§ 291 The Voice of a Husband
An Eastern college professor, on his first visit to Yellowstone Park, attempted to study at close range the grizzly bears that came down to the garbage heaps back of the Fountain Hotel for their provender. An irritable she-bear, with a cub in tow, resented his scientific curiosity. She hauled off and slapped him about fifteen feet and was preparing to claw him when Mrs. Professor came running up, armed with an umbrella, and by opening and closing it repeatedly, so frightened the bear that she departed without doing any serious injury to the startled investigator.
On the following day, two cowboys who, in the season, served as park guides, were discussing the affair. Said the first one:
“I claim that was a powerful brave woman, takin’ her own life in her hands to save that fool husband of hers.”
“I don’t see nothin’ so brave about it,” said his friend. “Anybody would do that.”
“Like hell they would! Spose’n some bear had your wife down and was fixin’ to claw her to death—what would you do?”
“Me? I’d give three loud ringin’ cheers.”