LESSON XXXIX.

THE BEAR AND THE CHILDREN.

  1. In the parlor of an inn in a small town, sat a man who had been going about with a bear. He was waiting for his supper, and the bear was tied up in the yard.
  2. Up in the attic, three little children were playing together. The eldest might have been six years old; the youngest, not more than two.
  3. Stump! stump! stump! Some one was coming up the stairs.
  4. The door flew open suddenly, and there stood the great, shaggy bear. He had got tired of waiting, and had found his way to the stairs.
  5. The children were badly frightened. Each one crept into a corner, but the bear found them all out, and smelt their clothes, but did not hurt them.
  6. "This must be a great dog," they said, and they began to pat him.
  7. Then the bear lay down on the floor, and the youngest boy climbed on his back, hid his head in the shaggy fur, and played at "hide and seek."
  8. The eldest boy took his drum and began to strike it, when the bear rose on his hind legs and danced. At that the children gave a merry shout.
  9. The two younger boys took their wooden guns, and gave the bear one. Away they all marched around the room, keeping step.
  10. Now the frightened mother of the children came to the door. But the youngest boy shouted, joyfully. "See, we are playing soldiers!"
  11. Then the bear's master came running up, and took the bear away.