The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-17

1t was very pleasant to march; and they
did not go over the hill. but turned down
to the road that ran about the lake. 1t
was very small lake, some people would
call it a pond but it was very pretty.
There were willow trees all about it, and
lots of geese and ducks swimming over
it; and sitting under one of the willows
was little girl in turkey-red frock
and white cap, who was eating large
piece of cake. She lived in pretty cot
tage not far away, and her mother al
lowed her to go near the lake to play;
for she was very good, and never did
what che was told not to do.
Now, geese are very pretty to look at
on the water-almost as pretty as swans.
But. il you go by the rule of Handsome
is that handsome does" you cannot ad-
mire geese so much, for they have very
bad tempers; and among those geese on
the lake was one dreadful old goose. who
had been swimming slower and slower,
and at last stopped altogether, and came
waddling up on land. Kissing and bend
ing his head, and making straight for
the spot where the dear little girl sat
eating her cake. Perhaps all he wanted
was the cake, but he looked just as if he
meant to eat her; and, as wherever this
old goose went others were sure to fol-
low, up on shore came half dozen
geese. and began to hiss and beat their
winge. A goose could break the arm of
a child like that with its wing, and hurt
it also with its beek.
All the boys in the regiment knew
that and Johnny jackson, the boy who
was captain, understood just what to do.
Double quick" he shouted. "Lower
bayonets Charged" And the next
minute the the little army charged upon
the geese.
Then there was time indeed! Every
one of the great white things uttered
dreadful cry, sort of "Cronk! Cronk!
Cronkw And the old leader rushed
back into the lake, with all his follow
ers after him.
Meanwhile Sallie had hurried to the
little child in the red frock. The child,
frightened almost to death, was crying
bitterly. but. when Sallie put her arms
about her and wiped away the tears, and
picked up the cake she had dropped. and
gave her cup of water, she felt better.
But she chung to Sallie's hand. and said
she wanted to Ego to mamma" and Sal
lie cried out:
"Come, boys! Now you've routed the
enemy, form an escort and let US take
this darling home"
"All right" shouted the boys.
Form hollow square. and put the
ladies in the middle" cried Captain
Jackson. This they did, and marched
up toward the house. AS they reached
the porch, the mother of the child came
out to meet them. She caught the little
one in her arms, and asked what was the
matter.
"Doosy run at me. and sojers save me,
and dood little dirl-soier pick up my
cake" said the little one.
II am much obliged to all the SOL
diers," said the lady. THAT is the mis-
sion of soldiers, to protect the week and
helpless. l am glad we have our little
standing army in this village, and
must have the pleasure of entertaining
it,
Then she made them all sit down on
the porch, and went into the house and
brought out great cake and pitcher
of milk, and made them all eat and drink
as much as they would. Then she took
Sallie's pail. and went into the house.
and brought it out full Of sweet, ripe
cherries.
And the boys said. Thank you
ma'am," and "Good-by." and gave three
cheers.-Neao York Ledger.