The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-05-16

was only a lump of rubber
Ho, no! You confess it then? Well, we
are quits. You induced me to kill my mil,
and as you could not keep to the bargain,
| saved you the trouble My ma was as
much to me as your ma was to you: we
have both lost our mas now. So let us
call it even and be friends again
Terrapin hesitated, but the memory OF
his ma s loss soon produced the old bitter
ness, and he became as unforgiving as ever:
Miss Crane must, however, be pursuaded
that the matter was forgiven, otherwise
he would never have the opportunity to
revenge her death.
"'All right, Miss Crane he answered,
but let me come up and embrace you over
1t, or DO you descend and let us shake
hands,
Come up by all means, Terrapin, l am
always at home to friends said Miss
Crane.
Terrapin upon this began to climb, but
as he was ascending he foolishly began
to think aloud, and he was heard saying:
oh. yes, Sister Crane. just wait a
little tie. and you will see. He, he; he'
heard Terrapin's chuckle and muttcring,
and prepared to receive him properly;
When he was within reach she cried: Hold
hard, Terrapn.' and at once proceeded to
shower mighty blows on his back, then laid
the stick on his feet so sharply that, to
protect them. he had to withdraw them into
his shell, in doing which he lost his hold
and fell to the ground with such force
that to anything but a terrabin the great
fall would have been instantly fatal.
Try again, Terrapln; try again, my
brother. Another try and you Will succeed,
cried Miss Crane, mockingly., w.,
'Terrapin slowly recovered his faculties
from the second fall and exclaimed. An,
Miss Crane If l heed you a second time
call me a fool. Yesterday and today you tri-
umphed, tomorrow will be my turn:
"kwa-le, kwa-le.' Miss Crane shrilly cried.
My tree will stand tomorrow where 1t stood
today. You know the way to 1t; II not,
your hate will find it.
"Terrapin toddled away upon this to seek
the lion, to whom, when he had found him,
he pleaded so powerfully that the loin ptied
him greatly and answered: 1 may not help
you in this matter, for | was not made to
climb trees. Go you and tell Jackal your
story and he will be able to advise you
Acting on the friendly advice, Terrapln
sought out .Jackal, to whom he repeated his
lamentabe tale. The Jackal rewarded him
with a sympathetic sign and said: Friend
Terrapin, my teeth are sharp and my feet
are swift. but, though | am so happily en-
dowed, | have no wings to fly. Go and seek
Elephant. His strength is so great that per
haps he will be able to pull the tree down for
you
''Terrapin proceeded on his way to search
ont the elephant, and. after much patient
travel, discovered him brooding under a
thick shade. TO him at once Tcrrapln I'M
burdened his breast of its load of grief and
appealed piteously for his assistance, go
enhont, .your tale is dour, but. though
am strong. there are some things | cannot do.
Miss Cranes house is built on one of the big
pcst trees of tbe forest and it would require
two score of elephants TO drag it down. 1t
is wisdom, and not strength. that you need.
Go YOU and seek Serpent and he will as
sist YOU
Thence Terrapin went to seek Serpent,
and. after long seeking. found him coilcd in
many shining folds in the fork of a sturdy
tree
"'Ah SERPENT he cried, you are kins-
man of mine and | have long sought you.
| am in dire distress, my friend and he pro
ceeded TO invcigh against Miss Crane pas
sonately and concluded by invoking his as
sstance
".Hclp ME this day cried Tcrrapin. land
you shall be my father and mother and all
my nearest relations in one