The Valley Chronicle - LAURENCE “WHITE” MORRIS AND THE BEARng

[caption id="attachment_630" align="alignright" width="576"] Lawrence and the Bear[/caption]

By Rob Lindquist

Now Laurence was a cowboy. You’ve heard that said before. But, this here tale’s a new one; I’ll tell you what’s in store. See ‘White’ was quite ranger; Some of you may know; Stationed out at Cranston Many years ago. This time there was trouble; Dodge rear-ends were bad. Their pick-up trucks were lousy, ‘Worst they’d ever had. The camp called in a breakdown. The pick-up wouldn’t run. Laurence left for Mill Creek Before the day’d begun. He loaded two new axles, Took them off the train And drove out from the city To head back home again. Up the Hill he traveled And then just short of noon, He parked aside the Banning Road Where there was ample room. Stone Creek was barely trickling. White let the tailgate down And was opening up his lunchbox When he heard a sound. He thought it was wayward cow Movin’ through the trees Until a black bear wandered up, Pretty as you please. Now, Laurence cut an apple; ‘Threw the bear a slice, That sniffed and quickly gulped it down. ‘Thought it tasted nice. White then took a cookie, Laid it on the bed. Up beside it climbed the bear Happy to be fed. But, Laurence was a cowboy. Ropin’ was a snap. Fast he tied the bruin down With cookies in its lap. He eased out on the highway And drove for Idyllwild. The bear sat on the auto parts Just like a great big child. Folks in town were ev’rywhere; Summer time was on. ‘Should have seen them turn and stare When Morris came along. There they were the two of them, Bear just proud as punch Headed for the workers camp Eating up White’s lunch. They drove into Kenworthy, The whole camp came alive; Everybody jumped and yelled The day that bear arrived. Laurence was no blower; Wouldn’t tell a lie. But, onc’t he’d told that story We laughed until we died. The ending was the topper Good as it could be. For once the boys had fed that bear He joined the CCC! And that’s a fact!