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To-day's Short Story

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To-day's Short Story A TRUE BEAR YARN Hie scene of the episode here depicted is located awty up in the northern part of the prov race of New Brimswiek, in Cumberland County. It is a wild, romasrtic spot, and for many years Its not been broken by an invader of any kind. Near to the camp the Ma.mazekel river z'g-zags its way through ■ the quiet, forest until i: empties its clear, eoid waters into the more pretentions stream known as the Tobiaue. It was on the 1st of last August that Mr. C. JaAmes Conloy, of the Adams house, and hi3 brother Jack, of New York, bc-au puzzling thei- brains ad to the best place in which to spend their vacation. They were bent on tH. fishins excursion, and "anted to 2nd a place, ii such a. thing were possible, where itfcd fly throwers did not outnumber the speckles on the back of each trout caaght; and having settled the question of destina- tion, they im-mediately began to prepare for their long journey. Fish poles. fish lines, two Winchester rifles, high topped boots, hunting suits, and, in fact, everything neceisaTy for a complete outfit of warfare on fill and feathers, was procured and packed away in two strong l>o::cs, where they were to remain until the edge of civilisation was reached on the line of their trip. There were no special incidents during the journey, exccpt the purchasing ct a tsmail birch bark canoe and the employment of three Indian guides to pilet the tourists through the wilds ol the New BrunswicK forests. It was a long, tedious march the vacationists had decided upon, and led through miles of interlaced branches of hea.vy brushwood, across roaring streams ana over rocsy eminences and dismal valleys. In course of time the fishing grounds were reached, and the party went into camp on the bank of the Mamazekol River. One morning, Jimmy, with one of the Indian guides, named Joe. started on a tour om their own hook." The guide carried the fishing tackle, while Jimmy shouldered his Winchester, and strapped on his game bag. The little birch canoe, which has been referred to, was moored in a shady nook in the stream. To this point the two turned their steps. The frail craft was boarded, and her prow pointed up the river. They had not gone far when their progress was suddenly interrupted by a huge pine, tree that lay directly a.crosa their path. As they were carrying the little boat around the obstruction, on the western b-ank, the eye of the Indian became suddenly riveted upon a number of peculia.r imprints in the soft earth I near a small pool, a few feet above the prostrate tree. What have you found, Joe:" inquired Jimmy. as he came around to where the Indian was standing. "Big bear; he drink here; look!" and he -bent down and traced the outlines of the impression in the watery earth. He come when the sun go down. He live over there," aaid Joe, indicating the locality with a motion of his head. I am going to Lave that fellow's skin," were Jimmy's fir it words after the Indian had finished. We must imimedi at-ely set to work for its capture." What a reputation I shall earn when the boys see me bringing a black bear into camp," he mused. They are not looking for such game. 1 wish old Bruin would hurry up and get thirsty. I can hardly control my feelings until he takes his night-cap." The banks of the stream at this paint were about ten feet in height and composed of a yellowish alluvial deposit. The face of the declivities were rather steep, and knotted roots and vines cohered the surface. After securing the canoe to the trunk of the tree th^y crossed to the opposite bank and began digging steps in the soil, so that a hasty retreat could be easily made if the shaggy monster which they were to make war upon took it into his head to make a fight at close quarters. They were also careful to chop away the under bramche.s of the tree, so that the weight of the animal-if he attempted to cross the river by that means-would drop into the water. After completing these arrangements 1 he two men passed the rest of the day in fishing and lounging about in the immediate vicinity of bruin's watering .plaoe. Just as the sun began to dip behind the horizon, Joe suggested that they take up position and watch for their big game. Care- fully concealing themselves behind the tree, they directed their eyes to the little pool on the opposite bacik. They had not been in hiding more than ten minutes before Joe's d'elicate a-urioular apparatus detected a sound of crackling twigs and dead leaves in the clirti.an the pair were looking. "He come. Mr. Jim." said the Indian, as 'he listened intently, while resting his head upon the thick cushion of last yeao-'s failea foliage. Where, in what direction?" eagerly asked Jimmy, as he eased the barrel of his rifle upon the tree and carefully raised the hammer. See, brush wave," responded Joe, and sure enough the thicket just to the left of the pool was being agitated to an unusual degree. Just then the body of one of the largest and finest speoimens of a black bear ever Been in that locality emerged from the brush, and bruin walked leisurely to his watering place. Jimmy's finger was on the trigger of his rifle in an instant. His dream of glory was sibout to be realised. The excitement of the occasion had unsteadied his aim. Crack went the rifle, and when the emoke raised, both ■men peered over the tree to learn what execution had been done. As far as any evidence tTiat bruin gave, he was in as good form aa at any time during his life. He paused in has libations for a moment, looked over in the direction whence the sound had ooome, amd continued his refreshing draught. A second report of Jimmy's rifle was heard, and this time eld bruin felt the eting of the gullet, for he uttered a peculiar cry, lifted ais noee from the water, and mapped out & route OIl a direct line with his enemies. He meant serious business, and his little black eyes snapped with the fire of rage. The Ihunters had no desire to try a, collar and elbow wrestling ma-tch with their long-clawed antagonist, and decided upon an inglorious retreat. Tie Indian gained the top of the bank in safety and Jimmy attempted to follow him, but just as he made half that distance, his footing gave way, and he rolled down to the water's edge. His rifle fle-w from his hand, amd he bad nothing left with which to protect him- self, except a, hunter's knife that he carried in his belt. He, however, secured his rifle again, and made a second effort to reach the top of the baTIk. This time he was more successful, and, joining his Indian com- panion, he came into camp. Neither of the bear hunters said a wm-d about their experience. Jimmy was par- ticularly anxious to keep it from his companions, as he did not want them to know that his marksmanship was so poor that he could not bring down game of =h mammoth proportions when only twenty Vaces away. t The next morning Jimmy went to Joe and told him that he was going out on another 'bear hunt. The two repaired to the scene of their exciting battle of the day before, crossed the stream, and made a careful inspection of the locality. They found a well-worn trail leading from the pool through a piece of high grass, which had been worn low by the bear in his frequent. visits to the place. "I am going to fo^ow bim to his den," sai■d J Jimmy, "j can't go back to Boston without making another effort to establish a reputation as a bear hunter when such a lu did opportunity presents itself." They bad followed the trail but a short distance when the Indian suddenly stopped, and loosing down at his pants, saw traces of blood upon them. Bear dead," he said. \\na.t's that?'" eagerly replied Jimmy. Bear dead, repeated the Indian. I Ji-m rniv rould not believe his own ears. The Vear dead! Db, no! The news was too good. It couldn't be that he had actually killed a i beaj--a real wild shaggy, black bear. And yet there were the blades of grass ameared I with the life current of the animal The two pushed on about a. quarter of a mile, wben they came to a KtOe clearing in the centre of which there was a. pine-trea There was a clump of bushes nea.r its base •where the trail suddenly termimated. Parting the branches, a most pleasant eight was revealed to Jimmy and his companion. Lying upon the ground with his body bent in a naif-circle lay poor olrl brudn. Hia life had flown just at the threshold of his home. He badn t sufficient strength remaining when he --he*i T?a abode to climb to hM *nu« q?aj??ra tn the big pme-tree. It was in<? In than exultation that Jimmy bemt ever the noble animal and gave the shining eoa-t a. pitying stroke- After a short con- sultation, it -was decided to remove the skin .and emn7 it to camp. This the Indian did with g-t and when the Indian trophy was shown to the ??' '?? was voted tl- 9-te-st wl-rt-- that had visited t"t section f- years.

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