The Washington herald., 1915-09-19
A Boy and A Bear
By SAMUEL T. wINkLE.

seventeen living IN southern MICH
igan, when his father bought a tract
of land in the northern part of the
State when that section was pioneer
country. Mr.. Henderson did not intend
to remove to his land and become a
pioneer, but to hold it for a rise.
Hardly had he announced his purchase
when his son wanted to go up there.
build some sort of a shanty, pass a
winter in the woods and study nat
ural history as he hunted and trap
ped.
1t seemed like a foolish thing to do,
but when two other boys Joined IN
the request and argument after argu-
ment was advanced in its behalf. Mr..
Henderson finally gave his perm1s
sion. II was in September when the
trio reached the land. 1t was over
twenty miles 10 the nearest town,
and half that distance TO the nearest
pioneers man was hired to take
provisions down the river in a boat.
and TO aid the boys in building a
comfortable cabin, and then they were
left alone.
a month passed. the novelty of the
situation wore off, and one morning
young Hendersons companions an
nounced that they intended to start
for home that very day. This would
leave James alone in the big woods,
and as soon as winter set in there
would be no getting out. but he han
meant to do it. The parting was
friendly: il was simply that the two
BOYS were lonely and homesick that
they went Provisions for the long
winter We're to he sent in TO James
before snow fell. and it would he one
chance in fifty if he saw another hu
man face for months.
That chance came. however. short
ly after the boys left. One day a
hunter and trapper who was looking
for a location. appeared and as he
was in no great hurry he fingered on
at the cabin for week He had
roamed the woods for many years
and was we'll posted on the habits of
all the animals When James told
him that he had read many books
on natural history the old man gave
a snort of contempt and replied:
"I wouldn't give a cent a bushel
for all the natural histories ever writ
ten You've got to get out and see
for yourself. You'll learn more here
this winter than you otherwise cou,.
in years"
Il hope 7 get a chance TO study
the hear said James.
Don't YOU fret about that. young
man." laughed the trapper. You'll
get a chance to study him. and he'll |
get a chance to study you. About
five miles west of you there is u
rocky hill. and the bears have their
dens there. Don't you fear that some |
of the varmints won't pay You a visit
And then for hours he told the boy |
about wolves. bears and wild cats
haw 10 set traps for them-what to
DO if he met Ihem-how TO act when |
he was hunting through the woods.
And jest YOU remember one thing"
he added The bear is boss of these
ere woods. and he knows he is. He
ca lick anything else that walks.
and is allus ready to fight if picked |
on He is as wise as judge. and |
as sharp as a pickpocket. You have
sure got 10 keep your eye out for old |
Bruin''
But if l don't provoke him he won't
attack me. will he?" asked James
He may or he mayn't. The trouble
is. you can't tell. I've had 'em run
away from me like a scared rabbl,
cyclone 1t may be accordin' to how
he's feelin'. Be sure you'll get
visitor before long, and he NAV give
you a surprise"
Three days after the man hired by
Mr.. Henderson for the purpose
brought in James winters store of
provisions the first snow fell. 1t was
not cold yet. James had cut a great
pile of wood and placed il against
the cabin. He had to get water from
creek fifty feet away. and on the
morning of the snow he took the pail
and stepped out. His eye had Just a
glimpse of something lodging behind
the wood-pile. and he stopped to look
around him. There in the snow he
saw the tracks of a hear. He leaped
back at once, and as he shut the door
the bears snout was almost touching
1t. The boy had done nothing what
ever to provoke Bruin, but the bear
was fighting mad just the same. He
at once reared UP and clawed the
door and uttered savage growls He
continued raving about until James
poured some powder along the crack
at the bottom Of the door and touched
II off. Then the old growler took to
his heels in alarm. He had got his
feet and nose singed.
There was a bear trap among the
dozen traps, that the boys had
brought up. and James determined
that it should be set that night After
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