The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-07-10

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precious ice on the camel-mother's back,
had long been consumed. What was to
be their fate?
just then a groan was heard in the
rear, the voice of a driver in anger,
then a moan less loud and one more
feeble and the angry voice of the
driver again. He had picked up a par
eel of silken shawls, cast away by a
merchant to ease his animals load, and
the driver had put them on his own
camel, intending to appropriate them,
and the overburdened animal had sunk
under the weight.
"It is a punishment for avarice ?"
said the old camel to the little one ;
"fe has learned his lesson too late"
The driver took the burden off the
poor camel /; he coaxed it, he whipped
it, in vain ; it did notrise. With MOURN
full eyes it watched the caravan, that
slowly moved on /; sadly stretched itself
in the sand as if it knew its fate. The
avaricious driver had to sacrifice the
merchandise and camel unless he would
share the fate of his beast of burden.
"Mother, look at those angry-looking
birds flying around us !" cried the terri
fed little camel.
"They are sent as a warning to keep
steadily together and not to flag. We
are the first, and must keep up, not
give in"
"Why do we not reach any water ?"
asked the weary little camel again.
At that moment a glorious vision pre-
scented itself to the weary aravan In
the distance a sea showed itself, then
arose walls with flowing flags, peaceful
huts and sunny gardens.
ooh mother, let us husten there"
cried the little camel.
beware, little one !" said the old
camel /; sit is a wicked illusion, more
cruel than the birds of pray that hovel
around us to devour us /; if we were to
follow it, it would lead us farther into
the hot desert. More dangerous are
the pleasures that would lead US to de-
struction than the open dangers that
beset our path. What you see is q
mirage"
The little camel did not understand,
but triedto keep up bravely by its moth
er's side.
The caravan was dragging YEARLY
along /; sometimes in despair a cheering
word arose from one of the drivers to
the patient animals upon whose strength
the fate of the whole aravan~ depended.
Even the lions voice would have beto-
kened the nearness of vegetation.
Listlessly the guidance was left to
the camels, whose instinct was q sure
guide.
Alas the old camel-mother looked
very anxiously at the hot sands stretch
ing before them, and then at her little
one. Was it instinct or mothers love
that make her keep on, and not lose
hope?"
The sun was sinking and the shadows
falling over the yellow sand when the
camel-mother stretched her neck high
into the air, shifted and cried. With a
wild effort, as if she would burst her
bonds she rushed forward. A cry Of
Joy broke from the caravan, for they
knew the unerringinstinct of the camel,
that a perceive water at a few hours
distance. All eyes looked bright, all
limbs were full of life. 1t might be a
few hours, but yet they would reach it
sometime and o n theypushed, forgetful
of all.
At length a well-known sight offered
itself to their eyes. A few palm-trees
arose in the distance, and between the
grass bubbled the fountain. The poor
tired ones drank and rested, the little
one by the mothers side. The camels
were unburdened, and the next morning
they started again refreshed. In a few
days they reached their journeys end,
bearing with them costly merchandise
destined for European markets. Chill
dren's Hour.
The Two Gardens.
nEsxlo. l-o - oloo1 ~