Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-08

Once in the good old days OF mining
in California, when gold nuggets
danced in the pans used for washing,
and when a glimmer was often to be
seen on tie surface Of the earth, in
stead OF down, down deep in the
ground and by miners torch alone
in those good old days boy Of 10
said to his father, Pop, | want to so
with you on your next trip to the
mine. While / was waiting for you in
the office tod1T the bookkeeper said
that | would find it mighty interesting
up there in Placer county just now, for
some of the fellows at work had writ.
ten him that several big bears were
towering round the camp. You know
I've always been crazy to see big
one up in the mountains, where he be-
longs. Can't CO., 49,. =.
Father looked over the top of his
evening paper, showed his black.
trimmed spectacles up a bit over his
forehead and cleared his throat. How
about the gum" ..-.
"Oh, the old gun-hang the gun,
Pon; can't go?" -z-
You know perfectly well, son, that
when | gave You that rifle told you
that you might lave a mountain trip
when Won could aim and hit at hun
dred foot target, and not before: and
that ii must be the bulls eye or moth
ing, and it must lie three times. Don't
forget that. ""..... 49,. ......-.. e..
But the fellows think | did pretty
well to mako 1t twice. Isn't that good
enough" ..- iii. ~. ..-.. ....
mo, nothing Is good enough but per!
lection OF course you think Ina
crank, but the fact is, We been hoping
you would take more interest in the
gun and that then, II you go with me.
big grizzly wouldn't frighten the
wits out of you; for You know it's for
safety and not just for fun | gave you
the rifle. However, il you will show
me a marked improvement by next
week I'll take you. But remember
one thing-I hate coward, and II old
Mr.. Bruin comes tumbling down the
trail, you be game-see? He has to
be hit exactly right, as I've told you,
for his hide is the toughest thing on
earth and his blanket is about foot
thick besides. But he likes little boys
yes, and big ones, too. He wouldn't
mind taking a hunk out OF me, old and
tough as | am. However, next to nuts
and apples and honey, he is really
most fond of boys-loyes to hug 'em,
you know"
Eyes, / remember you told me once
a bear was very affectionate," said
Alex, with a grim smile.
Well, the long and short OF the story
is that Alex went to Dishpan Cross
ing with his father. When he woke
on the first morning OF his visit, the
were just tumbling out OF their
hunks and lighting their candles,
while the cook was scurrying about,
filling lunch pals and turning bacon
in the pan, at the same time. 1t was
a small mine and had not been much
worked as yet; hut as free gold had
been spotted with the naked eye by
parties more or less. concerned In
up a million or two, and as
few whisperings had gone forth TO that
effect, men were standing on the tops
of buildings down IN San Francisco,
holding field glasses to the northeast
and imagining they could see the SHIN
mer of the gold-flecked Sierra Ne
vadas. Their imaginations were as
large as Alexanders when he saw him.
self aiming at a bear thousand feet
away, then saw the sudden downfall
Of a bale of well-browned hay, saw 1t
turn on its side and then saw four big,
elumsy feet come forth, give a death
wigglc, and fall limp on the ground.
Il was his first bear-his very first
But-sh-this was in his sleep.
After the miners had departed, Alex
Dravely took the rifle and started out
10 explore the country. His father
had warned him not to go alone, but
ike many other boys, he knew better
han his father. His absence was