The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-02-25

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the gorge"
"He wouldntgo to the gorge, Hannah
"He would go anywhere" She kne
not why. but presentment that the be
had followed the course Of the strsan
dwelt strong on her mind.
~ can't find him, Hannah" said Ii
husband, as he rejoined her at the moul
of the gorge. ''f '' =.
An eagle flew past the mother as sh
entered the raviue. She thought to he,
self, the dreadful birds are tearing m
child to pieces; and frantic, she hastene
on making the walls of tho cavern ech
back with the scream for her offspring.-
Her only answer was the eternal thunde
OF the cataract, as if in mockery of wo.
and ainging its cold spray upon her he
and throbbing temples. "Fool that am
how can he hear me!' She strained no
eyes along the dizzy height that peer.,
through the mist till she could no longe
see, and her eyes filled with tears.
Who but mother can tell the feelins
Of mothers heart? Fear comes thicl
and fast upon the reeling brain Of Hannah
l"Oh, my boy-my brave boy will die
and wrngng her hands in agony, she
sank to her husbands feet.
The pain of'hope deferred, had strain.
Cd her heart-strings to the ssverest tension,
and seemed as if the rude hand of dcspa air
had broken them all.
The terrified husband threw water upon
her pale face. and strove by all the arts he
knew to win her back to life AT last she
opened her eyes, stared wildly around and
rose trembling to her feet. As she stood
like a heart-broken Niobe, "all tears a
fragment Of rock came tumbling down the
opposite bank. She looked up. She was
herself again, for half up the ascent stood
her own dear boy.
Bit even when the glad cry was issuing
from her it turned into note of horror
"Oh, neroy-mercy!''
Ihe crag on which the boy stood pro.
Jected from the solid rock in such way
as to hang about twelve feet over the bank.
Right below one OF the edges of this crag,
partly concealed among some bushes
crouched a panther. e
lhe bold youth was aware of the prox.
unity Of his parents. and the presence of
MS dangerous enemy, at about the same
lime. He had rolled down the stone in
to convince his parents of the
high station he had attained, and he now
stood with another in his hand drawing it
pack and looking at them, as il to ask
whether he should throw it at the terrible
'nimal before him. Till then, the mother
eemod immoveable in her suspense. but
of the danger of her son, if he
rrltated the beast, she rushed some dis.
ance up the rock, and motioned with her
Sad and hand that he should not throw.
let, with the fearless mind of childhood.
nd temper little used to control, he fear
essly threw the fragment with all his might
t the lerocious savage. 1t struck one of
is feet. He gave sudden growl, lashed
is tail with fury. and seemed about to
pring.
Sect your rifle. Josah!'' The poor
ian stirred not. His glazed eye was fixed
nth look of death upon the panther, and
e appeared paralyzed with fear. His
life leaped from her stand, and placed
er hands upon her husbands shoulders,
'oked in his face and cried. "Are you
IAN. Josiah Eaton! Do you love your
mld' He started as if from sleep, and ,
IN with furious haste from the ravine. {
l.
Again the mother looked towards her
IN. He had fallen to his knees, and was
the little prayer she had taught
IN, not in cowardly fear, but an indefinite
ought came across his mind that he must
e. The, panther was upon his feet. He
ooped to'sprng The distracted mother
'uld keep still no longer. She rushed I'D
steep ascent with the energy of despair,
cklsss Of danger, thinking only Of her 9
m. The rocks crumbled and slipped r
meath her feet, yet she fell not. On, on c
e struggled in her agony. I
The ferocious creature paused for a mo.
ent when he heard the wretched mothers !
'proach. True to his nature, he sprang !.
the boy He barely touched the crag,
ID fell backward as Hannah ascendsd :
9 opposite side. '2tii'o
"Ah." said she, laughing deliriously, !,
no panther must try it again before he y
rts US. my boy; but we won't part" and
liking on her knees Before him, she fond. q
folded him to her breast, bathing hi, =
ung forehead with her tears. y
Unalterabls in his ferocity, and the man. @
r OF gratifying it, the panther again |.
rang from his situation. This time he d
IS more successful. His fore foot struck ii
edge OF the crag. "He will kill us, b
'ther. he will kill us!" and the boy mes.
d close to his mothers bosom. The ii
imal struggled to bring his body to the n
ag--hls savage features but step from a,
mothers face. go away. go awayl'' liz
rieked the mother, hoarse with horror, 81
ou shan't have my chld!" Closer D,
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