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The Seaforth News, 1938-09-29, Page 61 PAGE SIX, THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, 'SEPTEMBER 29, 1938 mummumMINIMM11111111111=111111111112111111M 1 The Littl Orphan ' • geteen,41',,.'• , eeeeteernee'.itetlifilka.;e'aieteeeeeee"e "aela11, ye see, they used t' be friendly, year 'n years ago—folks en panth•ers--bat they at eggszae ly calmed e git along tazeether $0121V way. An' a be panther gin 'ern cine uv her cab,. a great waile ego, ees t' make friena. The :alb he grew big 'n used t' play a: ae very gentle. They eate bey ee tak to, an' both on 'am gat eta:: ielenelly. The boy 'n the pealler went ea' one eley 'n the woode—gmee 'aye, 11104%! 'n a hund- red year enc—ela was loet. Walked all over 'n fatly eve goin' round 'n round 'n a big eieeee ail they was both on 'ern tired out. Ccene night they lay down ee hargry t ox bears. The boy he was kind o—fraid 'o the dark. so he got of elm the .panther lay 'tween his paw. The hay he thought the panther smelt fanny an' the pan- ther he didn't jet.' like the smell o' the boy. An' the bcy he 'hed the legache 'n kicked the panther 'n the belly. so 't he kin' o' gagged 'o spit anthey want neither on 'em reel comfaable. The sof' paws o' the panther was jes' like pin cushions. He'd great hooks in 'etn sharper 'rthe p'int nv a needle. An' when he was goin' et' sleep he'd run 'etn out jes' like an or cat—kind o' .playful—'n purr 'n Pull, All t once the boy felt sunathin' like a lot 0' needles prickin' his back. Made him jump ai bailer like Sam Hill. The panther he spit sassy 'n ria up 'n smelt o' the ground. Didn't neither on 'em know what was at metter. Bime bye they lay down agan. 'Twant only a little while 'fore the boy felt some - thin' prickin' uv him He hollered 'n kicked ag'in. The panther he growled 'n spit 'n :iamb a tree at sot on a limib 'n peeked over at thet queer lit- tle .critter. Couldn't neither on 'em understan' it. The boy eta(' see the eyes o' the panther 'n the dark. Shone like tew live .coals eggszaely. The panther 'd never Sat "n a tree when he was hungry, 'n set a boy below him. Sumthin' tol' him t'o jump. Tail went swish in the leaves like thet. His whiskers quivered. his tongue come out. C'u'd think ca methin' but his big empty telly. The boy was scairt. He up with his gun quick es a flash. Aim- ed at hie eyes 'n let 'er flicker. Blew a lot o' smoke 'n bird shot 'n paper waddin' right ap in ea his face. The panther he lost his whiskers 'n ane eye 'n got his hide full c.' shot 'n fell off the tree like a ript apple al run fer his life. Theatglat he'd never see nuthin' c'u'd growl "a spit e' .powerful as thet boy. Never ett'd bear the sight uv a man oiler the:. Allwua made hint gag r: epit t' think o' the man critter. Went off t014' his own folks 'n tol' o' the boy 'at epit re 'n smoke 'n growled eo't tnre his ears off. An' they gag 'n spit az look es if it made 'ern sick t' the stom- ach. An' the man folks they didn't hev no good 'pinion ea the panthers after thet. Haim never been frien's any more. Fact is a man, he can be any kind ley a beast, hut a panther he can't be nuthin' but jest h panther." Then, too, as we lay there in the fire light, Uncle Eb told the remarka- ble story of the gingerbread bear. He told it slowly, as if his invention were severely taxed. And here is the story: "Once they wuz a boy got loe.t. Was. :gain' cross lots t' 'play with 'nother boy 'n hed t' .go through a strip o' wood's. Went off the trail t' chase a butterfly 'n got lost. Hed his kite 'n' cross -gun 'n' he wandered all over 'til he was tired 'n hu.ngry. Then he lay clown t' try on a bed o' moss, Flirty guide they was a big black bear come along, "'What's the matter?' says the bear. " 'Hungry,' says the boy. "'Tell ye what I'll dew,' says the bear, 'If ye'il scratch my back fer me I'll let ye cut a piece ca my tail off t' eat,' "Bear's tail, ye know, hes a lot o' meat on it—thearn tell it was gran' good fare. So the fboyhe scratched the bear's back and' the bear •he grinned an' made his paw go patitty-pat on the ground—it did lee] sca splendid, Then the boy tuk his jack knife 'n be- ,aa'aea. 1 gun t' cut off the hear's tail. The bear he 'flew mad 'o growled 'n growled so the boy he stopped 'n didn't elast cut la' more. " 'H arts a w f ill,' says the bear. 'Couldn't never ,tan ' it. Tell ye what I'll dew. Ye eeretched my back an' non' seratch your'ne -Gee whiz!" said I. "Yeeeir, that'e what the bear said." Uncle El) went on. "The boy he up '0 run like a nailer. Tat 'hear he laughed !warty 'n scratched the ground like Sam Hill, at flung the dirt -higher'n his head. " 'Look here,' says he, as the boa' etopped, '1 jes' swallered a piece o' mutton, Run yer hand int' my throat alt 1,31 let ye hev it.' "The hear he Opened his mouth an' showed his big teeth." "Whew!" I whistled. 'Thet'a eggszaely what he done," said Uncle Eb. "He showed 'em -plain. The boy was scairter 'n a weasel. The bear he jumped up 'an down on his hind legs 'n laughed 'n' hollered 'n' shook himself. ''Only jes' foolin,' says he, when he see the boy was goin' to' run ag'in. "What ye 'fraid uv?' " 'Can't hear t' stay here,' says the boy. 'less yell keep yer mouth shet,' 'An the bear he shet his mouth 'n pinned to the big pocket 'n his fur coat 'a winked al motioned t' the boy. 'The hear he reely did 'ter a pocket on the side av his big fur coat. The boy slid his hand in up t' 'the elbow, d'ye e'pose he fotind?' "Denno," said 1. 'Sumthin t' eat," he continued. "Boy liked it .best itv all things," I guessed everything I could think of, front cookies to beefsteak, and gave up. "Gingerbread," said he, soberly, at length. "Thotight ye said hears cauldn't talk," I objected. "Wall, the boy 'd fell asleep an' he'd only dreamed o' the bear," said Uncle Eb. "Ye see, hears can talk when boys are dreamin' uv em. Come daylight, the boy got Ilp 'n ketched a crow. Broke •his wing with the crose-gun. Then he tied the kite string on t' the crow's leg, an' the crow flopped along a the boy fel- 'lowed 'n bime bye they come out 'n a corn -field, where the CYO w'd been used t' comin fer his dinner," 'What 'come o the boy?' said I. -Went home,' said he, gaping, as he lay on his hack and looked up at the tree tops. "An' he allw.us said a hear Wil,, good comp'ny if he'd only keep his mouth shet--jes' like some folks l'ye hearn uv." "An' what 'come o' the crow?" 'Went t' the or crow doctor 'n got his wing fixed." he said, drowsily. And in a moment I heard him snoring. We had been asleep a long time when the barking of Fred woke us. 1 could just see 'Uncle Eb in the dim light of the fire, 'kneeling beside me. the rifle in his hand, "I'll fill ye full o' keel if ye come any nearer," he shouted. CHATTER IV We listened awhile then 'but heard no sound in the thicket, although Fred was growling ominously, in his on end. As for myself I never had a more fearful hour than we suf- fered before the light of morning came. I made no outcry, but clung to my old companion, trembling, He did not stir for a few minutes, and then we crept cautiously into the small hem- locks on one side of the opening. "Keep still," he whispere.d, "elOn't move er speak," Presently .we heard a move in the brash and then quick aa a flash Uncle Eh titled his rifle anti fired in the direction of it. Before the loud er11,, had gone off in the woods we heard something break through the brush at t run. ''S a man," said Uncle Eb, as he lietened. "Ila aint losin' no time nether," - We sat listening as .the sound ;grew faint-er, and when it oeased entirely Uncle Eb said he must have got to the road. After a little the light of the Morning 'began •sifting 'down through the tree taps and was :greet- ed with innumerable songs. arle -done noble," said Unle Eb, patting the cad dog as Ite rose to poke the fire, "Party good cha,pI call aml He can hev half o' my din- ner any time he wants it." ,Who do you suppose it was?" in gnired. "Robbers , I guess," -he aaswered, "an' they'll be 4ayin' fer us when we go out, mebbe; but, if thel. are, Fred '11 fin 'em an' leve got OY Trusty here. 'n' I guess theall take care uv us" His rifle was always .flattered with that name of 03' Trusty when it had done him a good turn, Soon as the light had come clear he went out in the near woods with dog and rifle and beat around in the brush. He returned shortly and said he had seen where they came e and went. "I'd a killed em deader 'n a door nail," said he, laying down the old rifle, "if they'd a .come any nearer." Then we • brought water from the river and had our breakfast. Fred went on ahead of me when we started for the road, scurrying throagh the brush on both sides of the trail, as ii he knew what was expected of him, He finished a number of partridges and Uncle leh.killed one of them on our way to the road. We resumed our journey without any further ad- venture. It was so smooth and level under foot that Uncle Elle let me get in the wagon after Fred was 'hitched to it. The old clog went along scuber- ly and without much effort, save when we .came to hills or sandy places, when I always got out and ran on behind. Uncle Eb slimed Inc how to brake the wheels with a long stick going down hill. I remember how it 'bit the dog's 'heels at the eirst down grade, and how .he ran to keep out of the way of it. We were going- like maid in half a minute, Uncle Eb coming after us calling to the dog. Feed alley looked over his shoulder, with a wild •eye at .the rattling wagon and Tan the harder. He leaped aside at the bottoni and thea we went all in a heap, .Fortun- ately no •harrn was done. "I 'declarer said !Uncle Eb as .he came up to us, puffing like a spent horse, and picked me Up unhurt and began to untangle the harness of old Fred. "I guess he trust a thought the devil was after him." The dog •growled a little for a mo- ment and 'bit at the harness, but .coax - Mg reassured him and he went along all right again on the level. At a small settlement •the children came out and ran along beside my wagon, laughing and asking me questions. Some of them tried 'to pet the dog, hut old Fred kept to his labor at the heels of iUncle El, and looked neither to right nor left We stopped under a tree by .the side of a narrow brook for our dinner, and 'one incident of that meal I think of always when I think of 'Uncle Etb, It shows the manner of man he was and with what under- standing and sympathy Ile regarded every living thing. In rinsing bis tea pot he accidentally poured a bit 'of water on a big bumble bee. The poor creature struggled to hit himself, and Olen another downpour caught him and still another until his wings fell drenebeci. Then his breast began heaving violently, his legs stiffened behind him and he sank, head down- ward, in the grass, Uncle Feb saw the death throes of the bee and knelt down and left the dead bodyby one of its wings. 'jes' took at 'his -velvet coat," he said, "an' his wings all wet n' stiff. They'll never carry him another jour- ney. 1 t's too bad a man has t' kill ev- ery step he takes." The bee's tail was moving 'faintly and Uncle aele, laid him out in the warm sunlight and 'fanned him awhile with his hat, trying to bring back the breath of life. "Geiltyl" he said, presently, com- ing hack with a sober face. "Thet's a dead bee. No telein' •hc,w many was dependent on bine er what plans he hed. Must a gi'n bine a lot o' ,pleas - tire t' 'fly round in the sunlight, work- in' every fair day. 'S all over acme" He had a gloomy face for an hour after that and many a time, in the clays that followed, I 'hearei 'hint speak of the murdered bee. We lay resting awhile after dinner and watching a big city' of ants. Un- cle :Eh told me how they tilled the soil of the mound every year and sowed their .own kind of grain—a small white seed like rice --and reap- ed their harvest in the late summer, storing the crop in their dry collas under grouted. Ile told me also the story of the ant lion—a big beetle that lives in the jangles of the grain and the grass—of which I remember only an outline, mare or less imperfect. Here it is in my own rewording al his tale: On a bright -clay one of the aealeCenee,,,,,,';IcaeLetee .--2,7a=aneeneee letle black folks went off on a hong road in a -great field of barley, He was going to another city of his own people to bring helpers for the har vest. He .came shortly to a sandy Place 'where the barley was t'hin anti the hot aunlight lay near to the ground. an a little valley -dose by the road eel the ants he saw a deep pit, in the sand, with steepsides sip' Mg to a point in the middle .ared as big anoun.c1 as a ais.cuit. Now the ants are a curious people .and go looking for things that are new and wonder- ful as they walk abroad, so they have much to tell worth hearing after a journey. The little traveler was young and had no fear, so he left the road and went down to the pit and peeped over the side of it. e "What in the world'is the meaning of this queer place?". he asked him- self as he ran around the rim. In a moment he had stepped ove-r and the sat sand began to cave and slide 'be- neath him, Quick as a 'flash the big lion -beetle rose op in the center of the pit and began to reach for him. Then his legs iflew in the caving sand and the young ant struck bis blades in it to hold the little he could gain. Upward he struggled, leaping and floundering in rhe dust. He had got near the rim and had stopped, cling- ing to get his breath, when the lion 'began flingiug the sand at him with his long .feelers. It rose in a cioted and fell on the back of the ant and pulled at bit as it swept down. He could feel the mighty cleavers of the lion striking near his hind legs and pall- ing the sand from ender them. He must go down in a moment and he knew what that meant. He had heard the old men of the tribe tell often— how they hold one helpless and slash him into a dozen 'pieces. He was- let- ting go, in despair, when he felt a hand on his .neck. Looking up he saw one of his own people reaching over the rim, and in a jiffy they had shut their fangs together. He moved little by little as the -other tugged at him, and in a moment was out of the trap and could feel the honest -earth teader him. When they had got home and told their adventure, some were for .going to slay the beetle. "There is never a pit in the path o' duty," said the wise .old chief of the little black folks. 'See that you keep in the straight road," "If our brother .had not left the straight road," said one who stood near, "he 'that was in clanger would have gone 'dawn into the pit." "It matters much," he answered, "whether it was kindness or curiosity that led him out of the road, But he that follows a fool hath much need of wisdom, for if lie save the fool do ye not see that •he bath -encouraged fol- ly?" Of course I had then no proper tut- derstaneling of the chief's counsel, nor do I pretend even to remember it from that first telling, but the tale was told frequently in the course of my long acquaintance was Uncle Eb. The diary of my •good old friend lies tbefore me as I write, the leaves turned yellow and the entries dim. I remember how stern he grew 'of an evening when he took out this sacred little record of ctur wanderin-gs and began to write in it with •his stub of a pencil, He wrote slowly and read and reread each entry with :great care as I held the torch for him. "Be still. boy'—be still," -he would say when some pressing interrogatory passed my lips, and then he would bend to his work while the point of his pen- cil bored further into my patience. Beginning .here I shall quote few entries from the diary as they cover. with sufficient .detail, an uneventful period of our journey. August the 20th, Killed a partiridge to -day. Biied it in the tea pot for din- ner. Went good. lee mild. August the 2dat. Seen a deer this morning. Fred fit ag'in. Const near •the wa-gon, Hed to stop and fix the ex. 10 mied. August the 22.4n1. °lamb a tree this morning after wild grapes. . Come near failing. Gin me a little trick in the back. Wale hes .got a bun bruze. 12 mild. August 213rd. Went in swinimine Ketched a few fish before breakfuse Got provisions an' two case knives an' .one fork, also one tin pie plate. Used -same to fry fish for dinner. 14 mild.. August the 2146. Got 'some spirits For Willie to rub on my -back. Boots wearing out, Terrible hat. Lay .in the shade in the heat of the day. Gypsies come and camped 'by us tonight. 410 mild. I remember well the coming of those gypsies. We were fishing in sight of the road and our fire -was crackling on the smooth cropped shore. The big wagons of the gypsies —there were four of them as red and beautiful as those of a .circuS care- van—elialted about sundown while the men came over a moment to scan the field, Presently they went back and turned their wagons into the siding and began to unhitch. Then' a lot of barefooted ehilelren, and women an - der .gay shawls, overran the field ga- thering woad .and making 'ready f or night. Mea-nwhile sweatily drivers tqok the horses to water and beth-ered them with gang ropes so they could crop the grass of the roadside. One tall, bony man, with a face al - Mak as 'black as that of an Indian, brought a ibig iron pot and set it up near the water, A ibig stew of beef bone, leeks and, potatoes began to coal: sh'ortly, and I remember it had such a gamier smell 'I was •minded to ask them for a taste .of it. A little city of strange people had surrounded us of a .su.dden, Uncle Bleahought of go- ing on, but the night was -coming fast and there would be 410 moon and we were footsore .and hungry. Women and children came over to ,o.ur fire, after .supper, and made more of me than I liked. I remembertaking re- fuge between the knees of Uncle Eb, and Fred sat -close in front of us growling fiercely when they came too near, They stood about, looking down at is and whispered together, and one yoking nfiss of the tribe came up and tried to kiss nre in spite of Fred's warnings, She had 'flashing black eyes and hair as -dark as the night,' that fell in a curling mass upon her shoulders; but, somehow, 1 had a mighty -fear of her and fought with desperation to keep my face from the touch of her red lips. Uncle Eb laugh- ed and held Fred by the collar, and I began to cry out in terror, presently, when, to my great relief, she let go and ran away to her own people, They all went away to their wagons, save one young man, who was tall with light hair and a fair skin, and who looked like none of the other gypsies. "Take care of yourself," be whisp- ered, as soon as the rest had gone, "These arebad people. You'd better beTclhffeoung man left us and Uncle Eb began to pack up at once. They were going 'to bed in their wagons when we ,carne away. I stood in the basket and Fred eirew the wagon that had in it only a few ;bundles. A mile or more further on we came to a lone- ly, deserted cabin close to the road. It had •begun to thunder in the dis- tance and the wind was blowing damp. "Guess nobody lives here," said Uncle ,Eb as he 'turned in at the sag- ging gate and began to cross the lit- tle patch •of weeds and hollyhocks he - hind it. "Door's half down, %but I guess it'll be better'n no 'house, 'Goin' t' rain sattin." I was nodding a little about then, I remember; but I was wide awake when he 'took me out of the basket. The old house stood on a high hill, and we could see the stars of heaven through the ruined door and one of the back windows. Uncle Eb lifted the leaning ,door a little and shoved it aside. We heard then a quick stir in the old house—a loud and ghostly rustle it seems now. as I think of it— like that made by linen shaking on the gine, Uncle Eb took a step back- ward as if it had startled him. , PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A. McMaster, M.B., Gradu- ate of ,University of Taranto. 5, D. Colquhoun, M.D,, C.lgL, 'Grad- uate Of 'Dalhousie University, Halifax. The Clinic is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptic equipment, Dr, Margaret K. Camp,bell, LA.B.P., Specialist in Diseases M Infants and Children, will be at the Clinic last Thunsday in every month from 31 to 6 p.m. Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 to 6 p.m. Free well -baby clinic will be held on the second and •- last Thursday in every month arom 1 to g p.m SEAFORTH FALL FAIR (Continued from Page Two) Art Worla—Primary, Doris Thorne Muriel Reeves, William Jack; first class, J, R. MoKenzie,• Blanche Nor- ris, Lois Hoggarth; second class, Donald Afolcenzie, aerea Weeclmarke Donald Smith; third class, Josephine O'Dell, Annie Wood, Gordon 'Wilson: fourth class, 'Mervyn Glazier, Therese O'Neill, Pauline Mattetews. Writing.--,Primarya William Jack, B-etty Weedmark, Muriel Reeves: first class, Elonald Hillis, 'Lois Hog-- garth, Barbara O'Neill; second class. Mary Margaret Cleary, Alvin Regier, Geraldine Eckert; third class, Betty Dunlop, Annie Wood, Jack Makins; fourth class, Pauline Matthews, Mar- garet Quinlan, Jean Elmsford.. Special.—Grain bag, Donald ,Weocl, Frances O'Reilly; hammer 'handle, Gordon Dttpee, Walter McClure, Peg Willis; milk stool, Donald Wood F. O'Reilly, dames Carnochan; nail box. Gordon Dupee, George Hildebrand, Bobiby Allan; 'best .patch on cotton, :Margaret O'Reilly, M. Doig, Mervyn Glazier; clothespin apron, Ann Eck- ert, Violet Dupee, Annie Wood; set of doll's clothes, Annie W-ood, -Elean- or Johns, Margaret O'Reilly; best dot Ann Eckert, Harriet 'Russell, Betty Claris; adjustable halter, Gagmen Hogg, Donald Wood; best patch block, Shirley Wnrm, Annie Wood, Hazel Coleman. Barred rock okl, Hazel Coleman, Muriel Rivers; barred rock pullet, Reid Allan, Hazel Coleman, Walter Boswell. Smith: "It says here in the paper. that they are now making .51 -angles out of concrete." Ones; 'tThen I take back what just said about wishing I were a boy again." "Has your son's college 'education been of any value?" '101a, yes, it oared his mother of bragging about him." ' W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F.A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Office John St., Seaforth DR. H, HTJGH ROSS, Physician and Surgeon Late of London Hos- pital, London, England. Special at- tention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Office and residence behind Dominion I3ank, Office Phone Na, 5; 'Residence Phone 104. R441 DR. F. j, BURROWS, •Office Main St., Seaforth, over Dominion Bank. Hours 2-S and 7 to 8 p.m. and by ap- pointment. Residence, ,Goderich St., two -doors west of United Church. Phone 46. DR, F. 5, R FORSTER— Eye Ear, Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto 11897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London. At Commercial Hop; Seaforth, third Wednesday in each month front 1.30 p.m. to S p.m. Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed kuctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The .Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auctioi. eer for Perth and Huron Counties, Sales Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. R. No, 4, Mitchell. Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST„ SEAFORTH, ONT. -All kinas of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE NichILLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Co HEAD OFFICE—SEAPORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londeaboro; Secretary Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth, AGENTS F. McKercher, R.R.11, Dublin; John E. Pepper, R.R,1, Brucefield; E. R. G. Jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm. Yeo, Holmesville, DIRECTORS Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3; James Sholdice, Walton; Wm, Knox, Londesboro; George Leonhardt, Bornholm No. 1; Frank McGregor, Clinton No. 5; James Connolly, God- erich; Alex licEwing, Blyth No. 1: Thomas Moylan, Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. Archibald, Seaforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post - offices. "How did you enjoy your horse- back ride?" "I never thought anything filled with hay could be so hard!" "Can you let ole have a book please?" asked the woman of the lib- rary assisltant. "Certainly," was the repJy. "Do you want something light?" "It doesn't matter a bit," said the customer, helpfully. have ray oar with me." •,..earaweeeeereleeenotearnaeremeerateielateeeiteenaaaanaeeeeecee eeneeee nneeeee-..--ae-aaaavaameea.