The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-03-09
AlSE'S MISTAKE.
1t Was Learning Too Late the Power of
Small Evils.

1t Was Learning Too Late the Power of
Small Evils.
The antlered head of the moose was
thrown back proudly, the nostrils were
dilated, and Alse shifted the crisp air
with delight The snow lay white on
wood and glade, and he looked about
on wide stretch of country unbroken
by any track but his own. The sun
sinking low in the west threw a rosy
glow over the scene, and the keen eyes
scanning it all discovered away in the
south steel-blue line that marked
stream of water.
(Which | will taste" said Alse.
''Those others have no genius for dis
covering"
The ''others" were his companions
from whom he had strayed, or rather
who had halted in their course as the
day drew toward its close, while he
pressed forward alone.
"Stay with us, Alse," urged wise
| old moose, $50 you shall keep out of
danger"
"DangerW Alse's head tossed in de-
rision as he repeated the word, glory
ing in his own superb strength. "What
danger can there be for one like me, to
whom the other animals are mere pig.
mies?"
1t was glorious freedom to be alone,
to press forward and feel monal CHI of
all the solitude. The clear air made
distance Elusive, and the stream he
sought was farther away than it had
first appeared; but that fact did not
! change his determination to reach it.
The sun had dropped out of sight and
the pink glory of the sky was fast fad
ing into dull gray. From the dark
line of woods came the distant howl OF
wolf.
''One of the dangers against which
was warned, | suppose" commented
Alse. "As if could not easily master
any of those creatures! Let it howl; il
dare not come near me-"
Another voice took up the dolefu
"woo-oo!" but Alse disdaining trifes
did not notice that the single cry was
changing to chorus, Dark forms stole
out of the woods and began to follow
him., cautiously at first but growing
holder as their numbers increased
Their cries grew sharper and so neal
that Alse finally looked back to see 4
dozen or more dark bodies skulkins
along in the edge of the wood.
"Cowardly creatures!" sneered Alse
vet with the next breath he added
"but there are so many of them" AnC
ne duiclxened his pace. His increased
speed seemed at once to increase tn,
valor of his pursuers. They left tn,
shadows and chased eagerly after him
and where he had counted dozen h,
might now have seen score. y Thei
hungry voices rent the air and sounded
ominous and fearful. They were draw
ing nearer, too, though Alse. no longe
careless, was eXerting his utmost powe
in the race.
81 could easily vanquish any one o
them" he painted, but alb
: Alas it was all of them he had T.
fight when he was brought to ba,
at last. Nearer and yet neare
, they drew until the sharp SNAP
ping of their jaws could be distinct
heard amid their cries. Alse felt tina
his strength was spent. The strear
was still far away, and his enemie
t were closing in around him. He LITE
: his head despairingly to the darkenin
, sky. and realized, too late, the folly O
treating with contempt the danger h
/ might well have avoided. His foe
r were insignificant singly, but togethe
C they were force against which hi
+ boosted strength was weakness. The
sprang upon him on every side, and tn
anequal contest was soon over. Poo
h Alse, he was only one of many VIII
= learn too late the power of small evi
n neglected to grow into great one. an
: that life may be wasted by despisin
n so-called trifes.-Forward.
g NnATpnl OlIP 1ONGIIEC