Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-07
LONE TOUCH OF NATURE"
How an Indian Came to Give Up
Shooting Sears.

The hunting of black bear was sport
much loved by the Usage Indians In the
days before the coming of the white set
tiers into the country west OF the Mis-
sissippi ii afforded them not only the
thrill ana excitement of the chase , Of
which every hunter is fond, hut it also
added largely to Tie animal food supply
upon which the Indians depended for
their living.
Many strange and interesting tales are
told t. this day of black-bear hunting
but of those that | have heard not one
is 50 human as the following which was
an actual occurrence
one day man noted for his skill in
hunting went ont in search of black
bear that he might add to the food sup
ply Of his home Being familiar with
the haunts and the habits OF the animal
the hunter soon found signs, and as he
cautiously looked about he saw female
bear in large tree husily gnawins at a
hole in the trunk. The man quickly
raised his gun and took aim but he was
suddenly seized with an irresistible de-
sire To see what the creature was doing
After scratching and biting at the edge
of the hole for some little time the bear
thrust in her paw and in a moment
quickly Withdrew it. She put something
into her mouth and smacked her lips
with apparent delight and satisfaction
Then she suddenly scrambled down to
the ground and with am ambling gait
disappeared in a low bush
The hunter brought the butt of his gun
to the ground and waited to see if the
bear would return. He had not long to
wait, for she soon reappeared with two
cubs ou her back. ON arriving at the
foot of the tree the bear shook the cubs
down then seizing the larger one with
both her paws she put him up against
the trunk of the tree as high as she
could reach. The youngster seemed to
understand what was expected of him.
for he went up the tree with the agility
of a eat and took a seat on "A limb close
to the hole. Then the mother picked up
the younger one and held him against
the tree. lie clutehed the bark tightly
but. whether out OF mischief, deliberate
disobedience. or lack of common bear
sense, he would not move. After waiting
Il few moments the mother lifted a paw
and gave the little imp Il whacking
spank, which, perhaps, was the first he
! had ever had, then up he went in as live,
Is manner as had his brother and
took seat close beside him The mother
followed ana with eager haste thrust hel
| paw into the bee-hole. for such it was
and drew out a piece of honey. She
carefully removed the bits of bark ant
slivers sticking to it, and then gave il
to the oldest cub He quickly seized il
! with both paws and began eating it
twisting his little head to one side ant
then to the other, and smackng his lip.
with genuine delight. The mother
| brought out another piece OF honey ant
offered it to the younger cub. The fool
ish little fellow looked at it first witt
one eye and then the other, then SLOWLY
he stretched out both paws to take tn,
honey with the tips of his claws ant
dropped it. With a start he looked dow
and watched intently the spot where tn,
honey struck as though wondering why
il should fan A change of expression
came over the face of the mother whicl
the older cub could not have failed t,