The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-30

ItW tllfcN tilc pun vi gfhNtl US ihT us
he could send il and made for the frog
determined on its destruction. He would
stand no more OF its internal deviltry.
Shovel in hand he waded out into the
middle OF the reservoir and scooped and
tore about in IL with the vigor and venom
OF mad bull. Once or twice he saw or
imagined he saw, the frog dart through
the discolored waterand brought down tho
back OF his shovel on the spot with such
"spat' that the blow might have been
heard half mile away.
At last not seeing anything more OF the
frog, Pete concluded that he had killed
him. He gave the little animal parting
curse, and, being wrought up TO such a
pitch OF excitement and nervousness that
he could work no more that afternoon,
strobe away, put on his coat and went
home.
The next morning he returned TO his
claim and his work. He had washed out
several pans OF dirt and was getting good
pay out Of all he washed, when suddenly
there foil upon his ear the shrill cry Of
'struck it2"
The frst note sent thrill through Pc
ter's stalwart frame like the sharp shock
OF IN electrical battery; then chill fell
upon his heart and his hair almost rose on
end. His evil genius, as he now firmly
believed the little green frog TO be, was
still there, alive and at his old tricks.
"May the curse OF the Ilowly Saint
Pathrick light on vel" cried Pete. Then
he kicked over the pan OF dirt he had
dug and made rush for the reservoir, the
frog pumping" under the water with u
little chirp mt his approach. Again Pete
went into the reservoir with his long
handled shovel. lie charged about, but
could sec nothing OF the frog, nor any
thing that looked like il. Being deter
mined to do for his enemy this time, Pete
went for his pan and began trying to bail
out the reservoir. Finding this too great
task, he got a pick, dug down the ON
bankment OF rocks and earth forming tho
little dam, and eagerly watched with up
lifted shovel, for the frog, rs the water ran
out Of the reservoir, but this little tormcn-
tor was nowhere 10 be seen.
Pete waddcd out into tho oozy bed OF
the pond. digging and blowing about with
his shovel; but he failed 30 start the goblin
frog. lie then arrived ut the very reason
able conclusion that the little imp had
gone down the stream with the body OF
II was opened. lie cruised about the spot
for an hour or more, going down the chan.
mel Of the canyon, turning over rocks and
beating tufts Of griSs with his shovel, but
saw nothing Of the frog. Thinking his
evil genius had been washed down through
the canyon, into Carson river Pete rebuilt
his dam, in order that he might have the
water really Tor Us in The morning. This
Job done. ho went home feeling quite sure
be bad either killed o. permanently ousied
bis little enemy.
Tie next day De- p;urncl TO his work.
Blloc s,ariing IN. h0Hevef, he walked
rlgni BE rseenUlf several times, pccring
klcrly into ihe wafer and Kicking every
bunch O. -rss. about - margin. The frog
was n1alcFc o. D. sen 90 started.
Pc,c then went o. his prospect hole and
B, gan digging Stopping occasionally. how
ever. 10 oock an eye toward the pond and
listen ior the frog ThOre was no sign Of
the little imp and Pc.o's heart grew lighter.
He bad dug q pan ~ dirt without the
usual hated interruption, and was on his
way 10 wash IL out whon-"Siruck il ?
Struck itf' WIS squcakod from the pond
By the goblin frog.
This was too much for Pete. The pan |
dOppcd from his hands, his under Jaw lcll |
and he sank down upon the nearest |
bavlden A lac Wa wondering IL il was |
possible for him ever IN any way TO rid |
himself Of the evil thing that destroyed |
his luck, tle frog again called out ~ cheer. |
lily ~ ever, "Struck IL? Struck ~"
MAY the di,il burn yc" cried Pete.
"N0, ! haven't 'Hhwck IL, and what's
mow. ! never will sthrkc II wild We there,
W dirty little blnckguarl Must he
comm aiihor yc again 80 unrlcan haste
o the diyil ~
"Slmcl itl" said the frog
You think s0" cried Pete, SIR
casiicnlly, and, catching up pick. lac ran
10 the reservoir aud began digging down
the omhankmcnt.
Soon. however. be- paused In this work,
and, throwing down his pick. said: mo,
It's ul no use. Haven't tried to get him
IN al manner o ways? No, when | UT
the walhrr Oh hell 10 gone. lies no
human irogl III jist let him how'd
pJscssiDn, and III hunt me another
place. Diyil lick will ever sihrikc herr
again. It's the OWLS own child hc isl
I've heard birds talk and basics talk. but
nycf wan ~ thin all that could schpako
20 plain ~ this little green diyil that's
wiloui either ioalhcH or hair hos not
/ human
Pete began gathering Mp his tools and
clothes with the intention OF yaraiing the
place, when he stopped and gazod Wist.
fully nj his pUspCct-holc. "a promising
pacc, ton. Il was In the main. - said he.
"lloWly Mother Shall |, Christian aud
n good Catholic, be- touhontcd away by \
dirty little hercuc haste like your No.
| III give him warmin' VT, and all the
likes n him. III pepper him tomorrow, 2
80 saying, Pete put on his coat and struck
ont for home, turning 10 shake his isl
toward the pond NJ be- departed.
The neat morning rvic went mp "a
Jamestown, litilo Trading poet about q
mile above his claim, and borr0Wcdnrhot
gun, then ho bought a quantity ut powder
and shot and riumcd toward his mine In
q ycngcinl mood. Again and again hc Haij
~ be- strobe along "ill MI that frog !
ita among the pO,-ihiiitics"
On reaching his claim Pclc cmWlcd 10
bic rock near the pond, and seating him
scli upon ", watched patiently for over ~
hour, but the frog ~ lladcs was neither {,
be- nccn nur heard.
clio lass run away" said Pete. 'but ~
| Nm him II he's anywhere on thc face o
, the green earth"
lie then moved cautiously along dow
s the canyon. Although irugs were quit
a common on the Cnnun river, they wrr
q seldom seen in Gold canyon. At laal
i however rcic saw what hr thought migh
ho his tufmOnlur. Ito blaErd away viii
j bio gun and stretched the creature liolcs
= on tha margin oi The I'll. tie was begin