Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-05-06

tins? don't like leavin' you ALA
passel o. wimmen 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"
IT'D be powerful lonesome here"
answered his mother, "thet's a fac.
But how would l know when you was
bacl?" she added, anxiously.
"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; eff git back sooner, I'll come
up ter the cabin, but I'll be sho' ter be
at the fence, by nightfall, anyhow"
Mrs. Brown enjoyed her long, neigh
borly day, getting new receipt from
sister Martha, and hearing old Martin
say how ''peart" the baby was, and
Lucy as rosy as a 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 a trysting place by others than
lovers, and would save David a good
many steps.
As they reached the fence in the
woods a 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 so
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 4
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 a
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 baby2
For he had called out 70 her 70 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 Dristle with rage. and he growled
fereely, 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 a stout stick.
David dashed into the bushes, Spot
springing in front and leading the !
chase.
Once David thought he heard a half
'tiiled baby's cry, and hurried faster.
For "common-sized" boy he was
making good speed; but Nine. Bruin
was on the home stretch, and she
knew II.
At last be caught glimpse Of big. !
,lumsg, dark form, trotting briskly
llong with what seemed like a bundle
laughing from its mouth. He was none
90 soon. The cave in which the little (
black cubs rolled about, impatient for
heir supper, was but a hundred yards
'r so distant. He thought she must
,e near home by her quickened gait. ;
md he knew, If she ever got the baby !
inside its black, yawning mouth. there :
would be no hope of bringing il out
live II
With the energy of despair he darted =
Onward and gave the bear a sharp blow
'ver the nose with his long stick. Spot
losed in at the same moment, yelping
nd swapping at her legs.
The huge beast, enraged but not hurt !,
y this simultaneous attack, dropped .
he baby, and reared up on her hind :,
,gs, looking in the mingled moonlight n
nd shadow so like human figure that
David did not wonder afterward at his
lother's mistake. She showed her ~
harp, white teeth with fierce snarl. ',
nd stretched out her forepaws for a -
rapple. She was near her own babies -
ow. and she meant fight. p
David looked at the precious bundle.
lay just under the creatures terrible ~
laws, and to attempt to pick it up y"
-ould have placed him utterly at the a.
ears mercy, unless her attention could :.
c diverted. vi
AT her, Spot! at her, good dogl"
e shouted; and again he rained a y y
hover of blows on her eyes and nose ~
} quick and fierce that, blinded and d
for the instant, she backed a Il
ep or two, growing horribly. III
Spot inflicted sharp bite on her
ind quarters, and she turned her head.
was his only chance. Quick as a ~
ash he seized the baby and fed. leav- W
g poor Spot TO receive a terrific blow ~
ON the brute's paws, at which he, too.
roke and ran, the blood streaming
om his wound, and bowling at every
mp. al
Half way down the mountain they ia
ct the Martins with dogs and torches.