Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-11-07
TWO LITTLE BEARS.

One day the two little bears went
out to the blackberry patch to eat
some blackberries. When they came
home they had blackberry juice all
over their mouths and faces, and were
a sight to look at. The mamma bear
wouldn't let thine come in the hollow
tree where thye lived, but told them
to so down to the creek and wash
their faces. The little bears didn't
mind this, as they wanted to go to
off down to the creek, pushing and
playing with each other. and having
lots of fun. They had not gone far
until they saw the little squirrel
climb down the tree and hop along to
meet them. What in the world is the
matter with you little bears? What
have you got on your faces?" asked
the squirrel. It's blackberry juice"
said Teddy. We've been eating
blackberries. Do We look scarey?"
"Well, l should think you do" replied
the squared. "You almost scared me
into a fit when I first saw you. You
You looked like you had been fighting
and got badly hurt; but when l saw
you both laughing knew there wasn't
much the matter but where are you
going?"
1--WE are going down to the creek to
wash our faces said little Pete bear
Mamma wouldn't let us come IN the
house this way" I'll go with you."
said the little squirrel" They had not
gone but little ways when they saw
some big animal troting through the
woods. 1t was coming toward them.
and when Pete saw it he started for
tree as fast as his little legs could
carry him. Run. Teddy he said,
cts the big dog, and he'll eat us up"
But Teddy looked at the squirrel and
saw it laughing, so he knew there was
no danger.
The squirrel was laughing because
Pete was SO badly scared rs it a
dog?" Teddy asked of the squirrel
No. said the squirrel, It's wolf"
When the wolf came up closer he saw
the blackberry juice on the bears
mouths and he began to raise the hairs
on his back. He thought it was
blood, and that the bears might try to
bite him, but the little squirrel told
the wolf that the bears void not hurt
him, so he came up where Teddy and
the little squirrel were and wanted to
know why the other little bear climb
ed the tree the little squirrel said it
was because he was afraid the wolf
would eat him up. Then Teddy and
the wolf and the squirrel all laughed,
but Pete was too badly scared yet
to laugh. They tried to get Pete to
come down out Of the tree, but he
would not do it. Come on down."
said the wolf. 81 won't hurt YOU"
won't you eat me up Mr.. Wolff" ask
ed Pete, his voice trembling with
fright. NO. answered the wolf we
don't eat bears, come down and I'll
go and get you nice piece of sheep.
Now you all stay here" said the wolf
I borrowed a nice fat sheep of farm
er last night. I ate part Of it and
put the rest away. I'll go and bring
it here and you can help me eat it"
So the wolf trotted away and in a
little while he came back carrying
part of sheep in his mouth The lit
sheep and enjoyed it very much. The
little squirrel didn't eat meat of any
kind but it hoped off, got hickory
nut, came back and sat down beside
the others and ate it.
When they had finished eating the
little bears said they must go down
to the creek to wash their faces. The
wolf said he would see them again
some day. but he must be going now,