The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-07-29
One Vulnerable Point.


tie girl stepped hastily away from the
safe, before which she was standing, and
was gazing ntently out of the window.
The door was opened and her mother
entered. --fa .,.-o. eas ln ls5
ssHave you been into the sugar-bowl
again, Hattie?" she asked.
"No, ma'am,' replied the child, inno-
GENTLY. But the chubby little face,
framed in the clustering ringlets of sun
ny gold, was turned away, for the big
blue eyes dared not meet mothers, while
the little sugar begrimed fingers were
working .nervously under her apron
folds. -.
"That's right, DEAR" said the mother,
"always do as I bid you. Not that I
care for a little sugar, but that Tn
afraid SO much will make our little girl
sick" :5.
And the mother shut the door and re-
turned to her work again.
CHOW, Hattie Now, Hattie what
have you done? Amt you ashamed of
yourself A lie to mother I For shame
now! r.s.l >..#.
A still, small whisper in her breast; a
something restless, stinging and refus-
ing to become quiet. .a
"Oh, pshaw p murmured Hattie,
turning away from the window uneasily;
"what does it matter? Only just q lit
tie 'fb,' so-and mother would have
scolded so hard, and I took so little,
too, and couldn't just help it and, be-
Sides" she thought, Tightening up lit
tie, II WASH tin the sugar-bowl no way,
for there was some in o paper"
But the rebelious little sprite in her
breast was not to be cheated that way.
All that afternoon, wherever she went,
CHOW, Hattie, for shame p kept whis-
pering and stinging deep in her heart.
1t wouldn't be left behind. and poor
mamma got no kiss from those rosy lips
as she had been used to, for her little
girl was afraid to approach her, that lit
tie something did whisper so loud. She
tried to play, but it didn't seem like play
any more, and dolly, always 50 pretty
before, was just hateful now. So she
kept her room the rest of the afternoon.
Night came at last, and gladly did Hat
tie welcome it, and soon a curly little
head was laid upon the pillow, and the
bright blue eyes were closed in sleep !
She had not slept long before a noise
awakened her, and, listening closely,
she heard confused whispering in the
room about her. With futtering
heart she peeped cautiously out from
under the coverlid. Her window was
open, and, to her dismay, she saw, re.
vealed by the bright moonlight shining
through it, troop of hideous Little
gnomes gathered around her bed.
Black, loathsome-looking creatures,
with great, long noses, fang-like teeth
and little fiery eyes. With a shudder of
terror she quickly buried her head be-
meath the cover, trembling with fright.
But they had seen her, and, with a
hooking laugh, they sprang forward
and seized her. She would have cried
out for help, but she could not her
tongue seemed glued to the roof of her
mouth. Giving her to some others who
were awaiting outside of the window,
the gnomes flew away with her on the
wings Of the wind.
On, on, over forests and plains and
streams, far away from her home, they
bore her, never stopping in their mad
flight. At last they came to a cold,
Bleak region, where there were no trees,
nor flowers, nor green grass where the
sun was always hid in thick black
clouds, and where nothing but heavy
rocks and wastes Of sand stretched fa1
as the eye could see. Away in the Gen.
ter Of this desert was high throne, and
on it sat the King Of all the gnomes.
Around him were millions Of dark, cruel
little gnomes, all armed with savage
darts and cruel bows. Near the throne
was bare pinnacle Of rock, covered
with blood and tears, and lying around
it's base were scores Of men, women and
children, all pierced, bleeding, dying
and dead, who, taken prisoners by the
gnomes, had been bound to this rock,
and put to death for the amusement OF
their heartless captors.
Poor Hattie! All alone, far from
human help and at the mercy of these
heartless creatures .u
At sight of her all the gnomes set ur
q cry of savage JOY, and crowded about
the trembling child, thirsting for he,
blood. Fastening her upon that bloody
rock, they awaited impatiently their
King to pronounce the sentence OF
death upon her. With breaking heart
Hattie begged him most piteously to
spare her, but in vain; all mortals who
fellinto his hands must die, and he ordered
his gnomes to prepare. Instantly gath
ering in frowning ranks about her, with
drawn bows and poised darts, the saw
age creatures awaited impatiently his
order to fire.
The command was just upon his lips,
when being of dazzling brightness
sprung up in their midst. She was ar
rayed in robe of spotless white, her
countenance beamed with celestial love
iness, while upon her brows rested q
halo Of heavenly purity.
At sight of her the gnomes uttered a
wild shrek of hatred, and showered
clouds of darts upon her, but they
bounded back from her robes harmlessly
as pebbles. Smiling at their baf1ed
rage, she approached Hattie, and, Law.
ing her hand kindly upon her head,
4 bent fondly over her. 552 Q itf.g
a BE not afraid, my Child she whis.
pered, !" though I have not the power. to
rescue you from these cruel creatures,
I haveiput it beyond their power to in.
lure you. My, name isi Innocence, and
/ have put my armor upon you which
no dart, however sharp and swift, Ican
pierce. Bear up bravely, for, unless
under my armor you cherish some secre,