Catoctin clarion., 1921-11-10
On the Edge of
Civilization

BY HAROLD SINcLAIRE.

II would die of fright" declared
Meta Farbes. II am sure would.
Why. just think of 1t, Beauty-way Off
on the very edge Of civilization, wild
animals, savages and mountain out
laws! No. thank you, not for mel"
"But David will be there" explained
Beatrice Merrill. the bride Of week,
and she spoke In u simple confident
way that, indicated her brave bright
husband to be power of valor and
strength in her estimation.
"Well. that Is good deal, I will
confess" admitted Meta. But David
can't be with you all Of the time, can
he7 If he's going to be the great cat
tie king he thinks he is, he must have
a lot Of work to do. I'm sure you will
faint at the first sight Of fierce cow
boy, and as to those Indians-think Of
seeing them creeping-creeping-
creeping through the grass, with their
hideous tomahawks and scalping
knives-ugh !" and the imaginative
miss shivered in incipient Mysteries.
Beatrice only smiled sweetly. opti-
mistically.
And when the eventful departure
came. every stage Of the journey ac-
into new realm Of delight. Then
when cavalcade Of genuine cowboys
came Mt Last Limit to accompany
them to the ranch their honest loyal
admiration charmed the pretty bride
and she felt that she was going among
true friends.
"There are no BEARS" she wrote ex-
ultIngly TO Meta two weeks later.
"The Indians are poor harmless crea-
lures who come to the door begging
only once in awhile. and make you
glad to be able to be charitable. And
the boys-dear. rough, honest fellows,
who come around bashful and proud
Of their little sister, as they call me,
and who would die for me. If I asked
them. And David-oh, SO grand and
splendid when he goes of on horse
that would scare you!
"As to the mountain outlaws-b0oh !!
Once there was few Of them, but
they have been driven OF the trail.
Come out and see me, and see what
real men look llke!"
David the day before had made q
famous sale and had gone of to a
distance to negotiate for new herd.
Most of the men had accompanied
him. The others had been given q
+ holiday and had gone to Last Limit.
where q circus had come along.
Beatrice went about her pleasant
home tasks happy as a sprite. singing
merrily, planning with delight a ia
nous strawberry pie Of gigantic proper
tions for her formidable horde when
they should return. ravenous and de-
lighted. at supper time. She had gath
cred great apron full Of the rich,
luscious fruit In the ravine about a
quarter Of mile from the house.
when she heard shots and shouts In
the distance.
Then suddenly Beatrice uttered a
sharp cry. There burst from copse
q great, shaggy bear.
II won't faint" determined Beatrice
Although hardly know what to
do. Oh. dear"
Seeking refuge or eatables. the
bear tore through the little house gar
den. aimed for the open cellar doors,
darted down the steps, and then
Beatrice ran fast as she could reached
the house, slammed down the cellar
doors.
What an exploit to write to Meta
about! What a grand thing to narrate
to her husband!
Beatrice valiantly took down the
} house rifle from the antlers over the
dining room clock and placed 1t on
the table. Then she got the axe from
the yard. Next she added the poker
to this warlike equipment.
About an hour later Beatrice heard
the tramp Of horses and the sound Of
human voices along the trail. Six
mounted men came into view. Their
leader doffed his hat as he drove up
to the doorway where Beatrice stood.
1--WE are looking for a stray bear"
he began,
oH, yes dhuouiiCcu pchlii'c O26
erly, "a great ferocious monster"
Not at ala harmless toothless old
animal escaped from the circus but
valuable as a trick bear, and 500
offered for Its capture"
"Why, what is this?" inquired David
Merrill. rs he and his hearty crowd
sat down to the smoking supper that
evening, and he found little heap Of
bank notes under his plate.
Then Beatrice told her story, with
dancing eyes. And David swung her
up I'm the air and kissed her at Its
termination, while the enthusiastic
cowboys gave "HuXza!" with an ad-
mirfng echo for their brave little
| sister"