Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1904-04-09

ioor of the house The squire djdl'i
scare at bulls or tranps or mad dogs
but he drew the line at bears. He was
in cold fright when he reached the
house, and the widow added to 1t by
allowing the bear to follow him In and
sit up before him and growl and show
his teeth. Harry had come counting al
usual, and Of course the position was
embarrassing for a couple of minutes
1t might have lasted longer but for the
presence of mind of the widow.\ She
realized that the bear had dealt her a
winning hand, and she proceeded to
play it for all it was worth
IL am very glad to see you" she said
as she placed a chair for the caller. IL
am Widow Jenkins, as perhaps you
know. This young lady is my friend,
Miss Lee, and the young gentleman
there Is your son Harry. The bear has
introduced himself, but l wish to say
on his behalf that he is aching to make
mince meat of YOU"
Harry, what are you doing hereY"
hoarsely demanded the father.
Counting Betty, sir" was the reply.
1--WE are soon to be married, and was
going to tell you of it in day or two"
Married to that girl-never. You
Will remember that told YOU
The bear reared up and growled ON
inously, and the squire turned pale and
shook In his chair.
You must not talk so loud" caution
ed the widow. "Bumbo has got one of
his savage fits on, and l can't hold him.
WHAT'S the matter with Miss Lee that
you don't want Harry to marry herr"
Il don't want him to marry any one
just now
Don't you? Down, Bumbo! We'll.
as the two are in love and engaged, |
think they will marry, and you will be
very silly to interfere Don't move
your legs or Bumbo will have thcmv'
"Why don't you call off your blamed
old bear when you see that he is ready
to eat me?" shakingly exclaimed the
squire as the sweat broke out on his
face.
IL can't. He gets these savage fits
on once in awhile, and there's no doing
anything with him. If he gets his
teeth into you don't think we can save
you. Have you anything against Miss
LeeT'
NO"
Don't You think she would make
Harry good wifeY'
Il told you | didn't want BY thun-
der are you going to see me eaten
alive?'
"Bumbo, spare him little longerr
appealed the widow. Nov. then. Miss
Lee comes of nice family and is
worth $4,000. and she and Harry are to
be married Thanksgiving day-that is,
they were to be. but | have concluded
to have the ceremony performed this
evening. Squire Davis, you are a JUS
tice Of the peace"
what! Me marry EN- he shouted.
But the bear started in to hug him, and
lie almost tainted away in his terror.
"Yes, you will marry them" quietly
replied the widow after = bit. "It will
be neat, nice thing to do and il will
be good joke on the people who ex-
pect you TO make fool of Yourself.
That's one side of it, The other side
IS that the bear is getting overanxious."
The squire fought against it for Il
quarter Of an hour but the widow, the !
bear and the girl, aided by occasional !
appeals from Harry, carried the day, |
and he stood up with the bear beside |
him and welded two souls according to |
aw. Then the bride was kissed the |
pear chained up, and. as the squire nib
'led his doughnut and slipped his glass
If cider he was man enough to admit |
hat he guessed it was all for the best
'gaul durn that bear"