Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-06-13
JIM'S GOOD TRADE
Paid Youngster to Swap His Pig
for the Bear.
Bruins Eagerness for Pork Dinner
Proved His Undoing When Old
MuzzIe-Loader Really Got
Into Action.

In return for helping his grandma
ther one summer and fall on his bush
farm, Jim Holland had received a pig
which lie had taken special pains TO
fatten. One day when he was alone he
heard u great squealing and came out
Just in time to see bear carrying his
pig into the bush. Rushing back, he
seized his grandfather's muzzle-loader
and hurried out. He picked up his
hand-ax and stuck it in his belt ana
as he ran to the bush his dog joined
him.
The porker, which weighed about
one hundred pounds, was making
kick for his life and Directing so
strenuously to the manner of his re-
lnoval that the bear was not making
very rapid progress. When Jim was
near enough he stopped, took aim and
pulled. But the old gun did not so
IF; either the cap was useless or the
powder was damp. Sending his dog
after the bear, Jim dropped the gun
seized the ak and hurried on to see
what he could do. The dog rushed in
and nipped a hind leg. The bear
swung round and snapped at the dog
then hurried on, clinging tightly to MS
rrize. At that moment Jim ran up and
hit the robber with his ak. At the
same time the dog rushed in on the
farther side and nipped the bear again
in the tender part of his leg. AS the
Lear swung round upon his little tor
mentor, Jim saw his chance and got
in another blow with his ak, which
caused the beast to shake his head saw
agely.
Apparently the bear was determined
that, even If he had to give up MS
booty, he would see that it was or Ii"
Service to Jim, for with one blow OF
his powerful paw he disemboweled the
pig. He then threw it from him ana
made off through the woods.
In great disappointment and anger
at the loss of his pig, Jim called his
dog, got the gun and went home. When
his grandfather returned that evening
he told him what had happened.
THAT old bear will be back for the
pig tomorrow" said his grandfather.
You'd better be on hand and get him."
How" asked Jim.
"Why, with the gun, of course" said
the old gentleman tersely.
81 tried your gun on him today, but
1t wouldn't go off" said Jim.
THAT IS one of the best guns In this
country, even If it is an old-timer,"
said his grandfather sharply. This
was not the first time his ancient
gun had been condemned by a new
generation.
The old gentleman pulled out the
charge, carefully reloaded the gun and
told Jim that it was all right.
Early the next morning Jim climbed
a tree near his dead pig and waited.
The morning passed and there was no
sign of the bear, but at about the time
when he had appeared on the day be-
fore he came cautiously through the
woods and approached the pig. Jim
took careful aim at the spot just be-
hind the fore shoulder and fired. The
old gun did its work faithfully this
time.
When his grandfather heard the gun
20 off he hurried to the spot. He found
Jim dancing around his bear.
Hes a big one, jim; bigger than l
thought" said the old gentleman. "You
were lucky to get him at one crack.
Meat and fat and hide, he's worth more
than four pigs"
1t required IL team and a stone boat
to get Jim's prize home.-Youth's Com
panion.