The sun., 1897-10-10
WILDFLTGHT FROM A BEAR
MISS LOUGHRAN'S ADVENTURE ON
4 BICrCLE ~ TERMoNE


Tho nenr. which Was wounded, Chased Her.
Caught Up with Her nnd Unset Her wheel
Then she Ciin,bed IN n Tree ana stayed
There Till Rescued by Two Hunters.
WooproRD. VT, Oct 9.-Miss Jessie Lough.
ran OF Jersey City, who is visiting her aunt
Mrs. James Davis, near this place, had lively
adventure with q large black bear this week.
She is an enthusiastic wheclwoman and when
sho came from Jersey City sho brought her BIZ
cycle with her Sho had gone about five miles
from her aunt's house and was returning home
when she heard the sharp crack of rife. That
Ia nothing unusual at this time of the \ car in
Vermont for tho deer season is now open and
there are many hunters in the woods. Miss
Ioughran would probably not have paid more
than passing attention TO the shot bad she not
heard Immediately aftcrward heavy body
crash through the undergrowth skiring the
roadside. She turned around, and doing 30 lost
her balance. To save herself from fall she
dismounted.
Hardly had she left tho wheel when largo
black bear burst out Oft woods in full view Of
her, 1t was evident that tho animal was
wounded, for II was snorting with rage, and en-
deavored to lick its left shoulder. Miss
Loughran screamed and made desperate at
tempt to remount her wheel. Mover before did
her wheel behave so disreputaby. II wabbled
us 1t never wabbled before. and cavorted with
all the wickedness Of an unbridled bronco. At
least. that ls what she thinks 1t did.
No sooner did the bear sec Miss Loughran
than 1t gave snort and made a dash for her.
Half frightened to death Miss Loughran made
another desperate attempt to mount her wheel,
and this time was succcs sful. Just as her feet
caught the pedals and tho first burst of speed
was acquired, the bear shot up alongside her
and with ono dart OF his paw tore jagged piece
out OF tho side Of her Tapping skirt. The
bear. and wondered how long the race would
last. So long n the bear did not get tam
sled up in tho wheels. ana she ran against
had not decreed that Miss Loughran should
csc pc absolutely unscathed. The uear tower
the ground with surprising celebrity. Once when
rounding a tut in the road the bear drew so
from Miss Loughrans skirt. The sharp claws
ran ; leg. At that Miss LouEhran screamed at
lite wonder was not heard in woodford. +"
she said afterward. II thought every minute
L ckily. for the young woman, the bear did not
get mixed up In the wheels Of the bicycle, Not
Sn mile M naS d been eoEepsd in the race with ths
gone at least half way to the New York State
line. The bear. though painting ,hotly. was be-
of tho race was telling on her and she was
rapidly losing both nerve and strength. She be-
was nade too late. The bear was upon her.
Both its forepaws fastened themselves on the
hind I Wheel Of the bicycle yi The cl Ts sank deep
loppng over. u confused mass in The dusty
highway:
was covered with dust and bleeding from a
scratch in he face. Turning about, she saw the
ass Me PThen Miss I Wha
few city girls are capable of doing. She climbed
a tree. She knew that 1t would be worse than
before the bear would be free and after her.
How she ever got UP that tree she will never be
giles and many sobs she got as high as the lower
limb, over WHICH she swung herself. In her ex.
element she forgot that bears can climb trees.
It was not until she was perched there that this
thought came to her.
Great goodness Suppose that bear should
climb this trce! she cried
The thought made her shudder. Happily for
her. this occurrence was averted. Just as the
bear, bear had succeeded in getting itself untanRled
into the road a short distance above. The bear
immediately turned tail and fled into the woods
on the opposite side of the road. followed by the
dogs. \ minute later two young hunters came
into view; Both were running. When they saw
tho bicycle they stopped.
II wonder where that bear got this wheel :"
said one OF the hunters.
III you pie Sc. it, mine. said Miss Loughran.
The hunter looked around In astonishment.
thought heard voice Harley said he
to his companion.
tree, rather the worse for her experience, yet re-
lieved to know that her peril was past. II took
few words 10 tell her story. Beyond the fact
that the rear tire was badly punctured the
wheel was not much injured.
Miss Loughran insisted upon trundling tho
wheel herself TO her aunt's home. though she
was accompanied the greater part OF the way by
the two young men. one OF whom was from New
York and the other from Rutland. this State.
Il never expected to have such an exciting
time In quiet old Vermont" said Miss Loughran.
" but then one cannot alwaysTell what is going
IL hlf ha nrril
bear was not killed"