 Story 13 of Buster the Big Brown Bear by George Ethelward Walsh. This Liberfox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Phil. Buster and the Little Girl Instead of showing fear when Buster approached the bed, the Little Girl held out a hand, and when he was near enough, she took one of his shaggy paws and patted it. This seemed natural enough to Buster, for he could not understand why anyone should be afraid of him, and Chiquita had done the same thing many times. But to most Little Girls perhaps it would seem like a brave and fearless thing. This Little Girl, like Little Red Riding Hood, was not afraid of bears or wolves until they tried to eat her up. I'm glad to see you, Buster, she said with quaint gravity. But how did you ever get here? Buster grinned and turned his head toward the open window. The Little Girl followed his gaze and instantly understood. Oh, you came through the window, she added. That makes it so much more interesting. Fairies and elves always come through open windows. Won't you sit down? Buster was quite tired after his hard run, and was very glad to accept this invitation. The foot of the bed seemed a very inviting seat, and he sat on the white coverlet. But almost immediately he sprang up in alarm. The springs creaked under his great weight, and for a moment it looked as if the whole bed would collapse. He jumped to his feet with a queer expression on his face. In fact, he wasn't sure, but this was some sort of a trap set for him. But the Little Girl laughed merrily at the accident, and clapped both hands. He could not believe she was attempting to deceive him, and he grinned like a foolish boy who had discovered a bent pin in his chair. Oh, Buster! she cried. I guess this isn't a bare bed. You're too heavy for it. Maybe the chair will hold you. Buster turned and looked at the chair. He seemed a little doubtful, but he wanted to be polite. He tried it carefully, but when it began to crack and groan under his weight, he was wise enough not to go any further. He shook his head and put the chair back in its place. The Little Girl shrieked with laughter again. It was very amusing to her, and Buster, not wishing to offend her, grinned and nodded his head. He liked children, and this one was anxious to play with him. After a while she grew serious again and looked around at every article in the room. I don't know, Buster, she said slowly, but you'll have to sit on the floor. I don't think anything else is strong enough to hold you. It's not very polite to ask visitors to sit on the floor, but what else can I do, unless you prefer to stand? Buster didn't prefer to stand. He was very tired, and he didn't mind the floor as a seat at all. In fact, it was more suitable to him than a bed or chair. So he squatted down on his haunches and smiled. Even then his head towered above the Little Girls. Are you comfortable there? she asked. Buster nodded. Then she added, You must tell me where you came from and how you escaped those cruel men. I want to hear the whole story. It's better than a story from a book, and I love story books about bears. Did you ever hear the story of Goldilocks or the three little bears? No, then I'll tell you. But she didn't have time. Just then there was a great commotion outside. Men were shouting and calling, dogs barking, and a great hullabaloo going on under the open window. What's that? exclaimed the Little Girl, hopping out of the bed and running to the window in her bare feet. Buster could have told her what the noise meant, and for a moment he thought it was his duty to give himself up to keep the Little Girl from being harmed. Suppose the crowd searching for him should hurt her. He got up and tried to pull her away from the window, but she pushed him back quickly. Go back, Buster, she cried. They're looking for you, but they won't have you. They mustn't see you. The dogs below were barking. They had tracked Buster to the woodshed, and were now holding their nose up in the air, baying loudly. As plain as words they were saying the bear had climbed to the roof of the shed. The men saw the open window, and immediately a horse cry rose. He's gone in that window. He's eating up Little Nell. Oh, oh! You could imagine Buster's emotions when he heard this outcry. To be accused of eating up Little Nell was enough to make any self-respecting bear angry. He growled savagely and started for the window again. But the Little Girl restrained him once more. No, no, Buster. You mustn't let them see you, she cried. Now, let me think. What ought I to do? They'll be here soon. Yes, flancing out of the window. They're climbing up the shed. Oh, Buster, hide under the bed. Buster obeyed, but he might just as well have tried to crawl through the keyhole of the lock of the door. He couldn't possibly squeeze under the bed without upsetting it. Dear me, added Nell, biting our lips. Where can I hide you? She looked at the closet filled with her pretty clothes. She ran to it and looked in. It was such a small closet that Buster couldn't possibly crowd in it. I don't know, Buster, she added. What I can do? She looked at her trunk. No, of course not. She couldn't get Buster in that. The bureau next, and then the wash stand. Not one of them was big enough to hold one of Buster's hind legs. They could hear the men climbing to the roof of the shed now. In a few moments they would appear at the open window with their shotguns and pitchforks. The little girl was more excited than Buster. Suddenly an idea came to her and she gasped with delight. Here, Buster, she called sharply, seizing him by a pole. You must lie down on the floor at the top of the bed. Get way down. No, no, not that way, this way. Pull your legs up like a cat cuddling up before the fire. There, that's right. Now don't you move or make a sound, you hear me? She shook a finger warningly at him. She had made Buster curl up on the floor at the foot of the bed in the smallest space he had ever before occupied. It was not a comfortable position for him, but for the little girl's sake he was satisfied to stay there. Then Nell pulled the clothes down and threw them over the footboard of the bed and spread them out on the floor until Buster was completely covered. She laid the pillows on top just as if they had been put there to air. They had been taught to do this every morning after rising and then opened the window for the fresh air to blow in. The men appeared at the window just as she had finished. Without waiting for an invitation, they climbed in. Where is he? they asked. Where's the bear? We thought he was in there eating you up, Nell. They were glancing all around the room and if Buster hadn't been so well concealed they would have seen him. Nell turned to them with dignity and said in her high little voice, What an idea! Is there a bear around here? Oh, I'd dearly like to see him. I know he wouldn't hurt me. Where did he come from? Is he outside? She ran to the window and looked out. Satisfied now that Buster was not in the room. The men climbed out, but they closed the window after them and said, Keep that shut, Nell. In the next story, Buster is discovered in the house. And the story 13, Recording by phone. Story 14 of Buster the Big Brown Bear by George S. Elbert Walsh. This Liberfox recording is in the public domain. Recording by phone. Buster tries to escape and is discovered. When the men left the room and closed the window after them, Buster and the little girl felt greatly relieved. Satisfied that the bear had not climbed in the open window, the searching party turned their attention elsewhere. But the danger wasn't over yet and Nell knew it. He patted the top of the bed clothes and whispered, Keep quiet a little longer, Buster. Here comes someone up the stairs. Buster grunted and lay as still as a mouse. There was a knocking on the door and when the little girl opened it her father appeared. He was very white and trembling. A bear that escaped from the railroad wreck is roaming around here, Nell. He said, I was terribly afraid he had climbed up the shed to your room. I'm so glad you're safe. He kissed her and seemed greatly relieved to find his daughter safe. He crossed the room and looked out at a window. Then he returned to her. Perhaps you're safer here until they find him, he added. Stay right here in your room and keep the door and window locked. I'll come and tell you when they find him. The little girl could have laughed in her glee, for this was just what she wanted. She was terribly afraid Buster would smother under all those clothes and make a noise. She couldn't get her father out of the room quick enough. When he was gone and the door locked she ran to the bed and threw back the clothes. Buster was all curled up just as she had left him. But he was fast asleep. It was a warm, comfortable bed and after his long run with breakfast of pies, rolls, bread and milk it had seemed impossible to keep his eyes open for long and the moment he closed him he was sound asleep. The little girl sat down on the floor and laughed until the tears streamed down her cheeks. Buster woke with a start and blinked at her. He couldn't for several minutes imagine where he was. Oh Buster, she exclaimed finally. I thought you were being smothered to death and you were so comfortable you fell asleep. Buster struggled to his feet and began chuckling. It made him happy to see the merriment of the little girl. She pulled the clothes up and flung them back on the bed. She was a very prim little housekeeper for she was not satisfied until the pillows were brushed off and cutted in position and the sheets and covers carefully smoothed out. Buster watched her in silence and then in his clumsy way offered to help but he pulled the clothes so hard and made such a general mess of it that he stopped when the girl sat down and laughed again at him. I never saw anybody so clumsy Buster she said. No you can't help any more you sit down there in the middle of the floor until I'm through then we'll have breakfast together. The moment she uttered these words she stopped have breakfast together how could she arrange that? How in fact could she manage to get Buster any breakfast without somebody discovering him in her room? What did Bears eat anyway and how much? Goodness from the size of him he ate her father out of house and home. The little girl felt terribly distressed all of a sudden she had saved Buster from his pursuers but now that she had him what was she going to do with him? You couldn't keep Bears in a bedroom or closet nor could you chain them up in the back yard like a dog everybody would be afraid to visit the house and all the servants would leave Buster haven't you any home you can go to? She asked suddenly turning to him then she remembered what her father had told her the train carrying the circus animals had been wrecked and some of the people and animals killed. Of course the circus people would like Buster back again but was they happy there? Or did he run away because they treated him cruelly? Buster do you want to go back to the circus? she added after a pause for if he do I'll have to tell them you're here and if they want you they'll call for you. Now Buster had no desire just then to return to the circus he thought it would be much nicer to live with the little girl and play with her so he shook his hand vigorously which made the girl sigh and say solemnly then you won't have to go back I'll keep you here She cleaned up things in a room and dressed herself her breakfast was waiting for her downstairs and if she didn't go soon her father would be up after her Buster she said once more laying a hand on his head I'm going down now to get my breakfast and then I'll bring you something to eat some sugar and coffee and jam and and what do you like to eat? Buster only grinned and shook his hand the little girl was puzzled I know what I'll do she added smiling I'll ask my father he's wise and knows everything and he'll tell me what bears eat I know he'll like you Buster of course Buster wasn't quite so sure of this he had no way to express his doubts he heard the little girl running down the stairs and then for a long time he was left alone it was a queer situation for him he walked across the room and the floor squeaked with every trend then he looked out of the window and immediately ducked his head for there was a man and dog below on guard he waited a long time for the little girl to return and then grew restless he tried to door and finding it unlocked opened it and stuck his head out all was quiet in the house he couldn't hear anyone around a great fear that something had happened to the little girl suddenly made him very anxious perhaps the men and dogs had captured her and were holding her because she had hit him in her bedroom this thought made him angry if she was in trouble and needed him he would go to her assistance Buster closed the door softly behind him and started down the stairs now that he was going to the little girl's assistance he wasn't afraid of anything he hadn't been afraid to attack all the animals in a big cage when Chiquita was in danger then why should he be afraid now down down the stairs he clumped his great weight making each step squeak and groan nobody was in the hall below and the whole house seemed quiet and deserted had the men taken the little girl away with them Buster uttered an angry growl and took another step down then directly in front of him appeared a man he stepped out of a doorway so suddenly that both bear and man were surprised Buster recognized him immediately as the gentleman who held the little girl's hands that day she fed him a stick of candy the man started suddenly stared at the bear on the stairs and backed slowly away now now he called keep away go back the bear is in the house run for your life until the men but little now instead of running away pushed past her father and surprised him so that he nearly dropped down with fright she ran straight up to Buster and hugged him then laughing she turned to her father it's only Buster and he wouldn't hurt me why he's been in my bedroom all the time what they decided to do with Buster after that will be told in the next story and the story 14 recording by phone story 15 of Buster the big brown bear by George Ethelbert Walsh this Liberfox recording is in the public domain recording by phone Buster is to be sent to the zoo it seemed almost like a fairy story to the little girl's father he told him how Buster had climbed through the window of her room and how she had covered him up with the bed clothes to protect him from the men and he didn't believe in fairy stories in fact he didn't believe just then that he was awake and hearing things it surely was all a dream but there was Buster on the stairs and his little girl hugging the great big shaggy creature why with one blow the bear could crush the life out of her it made him tremble to think of it he tried to call her away but she didn't hear him she was talking to Buster who seemed to understand now Papa you see he won't hurt me she said finally and I won't let the men hurt him he must do something for him yes yes dear what was the stammering reply but but what can't we keep him here the men smiled for the first time where in your bedroom no but maybe outdoors I think he likes outdoors the best but dear he would never be happy here and he'd frighten all of our neighbours he may be good to you but he'd be friendly to others not if they were kind to him was it a confident answer maybe not maybe not but we must think of it he was quiet for a moment watching Buster out of the corner of his eyes he was less afraid of the bear than at first something in his eyes made him think that perhaps his little girl's trust was not misplaced after all but he had a natural fear of all wild animals and did not like to run any risks I'll tell you dear he added finally we'll put Buster in the cellar until the men have gone and then then we'll telegraph to the owners of the circus they will come for him and he'll be better off with them than with us but maybe he ran away from the circus because they were cruel to him protested now I don't want him to go back then I don't know about that but I read in the papers that the circus people are going out of business their loss of animals and the smash-up decided them to give up the show business Chiquita, their famous trainer was injured so she'll never go back to performing again I believe she's in the hospital now and won't be out for a month or two now all this was news to Buster they couldn't understand how eager he was to learn all about the circus if Chiquita was injured in the wreck then perhaps Spault and Ocelot and Old Lion were hurt too or even dead it made him very sad for it meant the end of his circus life he would never want to perform for another trainer now that Chiquita was gone poor Chiquita Buster shed a tear for her for she had been a stranger for her for she had been his dear friend and he knew now that he couldn't help her or ever see her again then Baba broken little Nell again we can keep Buster can't we only a few days dear was the smiling reply we had no place to keep him and I'm sure he'd soon try to escape the little girl pouted she was unconsciously at Buster before speaking then what will become of him she added he won't have any home at all that will be dreadful Baba and he's been so good to me ah exclaimed her father suddenly his eyes brightening I have it we'll send him to the zoo we'll make him a present of him if the circus people don't come to claim him he was not exactly sure that she approved of this and she continued pouting and looking at Buster but won't you shut him up in a cage and keep him there all the time she queried I don't think I'd like to be caged forever and forever would you the question was addressed to her father but Buster answered it with a vigorous shake of the hand he didn't know anything about the zoo he had never heard about but if they kept bears caged up there all the time he didn't care to know more about it it certainly was a dreadful place he had often pitied spot and ocelot for being shut up in their cages all the time but he blamed them a good deal for that they wouldn't behave themselves decently and it served them right but that was no reason why he should be kept in a cage for the rest of his life no, he preferred to be free my dear Buster heard the father say after a pause that is the only wise thing to do keeping him here is simply out of the question we must put him in the cellar until I can notify the authorities then they'll put him in a cage at the zoo and you can go and see him as often as you like the thought of being able to see Buster at the zoo made her feel better and she turned and whispered to him I'll come every week to see you Buster and I'll bring you sugar and peanuts and candy and everything Buster smiled for he knew that she meant what she said but he was greatly troubled in mind could he for the sake of seeing the little girl once a week endure prison for the rest of his life all the outdoor freedom would then be denied him he couldn't walk around nor perform before people in the circus he couldn't even crawl under a pile of canvas or a clump of bushes to sleep who would always be behind those iron bars he remembered how old Lyon had complained of the monotony of life in the cage and old Lyon had grown old and weak in doing nothing Spot, Ocelot and Timber had never become reconciled to their captivity but paced their cages day and night longing to escape Buster drew a great sigh and glanced out of the window he saw green trees smiling fields and tinkling brook well how he loved those no he could not leave them forever he started for the outside door to leave the house don't let him out now the little girl's father said the men and dogs are out there do you think you can get him down the cellar for the night yes papa, he'll come with me was the answer won't you Buster Buster nodded and followed her he had no wish to go outside and fall in the hands of his pursuers so he meekly followed the little girl down the stairs to the cellar where he was safe from all his enemies it was a wide, roomy cellar and Buster felt quite content there but the thought that the men might call for him on the morrow to take him away to the zoo spoiled his happiness when the little girl left him he had made up his mind before morning he would break out of the cellar and escape there had come into his mind in the woods where he had been born and a great desire to find his way back could he do it? in the next story you will hear how he set out on his long journey and what happened to him end of story 15 recording by phone story 16 of Buster the Big Brown Bear by George at the Bird Walsh this Libber Fox recording is in the public domain recording by phone Buster returns to the North Woods Buster spent the rest of the day in the cellar of the house where the little girl lived sleeping part of the time and playing with this little friend whenever she had the time to come down there were many things in the cellar that smelled good jams and jellies stored away in a closet potatoes, apples and cabbages and bins and boxes full of dry groceries but Buster did not touch any of these he ate what little girl fed him and nothing else as the day dragged along and night approached he thought more and more of the North Woods where he had been born he saw the beautiful river that flowed past the cave heard the tinkling of the waves and the songs of the birds and sniffed the fragrance of the millions of wild flowers he thought of his mother who had mourned his death of loop the lynx who had driven him from home and made him in exile and the more he thought of these things the more anxious he was to return to the woods he was not needed in the circus now Chiquita had gone and he would never find another trainer like her the little girl was his friend and loved him but he could have no home with her then the place for him was in the woods where he would be free to roam about and hunt as he chose it was nearly dark when the little girl said good night to him she kissed him on the tip of the nose and Buster felt the desire to take her in his arms and hug her but he knew that would never do his gentlest hug might break her little bones and kill her so he contented himself with a smile and grin and waved a paw to her as she closed the door Buster ate the supper she had brought down to him he felt that he needed it all for his great journey it might be days before he could get another such supper it was quite dark outside when he had finished but there were lights upstairs there were noises Buster sat down and waited until they had all gone to bed and the house was as quiet as a mouse then he got up and began preparing for his escape the windows were out of the question for they were too small for him to crawl through so he devoted himself to breaking through the outside door this was locked but Buster leaned his heavy weight against it the lock creaked and then snapped the door sprung open so suddenly that he tumbled outside all in a heap the night was clear and quiet the noise made by the bursting of the lock did not seem to disturb anybody and Buster started across the fields in a slow jog trot when he reached the border of the swamp he skirted the edge instead of plunging through it he finally came out on the road where he had frightened the man carrying a basket of pies and rolls he smiled at the remembrance of it and wondered if the man would come again with another basket full of good things Buster had started out with the intention of finding his way back to the north woods but he soon found himself in a quandary which way should he go to find them and how far off were they he might have been compelled after all to return to the little girl's house and go to the zoo for the rest of his days if he hadn't stumbled by accident upon sleepy the opossum cuddled up in a crotch of a tree hello sleepy he called can you direct me to the north woods and tell me how far I must travel to reach them follow the wind Buster replied sleepy and travel day and night until you get there that's all I know the wind was blowing from the north and after travelling in that direction all night crossing fields woods and swamps he came to rest in a dense thicket I'll sleep here he said until night and then go on he didn't want to show himself in the daytime and so he slept soundly all day when he stretched himself towards sundown he saw curly the skunk nearby watching how far is it to the north woods curly he asked and which way do I go it's far again as you've travelled Buster Buster replied and it will take you twice as long to reach it for there's a big river to cross follow the moon and you won't miss it Buster thanked him for this information and as there was a bright moon he had no trouble in keeping in the right direction as on the previous night he travelled until the dawn of a new day and then once more saw refuge in a dense swamp to sleep he was awake bright and early rising before the moon was up this time he asked what should a raccoon who responded promptly follow the trail made by white-tailed a deer until you come to the river then cross it if you can it's a long swim and I wouldn't like to undertake it again Buster thanked his little forest friend and resumed his hard journey he was pretty tired and dirty by this time for he had walked through swamps of grires in the dark that fallen and stumbled a number of times but he had to reach the north woods where he would be in no further danger of capture now that he had decided to return to his old home he wasn't going to be turned aside by anything he reached the bank of the river by dawn it was certainly a wide river and very swift he walked in it and drank his fill of cool refreshing water seeing Billy the mink washing himself on the bank he called to him must I swim the river to reach the north woods Billy few certainly must laughed Billy unless you can fly across you haven't wings yet have you Buster not yet Billy then taking a plunge in a deep stream Buster began his long swim the current was so strong that it carried him far down from the point he had in view and at times it seemed as if he wasn't making any headway at all his long tramp in the woods began to tell on him and he puffed and grunted as never before but he was a powerful swimmer and in time his feet touched sandy bottom on the other side he waded through the shallow water until he stood on dry land once more my Buster you look like a drowned rat exclaimed the voice in the bushes he turned to see groundy the woodchuck smiling at him when did you arrive continued groundy and how big you've grown I hardly knew you at first how far am I from the north woods brownie Buster interrupted how far why as far again as half this is no time for joking groundy I want it playing straightforward answer well then you'll have it you're there now you're standing in the north woods Buster gave a little sigh of relief so he was back home in the woods where he had been born how good the trees and bushes looked and smelt he sniffed the pines and spruces he looked at the river he had crossed and for the first time realized this was the stream that passed the door of his old home by following it up he could come to the cave where his mother had lived and where loop the links had found him that day when he tried to kill him if you want to hear more of Buster's life you can follow him in the book Buster the Big Brown Bear's Adventures end of story 16 recording by phone end of Buster the Big Brown Bear by George Asselbert Walsh