Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-05-31
JESSIE AND THE GOAT.
A Little Girl Who Kept Her "Thinking-
Cap" On, Even Though SheWas Fright
ened.


A Little Girl Who Kept Her thinking
Cap" On, Even Though SheWas Fright
ened.
Dear me! If only could go home
through the field. School was just
out and little Jessie May, warm and
tired. looked longingly over the cool.
green field. 1t was a much shorter
way home. as well as more pleasant, to
go through the field than to go around
by the dusty road. But Mr. Rawson's
goat was pastured there. He was
very cross old fellow, and the terror OF
the school-children. Mr.. Rawson haG
sad it was not ut all safe for the small
children to enter the field
while the goat was there; so goin
home that way this afternoon was not
to be thought Of
As Jessie cast Il last longing look in
that direction. before turning down the
dusty road, she gave cry of delight
why. do believe old Billy is gone
can't see him anywhere. Mr. Raw
son must have taken him out of the
pasture"
Climbing upon the fence, she looked
long and carefully. No goat was in
sight, so she jumped down from the
fence into the long, cool grass of the
field.
She had gone about halfway across,
when Mr.. Billy who all this time
had been lying buried in the deep
grass, taking his afternoon nap =
gathered himself UP for good shake.
As he caught sight of Jessie tripping
along, he gazed fora moment in aston
ishment. It was only for moment,
for the next instant lie gave his head
vicious shake. as though to, say:
''What right have you here, should
like to knowp' and started in hot pur-
suit.
Jessie soon heard the quick patser.
patter, patter of his small feet. A ter
rified glance behind her showed her
the goat, with lowered head. rushing
directly at her., Oh, how swiftly she
ran, but he was overtaking her.
just as she despaired of making heI
escape, she saw large stump where q
tree had recently been cut down. II
stood almost directly in her path, and
was large enough for her to hide be-
hind it.
Quick as flash off came her white
aprons, and was as quickly tied around
the stump. on the side toward which
the goat was coming.
With wildly beating heart Jessie
crouched behind the stump to- await
the result She was completely hidden,
and Mr.: Goat, with head bent SD low
that he caught but a glimpse of the
white apron, did not discover that it
was, the stump that wore it, and not
Jessie. He came rushing on, and his
head struck the stump with terrible
force.
ALI was still. and when the, trembling
little girl ventured to pee p around the
stump there lay the goat, apparently
Efeless. SEEKING her apron. she sped
swiftly over the rest of the field, and
was soon at home safe in her mothers
arms.
Was the goat killed. Well. he was
so badly stunned thathe did not revive
for some time.
When Jessie was ON her way to
school the next morning she met Mr..
Rawson coming out of the pasture. He,
did not know, until Jessie told him.
what hurt the goat When she had
finished telling him about it he saids
..Well! well! must say you have. a
wise little head. not to let Your think
ing-cap' blow off as soon as you get
frightened. Mrs. C. O. HARRINGTON.
iss Our Little Ones