The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-12-20

he was in the wrong, but it required
more moral courage than he possessed
to ride over and make confession. In
this emergency he haunted the spring
until he found out from Martha. the
colored woman, that on a certain day
and date Miss Rose and the sergeant
were to take two mile walk to cer-
tain limestone cave on the banks Of the
river
Every man has friend somewhere
If he will only hunt him up. After
thinking things over Joe decided to so
to old man Barnes, who kept 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 at
the same time"
But be don't look like a feller 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 I make a hero Of my
self?'
'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 a 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 firted
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 rattlesnake. created a
diversion. He made ready second
time, but a stray steer had to be
dubbed away, and so the river was
reached without recruit being added
to the army.
The cave contained three rooms and
was accounted a 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
such a growing and clawing and roar
ing as held them spellb6und for q mo-
ment. Then as monster bear came
rushing at them from one Of the inner
rooms the doughty sergeant broke for
daylight and fed 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
wife, and Company G wanted a second
laundress, but he would try to find the
woman in town. He covered the mile
to the house without break and then
mounted his gallant steed and set OF
for the fort. He even forgot to leave
best wishes behind.
Meanwhile Miss Rose had stumbled
and fallen and tainted away. It was
as good a chance as 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
hanging on to the end of long rope
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.
81 came along just in time to kill 1t.
Thank heaven, you are not hurt. Here
you are at home. I am glad was OF
service to you, but 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 a 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
gruftiy 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."
Does the Horse Love His MasteF3