Year: 1878


Dick Barron was one of the most
daring among the pioneers, and he
appeared to he one of the most unfOr-
| tunate. Together with other neigh
bOrs, Dick had removed from Central
| Colorado to the western slope of the
Sierra Nevada Mountains. His home
was in a wildly romantic and beauti-
full spot, and fortune appeared to smile
upon him, so far ashiS pecuniaTy mat
ters were cOncerned; for his land
yielded well in the summer and the
mines gave fair yield of 'yellow
dust" in the cooler months.


But death came to the family OF
Dick.


The first stroke fell upon his eldest
boy, a lad of twelve years of age
The little fellow was fond of hunting,
and, with his rife, he would often
venture a considerable distance from
his home, and sometimes was very
successful III bringing down small
game. But one day he was absent
much beyond his usual time, and a
search discovered his mangledreInains
lying at the bottom ola ledge of rocks
He had evidently fallen from above
and thus met a sudden and cruel
death. The blow fell heavily upon
Dick and his wife, but the man bore
bravely up under his grief, while the
woman gave way to melancholy.


Not long after q second child a lit
tie girl of five years of age, sickened
and died. 1t now appeared as if Mrs.
Barron would go mad, and, for time
her agony was terrible to behold. But
this gradually subsidized, and the moth
er began to sink rapidly, and i'll q
short time after she followed her little
one, leaving still another child, a
daughter three years of age, to the
care of the stricken father.


The grief of Dick was not of an eX-
ploSive character, but it was deep and
enduring. Still he had something yet
to live for, and he went to work like
a brave man to work for his little Eva.
Winter had set in, and Dick had come
to the conclusion to make as much as
possible in the mines before spring,
and then TO sell his property and go
to San Francisco, where he could Sc
cure the advantages of education for
his little ones.


For some time the neighbors of Dick,
as well as himself, had been much an
noyed by theft. Several lambs and
sheep had been killed, and poultry in
large quantities stolen. There was
difference of opinion with regard to
these depredatiOns Some said they
were committed by Indians, others by
wolves, and others by bears. But as
yet no snow had fallen, and as the
ground was frozen very hard, no
tracks were discovered. y large
grizzly bear was the thief and des-
poiler, and he must be hunted down
at once. 1t was not supposed that
they would be obliged to 90 far to find
the animal, and so Dick seized his
rifle, and joined the party, leaving his
child still in bed.


The tracks were fresh, and q dozen
excited men were soon on the trail
In Il short time they We're on the mon
ster; but each man paused, turning
their eyes toward Dick, and waiting
for him To speak. The bear was stand
ing near the cabin door OF RarrOn,
gazing at the child who was seated i'll
the doorway, watching the move
ments of the animal with evident Gu
riOsity, but without exhibiting any
signs of fear.


Dick felt his very heart sink within
him as he saw this; but his weakness
passed away in an instant, and with
out removing his eyes from the bear,
he asked:


"Men, can you use your rifles with
steady hands?n


"Yes," replied several.


"Then raise them and have them
ready. Be sure your aim is good, and
that every bullet would be buried i'll
the body of the beast in case Of firing.
But hold your shots until ! give the
word.'


Instantly every rifle was raised.


Dick moved carefully around to-
ward the lack of the cabin. 1t was
his intention 10 enter the window,
seize the little one, draw her back,
and closing the door, save her. But
now the animal began to utter deep
growls, and advance slowly toward
Eva. The father saw this; and eX-
claimed:


My darling, get up, go into the
house, and close the door"


The child looked up, smiled, and
then arose, attempting to do the bid
ding of the father; but the monster
advanced with fearful howl and as
the door vas closed against him, he
struck it with one Of his huge paws,
shattering it into splinters.


~ feared this. Fire; but be careful
and not injure my child" cried the
father.


He discharged his own piece, and at
the same time a dozen other rifles
rang out. The bear gave most fear
ful howl, turned upon his enemies,
glaring upon them with eyes of fire,
and seemed Just on the point of spring
iEg upon them. Suddenly, however,
the beast appeared to change his nImu.
Turning quickly around, the monster
entered the cabin. A shrek was i'll
stantly heard, and the father rushed
forward, knife in hand, to save his
darling. But he was too late, for with
bound, the beast had dashed through
the window, holding Eva in his teeth.


or he ran With ali hls sneed toward
the highest mountain peak, While the
cries of the little one came back to the
ears Of tLe half-frantiG father.


And now the monster began it, as-
cent, bearing its precious burden. On
ward it went and upward, climbing
forward, as rocks tOweringabOve rocks
arse to Obstruct his pathway. All
this time it kept upits fearful bowling,
a,,d for & time thG walls of the child
were heard; bIiI Iheg LeGalue fainter
and fainter, until the sound could no
longer be distinguished. At length it
disappeared from view behind u jut-
ting ledge.


When the intention of the animal
was first made apparent, Il kind of ter
ror seized upon every heart, and cry
of agony burst from every lip. And
we'll might they have shudderedJ for
they nov kneN full well thai the frro-
cioIs animal was she-bear, and that
She was carrying the child to her eyrie
den as food for her cubs.


For time the father had stood with
face b!apched with despair, and with
form trembling like the Drowned