The National tribune., 1880-08-01
One Vulnerable Point.

door opened and her mother entered.
"Have you been into the sugarbowl again. Hattie ?'
she asked
mo- ma am, replied the child innocently But the
chubby little face, framed in the clustering little ringets
of sunny gold, turned away, for the big blue eyes
dared not meet mothers while the little sugar-begrmmed
fingers working nervously under her apron folds
That's right dear, said the mother, always do
bid you Not that care for little sugar but that Pm
afraid so much will make our little girl sick"
And the mother shut the door and returned her work
sNow, Hattie! Now Hattie! what have you done? /?
Amt you ashamed of yourself? lie to mother For
shame now"
still, small whisper in her breast something rest
less stinging and refusing to become quiet.
"Oh, pshawp y murmured Hattie turning away from
the window uneasly 'what does it matter? Only just
little fb so-and mother would have scolded so hard
and took SO little too and couldn't just help it and
besides, she thought tightening up little, 81 wasn't
in the sugarbow no way, for there in the pa
per.
But the rebeous little spirit in her breast was not to
be cheated that way All that afternoon wherever she
went, 'now, Hattie, for shame ~ kept whispering and
singing deep in her heart 1t wouldn't be left behind
and poor mamma got kiss from those rosy lips which
she had been used TO- for her little girl afraid to ap
proach her, that little something did whisper loud
She tried TO play, but it ddn like play any more
and dolly always pretty before, Just hateful
So she kept her room the rest of the afternoon Night
at last and gladly did Hattie welcome it, and
curly little head laid upon the pillow and the bright
blue eyes closed in sleep.
She had not slept long before noise awakened her.
and listening closely, she heard confused whispering
the room about her With uttering heart she peeped
cautiously out from under the coverid Her window
open and to her dsmay, she saw by bright
moonlight shining through it, troop of hdeous little
gnomes gathered around her bed Black oathsome look
ing creatures with great long noses fangke teeth and
fiery eyes, With shudder of terror she quickly buried
Der head beneath the cover trembling with fright But
they had seen her, and, with mocking laugh they
sprng forward and seized her. She would have cried out
for help but she could not her tongue seemed glued
the roof of her mouth Giving her some others who
were awaiting outside of the window the gnomes flew
away with her GU the wings of the wind.
On, forests and plains and streams far away
THAR
flight At last they TO cold, bleak region where
there trees, nor flowers green grass where
the always hid in thick black Clouds and where
nothing but heavy rocks and of sand stretched
as the eye could Away in the of this desert
high throne and it sat the King of all the
gnomes Around him millions of dark cruel little
gnomes all armed with savage darts and cruel bows.
Near the throne bare pinnacle of rock covered with
blood and tears and lying around its base
men, and children all pierced, bleeding dying and
dead, who taken prisoners by the gnomes had been
bound this rock and put to death for the
their heartess captors.
Poor Hattie All alone far from human help and at
the mercy of these heartless captors.
At sight of her. all the gnomes up cry savage oy
and crowded about the trembling child thirsng for her
blood. Fastening her upon that bloody rock they
of death upon her. With breaking heart Hattie begged
him pteousy to spare her. but in vain all mortals
who fell into his hands must die, and he ordered his
gnomes prepare. Instantly gathering in frowning
ranks about her. with drawn bows and poised darts the
savage creatures awaited mpatiently his order fire.
4 The command Just upon his lips when a being of
arrayed in robe of spotless white, her countenance
beamed with celestial loveness while upon her brows
rested halo of heavenly purity.
sBe not afraid, my child, she whispered though
have not the power to you from these cruel
creatures have put it beyond their power hurtyou.
My is Innocence, and / have put my upon
you which dart however sharp and swift can pierce
Bear up bravey for unless under my you cherish
secret sin, you invulnerabe.' Saying which
she vanished
'Unless under my you cherish sin ~
Oh, that little ''fbn now!
No had vanished he little
gnomes frenzied with bafled vengeance turned again
upon Hattie and at the command of their King
cloud of darts poisoned with malice hatred envy false
hood and deceit full at her heart with all their might
But to their chagrn, not of them pierced her. all
falling to her feet harmessly feathers. Baled,
ragged their defeat the gnomes showered another vol
ley of darts upon her. but they struck her only rebound
upon her would be sayers with destructive force Again
and again did they endeayor TO find weak place in her
armor without At last of the gnomes in
appearance different from all the rest stepped forward
and pointed poor Hattief lips and tongue The King
nlaet "a iartS -