The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-13
BEARS NATURALLY PFACEABLE.
Are Nischievous, But Not Dangerous
Unless Attacked.
From Forest and Stream.

From Forest and Stream.
I can verify the statement of Mr.. Hardy
Of how bears eat berries, and, indeed, feed
in other ways. Stories of bears are cur
rent talk in the backwoods, and the old
residents have learned good deal of their
habits in this way. Often in the then
very thinly settled North Michigan woods
have accompanied my wife on her berry
gathering excursions, fearing to let her
go alone on account of the numerous
bears which shared the enormous Guanti-
ties of tho finest berries which grew in
the windfals. Once when thus engaged
at one side of a gigantic pine which lay
over breast high, we heard a sort of scuf-
fling on the other side of it, amid the
dense growth of blackberres. Thinking
some other person was on the same bust
ness as we were, no notice was taken. but
all OF US, bear as well, as we found aft
erward, went along the fallen pine until
We came near to The top of it, when,
locking up, both of us saw at the same
instant the head of huge bear. as ii
showed itself by its head being far above
the level of ours.
The bear saw us at The same instant.
and stopped eating, with an armful Of
bushes gathered between its forelegs We
did not move. but stood quite stil. and
very soon the bear weni on with its mea,
picking off the fruit with its mouth. We.
of course, gently backed out of the bushes
and left the bear still feeding without any
offensive movements.
After that, and with some other expe-
rience that bears are by no means quar-
| relsome if not disturbed or driven to re-
sistance, or even disposed TO fight when
attacked, but rather inclined to get away.
even the women and children of The To-
| cality We're not alarmed further than 70
get away in the easiest manner and leave
the field TO the big, black, shaggy fellows.
In fact this animal seems to be in no
way quarrelsome if he is permitted to get
his share of what is lying around. and is
only dangerous when attacked and
brought to bay.
Bears often amuse themselves in the
, woods by breaking trees When camp
ing out on exploring expeditions or on
surveys, haye heard the bears at night
breaking down the limbs of quite small
trees, apparently for amusement, and they
| are quite fond of tearing the bark from
trees, apparently for the same reason or
Otherwise, to get az the sweet underbark.
which is doubtless what they are after.
In fact, they are playful animals and
when seen without them knowing il thev
will play and romp together as a lot of
| boys will, wrestling with each other and
chasing each other in a rough sort OF
! game, which is very amusing when their
really inoffensive habits have become
| known. Bur few people care to get too
closely acquainted with them.
They are exceedingly mischievous. and
play havoc with ones camp and blankets.
| which they win tear into strips-in fact
completely wrecking the outfit Once. on
| going to to a camp which had been left
for some days we found on returning 10
it a big bear in a most ludicrous mess
An old butter tirkin had been eft outside
| of the camp. of course. having some leav-
inss of butter in IT, Nearing the camp.
we heard noisy sort Of scufling and IN
| once thought Of bears. Coming near the
camp. there was a bear on lis hind legs
| dancing around in such q manner as 70
| throw my Canadian-F French foreman in a
helpless condition of imbeciity and helm.
| lessness.
He pranced and howled and rolled on
| The ground The hear had its head fast IN
the key and was paving for all 1t was
worth 10 get It's head loose il rolled an
the ground along with Francois. who
might have got into trouble had the IN.
! furiated bear got its head free But Il was
not until the bear ran against a tree and
knocked the slaves loose that 70 could see
! what was the matter Then h made of