Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-07-24

Ing when she found tho vicinity Of the
house deserted she was not one bit
worried. David the day before had
made famous sale and had gone on
to distance to negotiate for a new
herd. Most Of the men had accom-
panied him. The others had been Civ.
en- holiday and had gone to Last
Limit. where a circus had come along
Beatrice went about her pleasant
home tasks happy as a sprite, singing
merrily. planning with delight fam
ous strawberry pie of gigantic proper
tions for her formidable horde when
they should return, ravenous and de-
lighted, at supper time She had gath.
cred a great apron full OF the rich,
luscious fruit In the ravine about a
quarter OF mile from the house. when
she heard shots and shouts in the dis
tance These died away, and she
started for the house leisurely, attrib-
uting the commotion to some hurrah
exploits OF the cowboys on a neighbor
ing ranch.
Then suddenly Beatrice uttered a
| Hhdip Wy h''p bhISi lfoIi NODse
great shagged bear. Its mouth was
foaming. the blood was trickling down
from it's face, and II swung along a.
a fearful rate in the direction of the
house.
Il won't faint" determined Beatrice
Although | hardly know what to
do. Oh. dear!"
She futtered like fright, ed but
terhy. Seeking refuge or eatabies, the
bear tore through the little house gar.
den. aimed for the open cellar doors,
darted down the steps, and then
Beatrice ran fast as she could reached
the house, slammed down the cellar
doors and set the heavy oaken bars
across the heavy planks. Then 3ne
ran into the house, locked and bolted
the door leading into the cellar and
sat down to cry.
II was only as relief TO her over.
wrought Excitement that the tears
came, for Beatrice felt fairly trium
phant She had controlled her fright
she had Gagged the enemy. What an
exploit to write 10 Meta about
What n grand thing to narrate to her
husband How the gallant cowboy
would praise and make veritable
heroine Of her! Beatrice was very
proud of her first exploit in capturing
"a wild savage denizen OF the primeva
forest"
Beatrice valiauty took down the
house rifle from the antlers over the
dining room clock and placed It or
the table. Then she got the axe from
the yard Next she added the poker
to this warlike equipment.
She listened for some demonstra
tions from below The "frenzied
growls, the "frlghtru leaps" she hac
read about as pertaining to bears. did
not ensue as she had expected. She
wondered II the infuriated animal haC
gone to sleep. She hoped he had not
discovered the old cupboard in which
she kept the butter and milk
About an hour later Beatrice heart
the tramp OF horses and the sound o.
hsman voices along the trail. Si>
mounted men came into veW- Their
'esder doffed his hat as he drove VI
to the doorway where Beatrice stood
1--WE are looking for stray bear,
he began
"Oh yes," announced Beatrice eag
erly, IA great ferocious monster
Not at ala harmless toothless OLE
animal escaped from the circus II
Last Limit. but valuable as a tricl
bear, and 800 offered for its cap
ture"
Why, what is this?" inquired Davi,
Merrill as he and his hearty crow,
sat down to the smoking supper tina
evening, and he found little heap o
bank notes under his plate
Then Beatrice told her story. will
dancing eyes. And David swung he
up In the air and kissed her at IL
: termination, while the enthusiastic
cowboys gave "Huzzai" with an ad
miring echo for their brave "littl
sister"
, Copyright 1918. by W @ Chapinan)