St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-10-09
THE GOGGLES FAMILY.
The Three Youngsters See the World,
and Are Satisfied.


and Are Satisfied.
There were five of them. Mr.. and
Mrs. Goggles, and their three children,
! whom had known from tadpoles.
They were quite respectable-looking
frogs now, and, like most young folks.
seemed to think they knew as much as
or more than their parents; and often.
on clear, moonlight nights, have over
heard Mr.. Goggles talking to his young
sters, and striving to impress on their
youthful minds some wholesome pre-
cept of sound wisdom.
But, as with human youngsters. so
with frogs; the sermons all went in one
ear and came out the other.
1.-The idea," the little fellows would
argue, '.of father croaking in that way
about the world! just because he and
mother have lived their lives in this
stupid old spring and meadow, to ex-
pect us to do the same! We will 90 out
and see the world-that we willr'
The opinion was decided, the con-
clusion unanimous, that the young
Goggles should see the world-with
their parents consent, If possible; if
Iots tuct WOulu Slcdl SOI1t HU0
moonlight night.
When the subject was mentioned.
Mrs. Goggles wept with despair.
That her boys should be SO wiuful!
There was the clear. cold spring, so
deep, and affording such restful hiding
to frogs. There was the lovely, green
meadow, which. with the spring, had
been the heritage of the Cog giles fam
lily for years. Should she be left DESC
late and childless in her old age?
Mr.. Goggles took it more calmly.
Wiping his spectacles. he said:
boys, if you are determined to 90.
I'll not stop you. You'll soon be tired
of the world. Remember, then, that
both spring and meadow are open to
you whenever you choose to return"
So the three frogs went forth to see
the world.
Mr.. Goggles told me all about it that
night, as | rested at the spring, after
driving home the cows.
Mrs. Goggles was inconsolable at the
loss of her children. She jumped to
the bottom of the spring, with loud
splash, at my approach, saying:
"Here comes that meddlesGme man.
Goggles. I wish you wouldn't have so
much to do with him. hate humans
anyhow"
Thinking Mr.. Goggles lonely after
the young folks had gone. l used to
take my chair and cigar and sometimes
spend whole evenings at the spring.
On such occasions, Mrs. Goggles
would usually absent herself, either by
retiring under a stone or going into the
meadow.
The boys had been gone nearly .
month, when, on coming home from
neighbor's one afternoon, i came on q
young frog vainly trying to make his
way across my meadow. Ipicked him
up and found that he had been
wounded by a stone and was cut in
several places. | gathered two or
three large plantain leaves, and wrap
ping him in them, took him to the
porch. After bathing him with some
liniment, l covered him up in an old
box and left him to recover.
That night, when stopped at the
spring. found Mr.. and Mrs. Goggles
in the widest state Of excitement. Two
of the bows had returned footsore,
hungry and weary. But the third was.
they feared, dead. His brothers had
given an account of their journey; had
made miraculous escapes from big fish
in the pond and big snakes on land;
and as they were journeying home to
the dear old spring boy threw stones
at them. For awhile all three were
scnseless. But these two, recovering
after little, could see nothing f
their brother. and so returned without
him.
Then it just dawned on my mind that
the third Goggles was in my box on the
porch. Strange that should not have
recognized him at once.
The next morning. after doctoring
his wounds once more, returned the
erring one to his home and friends.
Their delight and gratitude were un-
bounded, and / am welcome guest at
the spring now. Mrs. G. has grown
very friendly, and l often sit and smoke
my cigar there. with the five Goggles
sitting at my feet. 1t is happy and
united family now. The youngsters
wanted to see the world. They have
seen it and are satisfied. Golden Days.