INNOCENT COURAGE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 25, 21 June 1890, Page 19

INNOCENT COURAGE.

A CORRESPONDENT writes that she once heard of a child who was found by its mother stroking and playing with a live rattlesnake.” ‘ Bitty worm ! pitty worm !' murmured the child. ‘ Mamma, come see my pitty worm !’ With inexpressible horror the mother realised her child's danger, and for a moment was powerless and speechless. If the reptile were disturbed or angered, her boy's j>eril would be doubly great. She checked her first impulse to run and seize him, and called, quietly, * Eddie, don't disturb the pretty worm, but come and get a lump of sugar to feed it with.’ The child stole softly away from the snake, ami ran to his mother unharmed. She snatched him up and carried him to a place of safety ; then she seized a club that lay near, ami despatched the snake. It had six rattles. In the summer of 1879 a grizzly-bear entered the enclosure where Alexander Bain's house stood, in Jacksboro', Texas, and helped himself to a quarter of venison that hung near the door. A few feet away a little boy had fallen asleep on a pile of wood, while his still younger sister was playing at his feet. Seeing the little girl move, the bear went up to her and sniffed her over. 1 Nice doggy !’ said the child fearlessly. ‘ O Freddy, wake up an’ see the big doggy !’ At the moment the little fellow opened his eyes the grizzly was nosing about his head. He started up and slapped it in the face. The animal good-naturedly retreated, perhaps amused by the innocent bravado of the little man whom it could have crushed with a blow of its huge paw. The bear trotted off toward the fence closely followed by the boy. ‘ You get out o’ here ! You get out !’ shouted the lad. His mother s attention was at that instant attracted to the scene. Her horror may be imagined. As the bear was squeezing through the fence, the boy raised his foot and dismissed him with a kick. ‘ You keep out o' here, or you'll fare worse next time ’.’ he said, and then he turned to his mother and asked, * Did you see me send that old dog about his business?’