in (Boob i o 



around the corner of the house a quarter of a mile 

 away, they instantly stood on tiptoe and gesticu- 

 lated with enthusiasm. They were the life of my 

 home, and occasionally almost the death of it. 



It was almost impossible to get these cubs filled 

 up. They ate everything, scraps from the table, 

 rhubarb, dandelions, bitter sage, and bark, but 

 they were especially fond of apples. If I approached 

 with meat and honey upon a plate but with apples 

 or turnips in my pockets, they would ignore the 

 plate and, clinching me, thrust their noses into my 

 pockets to find the promised treat. 



One August evening I brought in a cluster of 

 wild raspberries for Johnny and Jenny. While still 

 more than a hundred feet from the cabin, both 

 bears leaped to their feet, scented the air, and came 

 racing to meet me with more than their ordinary 

 enthusiasm. No child of frontier parents could 

 have shown more interest in a candy package on 

 the father's return from the city than did Johnny 

 and Jenny in those berries. 



A number of people were waiting in my cabin to 



see me. The little bears and I crowded in. I handed 



Jenny a berry-laden spray, and then one to Johnny, 



alternating until they were equally divided. Stand- 



105 



