The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 19, 1897, Page 26

FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1897. Words of Advice. Some of our little friends wonder where their letters and original stories and poems are that they have not been published. Of course some of them are not up to.the standard. This is not the reason why others having a very pleasant turn are, like “Moses when the light went out,” in the®dark.. The truth| is that many are too long, especially the letters,and such | would if printed crowd out many of your little friends who are also seeking a hear- ing. Cut down the space. The idea is to make this page represent as many of the young people as possible. Be as brief as you can when you write.” A letter can tell much n 1oo words. Stories and poems cannot have a positive limit, but brevity is good. Another thing. This page| will be used to interest not| only the very little children, but will embody the plan of amusing all young folk. Older boys and the older girls will be welcomed when they have | any really good story to tell. | HUNTED BY A MOUNTAIN LION. | | “Don’t fire, Binnie.” A 15-year-old San Francisco boy was the speaker. Another San Francisco boy, a year older, stood with ready rifie not | far distant. The two were wanderers from “Camp Call.’”’ They were school- boys upon their long vacation. Six boys had picked out a camping place on the | slope of a mountain in Shasta County. | Two were irom San Francisco, one from | Fresno, one from San Jose, one from Oak- land and one from Los Angeles. Their camp had been named for the San Fran- cisco CALL, of which they are all readers. They had picked outa good location for the camp. The forest around them abounded in game, both large and small. Bear tracks and the footprints of deer | were among the earliest sights that at- tracted their attention when they began to look about. A large creek was near, in which there was excellent fishing. The six boys were well equipped with fishing tackle, guns and everything needed to make camp life | a great success. *Don’t tire, Binnie.” Binnie dropped his gun and, with the swiftness of thought, seized a club. He had no time to think, nor any spare time for action. The next second both boys were making the best fight they could with thejr ciubs, both striking out lustily and zetting some scratches in return. Binnie struck the lion such a swinging blow that the brute at once singled him out for special atten- tion. Biting and scratching, the lion buried its teeth in Binnie’s right leg. When this hold was loosened, Binnie, swift as a deer, leaped toward his gun, the fight having led away from it. The lion was after him and plucky Ned brought up the rear, using his club whenever he could get achance 1o do good work. The lion snarled v.ciously, but never for a moment wholly gave up its run after Binnie. This was not an even race, even when the lion stopped occasionally to glare and snap at Ned. Binnie reached his gun only a very few feet in advance. All that he now could do was to draw his;hunting- knife, which his Uncle Ben had brought over the plains as an Argonaut in 49, The blade was no longer bright, but it was a formidable weapon in the hands of a stout and resolute boy. Just then the lion stopped and Binnie had a brief breathing spell. This was only for a moment. Ned’s rear attack had alone saved Binnie from being over- taken. Binnie was a picture as he once more awaited an onslaught. The lion came on with fresh speed. a fencer. His hunting-knife was where it could be best used. I don’t believe that | a manlier boy than this crossed the plains | in '49. Ned was now after Binnie's gun. He came forward on the run to Binnie's res- | cue, making a detour to get a chance fora shot. The next few seconds were the most ex- > N “Hush, vou’ll scare the game.” The noise of some largs body moving | through the thicket that was between the | boys and the creek told thatthe game— | and that it was something formidable— was drawing very near. Suppose that it| was really a bear—a grizzly, even? | Both boys thought of this, and their | cheeks flushed—with some fear, but more of hope. But they were of the sort who would stand their ground under all cir- | cumsiances. lf they were a iittle scared it was al! the more to their credit that the idea of running away would never be en- tertained by either. The next second they heard a roar that seened to be beside them. This gave them a better idea where to 100k for their game. At the same time it told them that their visitor was a mountain lion. | A lion bad been about the camp the night | d; before. This was probably the same beast. Ned did not have his gun. A pieceofa tree limb was on the ground near him. This be seized to use for & club. “Halloo, halloo!” Voices came on the wind and the sound of & bugle. The four | other boys bhad returned to the camp and were calling Binnie and Ned home to a| lunch of venison and mountain trout. | “Sorry we can't accept their pressing invitation,” said Binnie, ‘‘but our business may excuse us. + i “We'll take them home & change in the | bill of fare, perhspe,”’ answered. Ned, grip- | ping his club more firmly. i The boys had pressing business on hand | fast enough. There was never a crosser | mountain lion in California than the one which had now drawn within an hundred | paces of the boys and stood watching them, | its 1ail lashing viciously from side to side, its eyes gleaming hungrily as ittook in all the scene preparatory toa rush upon its prey. The boys could not see the brute, which was behind the bushes. *What do you think about it?” whis- pered Nead. “‘Guess he's stopped to comb his hair before making his appearance before gentlemen.” His lionship was only looking the field over. The mountain lion will not often attack any person, but this brute was | nearly famished and crazed by thesightof food. He waited only a minute before he | began the engugement. Swish! The moment had come. Binnie glanced | nervously in the direction of the noise. He saw a streak of dingy yellow in mo- tion. It darted from the edge of the thicket with the speed of a skyrocket, | Before Binnie could get a good aim the lion was within five feet of Ned, who had | his club over one shouider, holding it just | as he would if he was about to hit for | three bases in a game between San Fran- cisco and Oakland. Ned withstood the onslaught bravely. His club whistled through the airin the close neighborhood of the lion’s head, but the wily beast dodged neatly. *One strike!”’ shouted Ned gayly, as the lion, not stoppine to notice him, bounded by, headed for Binnie, The lion put himself in aline between Binnie anl Ned. This kept Binnie from firing, as he might have hit Ned instead of the lion. Beeing Binnie waiting for him, the lion seemed inclined, when he had rone a few leaps, to give up the fight. Ned chased the brute up and attacked him in the rear with his club. A sharp blow upon his lelt hind foot made him crcss again. He started off with renewed speed to attack Binnie. Ned made the mistake of foilow- ing after. This made it impossible for Binnie to safely use his gun, Crash! | up with ) e s Sl RIS i - LN Binnie was braced like | ciling that Binnie had ever known. His | knife pierced the hide of the lion twice— | once on a paw and once ou its right iore shoulder. But the lion was as quick as a cat and { Binnie lost his kmnife, a blow from the | lion’s paw sending it flying through the | air. “Save me, Ned!"” These were the only words Binnie had spoken since the fight was fairly begun. “All right, Binnie!” shouted Ned, has- tening his steps. That was a great day for Ned. He had a position to fire in a jiffy. Binnie bad just fallen and was being handled roughly | by the lion, but managing to shield his | face. But the biteson hisarm were a half. | dozen already. It really looked a little black for him, Bang! | Ned bad taken careful aim and as | coolly as if he had a day to spare. At a | distance of ten paces he had fallen upon one knee and so had an excellent rest for | bis rifle. His bullet pierced the lion’s | right eve and brain. The brute fell over upon Binnie's body. It kicked convul- | sively a few times and was dead. | “Hello, hello.” Once more the boys in camp were im- Edited by DAV ID H. WALKER. she was farther than ever before from her home. She curled up under a tall pine tree, but | could mot sleep. By and by she sawa great firefiy, the largest she had ever seen, and as it flew about and around the pine tree she found that she took comfort watching it. Asshe bhad nothing else to |do she followed it just as she had the butterfly until she was quite out of breath. The firefly led her until sne saw a dim light some distance ahead, in the moun- tainside. Going toward this Goldilocks found an opening, like a doorway. She walked in and smelling something cook- ing she hurried, for she was very hungry. | patient. Ten minutes later Binnie and | Some one whom she did not see said in a | Ned had the lion’s carcass hung on poles | and, dusty and bleeding some, were on | tbeir homeward way where they were again “lionized,”” as Binnie laushingly said, “‘the second time in one day.” THE GENII OF THE HIGH SIERRA. In a small mining camp in California, under the shadow of the great Sierra Nevada, once lived a little girl whose hair so shone in the sun that every one called | her Goldilocks. I am going to tell you ail about her visit to the Genie of the moun- tains in his cave; of the strange journey made across the Bridge of Elves; of her search for a Talisman in the Enchanted Grove; of how she broke the Genii's chain; of her visit to the Genie's wonder- ful treasure-house, and of® her return home with her strange friends cf the mountains. Her father was poor. His eyes lighted love and joy as he looked at Golailocks. But one day Goldilocks was missing. Her father called and her mother searched for her in vain. Goldi- locks did not come back that day. nor for many days. When they saw her again she had a strange story to tell, Goldilocks rose early one morning, while the mountain sides were only half lighted by the sun and a few large stars were still in the sky. As she walked over a field full of wild flowers she stirred up a butter- fly, whose wings were so gay that Goldi- locks follewed 1t. Along the well-known mountain trail it led her 10 a spring, then | on to the mouth of Dead Bear Canyon— the walls of which are so high that they keep out the sunlight even at noon—then on and on until she was lost in the mountains. You know what that means? There are grizzly bears who live there, and snakes glide through the brush and over the grass; and there are no houses for | miles and mules. Poor little Gold locks, who was only 8 years old, wandered about all day, find. ing only a few berries to eat and hearing strange noises that sounded to her like the growls of bears, When it grew dark THE SLEEPY FLOWERS. loud voice: “[am the Genie.” ““What is that?"’ asked Goldilocks. ““A great, great big fairy.” “Where are you?” “ Ned made a capital shot. *‘Come this way.” So Goldilocks walked a little fartherand there saw an old mean, very small and wrinkled, who was chained with a chain of gold to a rock. “Iam the Genie, little girl,” said the man, “sitdown and have some supper.” Goldilocks did not see anything to sit upon, but she felt sorry for the old man and wanted to be nice to him, and so looked as cheerful as she could. Lo! in front of her now was a table, covered with was a chair, though where they had come from to silently and suddenly, Goldilocks could not guess. “Eat,” said the Genie. Goldilocks did not wait for a second in- vitation. When she had eaten enough she thanked the Genie and asked him how she could get home, “Home,” said the Genie, with a laugh which echoed so many times that Goldi- locks knew that tbe mountain must be Iam free.” I will try to free you,” said brave Goldilocks. “Will you?” asked the Genie; “then I will be glad.” Golailocks tried to unfasten the chain but coulid not, because it was locked and she had no key. “1 cannot doit,” Goldilocks sadly said. ‘‘Only one way,” said the Genie. ‘“You will have to find tne Talisman in the Enchanted Grove.” “But what is that?" “Imust not tell you,” said the Genie, “for if I did you would find yoursell chained too. You must find it yourseif.” With a loud bane thedoor in the moun- tain closed and Goldilocks was shut in. All at once the floor of the great cave turned into sharp points of stone. *That will be your bed; please lie down.” Goldilocks thought that it was a hard bed for a little girl, but she heard the word “please” and lay down. But she did not find the floor hard. No, it was as soft now as swan’s down, and when she was lying upon it a troop of little fairies with shining wings came from a dark corner and waved fans above her and sang a song that put her to sleep. She did not wake until morning. Then she found breakfast waiting for her. When ehe had ea‘en the Genie said: *Come, there is no time to lose, and you must be off if you expect to cross the Bridge of Elves to-day.” Goldilocks at once made up a little bun- dle of lunch and trudged off, she knew Dot where. all sorts of good things to eat, and by it | full of caves, *'you will not go home until { “Thank you, brave Goldilocks,” said the Genie. Goldilocks soon heard a sonnd of water- falls, and she haa not walked far when she came to a dark and wide river that runs under the mountains with many and make a loud noise. Goldailocks looked up and down this river. She soon saw the Bridge of Elves. It hung by ropes across the river, as high above tne water as a very tall church steeple. to walk upon and the ropes holding it up seemed hardly as large sround as a telegraph wire. There were spaces be- | tween the boards she had to walk upon, and Goldilocks thought that she would #all through and was afraid to go on the bridge. Yes; Goldilocks was now ready to turn back. Bhe was more frizhtened when she found that a high stone wall had heen built across her path sinceshe passed that way. There was nothing left to do butto go-ahead. She ate her lunch and then went out upon the bridge. She founa tha. there was a rope which she could hold with both hands to keep- her from falling. After she had walked half way over the bridge she grew brave. The bridge trembled beneath her, and the river made a dreadfu! noise as it roared over its rocky bed, far, far below; but she was eetting used to this when she felt the bridge swinging from side to side, so that sue could hardly stand upon it or hold on. This was no wonder, for at either end of the bridge was a black eiant swinging the bridge as hard as ever he could. These “ Goldilocks.” were the giants who guard the Enchanted Grove. Goldilocks saw just beiore her a silver arrow, and she worked hard to reach it. When she came to where it was she touched it and the bridge stood still at once and the black giants ran away. She would never have touched the arrow, but would have fallen off into the dark river if the Genie of the Mountains had not been heiping her. When she took the arrow and placed it in her beit she had some of the strength of the Genie. Thatis why the giants ran off. This strength helped Goldilocks to go on. She was hapry enouzh to sing, but, alack! the silver arrow fell from her belt into the river, and after it had bounded from rock to rock the water closed over it. She feared then that the black giants would come back, but they did not. She was out of their power for a Little, but she was not across the river, large waterfalls, which shake the ground | Very rarrow it was | | | | | | The bridge now acted strangely. Just as she would draw near the farther side of the river the bridge would slide and take Goldilocks once more over the mid- dle of the stream, right over where the silver arrow had fallen. She guessed 1t out that this meant tbat she could not get across until she had the silver arrow again. There was but one way to get it. She must go down, along a steep and rocky path to the river’s edge, and then go out on broad stepping stones into the river-and try to find the arrow. The brave little California girl was used to climbing dizzy places, so she did not wait 8 minute after she had made up her mind to go. She was soon back to where she had first stepped on the bridge and she went down to the river's edge. The water made such a noise and was so black and deep and ran so fast that she was frightened when she found herself so near. She walked out on the stones, which were smooth and slippery. Look- ing up she saw the black giants both watching her and looking very cross. Now Goldilocks was to have help. The water fairies knew of her coming and the little king of the fairies dove headiong from the bridge above into a great water- fall, shooting through the air like a flash of light. Then he swam to where the ar- row wasy brought it to Goldilocks, ail dripping, and told her that he would send his friend, the Great Stork, to help her when she reached the Enchanted.Grove, which she would find the next day. Goldiiocks had some trouble climbing back up the river banks. She fell twice, but both times the wonderful silver arrow caught in the bank and held her up, so thay she was not hurt. She grew hungry, and the arrow turned in her hand and pointed to where there were the sweetest and juiciest berries that she had ever tasted. All day she worked to get back to the Bridge of Elves, and when she reached the near end of it the secona time it was His bullet pierced the lion’s brain, and the brute fell over upon Binnie.” pear night. The black giants came to the ends of the bridge to swing it again, but Goldilocks pointed the wonderful silyer arrow at them and they scampered off as fast as they coula go. A mountain hon growled at the farther end of the bridge and came out to meet Goldilocks, snarling anda showing his teeth., He slunk away as soon as Goldi- locks held up the wonderful arrow, The bridge was easier to cross this time and Puzzle Department, Marjorie Crane, Beckie Heino, Grace Anderson, An- toinette Crawford, Allie Aiken, Madge Brown, Mae Reynolds and M. Eva Navone have sent in new puzzles, but they ar- rived too late to be published this week. No complete cor- rect list of answers to last week’s puzzles has arrived. Some of the guesses are SO close that it seems fair to give the guessers another chance. Try again. CHILDREN'S SINGERS. The Doll's Fune al. When my dolly died, when my doliy died, Isaton the step and I cried, and I cried; Aund I couldn’t eat any jam and bread, Cause it didn’t seem right when my doll was dead. And Bridget was sorry as she conld be, For she patted my head and *Oh,” said she, “To think thet the pretty has gone and died!” Then 1 broke out_afresh ana I cried and cried. And all the dollies from all around Came to see my doll put under the ground: There were Lucy Lee and Mary Clack Brought their dolls over all dressed in black. ‘And Emmeline Hope and Sara Lou Came over and brought their dollies, too, And all the time I eried, and cried, 'Cause it hurt me so when my dolly died, We dressed her up in a new white gown, With ribbons and laces all around, And made her coffin in a box Where my brother keeps his spelling-blocksj And we had some prayers, and & funeral, too, 'he Two Little Girls in But for me, I only eried and cried, *Cause it truly hurt when my dolly died. We dug her a'grave in the violet-bed And pianted violets at her head; And we raised a;stone and wrote quite plaing «Here lies a dear doll who died of pain,” And then my brother he said “‘Amen,” ‘And we all went back to the house again, But all the time Icried and cried, Because 'twas, right when my doll had died, And then we had more jam and bread, But I didn’t eat’cause my doll was dead. But I tied some crape on my dolihouse door, And then I cried and cried some more. 1 couldn't be happy, dow’t you see! Because the funerel belonged to me. And then the others went home and then I went out and dug up my doll sgain. WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE, T The Baby Grins. I have a little baby girl As healthy as can bz; She lies upon her pillow white And makes a face at me. Goldilocks was soon on the farther side. She had no sooner crossed the bridge than she sat down to rest. Then a queer little fairy came and coaxed her to follow him. He led her to where the Sleepy Poppies were growing. These tlowers nodded politely, or sleepily, to each other all the time, and seemed to nod to Geldilocks, making queer little nolses, as if they were snoring. Goldi- locks could not keep her eyes open more than a minute. She let the fairy lead her to a biue flower that was as large as an opened um- brella and this nodded on its fuzzy stalk as Goldilocks fell asleep, while the air all about her was sweet with the breath of ten thousand nodding and sleepy flowers. ————— SYLVIA’S PETS. A littlg girl with a name just like mine—Sylvia—bhas some pretty pet rab- bits, a pony to ride, and a family of dear little kittens with which to play. The bunnies live in a nice large box. Two sides of the box are made of wire netting. Sylvia loves to kneel beside it and watch her bunnies as they eat and drink. At a certain time every day Sylvia takes her pony’s bridle from its nail and with a little whip in her hand, which I am glad to say she does nothing with but snap, she goes out into the pleasant green pas- ture among the horses and cows. After a few moments of fun and frolic the pony allows himself to be caughr, and Sylvia slips the bridle over his shiny head and jumps on Lis back. First they visit the barnyard, where he drinks from the old watering-trough into which fresh, cool water is ever flowing. Then they’re off for a canter, and a merry canter it is! I am snre it would be very hard to tell which enjoys it the more, Sylvia or the pony. After the ride there are the roly-poly little kits. 1 am happy to say that Sylvia feeds them two or thrae times a day. They are plump and round, and when they are all caddled np together in their warm basket, they are as pretty as a picture. 8. A, Tuze (C. R, C.). And if I'm tired with constant toi My daily bread to win, 1t always brightens up the load To see that baby grin. She laughs at no specific joke, She laughs at no one’svid, But "cause 'tis such & funny thing To be & little kid. No matter if I'm feeling blus And uglier than sin, Ihave to laugh—it cheers me up— To see that baby grin. She draws her mouth up cornerways And opes it iar and wide, Displaying little rosy lips And toothless gums inside, A little slobber on her face And dimple on her chin, i And’twoula make the sourest cynic laugh To see that baby grin. JOSEPH BERT SMILEY. LITTLE BUT CLEVER. Msmma (to Tommy)—Iam sorry you and your sister quarreled over that orange and that James had to interfere. ‘Whose part did James take? Tommy — Whose pari? He took the whole orange. Teacher—Tommy, if you gave your lite tle brother nine sticks of candy and then took away seven, what would that make? Tommy—It would make him yell, Little Bess (who is so much accustomed to see baby creep that she thinks it is his normal mode of traveling)—Oh, mamma, come quick! Baby is standing on his hind legs! “‘How fast you are growing, Tommy!'* *“Yes; too fast [ think. They water me too much. Why, I have to take a bath every morning.”’ IRENE G. HASTINGS writes that she is 1134 years old, in the high sixth grade. She has & parrot named Dickens, who knows and sings and whisties 8 dozen tunes. His strong poiut is tie way he whistles the “High School Cae dets.” JULIETTE DRISCOLL of 25 Dorland street favors a meeting place for the C. R. C. ELITH RANSOM writes from South River, Cal., that she is 12 years old, in -the sixth grade. Her letter is bright aud describes & scene among the Indians. ' NELLIE KIERNAN of Arroyo Grande has been visiting Puso Robles, which she says is a lovely place. She b Yuug in hammocks with a little cousin and has generally had a fine time. ’ OLIVER POWELL of 745 Harrison street de- sires 10 correspond with Max Selig of the C. R, C. Oliver hus evolved some original conuns drums which are very amusing. ANNIE CLEER of Oakland was much de- lighted to see her story in print, and thinks that it is & capital idea for the members of the C.R.C.in San Francisco to hold meelings, She would like to have tie members in Oake land meet weekiy. FRED ANTHES writes: “I think the idea of making scrapbooks for the poor little sick children is a good one. If I cannot meke one I think I will be able to give some picture- books and games.” & ANNIE CLIEB of Oakland has written a nice little story, which she hopes to see in print. LILLIE NELSON has written a story about & “Revolutionary Hero,” which will be cone sidered and may be published. ANTOINETTE CRAWFORD,1327 Utah strect, writes that she found the Mechanics' Fair the best kind of a place to get pictures for a scrap- book. Antoinette has received her C. R. C, badge. BECKIE HEINO has a little puppy she ie fond of and writes that its name is Jack. Itis very clever.