The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-09-30
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FED BEAR MATCHES.

He was a venerable and intelligent
man and had been a great traveller.
and be kindly undertook 10 while away
an idle hour by telling a reporter OF
the true inwardness OF California life
In the foothills of the Sierra.
"As 10 your question about grizzlies
he said, I'll tell YOU my FIRST and rath-
er remarkable experience with one Of
those vsrmints I was a kid. not yet
twenty. and new 10 the region OF the
Sierrss. having come from tie East
but a few months before. On NOON
light night early in April was gently
meandering home Oh muleback.
was unarmed with the exception Of
a pocket knife. for had fOoiish!y lent
my pistol to friend early in the day
/ had almost reached the ranch. hav-
ing only short stretch OF ground TO
pass. had heard the settlers alude
respectfully 10 Old Ephraim. They said
he was the tiercest ig the spring. after
his winters slesra He's always an
ugly customer. and after a man has
had. wipe or two from mis- talons
there is seldom enough left OF that
man to tell the tale.
''On this evening I speak OF | was
dead tired, as l had been riding all
day. / had almost fallen asleep on
my mule. when-my word. how that
mule did jump! Standing ahead, as
large as lfe OH the bank of n little
brook. was a biz grizzly. He srinned
at me and growled III way calculat-
ed TO agitate the nerves Of Ajax. the
fellow who defied the lightning much
more those OF a teuderfoOt aS l was
then.
Il had heard enough to know that
If turned tail, that il, the mules tail.
| could leave Ephraim behind ne, but
on the other side of him was home,
and l had my share Of grit even then.
/ had heard OF the notion entertained
by some people that a man can master
the most ferocious wild creature by
looking him in the eyes and advanc-
ing straight upon him. Even a green
horn would back out OF such an ex-
pertinent with Ephraim. the most fero-
ciOus of all wild creatures.
Suddenly | remembered had in
my pocket a large box filled with fric-
ton matches. those made with plenty
OF birthstone for use in a strong wind.
An idea occurred TO me, and l patted
and encouraged the mule, who trem-
blcd so that | thought she would drop
down under me, and urged her boldly
right in the face Of old Burin. When
within a few feet I suddenly struck
dozen matches aud threw them right
into his open jaws. Never was there a
more sudden change from malignant
ferocity to the most abject cowardice.
The huge brute actually covered and
shook with terror equal to that of
the mule herself.
This was something altogether out
side Of his experience l suppose he
thought he had struck a prairie fire
on muleback Even the mule saw the
situation and gained courage. She ad-
vanced, and l kept continuous show
or OF burning matches. Luckily a
rather strong wind blew from me and
carried away the fumes. In fact, this
is what brought the varWint TO me.
70 cut things short. old Eph turned tail
and ANONYMOUSLY fed.
Now, stranger. I might proceed TO
relate further how I stuck 10 the heels
Of that old grizzly, and kept setting fire
to his fur until he was entirely burned
mp, but in this skeptical age it may
be well to suppress some Of the facts
Of the case. for fear Of being doubted
-IiyerpoOl lEngl Mercury