The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-06-10

At the first sting, which felt as If
red-hot needle had been thrust into
him, he jumped from his hiding place
Before you could say Jack Robinson
half dozen bees had stung him and
cloud of them were about him. He for
got his interest in Buster Bear. In
fact he forgot all about Buster Bear.
He had but one thought, and this was
that he couldn't get away from that
place quick enough. 1t had suddenly
become altogether too hot place for
him. He let out yell. Yes, sir. he
let out yell. and it was a good loud
yell. Then he started to get away
from theresas fast as his legs would
take him, and he didn't care how much
noise he made in doing it.
Now Buster Bear had been so greed
lily stufing himself with honey that he
had had NO thought for anything else.
He had no idea that Farmer Browns
Boy was anywhere near. Usually his
ears and his nose are ever ready to
warn him of the presence Of others,
but this time his ears were filled with
the angry hum of the bees, and his
nose was clogged with honey. So he
had not heard Farmer Browns Boy
approach, and he had not smelled him.
Then right into the middle Of his en-.
joyment broke that wild yell. He
couldn't help hearing that.
Now, as you know, the one thing
Buster Bear fears is man. He knows
all about the dreadful firesticks which
no one but man carries, and at the
least suspicion that man Is about Bus
ter runs away. If he were cornered
and couldn't run he would fight as
bravely as the bravest, but he is
firm believer in the old saying that
he who runs away will live to fight
another day, when man is concerned.
The instant he heard that wild yell
he forgot everything but that he was
caugh. in bad fix. He was caught
up tree and that was no place for
a bear to be with man about, even
thoul h that man were only boy. He
lost I'LL interest in honey. He had but
one thought, and that was to get away
from there as quickly as ever he
could. To climb down would take too
long. So Buster just simply let go and
dropped. Yes, sir, that is what Buster
Bear did, he let go and dropped. Bus
ter's bones are not like other bones.
They are not brittle and easily broken.
The branches below broke his fall
somewhat, and he broke the branches.
Down he came to the ground with
thump that would have knocked the
wind from anyone but Buster Bear.
And the instant he touched the ground
he rushed through the Green Forest as
if the Old Nick were at his heels.
Sammy Jay and Drummer the Wood
pecker saw it all, Farmer Browns Boy
running for all he was worth in one
direction, stumbling as he ran and
slapping at angry bees, and Buster
Bear tearing off in the opposite direc-
ton with little whimper of fright
with every jump, his face and coat all
smeared with honey, and dirt and
leaves sticking all over him. 1t was
so funny that they laughed until they
almost made themselves sick.
But Busy Bee and her fellow work.
ers wasted no time chasing either
Farmer Browns Boy or Buster Bear.
They promptly fell to work to save
what honey was left and take it to
another storehouse which they knew
of. And this is how it happened that
Buster Bear got only half a feast
after all.
&c. 1892. byT. W. Burgess)-wNUs Service.