106 WILD BROTHER 
and regain her health and strength, her prospect 
of living to see the summer was extremely un- 
certain. 
In spite of these unfavorable predictions, she 
uttered never a word of complaint, nor did she ask, 
or in any way suggest, that we come to her as- 
sistance. However, we were able to send from our 
camp a number of things that added to the com- 
fort of the Weldons. 
Shortly after our return from Maine, I told the 
story of the bear before an audience of influential 
men in Boston. I illustrated it with stereopticon 
slides, and showed many of the pictures which ap- 
pear in this book. The effect was both surprising 
and gratifying ; for without the slightest intimation 
on my part that any material help for the family 
would be welcome, a substantial sum of money 
was contributed by the club members who were 
present. As a matter of fact, arrangements had 
already been made for the immediate relief of the 
Weldons. 
The better to show the sincere and genuine qual- 
ities of these faithful people, I will bring into my 
story a number of letters which from time to time 
they have sent me and which will give mute though 
convincing evidence of the sterling, ingenuous char- 
acter of the family. The first of these letters is 
dated February 28, 1904, and reads as follows : — 
