Warren sheaf., 1901-09-05
A Bear Story,

s..s3 "A OSoI 0SOIys m-
An entire year had come and gone
since they had enjoyed their last
prairie chicken and as the season
was now ripe for the delicious bird,
their guns were cleaned and numerous
shells loaded with the most approved
grade of chicken ammunition. At
the appointed hour the team was
harnessed to the old spring wagon
and they started forth to slay the
nsuspecting birds. The sun shone
bright and warm on that September
morn and a light southern breeze
waved the golden wheat fields, now
ready for the sickle. The dogs know
ingly shifted the air in anticipation
OF the coming days sport, and all
was merry. A brisk drive brought
the party to the fields where the game
was said to abound and presently the
bang Of the gun told of game in
plenty, and when evening came the
eontented expression of the hunters
faces spoke of a successful day. The
game was loaded into the wagon and
the start made for home. The sun
was sinking in the west, the milk
maid was standing at the bars wait
ing for the home coming Of the COWS,
and the chickens were chirping under
the roosting tree, tired with the days
scratching in the fragrant flower beds
and all the world seemed at peace.
The hunters had arrived at level
stretch of road bordered on each side
by rolling prairies covered with the
virgin grasses, dotted here and there
with the pink of the wild rose and
the yellow Of the golden rod. Their
hearts beat in unison with their sur
roundings and they were contented.
Suddenly the horses pricked up their
ears and gave a warning snort and
the dogs that had been gamboling
along in the shade of the roadside
made quick movement to the wagon
and skunk along under the hind axle.
Such actions On the part of the dumb
brutes put the hunters on the "qui
vive" and they were not long in
doubt as to the cause, for on looking
out to the south they saw a dark OBJ
ject rise on the swell in the prairie
and move with shambling gait to-
wards them. Now all was excite
ment. Guns were brought from the
cases, shells were jammed into the
breach, but-they were all loaded
with chicken shot-little Ineffective
No. 7s-and a bear was heading di-
rectly towards them. The horses
were tired, and not made for running
anyhow, and we'll the hunters knew
how useless is a mans feeble efforts
in comparison to the wabbling lope
of the black bear. Something must
be done and at once.z. The cunning
of man was to meet and conquer the
terrible beast who was every minute
coming closer and closer without
swerving one point from straight
course. Fred, whose long and varied
experience in the wilds Of the North
west had taught him the value of a
cool head, took in the situation at
once and started out to win. The sun
was just kissing the western horizon.
The milk maid had performed her
evening duties, the chickens had
mounted the limbs Of the roosting
tree and the quiet Of night had settled
upon the earth. The bear was the
only blot on the serenity of the scene.
A wagon stood by the road side. It
was empty. The horses shook with
terror, too frightened to run. The
bear came steadily on. Suddenly
from a ravine a blaze Of fire shot out,
and through the stiffness Of the eve
ming yibrated the hollow roar Of a
shot gun. AS If this was a signal
three other reports followed IN quick