286 DAN BEARD'S ANIMAL BOOK 



by his ears and chain him, but Mandy Jane would 

 not hesitate to leave her bread dough in the 

 kitchen, and with her sleeves still rolled up above 

 her elbows, proceed to capture him. 



IT WAS A WINSOME SIGHT 



to see the girl, with her dimpled white arms 

 thrown fearlessly around the big brute's neck, 

 talking affectionately to the bear as he walked with- 

 out protest back to the tiresome peach tree and his 

 shackles. 



When chained, he would wearily trot half way 

 around the tree, 



TURN A SOMERSAULT 



and trot back again, for hours at a time. 



The farmers' sons, the milkman and the grocery 

 boy envied the bear, and all of them would have 

 consented gladly to be chained to any old tree, if 

 Mandy would only have led them as she did Cuffey. 



Each morning the harsh clang of the milkman's 

 bell caused the bear to gnash his teeth with anger, 

 and there can be little doubt that if he had suc- 

 ceeded in breaking loose at an opportune time, he 

 would have 



TORN THE MILKMAN TO SHREDS. 



Cuffey had no great affection for the red-cheeked 

 grocery clerk, and even when the bear was safely 

 chained the grocery boy dared not open the gate, 



