BEARS I HAVE NEVER MET 283 



The young artist had been down the river on 

 a commission to paint the portrait of Gen. Zachary 

 Taylor, and while the steamer raced up the stream 

 with 



A NEGRO ON THE SAFETY VALVE 



and the spiteful blue steam hissing menacingly at 

 every rivet in the boilers, the reckless passengers 

 sat unconcernedly at cards in the saloon or around 

 the decks, and laughed merrily when the rival 

 packet was left around the bend. 



When a necessary stop was made at a lonely 

 spot to take on wood and 



A "BLACKLEG" WAS PUT-A-SHORE 



for dealing a crooked hand in the cabin, the care- 

 less passengers laughed at the plight of the sharper. 

 It was on one of these occasions that a long, 

 lank, buck-skin clad figure emerged from a cane- 

 brake and added further amusement to the gen- 

 tlemen and ladies on deck by offering for sale a 

 wee little bear cub, which was promptly purchased 

 by the artist. 



WHEN THE BEAR BEGAN TO GROW 



he waxed strong and lusty and developed a taste 

 for rollicking fun which won his way to all the 

 boys' hearts. 



"Cuffey," the bear, and the artist's sons were at 

 this period inseparable. If one of the children fell 

 down stairs, Cuffey was with him; if there was a 



