St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-10-02
VOL. XII.-NO. 40.

Then they took another course, but
with no better results. Finally, they
came to the conclusion that they were
lost.
1t was growing dark in the woods.
The thick growth shut out the light Is
was late in the afternoon when they
left home, and they must now have
been away three hours. The sun had
set, and twilight was falling upon the
land. Of course, in the woods the
light faded away sooner than in the
clearings. Jack began to cry. Gertie
was badly frightened, but she felt the
necessity of keeping up her brothers
spirits.
Lets play camping out" she said.
Here is nice place for tent at the
foot of this tree"
Il want to 60 home, and want my
supper" sobbed Jack. I'm tired all
over. and I'm hungry!'
I'VE shall have to stay here until
grandpa comes after u.s." said Gertie.
''God can take care of US here just as
well as He could if we were at home.
He saved us from the bear, this after
noon. Let us ask Him to forgive us
for being naughty. and to keep US safe
ly till grandpa comes"
The two children knelt down, and
prayed for Divine protection. A sense
of Presence filing the place came to
them. Their fears vanished, and they
felt secure. Gertie sat down on tho
ground, with her back against q tree
Jack sat down beside her. and rested
his tcar-stained face in her lap. Itwas
dark now. They could see the stars
through the openings in the tree tops.
They looked for little while. and then.
wearied with the excitement and fa-
tigue of the past few hours. fell fast
asleep.
How long they slept they knew not,
but they were awakened by some large
animal snuffing about their faces. Jack
threw out his hands, and they came in
contact with the animals coarse, thick
hair. He saw two eyes cleaning like
balls of fire in the darkness. Both
children were paralyzed with terror
They supposed that the bear had
found them. Suddenly their nocturnal
visitor began to bark furiously. There
came great revulsion of feeling.
"It's Wover! it's Wover" exclaimed
Jack.
Soon they heard distant shout. and
in few minutes they could see a light
dodging in and out among the trees.
1t came nearer, and they could see that
it was lantern, and that it was borne
by Reuel. grandpa's hired man. A
dinner horn was tied to his waist
.'Bless my starsr' said Reuel, ''here
are the folks we're after"
Reuel put the horn to his mouth and
gave three loud blasts. A moment
later, there came answers from all
around them. Reuel repeated the sig
nal, and soon forms with lanterns were
seen coming from all directions. One
of the first to arrive was grandpa, who.
in spite of the remonstrances of the
Others, insisted upon taking Jack on
his shoulder and starting for the house.
Reuel caught up Gertie in his strong
arms and followed. An hour later
the rescuing party reached Grandpa
Marsh's residence. The house was full
of women. Grandma's eyes looked as
if she had been weeping. She gave .
glad cry when she saw the children.
and almost smothered them with kisses.
1t was long after midnight when
Jack and Gertie were put into their
beds, but. despite the lateness of the
hour, grandpa and grandma did not
retire until they had read, with very
moist eyes. the first nine verses of the
fifteenth chapter of Luke.-Edgar L.
Warren, in Congregdtiondiist.