St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-09-04


to the ground. The bear was nowhere
in sight
Il thought she would surely tear us
in pieces" said Gertie.
Il dess God sent an angel to stop
her mouf. same as He did when Daniel
was cast into the lions den," said Jack.
The children stood up and looked
around. They had fled from tbs ''cut-
down and were now in the forest.
Tall trees were all around them, their
mterlaclng branches almost hiding the
sky. They started in what they sup.
posed was the direction of their grand
pas house, and walked for some time,
but no opening gladdencd their eyes.
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. 1t
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. or course, in the woods the
light faded away sooner than in tho
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 a tent at the
foot of this tree
Il want to go home, and want my
SUPPER sobbed Jack. I'm tired all
over, and I'm hungry!'
1--WE shall have to stay here until
grandpa comes after u.s. said Gertie.
''God can take care of Us here Just al
well as He could IS we were at home.
He saved US from the bear, this after
noon. Let us ask Him to forgive uf
for being naughty, and to keep US safe.
~ till grandpa comes.'
The two children knelt down, and
prayed for Divine protection. A sense
of Presence filling the place came 20
them. Their fears vanished, and they
felt secure. Gertie sat down on Che
ground, with her back against tree.
Jack sat down beside her, and rested
his tear-stained face in her lap. 1t was
dark now. They could see the stars
through the openings in the tree tops.
They looked for little while, and then,
Wearled with the excitement and ia
tigne of the past few hohrs, fell fast
asleep.
How long they slept they knew not,
but they We're awakened by some large
animal shutting 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 revalsion of feeling.
"It's Woveri it's Wover!" exclaimed
Jack.
Soon they heard distant shout and
in a few minutes they could see a light
lodging 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 stars..' 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 lanfernswere
seen coming from ali directions. One
Of the first to arrive was grandpa, who.
n 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
he rascuing party reached Grandpa
Marsh S residence. The house was full
If women. Grandma's eyes looked as
+ she had been weeping. She gave .
glad cry when she saw the children,
md almost smothered them with kisses.
1t was long after midnight when
Jack and Gerhe were put into their
'eds, but, despite the lateness of the
lour, grandpa and grandma did not
etire until they had read. with very
moist eyes, the first nlne verses of the
fifteenth chapter of Luke. Edgar L.
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