The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-04-23

OF Marcn, onu alJnOuHn the ground was
covered with snow, and the brooks and
rivers were still fast bound in ice, there
was something in the air that told of
spring that set the sap in
the maple trees mounting through its
million little channels toward the buds,
already beginning to redden for their
blooming, and sent the blood In little
Roxie's veins dancing upward too, un-
til it blossomed in her cheeks and lips
fairer than in any maple tree.
How pleasant IL is to be alive - said
the little girl aloud, while a squirrel run
ming up the oak-tree overhead stopped,
and curling his bushy tail little higher
upon his back, chattered the same idea
in his own language. Roxie stopped to
listen, and laugh aloud, at which sound
the squirrel frisked away to his hole, and
the little girl, singing merrily, went on
her way, crossed the river on the ice and
on the other bank stopped and look
ed wistfully down side path leading
into the dense forest away from her di-
rect road.
really believe the checkerberries
must have started, it's so springy," she
thought; "I've mind to go down and
look in what Jake calls 'Bearberry pas
ture, though told him they were not
bear-berries, but real checker-herries. +"
So saying to herself, Roxie ran few
steps down the little path, stopped, stood
still for moment, then slowly turned
back, saying:
No, l won't either, for maybe
would not get to the camp with the nut
cakes before noon, and then they would
have eaten all their cheese. No, I'll go
right on, and not stay there any time at
all, but come back and get the checker
berries; besides mother said she'd be
lonesome without me, so I'd better not
stay anyway"
So Roxie, flattering herself like many
older persons with the fancy that she
was giving up her selfish pleasure for
that of another, while really she was
carrying out her own fancy, went sing
ing on her way, and reached the camp
just as her father struck his AK deep into
the log where he meant to leave it for,
an hour, and Jake, her handsome BROTH
er, took off his cap, pushed the curls
back from his heated brow, and shook
out the hay and grain before old Bob,
whose whinny had already proclaimed
dinner-time.
Why, if here isn't sis with tin
kettle and I'll be bound some of ma a'am's
nut-cakes in itl' exclaimed Jake, who
had rather mourned at the said cakes not
being ready before he left home, and
then he caught the little girl up in his
arms, kissed her heartily, and put her
on Bob's back, when she slid down, say
ing gravely:
Jake, ma says I'm getting too old
for rough play. I'll be twelve years old
next June"
All right, old lady; I'll get you
pair of specs and a new cap or two for
birthday present." laughed Jake, .un-
covering the tin kettle, while his father
said:
"We won't have you an old woman
before you are young one, will we Tibp
Come, sit down by me and have
some dinner. You're good to bring us
the nut-cakes in such good season."
The three were very happy and merry
over their dinner, although Roxie de-
clined to eat anything except out of her
own pocket and the time passed swiftly
until Mr.. Beamish glanced up at the
sun, rose, took his axe out of the
cleft in the log, and, swinging it over his
head, said:
"Come, Jake, nooning is over. Get
to work"
"All right, sir. You can sit still as
long as you like, sis, and by and by I'll
take you home on Bob.'
"I'm going now, jake" said Roxie,
hesitating little, and finally conclud-
ing not to mention the checkerberries
lest her father and brother should object
to her going alone into the wilder part of
the forest. :" Ma said she'd be lone
some," added she hurriedly, and then
her cheeks began to burn as if she had
really told lie instead of suggesting
one.
"Well, you're right down good girl
to come so far and then to think of ma
instead of yourself, and next day we're
working about home I'll give you good
ride to pay for it,"
And Jake kissed his little sister tender
ly, her father nodded goodbye with
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