Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-09-06
MY ST. GEORGE.

Its ten years ago to-day since George
May and went to Captain Kidd's
Gave after sea-urchins. George was
a neighbours child with whom I had
played all my short life, and whom I
loved almost as dearly as my own broth
ers. Such brave, bright face he had,
framed by sunny hair where the sum-
mers had dropped gold dust as they
passed him by. I can see him now as
he stood that day on the firm sand of the
beach, with his brown eyes glowing and
his plump hand brandishing a wooden
sword which he himself had made, and
painted with gorgeous figures of red and
yellow.
"You see, Allie" he was saying.
"his name was Saint George, and he
was knight. And SO there was great
dragon with fiery crest. And SO he
went at him, and killed him and he
married the princess, and they lived
happy ever after. I'd have killed him,
too, if I'd been there I"
"Could you kill dragon ?" I asked.
rather timidly.
'Course | could !" replied the young
champion. "Id have a splendid white
horse-no, black one-and a sword
like Jack the Giant Killers, and-and
Oh, and an invisible ringl I'd use
him up pretty quick. Then I'd cut off
his head and give it to the princess, and
we'd have feast of jelly-cake, and
cream candy, and then I would marry
her !'
could only gasp admiringly at this
splendid vision.
But mamma said, went on George,
more thoughtfully, 'that there are drag
Ons now; and that she would like me to
be Saint George. She's going to tell
some more tonight, but there's getting
angry, that's dragon, and wanting to,
be head of everything, that's another,
and she and me are going to fight 'em.
We said So"
"But how ?" 1 asked, with wide open
eyes. 81 don't see any dragon when
I'm angry p
"Oh, you're a GIRL" said Georgie.
consolingly; and we ran on contentedly,
wading across the shallow pools OF salt
water, clambering over the rocks, and
now and then stopping topick up bright
pebble or shell. The whole scene
comes vividly before me as I think of
it now-the gray and brown cliffs, with
their sharp crags and narrow clefts half
choked up by the fine, shifting sand,
the wet 'snappers" clinging to the rocks
along the waters edge: the sea itself
clear and blue in the bright afternoon,
and the dancing lights where the sun
beams struck its ripping surface. A
light wind blew across the bay. II stir
red in Georges curls, and swept about
us both as if playing with us. We grew
happier and happier, and when at last
we saw captain Kidd's Gave" Just be-
fore us, we were in the widest spirits.
and almost sorry that our walk was
ended.
There was plenty to be seen in the
cave, however, beside the excitement of
searching for the pirates treasures,
which the country people said were bu.
ried there. The high rocks met, form
ing wide, arched cavern with little
crevice in the roof, through which we
could just see the clear sky. The firm
floor was full of smaller stones, which
we used for seats, and one high crae
almost hid the entrance. It was delici.
ous to creep through the low doorway.
and to sit in the cool twilight that
reigned there, listening to the song OF
the winds and waters outside. or to
Chamber up and down the steep sides oi
the cave, playing that we were casta.
ways on desert island. We played
also, that I was q captive princess, aud
George killed % IRE Of dragons II