The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-17

I
that:
"He frightened ail-cats, dogs. and all;
Each COW, each horse. each hog,
For fear they did fee for they took him
to be
Some strange, outlandish hedgehog"
Then what a rush there was TO see the
| fight! Some clambered on the top of walls
| and houses; others got into the trees
10 see how this brave man, alone and UNI
armed, would conquer the dragon.
Moore of Moore Hall knew that the
| strongest did not always win, and that a
| little extra cunning would often gain a
victory.
There was a well near at hand, where
| the dragon often came to drink, and into
| this well he crept and waited patiently.
By-and-by the monster came as usual.
| just as Moore had expected.
The dragon put his head over to get at
the water; the knight was ready.
"And as he stopped low, he rose up and
cried bob,
! And he hit him on the mouth
Then the knight scrambled out Of the
| well, and what a fight there was 1t
| lasted two whole days and one night.
| The gallant Moore won at last giving
his foe a kick that proved fatal. and the
dragon of Wantley disappeared forever
There is one more dragon | should
| like to tell you about, and then we will
/ say Good bye" to the monsters.
Every one knows that st. George is the
! patrcn saint Of England. but 1 am not
sure that every one knows the story of
| st. George and how he came to be Eng
| lands patron let me tell you.
Many hundreds Of years ago there
was young tribune Ga Roman officer
named George who went from Cappa-
docia to live in a town of Libya, in
| Africa
Near this town there was a pond which
| a terrible dragon had chosen for his home.
| We have been reading about fierce mon
| sters. but none was more fierce than
! the cruel dragon which lived near Siene
| He was as strong as he was cruel.
| In vain did the king send whole troops
! of soldiers TO destroy him; the breath
of the monster was enough to kill all
| who went near him.
SO the people made UP their minds
| that they must let the dragon live in
| the rond If only he would let them 1--we
in tie city. But dragons must eat. as
| well as other creatures; and sometimes
| he would make an excursion TO the walls
| of Silene in search Of food, poisoning
every one who came within reach OF
his breath.
eve must stop these visits. or make
pie. Let us always prepare DIS meal
for him"
So two sheep were, put ready for the
monster each day. He took them and
left the people in peace, but the stock
of sheen became exhaustd in time, and
so the frightened citizens held a meeting
to decide what was to be done next.
1T cannot be helped" they said; some
of us must die in order to save the whole
hp given
to the monster every day, and we must
draw lots. Whomsoever the lot may fall
upon, let him not murmur. 1t Is the duty
of good citizen to die for his country
So with sorrow day after day, they
gave up themselves and their sons or
daughters. At last the lot fell upon
the only child of the king.
Take my money, take my Jewels
take half my kingdom!' he cried, but
spare my daughter from this awful
DEATH"
mo, not" cried the people. 1--WE have
given up our children without a murmur;
why should We spare yours?'
The King wept, and begged that they
would at all events give the princess
eight days to prepare for death. His
request was granted; but at the end OF
the time they came back TO the palace,
and he was no more willing to part with
her.
why do you sacrifice us for your
Daughter cried the people angrily
We are all dying before the breath Of
this monster"
Let me 60 dear father" said the
princess. hpnly first give me your bless.
ing" theTfs-without a murmur. the brave
girl went TO the lake On her way thith-
er she met the young man named George.
who hal lately come to live at Siene
why are you weeping. gentle Maiden"
ne asked.
Good SIR" she answered, mount your
horse quickly and flee, or you will perish
with me-
II Will not go without hearing what is
the matter" he cried.
Then the princess told him all about
the horrible dragon.
Fear nothing" cried George. "In the
name Of Christ / will deliver YOU"
The princess begged him with tears in
her eyes TO leave her TO her fate but he
would not listen.
Just then the monster rose above the
surface Of the water, wondering perhaps
why his breakfast was so late. Once
more the maiden appealed TO the knight.
Go. so. while there is timel'
Never" he cried and, with a PRAYER
10 Heaven. he brandshed his lance with
such fury that it went right through the
dragon.
Now. lady" he said. 'tie your girdle
round the creature. and we will lead him
10 the town"
Well might the people tremble as they
saw the monster approaching George.
however called TO them TO have no fear
but TO watch him while he cut OFF the head
OF their enemy
So the dragon was killed, and the King
and his daughter. with twenty thousand
OF their subjects. were baptized: and
George was honored as a saint.
IL was not till the year 13s9 that he
became the patron saint OF England, and
this was how that happened:
King Edward the Third was besieginr |
Calais. and did not seem likely TO succeed |
Al last he drew his sword, ana shouted:
"Ha! Saint Edward: Ha Saint George" |
as ne rushed TO meet the French.