Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1875 — Fishermen’s Luck. [ARTICLE]

Fishermen’s Luck.

At Avoca, Steuben County, there dwell two mighty hunters and anglers, named Frank Barney and Ike Haskins. Together or single they are mighty with gun or rod. Either can kill his squirrel at long range, or whip a trout stream to perfection. Each is good at the “longbow” as well, and, aside from true and doughty deeds, can spin a marvelous yarn of wood craft. Fond of a joke, they give and take, and It is a treat to hear Barney’s Ha! ha! when the “ nub” of a good story has been reached. But there is one story, in which both were involved, that they but half relish hearing. In fact, it is a sore subject with them. Shortly before the trout season closed—neither would take a fish or shoot a bird out of season for the world —they concluded to have a good day’s sport, and accordingly started early to fish Spring Brook. They intended doing it thoroughly, and by nightfall they had as fine a lot of speckled beauties as could be wished. When the sun went down they were miles from home, and concluded, therefore, to take a cut across lots and save time. They traveled homeward congratulating themselves on their good luck. But the darkness came on apace, and they soon found that it would have been wise had they followed the stream to the road which led to the village. It had grown quite dark as they entered a deserted orchard. As they crossed the fence something big and black arose in a fence corner. The same idea seized both their minds. It was the bear which had been reported to be preying about the vicinity. Both took to their legs and they ran for their lives, the animal closely pur suing. Finding that it gained on them Frank sang out to Ike to take a tree. They had dropped poles and fish-baskets as they ran, and were hatless. Coming under a tree whose branches could be reached, they both leaped and caught a branch up out of reach as the panting animal dashed at their heels. Here was a pickle for the unlucky fishermen. Of course it was a bear —what else would have pursued them so closely ? But would the brute, climb, the tree?' They had heard of bears doing that. They were in an awful plight. In the darkness they could dimly discern the huge brute walking about the tree, evidently considering whether to climb or not. Our heroes were in consternation, but it was far the best plan to stay where they were, unless dislodged by bruin. Their teeth chattered with cold and fear. Finally the animal lay down beneath them. Sleep they could not, and all that dreary night these unfortunates clung to their perches, half frozen and ntore- than half frightened out of their wits. It is possible they would have perished had Frank’s flask not been well supplied wuth the ardent. Once they thought to slide to the ground and steal away; but the moment they stirred the black monster was alert, and they gave up the plan. Finally the gray dawn began to appear, and they could see their foe half hidden behind a clump of bushes a few paces distant. The light grew brighter and they began to get their bearings. Half a mile away they could see the smoke ascending from the chimney of a farm-house. If they could reach that they would be safe. The animal seemed asleep and they determined to have a foot-race with the brute. Together they dropped to the ground, began to steal away, w hen a rustle in the bushes cauSSd’fSem to t>ke to their heels without looking behind. They heard the pursuing animal, vjgien suddenly Frank,felt sometldng, amrthen turned a complete somersault. As he struck the thing went over with a rush in pursuit of Tke. Gathering himself up in a terrible hurry, he saw the “ bear" just as it struck Ike in the rear and sent him sprawling. Frank’s fright suddenly became uproarHis laugh could have been heard a mile, as he recognized in an old black ram the bear that had treed them ill night. The u laugh must have frightened, the ram, for, having accomplished the feat of scaring two able-bodied hunters half to death, and then butting them heels over head, he took a straight course for the house they had seen. These two fellows laughed, then swore, and laughed and swore again. Then they went back and gathered up their traps, and started for that farm-house hungry enough to have eaten the ram. They shook hands on it never to tell of their misadventure. But neither could keep the secret. It was too good, and, having been imparted to a select tew r , the story soon got abroad. But say “ mutton” to either, and he will get out of sight as rapidly as though a “ bear” was after him sure.—(N". F.) Express.