The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-08
THE NATURE, FAKER'S BEARS,
BY RICHARD HARDING DAVIS

| comedian Folks think arm him those
tricks. but it's all his own stun.
"Ouly last week we was playing
Polls in bridgeport, and when | was
putting Iiruro through the hoops Illcy
runs to the stage box and grabs a pound
Of Caramels out of a girls lap-and
swallows the box. And in St Paul If
the trombone hadn't worn a wig key
would have scalped him. Say, it was a
scream, VIII n the audience see the
trombone snatched bald headed and him
trying to get back his wig and key
chewing II they went crazy.
you can't learn n bear tricks like
that. It's just genius. Som folks think
| taught him to act like he was intoxi-
cat d, but he picked that up too. all by
himself, through watching my husband.
And keys very fond of beer on his own
account. II | don't stop em the stage
hands would be always slipping him
drinks. hope you won't give him
none"
Il will not" said Iferrick.
The bears. key In one cage and Bruno
and Cara in another, travelled by ex-
press to the station nearest the Herrick
estate. There they were transferred to
a farm wagon. and grumbllpg and
growing ana with 1key bowling lk an
| unspanked child they were conveyed to
the game preserve.
At the only gate that entered IL Kelly
and Jackson and a sp cially invited
house party Of youths and madcns
were gathered to receive them. At a
greater distance stood all Of the SER
wants and farm hands. and as the wagon
| backed against the gata, with the door
Of Keys cage opening against it, the
entire audience with one accord moved
| snldly To the rear.
Hcrrick. with a pleased but somewhat
rvous smile. mounted the WAGON But
before he could unlock the cage Kelly
demanded to be heard. He insisted that.
following the custom of all g"elt artists.
the bears should give a "posltivclv fare
" Il performance"
He begged that Bruno and Clara might
be permitted to dance together He
pointed out that this would be- the last
time they could listen To- the strains Of
the Merry Widow" waltz lie called
upon everybody present to whistle it.
The suggestion Of an open air per-
f. rmance was received coldly At the
moment no one seemed able to puckcr
his lips into n whistle, and some even
explained that with that famous waltz
they We're unfamiliar.
one Girl attained an instant popularity
by pointing out that the bears could
waltz just as well on one side of the
(, nee as the other. Kelly. cheated of
his free performance, then begged that
before Herrck condemned the bears to
starve on acorns he should give them a
farewell drink. and Herrick, who was
slightly ratified. replied eXcitedly that
he had not ransomed the animals only
to degrade them. The argument was
Interrupted by the French chef falling
out of a tree. He had climbed IT, he
explained. in order to obtain better
view.
When, In turn. it was explained to him
that a bear also could climb a tree he
remembered he had left his oven door
open. His departure reminded other
servants of duties they had neglected
and one of the guests also, on rcmem-
boring he had put in "A long distance
CALL FASTENED TO the house. Jackson
suggested that perhaps they had better
all return with him. as the presence Of
so many people might brighten the bears
~ the moment h" spoke key omitted
1 hdcouS howl whether of joy or rage
30 one knew ana few remained To- find
out. 1t was not until Herglck had in
Nostlgated and reported key was stlll
behind the bars that the house party
cautiously returned. The house party
then filed vigorous protest.
Its members with Jackson as spolies-
man, complained that H,rrick was rely.
ing entirely too much on his supposltion
that the bears would be anxious to enter
the forest. jackson pointed out that
should they not care 10 do so there was
nothing to prevent them from doubling
back under the wagon; in whi,n case
| the house party and all of the United
states lay before them. II was not
until a lawn tennis net and much chicken
wire Were stretched in intricate thick
nesses across the lower half Of the gate
that Herrlck was allowed to proceed.
Cnasslsted he slid back the cage dor
and without a moments hesitation key
| lcapcd Fl. m the wagon through the
gate and into the preserve. For an
! instant. daZed by the sudden sunlight,
| he remained mOtionless and then, after
shifting delightediy at the air, stuck
his nose deep into the autumn leaves
Turning on his back, he luXuriously
from side to side.
Herrck gave a shout of joy and tr.-
umph.
What did tell YOU" he called
See how he loves it! See how happy
he is"
"Not at ALL" protested Kelly. "He