Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11


nervously round the table.
Haiti" commanded the boss. before the bear &c;
too near.
The bear halted And everyone drew long breath
Nov, Sammy" began the boss in oraCular tones
you stow that talk yourn about klllin Amt We go
eyes in yer head? He's tame bear he is an nigh.
glad to be back amongst friends after oan round them
lonesome winter woods. Watch i'm now! It's RICH.
smart sojer he is. "TenShun!'
AT the sudden sharp word of command the bear came
to attention.; but he tried to do ii quickly The gun
slipped from his big furry paw and cattered to the floor
He ducked nervousy and shut his eyes tight,
pecting a blow. Clearly Tim Gallagher was right. Ii
was trained bear that had come to claim their hos
pltaity. Pleased children the began dropping
from their hunks, with varied comments
The Colonels all right Don't swat i'm fer droppn
his gun, Tim cried Shorty Johnson. slipping down the
"Mebbe Sammy'd like to try wrastle with him! :
suggested Eph Babcock. Make an interestin show
fer Christmas Eve
Oulton crawled back sourlv into the depths of his
bunk and bit off extra chew of blackjack to help him
bride his tongue. He perceived himself to be in a very
chilly minority.
Jimmy Dillihunt, meanwhile, suddenly repentant OF
his suspicious had slipped into his den. Now he
forward boldly, bearing in his hand long, generous
strip of smoked bacon rind The bear sneled it and
opened his eyes. He began to realize that he
going to be struck for dropping his gum He gazed at the
ttbt, then at Jimmys dark face, and stretched
hopeful but difhdent paw; but as Jimmy made
spouse to this appeal the bear seemed to conclude that
he must do something to earn the prize, something diff
cult and distinguished. With whmper he sank down,
put his between his legs, slowly and gruntngly
heaved up his vast hind quarters and stood fairly an
himself there and then, slowly and gruntingy again. he
came down. resumed his upright attitude and turned
coaMngly to Jimmy.
The camp fairly yelled with delight Give it to him
Jimmy '-"Ye couldn't done better yerse1f!' He
armed it, sure! Look smart, Jimmy, er he'll think
yere cheatn, an swat ye!'-"Good old Colonel!
Jimmy held out the bacon rnd and the bear took it deli
cately with his great armed paw. Light ladys lit
tie hand!'' cried Pat Nolan in his enthusiasm
FROM this point on the evening resolved itself into
species of reception. Gallaghers Camp in fact was
giving "At Home" to 1.-The Colonel; for Shorty
Johnsons epithet had hit and stuck. The Colonel
bear of vast and varied accomplishments, and withal Of
simple faith in humanity His childlike confidence in
everyone's good will touched the big hearted and
quickly sentimental lumbermen till they as ex
travagant him bunch of children with baby 1t
became reproach to Eph Babcock that in the first
ment of surprise he had for his gun
Eph,' said Pat Nolan, had We harmed hair O his
INFAMOUS and confdin head, I'd NV been under the
painful necessity O nppin' out yer sizzard wild
fair hand"
An allow 'twould been than deserved
Paddy" drawed the Androscogginer amably Every
was hilarious but Outon. He injured and scornfu
maintained superior silence throughout the evening
would hardly deign to glance at the bears
tanning feats; but the whole camp knew he was inter
ested all the same.
1t was great night, that for Galagher's Camp The
Colonel first to tire of the excitement This, as
everyone allowed but natural, he had been the
whole show Now, full fed and happy he wanted to GO
to sleep, fact he manifested by pol1ing round in the
for place to lie down. On the thick fur of his
neck spot, showing where collar had once
been. With bit of heavy harness strap the boss made
him one, and led him, unresisting and bland,
the log walled shed that served the camp smthy.
big arnfu of straw brought from the barn, ant
the Colonel, eagerly clawing it about him, settled him
self down with the air of the prodgal who has got home
and is glad of it.
nN the following day the boss prudently decreed that
~ the Colonel should not be allowed in the house till
dinner time His deem DESIGN therehu