88 



A GOOto-NATURED BEAR. 



that, if they were made of wood, he could perhaps find one in the 

 woods. His papa had promised to buy him one when he went to 

 the village ; but Carl felt that he could not wait. 



They wandered hand-in-hand into the woods. They saw so 

 many pretty flowers, and found such sweet berries, that they almost 

 forgot the hobby-horse. Suddenly Carl shouted, " Here, Allie! 

 Here is our hobby-horse at last, and a real live one, too ! Isn't he 

 cunning? Come, quick, and hold him till I can get on." 



Of course it was not a hobby-horse. It really was a good- 

 natured little tame bear. He had wandered away from his home, 

 like the children, and was as fond of roaming about as they. Allie 

 tried to hold him by the ears till Carl could climb on his back, but 

 the bear's hair was so soft and glossy that her little fat fingers 

 slipped off. The bear, smelling some berries which Allie had in 

 her hand, began licking them out with his tongue. In this way he 

 remained quiet long enough for Carl to scramble on his back. He 

 got seated, and was thinking what a nice ride he would have, but 

 just then a loud scream from his mother, who had come in sight, 

 caused the bear to scamper Off in a fright. He went so fast that 

 poor little Carl was tumbled upon the ground. 



Mamma was so glad to get her children home safe that she did 

 not punish Carl for his disobedience. If he had not disobeyed her 

 he would not have had that big lump on his forehead, which he got 

 by falling fi'om the beai-. 



After that day Allie always felt sad and worried when her papa 

 went out to hunt, fearing lest he might shoot the '■ runaway horsey." 

 She liked the bear because he was so nice and sleek, and " didn't 

 mean to hurt Carl, after all." 



