
q crackle and hiss.
lie Law down, But soon he STAR
ted up again. lie hardly believed
he heard footsteps. lie lay down
again but kept his eyes fixed on the
opening, aad listened. Sure enough
there were shambling steps yes,
and something in the doorway
In slouched two bears.
The horses were huddlcd up to-
pethor and didn't mind them. Nor
did they Brighten John, for he AZ
already almost nnmb, not with t.ar,
but with cold. The bears looked u,
him from the doorway, gave milo
"wnooip aud Their calmly came ano
laid down, one on each side OF him.
~ declare" thought John, ~ be-
heve IL is my brothers a2aml WIN,
pays blood isn'C thicker than water
But hope they are not hungry
He thought it all over dream'ly, anc
before he could make up his minc
what TO do a delicious sense o.
warmth and safety put Inn Il
sleep.
During the night the blizsArt
blew itself, out. John found o.
awakening that tho sun was up TN
cold had moderated, and only
gentle breeze was blowing over TIN
prar,e, on which here and there wa
L.