"I seed a black b'ar comin' outer Daves' woods," said Jimmy excitedly to the master of Indian Springs School in Tuolumne County, California. "Nigh to me as you be, big as a hoss, and snarlin' and snappin' -- like gosh Kem along ker-clump at me, and reckoned he'd skeer me Didn't skeer me worth a cent. I heaved a rock at him -- I did now "

Exciting as that report was, in the old schoolhouse with falling plaster and broken windows, there was other news of the day from another child, to cause a little stir: Cressy McKinstry was returning from Sacramento, and would be back sitting at her desk soon

The young schoolmaster wondered at this news. Something he himself had said had prompted her haughty withdrawal from the school . . . and as attractive and bright as the girl was, age 16 the last time he saw her, he wondered if this boded well -- or ill -- for his future.

Bret Harte (1836-1902) gained national fame during his lifetime for his novels of the colorful Far West of the Gold Rush days.