Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-24
NO. ia.

garet SAID, 'Malcom, think the bows have
gone away to the furnace-they are smelt-
ing ore to-day,-and, puir wee laddi, you
are over sma' to gang sac tar"
Sister Margaret dropped into dialect
when she petted US, but did not wait to
hear any more. / ran off as fast AZ NV
little feet would carry me down the road
to the wood, which was the short cut to
the furnace. Over the stump fence That
outskirts the wood l scrambled; and took
to the narrow foot-path that led to the
Hollow, where the furnace was. turned
neither to the right nor the left. The lit
tie squirrels ran across my path and
barked and cEattered in vain flowers al.
ways had q charm for me and seldom the
day passed that sisters Margaret and
Kirstan did not receive nosegay Of wild
flowers picked by my hand. But to-day
the wild roses, wood honeysuckle, azalia,
and sweet-briar smiled at me and threw
out their perfume in vain. Twas going to
catch those boys at the furnace, and squir-
rels, pretty, harmless striped snakes that
glded among the bushes, poses, were all
nothing to me. But all of suddens as i
reached the top OF a little rise of!ground
sloping gently down into u small MoOdr
land valley, my heart stood still wiihs .
great shock of terror. and my feet dhst
were SO swift to run were palsied under
me, and for a minute could not move.
There, just below me, right beside the
path, lay a-great alligator" FSss'
Maggie and nestled a little closer to
papa's bosom. wondering ii the alligator
caught him, and he leaned forward and
picked the apples, we'll roasted. from the
fire, gave them to mamma. who sprinkled
powdered sugar plentifully over them,,
while our mouths watered in anticipation
of the treat we should have, smothersd in
cream-but now we'd rather hess the
story. ~ 4 ba sssM118sg lar
20, dear papa, go on" - .et
"Well, my little daughters. there was
the alligator, and there was l stiff with
terror. If my hair ever was straight it
must have been then. The creature was
so big that I.knew it could swallow . lit
tie fellow like me at one gulp. As my
| limbs gained power of motion tried to
| think what was best to do. did not like.
young as was, to run away, for it looked
| cOwardly, and beside. did not know bnt
the monster might run alter me and seize
me in its awful jaws. 1t seemed very
quiet may be it was asleep. wondered
ii could get by it, and instinctively crept
a step or two onward still the great brown
thing. with its long head and tan-colored
jaws, lay still and quiet beneath the green
wood shadows, and crept little further
on praying all the while, Dear Lord
Jesus, keep me safe, and forgive all my
sins, and don't let the alligator catch me-
And still l went softly, but more swiftly,
till was iarly abreast Of the monster.
Then, with an inward cry of "God save
me ~ took to my heels and ran for dear
life."
"Papa, didn't the alligator catch you ?"
sNO. dears; the alligator was only
great log of rotten wood. But fornd the
boys at the furnace and had good time
and told my little story to sister Marga-
ret when she helped me undress for bed.
And sister put her hand on my head and
kissed me and said: 80 God keep my lit
tie lad from all evil, real or fancied,
through all his life." And SO pray Him
to keep my little daughters. Come. now,
we'll have our supper, and then, after
prayers, it will be time for you bairnies 10
be in bed. ."-NeaD York Observer.