The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-07-19

ems. 1t had a square shutter nuhH
on leather hing es, and fastened on
The outside with a button. just III
front of the shaniy, perhaps hall
dozen teet away, was large ASH
tree, which III its early youth had
received an inclination toward the
river. Now, in It's stately age, II
still followed the inclination OF lis
youth, and cast IFS wings like seeds
into The sweeping water, or bent
above the long slopiag bank AS the
season changed. Under its spread
ing branches we children some
times played in summer; and right
here something happened which
thrills me TO remember, though
many years have passed since then.
One evening in autumn we chill
dren had gone, followed as usual,
by three or four little negroes, TO
pick up acorns under the great Tree
on the river bank. | was the old
est of the party, and | think | was
about Ten. Then come Sis AMI
Freddie, Lucie and Bob-dear lit
tie Bob whom Mamma had given
TO me when he was helpless baby.
Now he could walk and he loved
TO follow us about.
The afternoon slipped away un-
noticed by US, and milking time
had nearly come. We piled our
acorns up and played in an around
the old chicken house, long since
left desolate by a noctural vista
ton of minkS. Suddenly the sound
of cow bell brought all our en-
iovment to an end. Running
quickly few steps up The hill TO
Obtain better view of the road, l
saw at glance that our retreat
was cut off, for we could not get
little children over the high fence
if we could reach il. Something
must be done immediately. Ah
there was the old shanly! Get N
quickly !" whispered. Sis and
Freddie understood the danger and
were IN in a moment. Then Lucie
was lifted in. and little Bob with
hurried entreaiy not 10 cry. The
little negroes, wild eyed with ter.
: ror, followed, and poor little black
Lit was safely deposited on the
floor. Then | prepared 10 enter
but discovered that the leather
hinges of the old door were Sc
warped ana stiff that some force
, was required to push the door Ia
and there was no way TO hold i
together without exposing the fin
gers. With fear impaired strength
| shut the door, turned the rongl
baton, and then looked around to
) a chance TO save myself. Alread.
the cows had passed the bushe
that had concealed us from thei
view, and the door was moi secure
before the fierce eyes | dreaded
above all things were upon me.
Above me wer. The spreading
limbs of The old ash tree, and acrOs
the road was the high, safe fence
but The dear little children mus
not be left so far. The cows wer'
now so near that | must almos
touch the leaders horns TO ge
across the road, and 1 could no
get into the tree as l wished wit
out running start. So up the hll
in face of the enemy, | ran acros
the road, then turned and raj
across again, and safely up th'
slanting trunk of The tree.
Pack had tossed her head wheI
| started up the hill, aud as / reach
ell The fence and turned 10 rul
: back she put her head down, CAV
a low below and dashed alter me
AS | grasped the branches abov,
her she struck the tree with he
horns. All unnerved IN a moment
the strength left my hands, and
was forced 10 throw both arm
around large limb TO keep m.
;; trembling body from falling TO tn
,, , ground.
The dear children made no sOuA'
from the little shanIy, though th,
furious COW dug up the earth wit
her horns, hooked The tree, lo0ke'
angrily up at me, and shifted abou
J the old walls. In my terror at
ged them to be quiet and not to lie
my dear Bob aud poor little Lit cry
After a while Pack concluded I
: raise the seige and go OH alter Ih
other cows to the pen. When
+ had recovered sufficient sirengl
s and steadiness, | came down froI
( the tree, let the lille prisoners ou
and went home by the road, pas
J ing The lot where the COWS were b
q this time safely shut up.