The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-06-29
YOUNG FOLKS COLUMN


There had been a snoWstorm in the night
and we walked in the great burrows
made by the wood-sleds, each Of us car
rylng little tin dinner pail. The icy
wind nipped our noses, and whistled
around our ears, but our knitted hoods
were warm and comfortable, and we
trudgcd merrily along, reaching the
ing our rcd fingers at the horse block
stove, where great wood fire reared,
we sat down at the rough little desks
with our spelling books.
"Rap-rap! sounded on the schoolroom
door, rap-rap.
Miss Knapp, the teacher, opened it,
and whom should she sec but cid Farmer
Hcaton. He called out in very loud
voice, Tea cher! teacher. Bring out your
young ones: I've got suthin' to show
'cm!'
"Out we all trooped and saw the
strangcst sight. On low woodsled.
with only bottom boards and stakes at
the sides, sat a notwithstanding animal,
with shaggy, brown coat like great
Dog. Its nose was pointed and it's little
tyes looked restless. and half-frightened,
as they watched the children. a chain
around its neck was fastened to the sled
stakes.
It's young bar explained Farmer
Heaton, mild enough now, but will be
terrible fierce later. Got great teeth
already. My son Jim catched it, over the
river in Greene county,
''Thc boys pushed bravely nearer to the
sled, to get better look, but we girls
kept close to the teacher, and were rath-
er relieved when the old man said: We'll,
| must be off; I'm takin' this young fell
to see. Got three more to visit-Tree-
dom Hill. Jones Corners and Bccket's
Crossing And calling loudly to his
>teaming ponies, 'G'lang Jake and Rube,
they disappeared down the road, in a
cloud of snow.
I'm sorry for that bear said I, but
Maria $ only answer was to clutch my
back to the warm schoolhouse.
We found it hard to study the rest
Of the morning for thinking of the bear.
Where was he by this time? Didn't he
feel strange and lonely, taking such a
long sleighride from school to school?
AT o'clock we started for home. The
short winter day was drawing to a close,
down. Several of the children went a
short distance with us. but for long
half-mile we must 80 alone.
Suppose said Maria slowly. swing
ing her dinner pail suppose, Elizabeth,
the bear should get loose from the sled
and chase us down the road! Oh, what
should we dog
"'Oh, I'm not much afraid an
swcred, boldly. Besides, we could run
faster than bear, any day
:" But | wish we did not have to 60
through the pine woods continued my
sister. ] wished so myself, but now VIC
entered the dreaded woods. How quiet
and dismal they seemed! The tall pines
stretched out great branches, all heavy
with SNOW, which often sifted down on
our heads. The only light came from /,
tops
whispered Maria, stepping faster l
glanced hurriedly over my shoulder, down
the snowy road and what did see but a
long, brown animal with his nose to the
ground, trotting toward us!
g The bear! the bear! It's coming!!' ]
cried, and grasping our pals tightly We
rushed wildly ahead. Once l stumbled
but scrambled to my feet again.. anl
sped On. Never was road so long. Oul
threats grew very dry; cur breaths camt
Ill little gasps, but we dared not Stacker
speed. The bear didn't gain OH us, anl
at last-O joy! we could sec, peepinl
above little rise of ground, one of the
farm chimneys, a welcome sight.
Half crying and completely out Of
1e"ti' We i!dlltSeu u ScralnDle 10 the
doorstep, calling loudly. Father. father!
Out rushed mother to sec what the mat
ter was and I'VE sobbed out our story
See, girls, said mother, there goes
your bear now, down the road. He look>
to me. very much like Nep. .Neighbo1
Browns shepherd dog And so il
proved. Nep, our good old friend who
never frightened any one, was trottine
scberly home
Several days after, we heard that thu
bear had really escaped. and had beer
seen by some boys, making for the ice
bound Hudson and l. hope he found hi>
home and friends
While Great-aunt Elizabeth had beer
talking the little needle had tripped gaily
along till now both seam and story were
done Ramon