Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-12-10

death of a friend in Texas. ms
ward. bowling to their hostess and her
two delighted cubs.
"Why must we hole up every wlnte,
in such foolish manner" Whispered
Snouty to Brunie. +,
II don't see any reason for doing So
replied Brunie, also in whisper.
"Why should you and I go into the IN
ner cave and pass so much valuable
time in sleep?" she asked.
eve shouldn't" declared Snouty.
Then he fell to maxi plan, ment-
ally. The result of his planning was
that he led his sister and the visiting
cubs off into the woods Just as soon as
luncheon was over. Then. Tar from
the ears Of his mother he lay bare MS
scheme "Now my friends and sister,.
he began, don't like this business OF
holding-up for many months. want
to run about in the snow and on the
frozen river, just like the foxes, the
rabbits, the deer, and all the otner
wild animals. Why should bears
the finest creatures on the mountain
hide themselves away for the winter?
There is no reason whatsoever, my
friends. So, let's not do It," n
'But our parents. they'll insist on
our doing IT, said one OF the Strong
Bears. Jabo by name. II know Wnat
thew will say. oh. bears have always
gone to sleep with the coming OF
winter and only awoke with the ap-
iroach Of spring. Your forefathers
and foremothers did SO. and you can.
not change your inherited natures.
"But think we can change our
inherited natures" protested Snouty.
So di I, brother, said Brunie so
fust let us show them that we can stay
awake Just like other animals we have
heard about.
"Aereed. sister" said Snouty. "And
will you Join u.s." he asked OF the
Strong Bear cubs.
"Oh, no. cried Mimic, Jabo's sister.
I'VE should love to stay out OF doors
all winter, just as the foxes. the rabbits
and the other wild animals do, II our
dear papa and mamma would stay
awake with us. But we never, never
could remain away from them And
n they we're asleep, why, wed want
to he asleep with them. Wouldn't we,
Jabo?" And Jabo, a mothers cup'
had to say Eyes.
"Well. sister and l will remain
awake by ourselves" declared Snouty
emphatically, and with touch OF
scorn in his funny little voice. He
tried at being big fellow, did Snouty,
and assumed very deep. beary voice
when he determined upon doing any
thing out of the ordinary or natural.
eyes. I'll stick with brother" az
armed Brunie. "And we'll have a gay
winter. we will, while the rest of bear
kind will be snoring away in their
caves" :,
Then, Mrs, Strong Bears voice, call
ing to her little cubs to come, was
heard, and the four cubs ran to the
cave. eve must be going home. my
dears," said the Strong Bear cubs
mamma. eve shall not forget TINS
pleasant forenoon in a long time.
"You will Sc. If you are asleep,
dryly said Snouty in his beary voice.
'Oh, no, it will furnish us with
pleasant Dreams" explained Mrs.
Strong Bear.
Then farewells were said, paws
shaken, and promises Of meeting again
in the spring were made, and many
good wishes for comfortable sleep ex,
changed as the Strong Bears departed
going off down the mountain side to-
wards their own cave half mile below
After they had gotten out of sight, Mrs.
Brown Fur and her cubs turned into
the cave. "And now, my little ones,
we'll close the house for the winter.
It's time to be getting to sleep. By
tomorrow's sun the ground will be
white with snow And. we'll be snug,
knowing nothing of the cold outside. .
.Now, Mamma, have a plan to lay
before you," boldly said Snouty.
And he told his mother of his sisters
and his own desire to remain awake
during the winter, to reverse the or
der Of bear.custom. eve want to run
about like the other wild animals" he
wound up with.
well. WE'LL" said Mrs. Brown Fur,
showing much surprise. why. my
son and daughter, it's bear-nature to
sleep during the cold winter time.
Bears have always done SC. You two
are in no way different to other bears.
You couldn't stay awake-should you
try to do it.. Why, can see sleep
heavy in your eyes -. And have
been getting drowsy Ior several days
ever since that severe frost we had
early in the week. So, you'd best be a
natural bear and along with your
mother. creep into the : - cave and
go to sleep till spring.
But both Snouty and Brunie OBJ