Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-10-23
Miscellaneous.
1.-THE PELICAN"

1.-THE PELICAN"
Mr.. Andrew Leighton, in his 4" Romanoes
Of the Old Town Of Edinburgh" tells story
Of little girl who was in great distress be.
cause her sister was Ill, and who had heard
her father say that the " Pelican" had insured
her life whereupon she hurried up to toe in
surance office, which she knew by lite sign
board, to tell the pelican how much his' help
was needed. She found her way into the flee
asking the porter As well A. Gle where the
pelican was to be found questions that pro
duced smile but smile here OF smile there.
Annie was not 10 be beat, nor did she stop in
her progress until at last she was shown into
the room where she saw pefched on high
stool, with three OF coursel long legs,
trange-looking parsonage with curltd wig
and pair Of green sTectscles, who no doubt
must be the pelican himself. As she appear
ed in the room, with the umbrella, not much
shorter OF less in circumference than herself,
the gentleman looked curiously at her, won.
dering no doubt what the GRAND ofso strange
little customer could be. "Well, my little
lady" said be- "what may be your pleasurtf'
81 want the pelican" sald Annie. The gentle
man was stil more astonished, even TO the
extent that be lad down his pen and looked
at her again. "The pelican, dear = "Ay just
the pelican" answered she, deliberately, and
somewhat Indignantly. "Are you the pelcani'
"Why, yes, dear; all that lie for it below the
figure" said be, smiling and wondering wi at
the next question would be. IL am so glad
have found YOU" said che ); " because sister
Mary is dying" "And who is sister Mary"
any sister, Mary Maconie, at Juniper Green"
Wheieupon the gentleman began to remember
that the name Of William Msconie was in Bis
books as holder ofa policy. "And what moieE
my father says the pelican insured Mays
life and want you to come direct and do it
because could not live if Mary were to die
And there's no time to be lost" "Oh see,
deer and who sent you - IN body ans YER
ed Annie. "My father wouldn't come to you,
and have ocme from Juniper Green myself
without telling my father or mo her." "Oh,
yes, dear | undtTstsnd you" But you must
do il quick" continued she, "because the doc
tor says she is in great dang r so you must
come with me, and save her Immediately"
al am sorry my dear little lady, sjoined he,
"tbat cannot 60 with you but ! will set a.
bout it mme diately. and have no doubt, be-
ing able to 60 faster than you. that will get
there before YOU, so that oil will be iignt be-
fore GU arrive" 'See that you do it. then,
said she, because cant live if May dies
hIe you Qulit tuIt GU u 40 II! EeflecllN
sure, my little dear" added he; $50 away
home, and all will be right The pelican will
do his duty" And Annie, being thus salts
fed, went away, dragging he main sheet after
her, having upon her face look Of content
ment. if not absolute happiness, 10 place q the
sorrow which occupied 1t during all the time
Of her toilsome journey. The same road has
to be rslraced and fshe tai an object before
81 81 4.
the delightful consciousness Of that object
hsving been Greeted feeling of ins piIation
which enabled her, hungry as she was, to
overcome all the toll Of the return. Another
two hours with that heavy umbrella over head |.
as well as body, brought her at length home,
where she found that people had been sent out
in various directions TO find the missing
Annie. The mother was in tears and the |
father in great anxiety aud no sooner had she
entered and laid down her burden, than she
was clssped to the boron fret Of one parent
and then Of the other. "But where is the
pelican p said the anxious little maid The
pelican? my darling" cried the mother; "what
do you mean :" "Ob! have been to him at
his flee at Edinburgh, to get him TO come and
save Mays life, and he said he would be here
before me" "And what in the world put it
into your head to go there p again asked the
mother. "Becsuse | heard my father say
yesterday that the pelican lad insured dear
Mary's life, and went to tell him to come and
do it Immediately; because if Mary were to
die, l couldn't live, you know-that's the
reason, dear mother" Eyes, yes" said the
father, scarcely able to repress smile which
rose in spite Of his grief. see it all /; you
did very right thing, my love. The pelican
has been here, and Mary ia better" "Oh Il |
am so glad" rejoined Annie" fer wasn't
sure whether he had come or not because,
thought looked for him on the road could |
mt see him. At the same moment the doctor
came in, with bliihe face. "MaIy is safe
now" ssid he. There mas been a crisis. af-
ter all. The sweat has broken out upon her
dry skin, and she will be well in very short
time" sand there's no thanks to you, said
Annie, " because it was who went-for the
pelican" Whereupon the doctor looked to
the father, who taking him aside, narrated to
him the story, at whicS the doctor was so
pleased that he. laughed right out. you're
the noblest little heroine ever heard Of"
said he. "But have you had anything to eat
dear, in this long journey :" said the mother.
"No, didn't want" was the answer "all
wanted was to save Mary's life, and am glad
] have done it," OF course the pelican was
second doctor cent from the insurance flee to
see what could be done for the preservation Of
n life in which il was so interested