The Children's Corner.

Otago Witness, Issue 1355, 17 November 1877, Page 19

The Children's Corner.

MILTIADES BOASTS OF HIS COURAGE «

Little Miltiade3 Peterkin Paul Had been heard to declare he feared nothing at all. " There's Abithar Ann "—he would say— "now at her age One would think she might show a little mor.

courage. Whj, I really believe she would fall dead with fright If she came down the lane by herself in the night. I can tell you, though, that's not the stuff / am made of ; I never saw anything / was afraid of ! " But one summer evening it chanced to befall, That little Miltiades Peterkin Paul, Having been to the village for John Henry Jack, Found it growing quite dark when ho came to start back. But he thought, " Pooh ! I don't care for that in the least!" And he winked at the full moon, just up in the east ; Then with hands in his pockets he swaggered along, While he kept up bis courage with whistle and

song. All at once young Miltiades Peterkin Paul, As he turned down the lane perceived close by the wall, Right before him, a dark, ghostly Shape, cronching low — Which frightened poor little Miltiades so That he turned cold all over — our valiant young hero — Just as though the thermometer' d dropped down to zero ; Then, his heart beatiug loudly, he covered his face With his hands, and trudged on at a much quicker pace. But little Miltiades Peterkin Paul Had not gone mauy steps, when he thought, "After all, I may bo mistaken ; perhaps I mistook Some old stump, or a rock, or the cow, for a ' spoolc.' Why, what could Ibe thinking of ! " Then, growing bolder, He ventured to cast a glauce over his shoulder, When what was his wonder and horror to find Tbat the spectre was following him close behind.

For one moment Miltiades Peterkin Paul Was so terribly frightened he thought he would fall. Then he flung his checked apron up over his

head To shut out the dread sight, andingloriouslyfled. But, alas ! by the footsteps behind he soon knew That his ghostly pursuer began to run, too ! And he uttered a shriek, and sped on without

knowing (With his eyes covered up) just which way he

was going. But little Miltiades Peterkin Paul, Though he ran like the wind, found 'twas no

use at all. The footsteps grew louder behind, and at last He suddenly found himself caught and held fast. Whereupon, faint with terror, he sank to his

knees, And in piteous accents besought; " 0 sir, please, Good, kind Mr Ghost, let me go ! 0, please do ! I am sure I would do as much, gladly, for you!" But just then the Ghost spoke and soothed his alarms, And he found he'd rushed into his own brother's

arms. " Why," cried John Henry Jack, " What does thi3 mean, my lad P 0, * I see. Ha ! ha! ha ! Why, sir, that's your own shadmof" And, sure enough, when he uncovered his face, Our hero saw plainly that such was the case. "Well!" said little Milfciades Peterkin Paul, "Please don't tell our Abithar Ann— that is all ! "