Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-04-24
TWILIGHT STORIES.

When twilight came, we children loved
to curl up on the rug before the cheerful
FIRE and watch the glowing Goals taking
fanciful shapes in our Imagination, or
listen to grandma's stories Of the adven-
lures that happened to her grandfather
and grandmother We would listen
with widc-open eyes and abated breath
to their narrow escapes from Indians or
wild animals then when they were fin
ished, and we had said goodnight and !
were tucked up in our warm little beds,
we soon fell asleep. But our busy brains
would reproduce the exciting stories,
and We we're captured by Indians, or
pursued by wolves. So frightened we're
We sometimes, that We would cry out,
but mama, always waking at the first
cry Of her darlings, would sOOthe our
fears; her gentle touch and quoting
tone telling us we were safe at home,
was the only assurance needed.
l will tell the children one story which
interested and excited me very much.
1t was about my great great grandmOth-
er, and | will call it, "Grandmother's
Bravery"
A great many years ago there lived
in one Of the small settlements in Maine,
q man, wife, and young girl called
Prudence. Their nearest neighbOr was
over half mile away, and the noble
forest stretched for miles around. They
inhabited a comfortable log cabin, and
adjoining it was smaller one contain
ing fat pig, part of which was to form
their Christmas feast.
Piggy was carefully fed and watched
to see that nothing injured him. The
pen was fastened securely every night
and the mans first care in the morning
was to see that piggy was safe.
One clear frosty morning in the frs
Of December, the man shouldered hi
axe and started into the forest to work
The mistress and maiden performed thei
simple household tasks, and then betoO
themselves to their daily occupation.
The one in her short, full, woole
dress and long apron, was quietly kni
ting. Her attire was not handsom
perhaps, but certainly durable. Stror
bOmespun cloth. the work Of her oV
hands her snowy kerchief and cap Co
trasting well with her dark dress Pr
dence clad in homespun similar to h
mistress, was spinning, and as S
whirled the wheel around she sa
gaily.
Suddenly their peace was disturb
by terrific squeals from the pig-pen.
stantly knitting and spinning were 81
pended, and they ran to the pen to
certain the cause of piggy's distress.
Imagine their surprise and horr
when they saw huge black bear in
pen What were they to do? BrI
came towards them and warned them
retreat. Although frightened, the
lady retained her presence of mind.
told Prudence to take hold of the 81
Of her dress and draw her slowly iowa
the house, while she would face the b
Raising her long, full apron she wa
it slowly up and down at the bear.
He followed them swapping his te
and growing savagely. Reaching
door at last, Prudence quickly drew
mistress in and securely fastened
The poor woman tainted; but as soor
the door was fastened Prudence rem
bered that the pig was still unprOtec
So she took gun. rested it in CT
in the logs and fred. 1t was ran,
shot, but it had the desired effect,
Bruin was completely frightened, an,
trotted of for the woods in haste.
When they finally ventured forth,
found the pig unhurt, and the dan
done TO the pen was soon repai
They watched the pen closer than
after that, and their Christmas di
was roast pork and potatOes.-Port
Transcript.