Evening star., 1949-11-03
This and That
By Charles E. Trace,yeU

Bears and squirrels do not always mix.
but here we mix them, in two letters one
from Duluth. Mimi. and another from Sec
ond street, local.
News about bears. from H. j., who writes:
Guess the bear season Is about over for
this year. There certainly was a bunch
Of them around and mostly right here in
Hunters Park
Just half block away deliveryman
had to nudge cub off the street so that
he could get his car through. And they are
so cute.
"Our lame-brain police department started
shooting every one of them until the public
protested and then they gathered up the
cubs and brought them to the ZOO. And
requests from all over the country have
come in for the little fellows.
**&
"A friend was telling me that they had
cub in their neighborhood and the young
sters played with it for a whole day and
by evening he was so tired out he could
hardly stand up when some one called the
police and out they came Gestapo-fashion-
fve OF them piled out Of car-each with
gun, OF course-and each took aim and
fired tall Of this before the eyes of all the
children and some grownups) and then
booted their way back into their car and
drove of.
After few of these experiences, includ-
ing the one in the bay. folks began making
themselves heard and they finally got them
to stop It,"
The experience in the bay" was the
one in which a bear boarded a motor boat
sending the occupants overheard to swim
for 1t.
The bears came into Duluth because of
shortage Of berries in the surrounding
woods.
They came to raid garbage cans, whose
contents certainly were not as good as ber-
rieS.
From Second street, H. F. B. writes of the
value OF young squirrels as household pets,
as follows:
The two orphan squirrels are progressing
nicely. They are almost half grown and
are beautiful as well as gentle and affec-
tionate.
They play together, sleep together under
piece of wool, and have never shown any
tendency to bite.
when I come downstairs early every
morning to write and read. they are waiting
for their breakfast, consisting of warm milk
with bread broken up in it.
One likes pecan. and the other never
fails to eat a small slice of apple. They also
after breakfast. one rolls up In blanket
for another snooze. the other performs on
the trapeze
when I go up close to him, he quickly
slides into my coat pocket and will lie there
Tor an hour with his head peeking out.
He seems to enjoy the warmth and Sc
curity 1t affords.
He will perch on my shoulder as read
or write and sometimes nibbles the end of
my pen.
This letter is practically written by the
squirrels, with one on my lap and the other
chewing the paper.
They peer at me closely as write, al
most as though they understood!
I honestly believe there is no animal
that affords as much pleasure as young
squirrel that you have raised yourself.
They become part of your life and
provide hours Of relaxation and enjoyment"
Squirrels and bears
Small animals, large animals
Take your choice. Most will choose the
little ones. Of course.
But even pet squirrels can bite, so be care
full, If you harbor an animal from the pure
animal creation. Realize once and for all
that they have not human brains and that
their memories are little memories. as beflt
small things.
Never trust q squirrel too close to your
eyes, or make quick motions in its direction,
not matter how close or far away.
Be placid, gentle. aforementioned and then
no squirrel will bite you. But If bitten, wasl,
ct once with hot water and soap, dry and
apply some good antiseptic. Then see the
doctor. Do not wish the bite to heal up too
quickly: 1t goes to the bone. and should
have plenty OF drainage. Penicillin may be
Ia order. but that Is up to the doctor.