The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-07
HE GAVE HER sUOH SIZE GAsPEp FoR BRHsArH

ooh, amt you the foolish one to talk
so. There's nothing the matter with the
bear at all He's standing as straight as
a guardsman and he's a fine bear, I'm
sure"
Mrs. Beecham went back to her darning
and Peter went on with his polishing. but
every now and then he glanced out at the
bear and in a short time he shouted:
II was sure of 1t, Martha. That bear
scratched his ear. He's bewitched. I'm GO
ing to fetch him into the shop before he
runs off,"
Martha shifted to herself, but her curl
osity was aroused, and she rose to her
feet and saw her husband step to the
door and lay his hands on the bears
shoulder.
The next instant the bear dropped to his
feet. Quick as thought Mr. Beecham
straddled his back and clutched his neck.
At this the bear set off up street as fast
as he could pad.
But when the pair reached the strand
big burly policeman stopped the animal
for fast travelling. He said: Don't you
know that six miles an hour is the limit
in the city?"
Then Peter, with his hand still clutch
ing the scruf of the bears neck, said
This amt real bear!"
well, he was going real fast" said
the policeman.
Il know" said Peter. but you see he's
my sign at my fur store and some one
has bewitched him, because ordinarily
he's only stuffed bear"
well, well' said the policeman. 81
thought II was one Of Robin Taylor s
bears, and that you were exercising of
him."
Now, as a matter of fact, IL was one of
Robin Taylor's bears. 1t was Little Bear,
the one who found that Silver Locks had
eaten his porridge.
| Little Bear, who was generally called
Tiny by his friends, because he was very
big for his age, was angry at being forced
first to run like mad and then be scolded
by policeman, and he said quite
hotly:
This man came out OF his store and
tried to steal me. | suppose he wanted to
| kill me and stuff me and use me for a
sign"
wen, the only thing ] can do is to ar
rest both Of you. II he tried to steal you.
| then he'll have to be punished but II you
are his sign that's been bewitched, why,
then some ones got 10 unbewitch you, be-
cause you belong to him, and this IL no
day of bewitching.
The three we're walking as they talked,
and they soon came to the police station.
Inc captain OF Ponce heard what the
officer had TO say, and then he said
"Ive known this man Peter Beecha m
ever since his folks came up from Devon
SHIRE and he wouldn't steal a bear, or a
ny for the matter OF that. Some one has
bewitched his sign, that's sure, and the
only thing to do is to shoot this bear,
which will turn him back to his former
state"
mo. II won't" said Tiny, quickly. I'm
not his sign, but even II was and had
been enchanted, / have O right TO my life,
no matter how came by II. There is
no law In England that says a bear who
is behaving himself must be shot / will
promise to stand In front of his place oil
day long II you will promise not to shoot
me-"
Poor Tiny. lie was terribly frightened.
and small wonder for the Captain meant
what he was saying.
Il want him shot" said Peter, "beca use
! just 49, long as he Is alive he is likely
| 10 run away again"
That's worry true. Peter" said the Cap
| tain. I'm sorry for you. Mr.. Bear hut
| n can't be helped. Offioer lead this bear
out into the court yard and shoot him"
The officer ia not want 10 DO A. but
an order ~ m order. Peter was sorry
/ that % had 10 be- done, but a fufriers
| sign ~ or SHOULD BE- q fuuisrs sign.
/ Ths Captain hated h have the beeI shot,
kut agtg y dutE