The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1919-05-06
J|M's GOOD TRADE
Paid Youngster to Swap His PIG
for the Bear.
Bruins Eaperness for Pork Dinner
Proved His Undoing When Old
Muxxie-Loader Really Got
into Action.

In return for helping his GRANDPA
Their one summer and fall on his bush
farm, Jim Holland had received pig
which he had taken special pains to
fatten. One day when he was alone he
heard 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, and
as he ran to the bush his dog Joined
him.
The porker, which weighed about
one hundred pounds, was making a
kick for his life and objecting SO
strenuously to the manner of his re-
moval 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 go
eff; 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 his
prize. 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 II he had to give up his
booty, he would see that 1t was Of no
Service to Jim, for with one blow of
his powerful paw he disemboweled the
pig. He then threw 1t from him and
rmade 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. "
"HowT asked Jim.
"Why. with the gun, of course" said
the old gentleman tersely.
II 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 1t was all right.
Early the next morning Jim climbed
tree near his dead pig and waited
The morning passed and there was nc
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 fred. The
old gun did its work faithfully this
time.
When his grandfather heard the CUR
go off he hurried to the spot. He found
Jim dancing around his bear.
Hes a big one, Jim; bigger than
thought" said the old gentleman. "Yor
were lucky to get him at one crack
Meat and fat and hide, he's worth more
than four pigs"
1t required team and a stone boa
to get Jim's prize home.-Youth's Com
pani0n.