Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-08-17

There IL ) lighthouse built upon rocky
inlet. jutting ont into the stormy Irish Sea,
surrounded by dangerous reefs where a
great many vessels have been wrecked.
tits Joined TO the mainland by small
suspension-bridge. and can only be reached
by staircase of some three hundred rude
steps winding down the face Of the cliffs,
the rocky lodges in one place little better
than ladder. while on both sides the
precipices rise five hundred feet sheer out
Of the sea. Upon, this island live the light
house-keeper. his wife, and donkey. and
up and down this path these three pass
every week To get their provisions at the
nearest little town some three or four
miles away. At the top Of the rock Is a
shed wher. small cart Is kept to which
they harness the dopkey.-make their ex-
pedition.-and return along the craggy.
steep mountain road behind the pronon-
tory. When the party reach the top OF
the steps, the cart is put again into the
shed. the goods are bound on the donkey )
back, who now steps with his load care
fully down the stairs and then up again
into the island, carrying everything safe
~ into his home.
Things had thus gone on very prosper
ously for some time. though living WAS
rather scanty for the donkey, a. the Is
land produces little but sea-birds. which
lay their eggs on the lodges of rock all
round, which are so narrow that If hui
man hand attempts to lit an egg. it Is i'm
possible to replace the round and slippery
thing, and il rolls into the sea. Yet here,
on q margin Of two inches or so, the
Guillemots may be seen sitting each on
her long, blush egg, their little white
stomach bolt upright, in rows close to-
gether. but apparently quite comfortable
The gulls and razorbills take il easier.
and squat less stify over the two egg
which they lay. The clamor Of the clouds
Of birds all talking at once Is deatenlDg.
The colony Is most regular in its habits
Il appears on the island always on the
same day in Febr1ary-having previous
" sent few select birds about fort
night before. 10 see that the rock is still in
its right place-that their seaside lodg-
ings, food, etc, are all in readiness. Al
ter their young ones are fledged. the
birds all leave the cliffs on the same day
in August, and their children are not al
lowed 10 return 10 the community. it is
said. until they are two years old.
The birds are preserved with almost
religious generation in fog. when the
light Is invisible. and the bell, which is
supposed to sound distance of two miles.
Is unheard in the thick air. the noise OF
the birds gives warning of the dangerous
coast at hand.
Nothing could exceed the peace and
harmony of the island. The guls and
the donkey did not in any way interfere
Al l.. hrt II. IN,
the society of the summer. and in the soil
tude OF the winter; when, in an evil mo-
ment, the lighthouse-keeper took it into
his head to buy apony. which was brought
down the steps ouly with great deal OF
trouble.
The donkey was hurt as to his feelings
as well as in his stomach. Clearly there
was not room or living for two; the
blades Of grass were already so scanty
that he had to exc out his dinner with po-
tato parings. etc.-indeed, he ate every
thing the pigs would have eaten. if there
had been any.
"What right" thought he, has the
pony to come here and take.the bread out
Of my mouth | won't allow it." So he
plagued and tormented the poor pony as
much rs he could Still the lighthouse
keeper would not send him away. and Mr..
Donkey began to see that II he wanted
the old comfort back again. he must take
the matter into his own hands.
So one day he suddenly crept up close
TO the pony's side. seized him with his
teeth BY the scuff OF the neck. dragged
him to the edge OF the rocks. turned round
and kicked him nearer and nearer to the
precipice. and at last fairly pushed him
into the breakers below. 1t was all too
quickly done for rescue the lighthouse
man from the top Of the tower. helpless
to interfere. saw the poor pony. still alive.
floating out to sea over the reefs. the gulls
lowering above him ready to fall on him
and banquet upon his remains
An attempt was next made to bring in a
she goat; but the donkey did not like this
move any better, and took every opportu-
nifty to show his dislike He made several
attempts 10 kick the poor goat over the
prccipice. and the lighthouse keeper final
~ gave up and sent the goat away, after
which the donkey appeared quiet and con-