The Coconino sun., 1903-02-21


 think up who it could be that was stealth my pork so sly and cunnin'. And who do you s'pose thunk of as more'n likely bein' the one, Dan1?' says Gil.
 "'Not your pap. Gil,' says. was it ? and Reuben snorted right out. cause everybody knowed that folks said that when things turned up missin' along the headwaters the first thing folks done was to go see if them things hadn't sort O follered Gil's old man home durin' the night before. But Gil he said no, he didn't lay it to his pap.
 "'Pap wasn't in them parts jest then, Dan'l,' says Gil, so l didn't lay it to pap says he. No. It was old si that thunk of.
 "'Old Si was campin' not more'n two mile from me, and had my idees about him. So I jest says that my pork had stuck to him some way and got out O my bailiwick.
 "'But it was mebbe good thing fer me that thunk a leetle furder before goin' to old Sis and demandin' my pork | back. thunk lettle fnrfer. and then says what vas thinkin' about ?
 "'Old Si would quick enough fas- ten on to the pork all right. but he never would have gumption enough to head up bar'l like that bar1 was head ed. after doin' of it. 'Tain't old Si.' l says.
 "'So jest sot down and thunk that the best way to find out who the smart thief was would be fer me to hide and watch for him. and so did.
 "'The second day O watchin', Dan1. see big bear come slouchin' out of the brush nigh to the cabin. and there hadn't no gun! Me, Twin along the headwaters. knowin' the head waters as to bear. and bein' there in the woods without gun. Twas mad and I was sorry. for thcr~'t mout as well as not gather in nice lot O bear while l was watchin' to zee who stole my pork, and there didn't have no gun.
 "1 was jest on the pint O gittin' up and pitchin' into the bear anyhow, when happened to think that if the pork thief came along he'd more than likely have a gun. and that of course he'd knock over the hear. so that when l jumped out and took the consarned thief by the neck while le was loadin' himself with my pork ag'in, I'd have a nice fat bear and good pelt.. besides gittin' the pork thief. So laid low and said nothin'.
 "'The bear, he nosed around spell. and then clim one O the corner poles O the cabin to the roof. edged along to. the chimly. and then let himself down the chimly right into the cabin. l didn't suspicion the bear. even then. Dap1,' says Gil, but sneaked up to the winder and peeked thro .sh.
 "'Say. you could a tumbled me over with chippy birds feather. was so fabbergasted over what I seen! The bear was workin' at the pork bari. and a good deal quicker than I could done it myself he unheaded tfrt bari! Yes, sir, Dan'l! Took off the top hoop and lifted out the head O the bar'l!
 "'Then the bear took out two nice hunks of pork. He sot there and eat them while was lookin' at him. Then he licked his paws and his chops, took put another hunk O pork, laid it on the floor, headed up the harl as slick IS boss cooper could done it, took the hunk O pork under his arm. skun lp the chimly like a monkey. dropped to the ground as easy as nothin'. and trotted off into the brush. grinnin' enough to make feller crazy, before Icould say boo!
 "'Danl' says Gil, 'then was glad I 1idn't have no gun. If I'd a killed that bear,' says he. I'd felt all my life as f the mark O Cain was branded onto my brow!' says he.
 And jest as mild as could be. Reuben without over feet erin his chair level