The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-02-21
Ghildren's Column.
Jack the Giant-Killer.
BY MRS. MARY D. R. BOYD.

BY MRS. MARY D. R. BOYD.
Jack"
Yes'm."
" Jack, want you to go over to Mrs.
Carriers before schooltime, and bring me
a quart OF milk and dozen of eggs"
"Yes'm."
But ten minutes passed away, then a
quarter of an hour, and Jack still lay
face downward en- the grass under the
great maple tree, his heels in the air, and
his head propped up by his elbows, while
his eyes, fairly devoured the contents of
a small book placed on the ground before
him.
" Jack Hilton, what do you mean p
cried his mother, making her appearance
at the kitchen door with tin pail in one
hand and basket in the other; " here
am | waiting for the milk and eggs to
make pudding for dinner, and there
you lie reading, as if you had all the day
before you. 1t never can be your les
sons that absorb you so deeply 70
ooh, apudding for dinner p exclaimed
Jack. springing up briskly, and crowd
ing the book into his jacket-pocket; I'll
go IN minute, mother-I'm very fond
of pudding"
Just like you, Jack, said his brother
Tom, laughing, as he came from the wood
shed, where he had been splitting logs for
his mothers fire only mention some
thing good to eat, and you're all on the
jump"
Then he added, teasingly:
| can tell you, mother. what he is
reading"
Dexterously twitching the small paper.
covered volume out of Jacks pocket, he
held it up, with all its coarse, gaudy
pictures exposed to view, and read aloud
the title:
JACK, THE GIANT-KILLER."
1t was fearful to see the change that
came over Jacks face at this sudden at.
tack on what he considered his peculiar
property. He was very pretty little
boy, with mild blue eyes that were in
general rather sleepy-looking than other
wise, for he was great dreamer, and
delighted in stories about giants, fairies,
and other imaginable and impossible be-
ings. But they fairly blazed with fury
now, as he clenched his small fists and
sprang at Tom like wildcat.
Still laughing immoderately, his big
brother contented himself with holding
Jacks little arms in his powerful grasp
until the child, after vainly attempting
to bite the hands that imprisoned him
broke into a food of passionate tears
gradually calming down into pitiful sobs
as he sat on the floor after Tom had re-
leased him, which he very speedily did.
Let him alone, mother, he'll come to
his senses by and by" said Tom, who
looked, after all, not little ashamed o.
himself.
Then he added in a lower voice
What little spitfre he is, to be
surel'
I'm afraid, boys, you don't either Of
you know much about fighting with
giants, remarked their mother, gravely.
What do you mean, mother There
are no real giants here, are there ?" asked
Tom, wonderingly, while Jack stopped
his sobbing to listen.
" There are many giants for US all to
fight, my son, and they have various
names. One of Jacks foes is a violent
temper, which must be conquered or it
will lead him into many troubles. You
are blessed with good, easy disposition,
Tom, but you are
A great tease. l know it, mother
and | confess it was very wrong and
unmanly in me to plague poor Jack so.
l humbly beg his and your pardon.
Come, Jack, shake hands, and let us be
friends again. won't vou2"
For reply the little boy reached up
his arms, as Tom stopped over him, and,
clasping them tightly around his neck,
was lifted in a strong embrace, and had
his cry out on his shoulder.
Z" That is right, my dear boys" said
their mother looking on approvingly.
" l think you are beginning to fight the
giant now. But all this time the hands
OF the clock have not been standing still,
and Jack has only few minutes left to
wash his tear-stained face, brush his hair,
and be off to school I'm afraid we'll
have to do without the pudding to-day"
"Oh, oh" began Jack again in a
piteous tone.
No, we won't, either" cried Tom,
selling the pail and basket from the table,
" let Jack get ready for school as fast as
he can, and III go for the milk and eggs.
If I'm late at the store, I'll have to own
up to its being caused by my own fool
ishness. and that will bring down Giant
Pride, I'm thinking"
So Tom was off in what he called /" q
jiffy," before Jack could fairly realize
that his brother was actually going on