Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-21
THE BEAR AND THE BOY.
How Big Marco Found a Friend and
How a Small Boy Found Many.

from Ilttc Men Gnu WOuieH
About 200 years ago rich, powerful
nobleman named Leopold was duke OF the
province of Lorraine. The duke was very
fond of animals.
Among his savage pets was a great
bear, whose name was Marco.
Marco was housed In a rough hut in a
corner of his royal masters park. He
was supplied with the best of food by the
keeper of the animals and on state occa-
sions he was led out by big iron chain.
and made to dance for the amusement OF
Leopold's friends.
Marco was fierce and when he swung
his shaggy head out Of the door of his
hut and showed his white teeth In an
One blow from his paw would have
teeth OF his were very sharp.
One cold winter night Marco, having
swallowed his supper at few gulps,
shambled back into the farthest corner
of his hut and curled himself UP to sleep.
He was just at the failing off, point
when he heard a sound at the house door.
He started up, and what should he see
but q small boy, hopping first on one foot
and then on the other, and shivcring
with the cold!
The boy was homeless child, who had
! lost his way in the dukes forest and had
run into the bears hut for shelter, not
knowing that 1t was already occupied
Marco did not know who this new
conner might be, but he was so surprised
that he quite forgot to growl.
Then strange thing happened The
boy ran over to Marco. and. peering into
the shaggy face. cried joyfully, why,
I,xl- - - Y
dancing the other day! ont you be my
friend? ] need one so much"
The bear Marco did not understand
what the boy said. but he understood
the kind hand that stroked his head. That
hand meant II love YOU" Marco had
never been loved in all of his rough bear
ish life-at least, not since the days be-
fore he had been caught In the deep
forest, a frightened baby, screaming for
his mother
Now great answering love filled his
wild heart. He allowed the little lad to
! lie down beside him, warmed by his furry
coat, and together they slept through the
night.
In the morning the boy went away. but
came back to his friend In the evening
This happened for several days. Marco
shared his food with his visitor and they
became fast cronies.
One day the keeper was surprised to see
! that Marco left his supper untouched.
and, instead of hurrying away to feed
the other animals. he stayed to watch
the hear.
Marco sat In the door Of his hut, pa
tiently waiting for his boy. The keep
er offered to take away the food. but he
received such q fierce look that he set It
down again and hid behind a tree to see
what would happen next. In a moment.
to his amusement. a child ran up to the
bear The keeper sprang forward 10
snatch him out Of harms way. but the
boy had already thrown his arms about
his faithful friend and in twinkIing
they finished the waiting supper together
Duke Leopold was brought to the hut
to see this wonderful pair. and soon the
story OF the boy and the Dear had spread
throughout the land.
Duke Leopold gave orders that the poor
child should be brought to his palace, ia
be educated and cared for. A..e little lad
made many friends in his beautiful new
home, but i think that he never found a
dearcr ono thru The bear Marco.