Year: 1872

cosy parlor one evening. '.T want you to
name the day for our wedding. If you
don't will, aud shall name to- morrow. !"


..Hurrah. Rich cried Will Il wish
you would fix the shy maiden by doing
just that very thing. Oh no. do not,
either! Don't you remember the hunt
We arranged to have soon That must
come off before the wedding, or Stella
won't let Jon 60"


Before / left the house that evening,
not only was the day for the ceremony to
take place decided upon for one month
hence. but Will and [ had also settled to
start on the following day for weeks
hunt in the deep. wild forest that stretch
ed out from the yet unclaimed wilderness.
close TO the borders Of our little town.


Alas! alas! Could we have seen the
events Of the next few days, rather would
we have parted. forever, then and there.
than have set forth on that terrible hunt


But God 10 his wisdom does not permit
us to Withdraw the veil from futurity. and
so We bade Stella good-by with joyous
hearts, bent upon enjoying ourselves to
our hearts content.


During the first day, although several

deer crossed our path. We did not succeed
| in capturing any game. save two squir-
lreis. and-of these we made our dinner,
broiling them over cracking fire.
On we went again. aud as evening fell,
not relishing the idea Of night 10 the
woods. where wolves and bears were mum
lerous. we looked about for some wood.
mans cabin, and our search was not un-
successful.


Just as We bad begun to despair ligh,
cleaning through the trees. guided US to
a place of refuge It's owner. like itself.
was rough but hospitable. and we set forth
on the following morning with renewed
hopes Of doing something big" as Will
Expressed it.


he was brave young fellow. and when
We at last came upon the fresh tracks Of q
hear, be fully shared my enthusiasm at
the prospect of rough encounter


We followed the tracks until they dis
appeared at the entrance of small cav.
|ern. and there we halted to consider our
next movements.


The entrance was small. and but one at
a time could enter to it.


There was every reason to believe that
the animal we had tracked 10 its lair was
a she bear. with cu6s-no despicable an
tagonist for one man to meet. in an atti-
tude of such disadvantage to himself


We at last decided to build fire at the
entrance, and few moments suficed to
collect pile of damp wood. sufficient for
our purpose. which was to drive the bear
into the open air BY filling its den with
smoke.


Our experiment was a complete success.
As the black volume rolled into the mouth
of the aperture. we heard low growl.
and arustliug among dry leaves.


A moment more and large she bear
rushed from the cavern, scattering our
fire right and left in her impetuous course.


Twas first to meet her gaze, and in-
stantly she advanced upon me. I was
ready for her, and shouting to my eager
companion to stand back, fred.


Whether my foot slipped. or whether.
in my haste. | took unsteady aim, can
not say, but certain it is that the bullet.
instead of striking the beast in the fore
head. as I had intended, merely cut its
earsin two. maddening it with pain. but
by no means disabling it.


Will stood ready with bis rife. but the
smoke from mine prevented his seeing my
mishap. until the huge beast. rearing on
its hind legs, had struck my weapon from
my grasp. and then, spreading its strong
forepaws, pressed me to its breast with q
force that made me gasp for breath.


A knife and Ratchet were in my belt,
but my arms were too securely bound to
permit me to use them -
Well for me that true. brave youth was
80 nearand yet. would it not have been
better had | not survived the encounter
with the shaggy beast?


Yet, 20 not better; for we know that
all things are ordered By q Power higher
than our own. and ordered always for the
best.


PerchaDce. after all. I am nearer home
than would have been. but for the aW-
full cloud that was even then fast settling
down upon me @evep then as struggled
with the infuriated beast for uninterrups-
I'd prosperity does not lead us Heaven