The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-16

~ I can't believe that
but was, child, and | can prove
it with a storyl You see, that is now
came by my first squirrel-skln nun
1t was given me by good Uncle Eos
ter for bit of bravery done long ago.
At that time we lived quite near
Owasco Lake, just father, mother ana
7; for I was an only child, and had
been spoiled and petted accordingly.
And I was a great coward until
earned that pretty muff!
"Uncle Foster was also our next
neighbor, for fathers farm and his
adioined.
"One stormy December night my
dear mother was taken ill. Father
had gone to Auburn, and would not
return until the next day. But
doctor must be had at once.
".Valerie,' said mother, with a
groan you must go for DIR. Balm
"And my foolish heart jumped
clear up into my throat! For DIR.
Balm lived good half mile beyond.
And it was already after nine. Be-
side that, had never in all my life
been out in the dark alone.
"And | shrank back, pale and
trembling, though mothers dear face
was paler. Don't ask it; please
don't | cried. But mother repeated
her words more firmly: Valerie, you
must go for DR.. Balm
"And SO despairingly, | donned my
pretty blue hood and cloak and nit
tens. After that l kissed mother,
and went out into the night. Oh, the
terror and agony of that awful mo-
ment! The heavy clouds hid moon
and starsl The wind blew, and the
snow fell. And all about me was
inky darkness. And, to crown all
this, l must go for DR.. Balm.
"With slow, frightened step I crept
down to the garden gate. 1t closed
behined me with bang, and it
sounded exactly like the report of
musket. | screamed aloud, but was
obliged to hasten on. Mother must
have help, and that as quickly as
possible.
"But some tall bushes by the road
side attracted my terrified gaze.
Swaying in the wind, they took the
forms of men. Robbers perhaps, |
thought, with shudder. And they
might kill me and take my new blue
hood! Should l turn backi Con-
science whispered no! Mother need
ed assistance, and she ought to have
it. So, gaining bit of courage, l
went on again, and the bushes were
passed in safety. But just beyond
was little stretch of woods, and i
would be obliged to pass that also.
Yet how could /? Why, l had al
ways held my breath in the daytime
when going by with father in his gig.
But now must go alone and in the
dark. Shutting both eyes tight, l
started on a run; and then, when /
thought l had quite passed the awful
wood, / opened them wide. And
there l stood directly at its entrance
"Again and again l screamed in
terror. But the wind alone came
through the leahess trees, and the
snow fell in great flakes on my
frightened face. | could only hurry
on with the speed of the wind itself.
"When | reached Farmer Gray's
lane, strange dog came rushing
out, and once more / was in mortal
terror. 1t wasn't Mr.. Gray's Tomtoy,
and had always been afraid of all
dogs / wasn't acquainted with. Sup
posing this one should eat me up?
Well, they would at least find my
bones next day, at the foot of the
long lanel But the huge fellow only
licked my face and followed after,
being more company than 1 can tell
you. The balance of my half-mi
to DIR. Bain's was gone over without
accident or incident, and the good
man himself opened wide his oaken
door.