Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-19
Grandpa Bruno's Story

T was in Beartown that old Grand
papa Bruno lived. He was the eldesi
bear in the village and the most re-
spected. Also he was the most pitied
for he had but three feet, one Of the
front paws being gone. This. as you may
know. made poor old Grandpapa Bruno q
cripple, and he always walked with de-
cided limp.
But as the accident which made Grand
papa Bruno cripple had happened a
very long time ago there were very
many young Bears who had never heard
ABOUT II. And among these young Bears
were several who were inclined to be dis
ooedlent and to go off on long and peril
Gus adventures, roaming the woods and
the mountains, where danger lurked. In
vain did their parents-those of cooler
heads and wiser minds-remonstratew with
them; they would persist in running into
all sorts of danger
One evening as half a dozen Of the
Bear youth-of Beartown were out for
a lark they CHANGED to pass by the house
of Grandpapa Bruno. They stopped to in
qulre about the venerable old bears
health and to say a few pleasant things
to him, for though they were a mischiev-
Gus and venturesome lot of fellows they
Bruno in reverence.
Grandpapa Bruno was sitting in the
front of his house. smoking his pipe.
when the youths approached him. Good
evening. gran6papa.' they said, all bow
ing and smiling cordially and respectful
ly How do you find yourself this fine
evening? The moon is at its full and can
be seen through the pines if you'll just
take dozen steps to your right
"Ah. good even'n to you. young
friends replied Grandpapa Bruno. I'm
as we'll as one of my years and possess
ing but three feet can possibly be. AS
for taking the dozen steps to see the
MCDOWELL, I'll wait till she comes over
my head and looks down upon me. It's a
task for lame man to walk-even a
dozen steps, you know. But where are
you youngsters off to this night? It's
pretty late for youths to be abroad-es-
pecially if they are of a mischievous
turn of mind
We'll, grandpapa. it's this way" ex-
planned one OF the youths. bright-faced
fellow. and leader Of the band. We're
anxious to see something of the world
outside our own mountain woods. We're
off to hunt for adventures on youder
great mountain-the one to the SOUTH
"Ah, yes, I've been there-once." said
Grandpapa Bruno, land 1 had a most
wonderful adventure, too. If you'd like
to hear about it I'll tell you now. The
evening is fine and you can sit on the
ground about me- My pipe is done for
tonight and I'm In a storytelling mood.
But remember this: Every word l tell
you tonight is as true as truth. And 1
had exactly the experiences I'm going to
tell you about
"Ah, that'll be interesting declared
the half dozen youngsters in a breath.
And We'll sit very quietly here on the
ground, grandpapa, and listen to every
word you speak. We've always known
you We're an exceptional bear in your
youth and we feel flattered that you will
take us into your confidence. 1t proves
to us that you are not so strait-laced
and particular about young fellows 60
ing on adventurous trips as are so many
of our older bears. And now we're all
seated and you may begin"
We'll, my young friends, l was very
much of the same turn as yourselves
when 1 was your age" began Grandpapa
Bruno, putting his pipe and tobacco
pouch on a convenient stump.
"Ah, we knew it, cried two of the
young bears.
Eyes. l was forever hunting adventure, -
admitted Grandpapa Bruno. And I
found it over on yon great mountain to-
ward the south-the one you have planned
to visit this night Well. it happened
III tHis way, my Hnolng the adventure Oh
which l shall tell you: had been curious
to see the world outside my own domain.
and | went off against my fathers and
mothers wishes. / had a beautiful young
wife and two cubs, and they went with
me. My young wife was opposed to
our going, but seeing that 1 was de-
termined, she was too faithful to allow
me to go alone. So, with our two little
cubs. We set out one fine morning just
as the sun was coming into sight. All
day long we travelled. only stopping now
and then to eat the honey from the wild
some brook. And l remember we did
pause long enough to allow our little ones
to take nap. Then, on and on we went
ever toward that great mountain which
seems to hold such temptation for ven
turesome youth.
well, toward evening we reached the
very heart of that mountain. and on the
way We passed several paths not made
by bears or other four-footed creatures
There were strange looking footprints,
and l felt sure we were to meet with
something exciting and novel But
nothing happened just then. And as the
cubs were tired out, and their mother a
bit weary, We decided to lay us down to
rest and sleep. l fell into a deep slumber
almost Immediately. and so did the cubs.
But my wife said she felt so thirsty that
she would go down the mountain side and
drink from spring we had passed on
our way up.
But hardly had she left me when I
heard a noise more sudden and sharp
than thunder. and saw a flash like light
ming. Then l heard my dear wife's
Shrek and groans. l ran with all posi-
BILE speed to her, and there 1 saw her
lying. weltering in her own blood I
ran to her, but as I was about to lick
great ugly wound 1 discovered in her
side. and thus stop the bleeding. another
of those terrific reports sounded in my
ears. and 1 heard something go whiz past
my head. I ran into a thicket nearby.
for l knew that whatever the cause of
my dear Mrs. Bruno's wound, it was also
aimed at me, and it was my duty to my