Year: 1867

AAAN~S'





A few months ago, on a cold raw day in
January, entered the private Office of the
firm Of which l am a member, and found
my partners in earnest consultation over the
contents of letter received by the morning
mail The letter contained the unwelcome
intelligence that one Of our agents, in a
manufacturing town in New Hampshire,
had proved rccreant to his trust and ab-
seconded with a considerable sum of money
belonging to the firm. 1t was Immediately
decided that one Of US must visit the scene
to regulate matters, and take immediate
steps for the apprehension sof the thief
Having at one time in my life been men,
her Of the secret police, and gained good
reputation in that capacity, my partners
Aatteringly remarked that l was just the
person to "work up" the case.


The next morning / started for l.,
the scene Of the robbery. In one week 8
time the thief had been captured, nearly all
the stolen money recovered, and in the best
of spirits I made preparations to start for
home tho following morning When morn.
ing came the sky looked threatning, and
the weather prophets predicted an unusually
severe snow.storm. But having a good
horse and warm robes determined to start.
About ten o'clock it commenced showing
and blowing in earnest; at four the roads
were impossible, and I was forced to seek
shelter at a wayside inn. Upon entering
the bar-room found seated around blaz-
ing wood fire three other storm bound travel.
ers. Room was cheerfully made for me,
and the conversation became general until
mine host called us to partake of bounti.
full supper. When we were again seated
round the fire one of our number proposed
that each in turn should relate some person.
al adventure. The proposition meeting with
favor, the eldest of our little group was re-
quested to commence. He was q noble
looking man of some fifty years, and his
story I give as nearly as possible.


"The incident which I am about to re-
late occurred many years ago, but It's as
fresh in my memoay as though it was but
yesterday. And to convince you Of the
truth of my story, look at my arm" and
bareing the member he showed US several
deep, ugly scars. 81 was ayouth Of twenty
when these were made, and I'll tell you how
it happened. My father was formerly q
merchant in B, when l was about
ten years old he became unfortunate in
business. and lost nearly all his property ;
he had speculated in land considerably, and
at the time of his reverses owned a tract
Of land in this State. Tired Of the world,
he removed his family to the then almost
unbroken forest. Game, large and small,
was plenty, and having natural inclination
/ soon became au expert hunter for boy.
l would take my rife, and, accompanied by
my dog Brave a noble fellow, make long
excursions through the surrounding country.
Some ten miles from our cabin there was
small settlement, and thither went oc-
casionally. One afternoon it was in October,
l took my rife, and whistling for Brave,
started for the settlement. The bears were
unusually plenty that fall, and that after
noon my mother warned me to get home
before night. On reaching the settlement
found q number Of persons congregated
round the store, and becoming interested
in the conversation. time passed away faster
than ] was aware Of It was nearly sunset
when started for home, and it bid fair for
a dark night, though there was moon, l
had gone about four miles, when the dog,
who was q few steps in advance, suddenly
stopped and gave vent to low. deep growl.
stepped quickly forward, and saw directly
in front Of me an enormous sehc bear and
two cubs. I knew she would be danger
GUS customer, and drew back with the in
tention Of leaving her unmolcsted. But she
had seen me and with an angry growl gave
chase. confess my limbs trembled, for
moment, and then every nerve seemed Of
iron. Hastily ordering the dog behind me,
and looscning my knife-and bowse-in my
belt, I cooked my rife and waited for her
bearship to come nearer. Finding l did
not run, the bear halted when within about
fifteen yards Of me, and raised herself upon
her hind legs This gave me an excellent
opportunity, and taking quick, sure aim,
I fred. The bullet found her heart and she