The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-04-05

------- - :-. :..sea cry nile SIcn.
Samson bridge propose to make the
berloga there.
..Goodl' said Holstein 1.-The nearer
the better.
The two sportsmen overlook the bear
and his master By the river side near
the Samson bridge He was fine. large
bear, and he whined and moaned as he
went along, for he was very hungry.
81 wouldn' t have him fed at his
usual time. explained Arnheim, "be-
cause he must eat large meal in the
lair and fall asleep there. otherwise he
might not remain.
Good againl" said Holstein "Iou
are a genius Arnheim.
The wood, scarcely half Il mile from
the outskirts of the town, suited admir-
ably. In the middle of it was spot in
which two or three trees had fallen
over one another Here Arnheim deftly
dug in the snow a large hole, rooted
BY the chaos of broken branches and
backed by the uprooted trunk Of one of
the pines-just such spot as bear
would choose for his winter house Into
this den a huge supply Of food was
placed ready for bruins use; the snow
was carefully piled and hardened at the
sides, and the berloga was ready.
"Stop; we must have the chain off,
said Holstein. 'tDid you think of bring
ing file. Arnheim
Arnheim had file, but though the
bear was glad enough to have the chain
removed he absolutely refused to allow
even his master to file away the ring at
his nose, growing very angry and saw
age over the matter-so much so, in
deed, that it was Judged advisable to
desist for the present
81 can do anything with him when
he's full, explained Ivan. his keeper.
"but he's apt to be savage when his
stomach's empty
So the bear was fed, entering prompt
ly and kindly into the wishes of those
present by climbing straightway into
the berloga and starting with a grunt
of incredulous joy to demolish the pro-
visions as though be had not seen food
fer week.
..Stay with him, Ivan, said Arm
helm, land use the file when he is in
good temper. We shall be here at % to-
morrow If all is well then, you shall
have your money down.
In the morning, soon after 8, the czar
having ascertained that the bears den
had been found and all arrangements
made and having assured himself fur
ther that the animal was a single gen.
tleman or possibly a single lady-but,
at any rate. not married lady with q
family-started upon his sporting en-
terprise determined. but somewhat
nervous
Arnheim was shocked and alarmed
to find. on arrival at the berloga. that.
though Ivan. the bear keeper. was pres
ent, he was very drunk, SO much SO
that it was impossible to get any sort
of conversation out of him
With the czar stood Arnheim and
Won Holstein, each hclding two extra
guns-single barrels. of course. and Of a
type in use just 100 years ago. for the
emperor was Paul father of Nicholas /.
and the date about 1900
Two other men stood by with bear
spears, wicked looking weapons of stout
ash. with double edged steel blades of Il
murderous sharpness and thickness.
There were even a couple of horses
tethered to two trees close by, in case
of accidents. the czar having explained
that he desired horses in order that the
bear might be followed up quickly
should he escape. though there were
those who believed that his majesty in
tended the animals for another purpose.
Ivan. the bear keeper, remained close
to the lair. armed only with the stick
with which he was accustomed to dom.
mate his dancing friend.
.sWho is that MANI asked the czar.
..And why does he stand so near the
berloga and grin in that foolish man.
nerY Is he drunk.
He is the peasant who found the
berloga. explained Arnheim. 's1t will
be his duty to start the bear when your
majesty is ready. 1t is a dangerous
duty. and be is no doubt little drunk.
1t is often necessary in big game shoot
ing to produce artificial courage in
those who occupy dangerous positions.
.'Goodl" said the czar. ''He is a
brave man. Stayl I, too. will take
glass of vodkal Now" he continued.
having refreshed the inner czar, 81 am
ready Stand prepared, you two, Arm
helm and Won Holstein. Stayl Are you
certain this is a single bear and not
she bear with cubs? II must remem-
ber my responsibility to the state. 1t is
useless to run needless risks.
''Ivan is certain. said Holstein.
He actually saw the creature enter
the den -
..Yes. but it may have given birth to
cubs since then, said Paul, looking
very pale and anxious Here. you,
Ivan. be continued. ..Are you sure
this is male bear and not dam with
cubs?
Ivan smiled namely. but very pleas
antly
..Why, bless you, he said. 81 ought
to knowl Only last night p
He verified it last night. inter-
rupted Holstein. with great presence of
mind. .througha hole which he pierced
in the snow wall of the den. There are
no cubs