Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-06-02
A BEARLAND STORY.
BY Euaene o. MayfeId.

01 GhHCHG ~ VS. fFSi6s
copyright, 1896. by w. X. Hearst.)
Grandma Bear is a dear old animal
trho lives far up Platte canon, where
The rush and roar of mountain streams
1eaden all other sounds, and quaking
Bspens @ their boughs to stately pines
: $ they catch at passing sunbeams.
For many years Grandma Bear lived
IN the old den, all alone, and as each
winter passed and spring came again
she would scratch a mark on the wall
q her home and say: Yes, I'm get
ting old"
i,earby n look at herself and as the
reflection came back she would add:
We'll, / might look older"
Ii was while thus engaged, n morn
ing. hat she heard a cracking of twigs,
and, looking up, saw one of the cutest
little bears imaginable coming toward
her.
wonder whose cub that is?" she
asked herself. Then turning she In
quired: What are you looking for,
little bear?"
I'm looking for my grandma re-
piled the cub as he sat down on the
bank to rest. Maybe you can tell me
whore she lives
Something i'm the appearance of the
wee stranger caused the old bear to
scan him more closely. Something had
come ~scurrying across her mind that
recalled another pair of bright, snappy
eyes, just like the little cub had.
What's your grandma's name?" in
quired the old bear.
All ] know IS grandma replied the
cub. Guess she hasn't any other name
never heard it. anyway"
But what is you manner"
My name? Why, it's Jumper Bear,
and I lived over in Clear Creek canon
until my father n mother got blowed
up and then | started out to find my
grandma replied the little bear.
Jumper. Bear" exclaimed the old
bear. You don't mean that you are
Jumper Bear, the son OK Susie Bear,
do yougf
Just what / mean,'s replied the cub,
as he picked up d stone and tossed it
down in the pool.
Then Pm your grandmother, for
Susie was my daughter. and ran away
from home 10 marry lack Eear, and
the last l heard of them they We're liv-
ing over in Clear, Creek canon, and had
a baby bear named Jumper"
My fathers name vas Jack" ex-
planned the little bear.
Then I'm sure You are my grand
son." sighed the old bear as she
brushed the tears from her eyes and
Inquired now the accident happened.
Father found a stick of something
round and balck down at the mines
n night explained Jumper, and
brought Ii home. He and mother were
examining ii, when all at once ii
dropped 10 the floor. Then there was
an awful explosion and when the
smoke and dust had cleared away I
could find nothing OF either OF them
except fathers collar button and moth
er's curling iron, which she held in her
paw when she started to examine the
stick"
And that was how Jumper came to
live with Grandma Bear.
II didn't take Jumper long to get
acquainted with his surroundings, and
by evening he had climbed half the
peaks, eaten enough wild berries; that
didn't nave a semblance of ripeness
about them, TO nave killed any ordinary
bear; and gone In swimming three
times, Sc whTH ne appeared AT mis-
~grandma's home at shutdown he was
tired out, and after eathing his supper
he tumbled down in the corner and
was soon fast asleep.
The next morning was really the be-
ginning OF Jumpers life at the home of
Grandma e and had she been able
to see how much worry the little fell
low would give her doubtless she would
have sighed that he. too. had not found
a stick OF explosive before he came TO
live with her.
Now, Jumper said the old bear,
after they had eaten their breakfast, II
have a few rules ! want TO explain 10
you which you must not break.
I'm the first place you must not go
in the water. If you do you will have
{the chills. besides you may get drowned.
Then you must always be at home
at meal time and never after dark.
You must keep away from those coy-
kotes who live down the canon, for they
fr. Dacy anlmais-tne worst, IN. racr, IN
)cstIand. and will get you in no end of
trouble Ii you go near Them"
M go in swimmin't = exclaimed Jum-
per. holding up his paws In holy horror
at such a thought. why grandma.
scared TO death II / even got my feet
wet.
A for the rest OF the things you
told me about. you need have no fear.
trspecially about those coyote boys. fer
never did Ike coyotes. or any other
kind OF wolves for that matter"
A right. Jumper" replied the old
bear, as she patted the little fellow
on the head II Just wanted to warn
YOU that was all. Now. you may run
on and play. hut be back at moor as
1 hav a fine fat grouse that old Mister
Coon brought me- we will have
for dinner
Jumper slowly followed theItrail that
led up h canon until he was ort Of
sight, then turned shor> and clambered
up the side Of the mountain. Once he
lost his balance and was about TO fall
to the rocks below, but caught hold OF
q stunted pine and saved himself.
Gee, whixx. but that was a close
call" he said. But the close call didn't
cause him 70 change his course. and
he WAS soon far enoug above Grand.
ma Bears onle 10 safely start dowf
streaip, and soon came out at the bot.
ten g The Rerse' far below