Bear in a China Shop

By Mike Simmons

The January 3, 1885, edition of the Pensacola Commercial contained the following:  

A bear in a China shop 

“A well-known citizen of Pensacola, familiarly called ‘Chips,’ got a pet bear and wished to learn him all the tricks he knew, expecting to sell him for a good price. His father-in-law came in a little elevated one day and told him that when he wanted to train bears he was the man to do that work for him, and forthwith went at the bear, who, not liking the newcomer, broke the chain and ran under the house.  

Chips broke for the bear, and got badly bitten and chawed up in the attempt to recover him so as to have a show for his money. The bear whipped him out, and his wife came to the rescue with a bowl of sugar, and tolled the bear into the house. When Chips found the bear was in the house he tried to put the collar on him. The bear sprang on the stove, but as it was hot concluded to leave there and jump into the pantry. The crocks, dishes, etc., went all to smash, and after some further damage Chips finally got the bear collared and safe, but has concluded that hunting and capturing bears in pantries is not a profitable business.” 

Interesting…