Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-01-20
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THE OLD MAN
THE MOUNTAIN.
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Story ofa Little Boys Experience

the nero oil our story uscu 10 EV "HSHN'N'
his parents would permit no could see the
Hudson. On the opposite side of this beau
uiul river. which emptles into the ocean,
whore the great city Of New York Is bullt,
he could see immense cliffs Of rock. the
sides Of which ran straight down to the
river edge. having hardly space enough for
wagons to be driven along without going into
the water. These high cliffs extended along
tho river as far as the little boy could see,
and he would sit on the mountain for hours
looking at these walls Of stone and wonder
Ing II he should ever be big enough and
brave enough to cross the river and climb
their steep sides to the top. He was
thoughtful boy. and not having any brother
to play with, formed the habit OF amusing
himself by imagining he could see shapes
OF men and animals on the rocks.
One very high rock ran away up above the
others. right across the river from wner'
he was. and he pictured to himself that the
top Of this rock was formed like the head
Of a man. The forehead was broad ana
high, the nose long and eyes deep set He
had heavy. shaggy whlskers like the boys
grandfather which, in the long distance, had
a gray color, making the rock look more and
more like the head Of real man. OF course
the boy. whose name was Eddie. knew ii
was not man, but he made believe the
rock was alive; so he named him THE Old
Man Of the Mountain" When the storms
came up in the night Eddie would say to his
mamma: THE Old Man Of the Mountain
doesn't like storms. and very soon you
will hear him sooding the clouds for bring
ing the rain and wind
what makes you think so?" asked his
mamma.
Because have heard him making a big
fuss many a time" he answered.
Just at that moment there was fash OF
lightning and a roll OF thunder.
There he goes again" said Eddie. Ills
ton, and you will hear him again, and, II he
Is very angry he will shout much louder"
Again there came the thunder. This
time 1t was almost deafening, and the house
was shaken by the high wind, Eddie was
not bit afraid and as his mamma tucked
the bedclo;hes snugly around him and
kissed him good night he sleepily said: Il
wish you would let me 90 over and see
the Ola Man Of the Mountain sometime, so
| can talk to him about his scolding and get
him to quit"
And then he went to sleep.
His mamma smiled at the funny Idea the
boy had and resolved that he should have
his wish gratlned. When his papa came In
the house, she at once told him, that as
the next day was Eddie's seventh birth
day they should make merry day Of II
by taking their boy across the river SO
that he might climb the rocks and see the
Old Man Of the Mountain. Ills papa was In
favor OF the trip at ONCE, and said: 'All
right. Let us go to bed right away, SO
we can be up in time for an early start"
Next morning the storm was over. The
sun came up round and clear. making the
hits beautiful to see. Little Eddie did not
know what grand time was in store for
him He found his presents on the break
fast table waiting for him. There were not
many OF them, as people In those days did
not make as many presents as they do now.
lie had nice Barlow knife, bag Of mar
bles and. what he priced above all others,
a handsome little AK, with a good, strong
handle. lie was In high glee. and fairly
gobbled his breakfast down. so eager was
he to be outdoors with his ak. where he had
designs on a small hickory tree that stood
In the yard whore they pastured the cows.
He skipped out with his AK, and before
his papa knew what was going on. he had
chopped the tree nearly down.
Eddie. Eddie" cried his papa, when he
saw what he was doing; you must not
cut down that tree. Stop at once"
But 1t was too late. Eddie's strong arms
had been working so actively that the sharp
little AK had cut the body of the tree 50
nearly of at the roots that 1t toppled over
as a gust of wind came along. Eddie was
quite frightened at what he done. lie went
to his papa and said. 81 didn't know that
you would care. There are so many other
trees In the yard that this one Will not be
Missed but | am sorry, and will not spoil
another tree with my AK"
Very WE'LL" said his papa, who had
NuaN L.. hi lHawH l. 4.
tentionally do wrong.
By this time the horses were brought out
Of the barn and hitched up to the buggy.
Eddie's mamma came out with her lunch
baskets, rugs, wraps. etc., all ready for
picnic.
Where are you going, mamma?" asked
Eddie, who became greatly excited at the
preparations.
We are to have day on the mountains
over the river" she answered. "and YOU
are to 50 with US. This Is a birthday picnic
for you"
Eddie was all aglow In an instant. He
piled his mamma with questions. and when
they drove on and he learned that he, was
to 70 across the river he could hardly re-
strain himself, he was so delighted
When they came in sight Of the river the
high cliffs could be seen very clearly. be-
cause It was beautiful. bright day after
the storm OF the night before
There is my Old Man OF the Mountain
he shouted. See ..is nose and whislersv'
and he pointed in the direction Of the high
rock. "Uh, myi Didn't ho scold last
night" he said to his mamma. as he re-
membered the thunder. Il must 10 up and
talk to him about it. May l go up?" he
eagerly asked his papa Certainly. Won
shall, but am afraid you will have trouble
In finding him after you get across"
Eddie couldn't understand why 1t would
be difficult to find him when he was So bic
and grand, towering above all the other
rocks. However, he said nothing. Tho ola
fashioned boat carried them safely over ana
they were landed at the foot Of tho clln
where the Old Man OF the Mountain was
seen. Eddie led the way up the side. until
at last they found themselves on tho ton IN
the great cln. But no trace could be found
Of the Old Man Of the Mountain. There Wa
a big Jagged rock a little way on. some
great powders on one side. but no trace of
the nose or whlskers, Eddie was more thar
surprised and puzzled. lie was keenlv de-
appointed. He had looked at this big ROXY
SO many timen. thought he could see tha
outline OF mans face. and dreamed abot,t
his seolding at the clouds so often, thai he
thought II almost true. He appealed 10 bis
papa to know what had become Of his ol9
Man OF the Mountain.
There he Is, said his papa, as he pointed
to the big, jagged rock. Close by Il is
only a rock, but far away. as you have al
ways 4een before. the outlines form the liz.
ness OF human face"
Eddie didn't fully understand II. but ba
kept his thoughts to himself
They had glorious time that day. Eddia
had his Ak With him and was allowed 10 chnn
trees until he became tired. Then lunch
baskets were brought out and Eddie ate
great, hearty meal. HIS mamma mada snr,,s
H..