Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-17
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lcorrrirht hr Inme. Elveraon.l


able.
Bears were known to be quite plentiful in
the back woods, some fifteen miles west of
them, and that one should have strayed into
their neighborhood seemed very likely.
A part of Georges duty as the son of
homestead farmer, was to 60 for the cows
every afternoon.
They had no pasture, and the cows wete
allowed to run in the woods, where they got
plentiful living by browsing off young trees
and cropping such wild weeds as grew ~
marshy places.
In some respects, this COW hunting was
pleasant task, for little Anne was often by
his side, and they were fond of searching to-
gether for nuts, moses and ferns.
Once in while, it happened they had far
TO go-miles, even-before they heard the
tinkle of the bell, and il would be dark be-
fore they reached home with the truant herd.
George knew that for settlers son to be
afraid of the woods was to make him laugh
ing stock the country over But, as he was
naturally tmid it was not always easy to be
brave, especially when the owls hooted in the
trees and made the otherwise impressive still
ness seem so full of terrifying things.
Little Anne's company was great protec-
ton against his fears. He was unwilling to
confess them to her, and so was able to hold
them in pretty good subiection.
But, if alone, he would flee along the dim
forest paths, expecting at any moment the
sound of his own footsteps might startle some
wild creature out of its hiding place to con-
front him
1t was a day in early October when the
children met their adventure.
Just before it was time for starting out to
hunt the cows, George was chance listener
to the talk of passing farmer who, on his
way home to an adjoining township, had
stopped to chat with Mr.. Gilbert at the barn
yard gate.
"Oh, they're thick as squirrels up there"
the farmer said. ''They are bold too; for
this one came within rod of the house in
broad daylight"
what came, father?" whispered George, at
Mr.. Gilberts elbow, not having caught the
first of the story. "What was it?"
"a bear said his father, with some i'm
patience at the interruption, and too intent
on listening to realize it might be better FOR
Georges courage not to hear such details
Yes, sir, the farmer went on. "He came
within rod of the house. and tried to carry
off the pig; but one of the boys fred at him,
and he ran away. He was big fellow, tell
YOU"
Where was it, father?' whispered George,
eagerly. where did he say?"
"Over in Wexford, twenty miles from here"
his father answered.
George had heard enough to greatly dis
quiet him. 1t was quite time, too, that he
had started for the cows, if he expected to
get back before dark; and he went in search
of little Anne.
He found her busy with her dolls and un.
willing to be disturbed. But she was obliging
and easily coaxed, and they were soon on
their way.
They crossed a corn field and entered the
woods at point where an old logging road
emerged. This road had been hewn cut of
the primeval forest when the homesteadersl
had begun the clearing of their FARMS and
had been used to haul their timber out to
the nearest mill 1t was now little more
than path, grass-grown and strewn with
fallen leaves.
"Do you hear the bell Mani" George asked,
before they had gone very far.
She stopped and hearkened No, she did
not hear it. 1t wasn't time to think even OF
listening.
"I'm afraid they're over in the Osborne
lot" he Said, nervously.
''All the BETTER" she cried, skipping along.
enlivened by the fresh air and CAV at the
sight OF the bright leaves and the slant sun
shine that hickered hazily through them.
The Osborne woods were at least two miles
away, and the October afternoons were short.
George knew it would be quite dark before
they could get back if they should be obliged
to go so far.
He hurried his already brisk pace, and led
little Anne lively dance to keep up with
him.
She began hallooing to call out the echoes
but George hushed her and begged her to
keep still. He did wish she wouldn't make
kuch noise.