The Story Of A Bear

"There used to be some good hunting np in Maine, about Rangeley lake, " said Mr. T. L. Page. "A house that I managed in the little village of Phillips was the headquarterè of a lot of Ninirods, who canie up every season after big game. Of all the ardeut sportsmeu, two New Yorkers, chums and partners in business, Messrs. Buckley and Webb, were the keenest lovers of the chase. They were very suocessfnl tronters, too, and generally carried ofl' the palm both as to quality and qnantity of game. "One season, huwever, they met with very poor luck, and after spending about a week in camp, with nothing to show for their labora, started to come to town, with the mtentiun of goinghome. On their way in thej overtook a countrymau driving a farm wagon, in the bed of which luy one of the haudsomest specimens of black bear that the New Yorkers had ever laid eyes on. The rustic stopped his team to let the city strangers admire his big take. Suddenly a brilliant idea occurred to Buckley. ' What would you be willing to sell your bear for?' said he to the farmer. " 'Well, the state gives a bounty of $10 for every bear, and I reckon if you'll give me $10 more you eau have him. ' "Buckley gave the old man his price, with $5 additional, flrst exacting from him a solemn proruise that he would never bxeathe a syllable of the tion to any one. Then he and webb roae ahead, and on reaching the hotel told in most enthusiastic style how they had killed the biggest black bear that had ever carne out of the Maine woods. They entered into details of the shooting, and everygnest of the house was on the qui vive for a look at bruin, that was coming on a little later. He was such a heavy beast that the rnighty hunters wero f orced to hire an old farmer to bring him in town in a wagon. Pretty soon the wagon hove in sight and a big crowd gathered at the hotel entrance to see him unloaded. Exclamations of delight were heard on every side, and Buckley and Webb were the héroes of tlie hour. "Down in the little village of Phillips Old Sol Mayberry, with a bigger wad of cash in his pocket than he had possessed for a long time, was getting very drank on the proceeds of his salo, and after the third or fourth round of drinks he couldn't resist telling how, on that very morning, he had caught in a trap the finest beax he'd ever beheld, ! and how he had sold him to two chaps I from the city. The facts leaked out in 1 less than an hour, and the conspirators were forced to own that Old Sol had spoken the truth. Their bilí for charo paane that day was in three figures. " -