The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-20
THE HUGGING MATCH,
(By NJ. Quad.)

The man with the bear was waiting
at small station for the tram from
the Adirondacks to New York he
was an old man, and the bear was a
big one. It was explained that Bruln
had been a captive about two years,
and was to eb sold to the geological
gardens in the big city. OF the dozen
men who gathered around one asked:
us he anything more. than pear
''No-iust a bear" was answered.
t'Any trickS?
mo tricks, but a specially.
Eating raw meats?"
mo, sir. It's hugging. I claim ne
can outhug anything in this vain
world. He can break bulls back or
hug down q tree foot th1ck- Let
him get his paws around barrel OF
kerosene, and one little hug does the
business He brushes beer kegs as
you would a fly"
They were trying to arrange LOT
hugging match with a hitching post
when the train came along and bear
and man were taken into the baggage
ear. The owner was doing some more
Dragging when an old man came into
the car to see about his trunk.
ssNIebbe you think I'm toting an ola
hvena, around the country" said the
ssT guess it's a bear replied the
other, 'but I see nothing remarkable
ssYou don't, Ell? Well, I do. Mebbe
you'd like to see him hug that trunk
of yours? What he can't silver when
he gets his paws around 1t mas got TO
have roots 40 feet under ground"
az had a grandfather who was hug
ged to death by a bear" said the bag
Gageman, as his eyes mo1stened at the
was he lest jelly and spIintered
homes when they found him?'' asked
the bearman.
E.Nope, but all his ribs was caved
in
not much of a hug. My Hunyado here
allus reduces his victim to Jelly. It's
kind O. fearsome to hear the bones
cracking as he hugs: SOUNDS nke Dig
frecrackers going off.
s.But / should think the law would
step in
the books ag'in a man tryin' outhug
ont to do it he takes his chance, you
see, same as the fellers do that climb
church steepleS.
IF I wasn't sufferin from liver
complaint" said the baggage man as
he looked defiance.
you'd tackle my Hunyado, would
you?"
''Then I'm glad for your sake that
you have got liver trouble. One hug
one wild yell-and it would be all
over with you"
iI don't believe it!'' said the old man
''You don't?"
'.No, rye got son back in the
ssYour son? Egad! Will you match
your son ag'in my bear?" chuckled
the owner as he danced with delight.
ct guess So"
you do! Bring him in. Trot him
outi I'll give him all the show he
wants, and bet five to one on the
beari'
The old man slowly took in chew
of tobacco, left the car, and when he
returned he had his son Martin with
him. Martin seemed to be about -
years of age, and a little taller than
a hitching post. He was built on the
ground, with a back like q writing
desk and arms which seemed to have
been sawed from q railroad tie.
Martin, this ere man wants to bet
five to one that his bear can outhug
you" quietly exclaimed the father as
the son sat down on a trunk.
yes, that's it-that's it, cackled the
owner. TIL muzzle him SO he can't bite.
and I'll bet five to one he'll make YOU
holier in two 1ninutesr'
'"Muzzle your barr was all that Mar
tin said as he pulled out s. five-dollar bill
and handed it to the baggage man. The
bear-man put SIS with it, grinning like a
boy in a cherry tree, and in minute he
had the bear ready. Martin removed his
coat and paper collar and carelessly in
quired:
is this to be squar' hug, with no
gouging?"
n.
You hug the bear and he will hug yoI,
and the one who saueals first loses his
cash. Now, then. all ready
AS Martin approached, the bear rose 1T
with a sinful glare in his eye, and the
two embraced. It was a sort OF back
hold, with no sell-out on the crowd
go for him. Hunyado.'' yelled the
bear-man, as they closed, and the bea
responded. One could see by the set or
his eyes that he meant to make jelly 81
that young man in Il York minute, blu;
he failed to do it. Some little trifles
stood in his way. For instance it wasa't
10 seconds before he realized that two
could play at hugging. Martins hand sank
down in the bears coat the shoulQs i
muscles were called on for duty. and q,
astonishment.
go in, Hunyado-go fn-go int'' scream
ed the bear-man; and Br1in laid hinseii
out as if he meant to pull a railroad wa
ter tank down.
"You might squeeze little bit harder
my son. carelessly suggested the father
as he spit from the open door, and Mar
tin called out his reserve muscle.
Each had his best grip. There was NJ
tumbling around to waste breath. but i
was stand-up, stand-stin huggins
match. Little by little the bears eyes Ds-
gan to bulge and his mouth to open, ans
Martins face grew the color of rec
paint.
9'Fang to him, Hunyado-Ive got my
last dollar on your head!" shrieked tnt
bear-man. as he saw further bulge K
his pets eyes
But it was no use. All of Z sudden TIT
bear began OF yell and cough an!
sfrangie. He was a goner. Martin knew