The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-04
FRED TAYLOR.
a Story of Rattlesnake and a Boys
Courage.


mour the proprietor of the Zig mill in the village
Mr.. Seymour was absent a good deal and his bust
ness was attended to by gruH, hard-hearted man
b! the name of JonesI mean that part of his bust
ness which pertaincd to the collection of rents
The incident which am going to relate to you,
and of which Fred Taylor was the hero, had Its
origin in the old story with which you are all
familiar-a poor widow who had fallen behind in
her rent and was threatened with ejectment at the
hands of an unteeling agent If this were q fancy
sketch, should, perhaps endeavor to find motive
less common than that: but after oil would that be
better! Even in fiction, not those incidents most
interesting which depend on the thoughts and
actions which go TO make up the worlds daily lite2
However, as this is a true Story l will tell you
everything exactly as it fell out.
Fred was now fourteen, aud though he wasn't
one of your pretty boys, You felt when You looked
i'll his open. sunburnt face that he was to be de-
pended on, 'all wool and yard wide" as they say
and Young as he was he had already earned money
by running errands or doing odd jobs he could
iiud them.
One morning, it was the Sd of July, us Fred came
into the house he saw that his mother had been
crying and il answer to his anxious question, she
told him Mr. Jones had just been there and If the
rent was moi paid by the middle OF the month lie
was going TO put them out into the street.
"Muthcr," sal Fred, "if you were to see Mr.. Sey-
mour himself, wouldn't he give you more timer
"Ah Fred, Mr.. Seymour doesn't know anything
more of his work people or tenants than his agent
tells him, and tesides, he is not here, you know"
mo, not now, but heard the other day that he is
expected up next week with his family 10 spend
part of the summer, and then you might see him."
1--WE can but try, Fred. if he Will wait little l
am sure make it up. There are our
chickens; suppose we could get five dollars for
them and the rest We will have TO make up by hard
work.
well mother, think it over. ! have little job
down at the store and Will be back when it's done"
So saying the boy departed while Mrs. Taylor sat
down to think over what was to be done. Her pros
poets were dark, indeed, and it seemed hard that
she would have to leave the little home where she
had lived since her marriage.
And all for the small sum of twelve dollars.
Where should she go and what should she dor
While she still pondering over these difficult
questions Fred returned in hurry, saying he was
going to catch string of trout for the hotel there
would be great doings the Fourth and his fish
would probably be bought for supper and realize
good price.
SO off he started with his fishing tackle under his
arm and of worms in his hands, for Fred
hadn't any of the fancy fxngs in the shape of split
bamboo rods or gaudy flies. He walked up through
the woods couple OF miles to favorite stream,
thinking all the way of his mothers troubles and
wondering if anything would happen to prevent
| their being turned out of their cosy little home
Arrived at the brook the angle was got ready, the
line made fast and fat, red worm carefully put
the hook and dropped over into hole under
giant hcmlock's roots.
In minute there was jerk at the line and pull
ing out quickly Fred threw on the grass fine trout.
"Pretty good for you, my friend,' thought the
| boy. "Any more of the family at homer
| Yes. Another twtch, another jerk and second
fish was added to the string So the sport con-
| tinued, Fred moving on down the stream until he
had Us many fish as he thought he could take back,
so he sat down to rest awhile Choosing comfort
able seat with his lack against moss-coyered log
he gave himself up to the beauty of the woods.
Grand oaks and chesnus in full shining leaf in
terspetsed with here and there q straight, rough
bark hickory, tapering, silver-barked Spanish oak
| or q tall poplar towering up like pillar of the
skies, while along the stream were the hemlocks,
with their fine dense green foliage, and overyonder
cucumber tree, its light smooth bark and big,
| glossy leaves rejecting every ray Of sunshine.
| AT his feet the little stream ran quietly along
through the trees or murmurcd softly over the peb
bles in its bed saying in its way: "Ilere am run
| ming on now Us l have done since the world began
| and shah do forever"
| After awhile Fred glanced at the sun and saw it
| was time for him to be going. So, picking up his
rod and his string of trout he started of, wbisling
merrily as he went. Concluding 10 take short cut
| by way Of the Bench" he turned Off from the
stream and hied across the sharp pasture.
Now, this "Bench" was rather curious table of
rock standing out from the hillside and dropping
perfectly plumb to the ground, which was perhaps
| ten feet below. IL quite place tor people to
walk along the foot OF the rock, and in the season
visitors at the hotel could be found there at pretty
| much any time. From the hill could be the
hotel and further to the right the mill and the
| houses Of the operatives.
Well, Fred came out on top Of the Bench and was
walking along the rock towards the path when il
occurred TO him to look over and see il any was
| III the path. And horrible sight met his eycs.
! Standing there frightened into silence and stiff
with terror q little child, and only three feet
| away from him lay coled an immense rattlesnake.
! his gold and black diamonds shining, his wicked
fiat head rising few inches from the center of his
| coil while the tip of his tail in constant notion
| produced the telror-inspring rattle A short
distance behind stood the nurse. Fright and horror
at the habys impending fate having rendered her
incapable ol sound or motion, she rooted to the
ground utterly unable to give her charge the least
assistance.
Fred took all this in with one rapid glance, and
also the fact that there was not stick or Il stone
| near enough TO be of use. There was but one way
Of saving the child and that he took instantly with
out thought of the consequences TO himself
Dropping his fish and rod he sprang right out into
the air and landed squarey with his heavy boots on
the snakes coils. The instant he touched ground
he dropped sideways against the baby, knocking 1t
down, both rolling over together. This brought the
nurse back to her senses, and with wild scream
she rushed forward, snatched the baby and ran
around the corner Of the rock
Meanwhile Fred had picked himself up and
gathering rock in each hand advanced upon his
enemy Dun tIe hi4hEb Whb IilhL HBlLulB inc
gallant jump having "knocked him out in one
round" 30 Fred followed the nurse to If he had
hurt the baby.
The poor girl was near fainting to think what a
close shave they had had, and couldn't thank her
preseryer enough for his brave act, finally nquirng
! his name and address. Then Fred bade her good
bye climbed back TO the top Of the rock got his fish
and went on his way.
| Meanwhile the baby's mother had gotten very
| uneasy over the nurses long absence, and after
making several inquiries as to the direction she had
taken at last sent for the landlord and was Just
asking him to send some one to the Bench TO sec
! II she Yves q ere when gentleman came up and
said: "Mrg. Seymour, q boy who has just gone by
with string Of fish Gays he saw your baby with o
woman who viii be here Soon"
| "Hcre come your baby and its nurse now" said a
lady the piazza as they were seen coming across
| the lawn.
Mrs seyInour-for II was her child-hurried for
| ward 10 learn what was the matter 1t was some
time before the nurse, who had not yet fully re-
covered herself could tell her story calmly enough
! 10 be understood, but when she had finished Mr..
| Seymour, who had now come up asked quickly:
what Is the brave boys name, and where does
| he liver