Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-11-01


river.
Every man has a friend somewhere
IL he will only hunt him up. After
thinking things over Joe decided to 20
to old man Barnes, who kept a saloon
eating house and sort of menagerie
in town, and when his case had been
stated the old man replied:
Easiest thing in the world, my boy
You want to run that sergeant off the
ranch and make hero of yourself al
the same time"
But he don't look like Teller who
could be rum" was protested.
Make no mistake, my boy. You can
run his coat tails out straight if only
you go about it right
But how can l make hero of my,
selfY
That's part of the game. Now
listen to me-"
Three days later the sergeant rode
up TO the ranch with his chest puffed
out and complacent look on his face.
He felt that he was winner He was
going to honor the ranchman's daugh-
ter by taking her into Uncle Sans
service.
His welcome wasn't quite as genial
as it might have been, as Miss Rose
was beginning to feel conscience strick-
en- about Joe Whitman. She had found
on mature consideration that she liked
Joe very much, and when a girl will
admit that and be sorry that she fiirted
with another man at the same time she
is very near the point of loving.
The horse was left at the stables, and
the pair started for the cave on foot.
On the way the sergeant got ready to
propose, but a rattlesnake created a
diversion. He made ready second
time, but stray steer had to be
dubbed away, and SO the river was
reached without Il recruit being added
to the army.
The cave contained three rooms and
was accounted wonder. A torch that
had been prepared was lighted, and the
couple entered the dark mouth, but
had hardly reached the center of the
first room when they were saluted by
. ing as held them spellbound for mo.
ment. Then as monster bear came
rushing at them from one of the inner
rooms the doughty sergeant broke for
daylight and fled at his best pace. The
calls of the girl were unheeded. He
hadn't served twelve years in the army
to become bears meat. He wanted a
wife, and Company G wanted second
laundress, but he would try to find the
woman in town. lie covered the mile
to the house without break and then
mounted his gallant steed and set off
for the fort. He even forgot to leave
best wishes behind.
Meanwhile Miss Rose had stumbled
and fallen and tainted away. 1t was
as good q chance as a bear ever had,
but this particular animal failed TO
take advantage of the occasion.
In the first place, he was muzZled,
and, in the next, Joe Whitman was
fastened to his collar. When he had
fulfilled his mission he was tied up.
and Joe went out and shouldered the
still unconscious girl and had borne her
nearly home when she revived.
AS she opened her eyes and won
dered how she had tasted to the bear
Joe pointed out the sergeant riding
away. He also displayed his bloody
hunting knife.
"Oh, Joe, but the bear-the bear!'
gasped the girl on his arm.
Il came along just in time to kill it.
Thank heaven, you are not hurt Here
you are at home. / am glad l was of
service TO you, but l can't come in.
After what was said the other day
You will come in, of course. There
may be another bear around"
There wasn't, but during the next
hour Joe had talk with the colonel
and both of them shook hands at the
end of it and said they were glad.
That night when Joe led the bear back
to the town and his cake the owner
gruffiy Queried:
well, did it work.
Beautifully"
Then hand over the ten. When you
want a second wife come to me and
we will put up some other job to get
her."