Oxford eagle., 1906-12-20

ty, MO-, were happy and
eager to enjoy themselves. The coun.
try was sparsely settled, and there
was little to be had that was good to
eat or drink nearer than the town of
Florida, on Salt river. where Squire
Clemens, the father Of Mark Twain,
kept a store.
They danced all night under the
hospitable roof where sat old Uncle
Rhuebin Reddish, Aunt Lou extend
ing them warm welcome; then they
went home with Rube Purvis to eat
bear meat. and from there to Uncle
Harfy's and Aunt Edy's, where veni.
son was broiling and bee gums had
been robbed.
Christmas eve day was bright and
pretty. The sun broke through a rift
OF clouds and the revelers were fairly
intoxicated with Joy. They intended
to spend the night and Christmas day
at the Widow Mackelroy's, where
there was plenty of room and an abun.
dance Of good things to eat and
drink.
The Widow Mackelroy was with
the crowd. She had left Uncle Ned
and Aunt Polly to look after her
house. telling them that IL they went
away to close the doors. The faithful
old servants were not liable to go
farther than some cabins occupied by
colored people, and the widow knew
that they would answer the summons
of the ranch bell. Though II was
Christmas time she never dreamed
that the negroes would leave the
Ilace.
Old Ned and Aunt Polly did leave
the house. and big black bear must
have been watching them when they
walked away. He had doubtless scent
ed the odor Of Christmas feast. 1t
was easy for bruin to smash one Of
the kitchen windows and enter the
upon such things as had not been se-
curely hidden away, the bear probably
prowled through the house until his
curiosity was satisfied. and then, find
ing dark corner under the stairway
in the hall, he laid down and closed
his eyes to pleasant dreams.
This audacity was the result Of
careless training on the part Of one
James Irwin, an old bachelor Of the
vicinity, who had made pet Of this
same bear, Bolivar, as the bear was
called, frequently answered the call Of
the wild. In his youth Bolivar was an
interesting pet He was capable Of
u>rSo-~rtru y,,ary tricES and ha waa
an accomplished wrestler.
The crowd OF Christmas ramblers
reached the Widow Mackelroy's house
about dark on Christmas eve. The
lively young widow led the way to
unlock doors. and the boys and girls
followed, snowballing and singing
Christmas carols.
The widow was In the act OF making
some interesting discoveries in the
kitchen. and dozen couples Of
dancers were moving over the parlor
floor In harmony with music that was
loud and fast. when shrieks and
screams echoed through the rooms.
and those who we're able to command
their senses saw . monster black bear
entering the parior on MS nind ieet
and swinging his forelegs invitingly.
as II seeking a partner for a waltz.
The ballroom instantly presented a
scene of the widest excitement. Boys
and girls who were near windows lost
no time In making their escape. The
bear cut on the retreat Of a consider
able crowd and hemmed them in a cor
ner of the room. Bolivar pranced In
front of these. licking froth from his
red lips and glarlng into the faces OF
the screaming girls as If he were try
ing to select a dainty one for his
Christmas supper. George Ely.
young man who was proud OF his
strength and his ability to hit had
blows. ran forward and struck the
bear on the side of the head. Bolivar
shook his ear as II he were tickied.
aud, turning about. he seized tho
amazed young man with his powerful