m of one of the hotels. The timid floating population moved out;
the bar-keep was cornered, but somewhat protected by his bar; and when
the Bear reared up with both paws on the mahogany, the wily "dispenser"
pushed a glass of beer across, saying nervously, "Is that what you are
after?"

The Bear liked the smell of the offering, and, stooping down, lapped up
the whole glassful, and what was spilt he carefully licked up afterward,
to the unmeasured joy of the loafers who peeped in at doors and windows,
and jeered at the bar-keep and his new customer.

"Say, bar-keep, who's to pay?" "Don't you draw any color line?" "If I
come in a fur coat, will you treat me?" "No! you got to scare him to
drink free," etc., etc., were examples of their remarks.

Whatever that Bear came for, she seemed satisfied with what she got,
for she went off peaceably to the woods, and was seen later lying asleep
under a tree. Next day, however, she was back again. The scene in the
bar-room was repeated with less intensity.

[Illustration]

On the third and fourth days she came as before, but on the fifth day
she seemed to want something else. Prompted by a kindred feeling, one of
the loafers suggested that "She wants another round." His guess was
right, and having got it, that abandoned old Bear began to reel, but she
was quite good-natured about it, and at length lay down under a table,
where her loud snores proclaimed to all that she was asleep--beastly
drunk, and asleep--just like one of the lords of creation.

From that time on she became a habitual frequenter of the bar-room. Her
potations were increased each month. There was a time when one glass of
beer made her happy, but now it takes three or four, and sometimes even
a little drop of something stronger. But whatever it is, it has the
desired effect, and "Swizzling Jinnie" lurches over to the table, under
which she sprawls at length, and tuning up her nasophone she sleeps
aloud, and unpeacefully, demonstrating to all the world that after all a
"Bear is jest a kind o' a man in a fur coat." Who can doubt it that
reads this tale, for it is true; at least it was told me for the truth,
by no less an authority than one of Jennie's intimate associates at the
bar-room.

THE GRIZZLY AND THE CAN

When one remembers the Grizzly Bear as the monarch of the mountains, the
king of the plains, and the one of matchless might and unquestioned sway
among the wild things of the West, it gives one a sh