Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1909-05-13
i A Fortunate FlG-HQlt.
by WILLIAM 8. B1RGE. NJ. D

A wear or two before the opening
~ The Revolution, the Mertons came
down into the Mohawk Valley from
Tho heart of New England, and set
t1inc there, cleared a little place in
tho GREAT forest and began life in the
new home.
Hpbecca Merton soon became the
roal head of the family, for the hus-
hand and father sustained E disabling
injury in the clearing and in time be-
came nearly helpless.
The wife, a young woman with
three small children to look after,
came of Puritan stock and could look
along the line of her ancestors to the
landing of the Pilgrims. Indeed, she
had in her possession the Identical
rife which her great-grandfather had
brought over. from the Old World in
the Mayfower, and with which, on
more than one occasion, &c had hunt
ed and fought with Miles Standish.
At the particular period of which
we write the Indians were not very
troublesome, but now and then they
came sneaking about the white settle
ment, but did little more than pilfer.
However. the war cloud which had
hung over the colonies grew darker,
and with every new report came
thoughts Of war.
Perry Merton's injury increased in
several ways, until at last he was un-
able to leave his bed. He could not
assist at all in the management of
the little farm, and his wife and chill
dren were compelled to take his place.
Toward the close of an autumn day
one of the Merton children, who had
been to mill on the only horse owned
by the little family, returned with the
! report that a bear had been seen at
the old Pennypot bridge, about a mile
and a half from the house.
I'VE shall be visited tonight" said
Perry Merton, looking at his wife.
"The animal will raid our pens, and
unless they are guarded we will be
the losers"
Mrs. Merton went direct to the
family heirloom, which rested on a
set of polished antlers, above the
door, and began to inspect it. She
had handled the rife before and could
centre-hit a very small target at a
hundred yards.
Contrary to expectation the bear
did not make his appearance, and at
last the family, tired of watching fol-
his bearship, retired. The rife, how.
ever, was not returned to the antlers
but was placed within easy reach Of
the bed, and Mrs. Merton's hand
rested close to the polished stock.
Midnight had passed when the hus.
band, lying awake on account Of the
pain, heard a peculiar sound outside
the cabin, and in another moment had
awakened his wife.
Accustomed to prompt action, Mrs
Merton arose, and, rifle in hand, went
10 the window and looked out. Il
was dark beyond the door; so dark
indeed, that one could not see one:
nand when placed close to the face
ana IN vain did the pioneer woman
look for the meaning of the noise.
suddenly a great noise was heard
toward the pens, and in an instan'
the 1901 was opened.
Inc bear has come at last" CRIED
Tue woman, glancing at her husband
@nu lnen she dressed herself.
You cannot shoot in the dark,
was the reply. Benny will light yo1
to the pens"
Inc lire on the old-fashionet
hearth still burned with a little bril-
Ha1cy, and in a few moments tn
eiuesI child, a boy of ten, and as cour
aaseous as his mother, held above hi
nedo a fagot which he had take1
from the heap.
BE careful" admonished tn
"1ppIed father. Don't fire till yo1
see the eyes, Becky, and then sem
we bullet right between them"
Varying the rife, and followed b
' son, VINO held the torch above hi
1e'o' allowing it's light to proceed
meln, the courageous woman ad
""nced toward the pens.
me anxious husband leaned towar
httle window near the bed an
LEU ms breath. 1t was not the frs
rl MS wife had encountered Oh
npNFalm; but a hungry bear is not
ee enemy, and is apt, if wounded, t
Dohe d desperate battle.
III the neighborhood Of the pen
bh1ythlng had become suddenly sti
me very silence was ominOu'
NY THIS caused Mrs. Merton to pro
csed with caution.
we nave lost the bear, mother.
nes tie boy, when they reached th
and found no game.
thu Out ne has been here. Look
lias Dlood on the ground, and thel
oAe OF the pigs dead"