The Van Buren press., 1879-10-25
MISCELLANY
QUIZ.
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-ooc
PART I.

That's what Fred called her when she
first came and the name has clung to her
ever since, although she has really earn.
ed more musical appellation.
One day when Fred and all of US were
at home, strange woman, with queer
little girl about live years old, came to
the door and asked if she might come in
and get warm. 1t was the afternoon ot
n cold windy day in March, and as Bridg
ct hsd gone out and the kitchen fire was
donw, mamma let her come into the sit
ting-room where we all were, Fred read
ing, Nell and sewing, and Willie aud
baby Belle playing with the blocks.
Mamma placed chair by the fire for
the strange woman and pushed up low
stool for the little girl, who seated her
sell demurely upon it, and then began
looking at Fred, who sat next to har.
Pretty soon the woman arose, said she
had long walk to take, and as she was
soon to return asked if she might leave
the little girl, who was tired, with US un.
til she came back
We lived in small country town, you
see, where tramps were few and far be-
tween, and mamma, suspecting nothing,
consented, and the woman went away.
The little girl sat still for long time
and then startled us all by asking in a
clear, childish voice.
What dat be ?" She was looking at
Fred, and nodded comlcally at the book
he held in his hand.
"That's book" said Fred.
What be you do it with2"
"Tm reading it."
"What dat is p
Here Ered's gravity gave way and he
burst into hearty laugh. The child on
ly looked at him wonderfully and repeat
ed her question with grave earnestness
What dat is you do p
Look here, little Quiz" SAID Fred
"you must be savage fyon never saw
book BEFORE" and he tried to explain
to her what he was doing, but at every
step she stopped him with a question,
always. as Willie said, putting the cart
before the horsr.
"Well, Quiz" said Fred at last, "you
display marvellous desire for informa
ton if you don't know much now. Pray
tell us what your name is ?"
But for all we could learn from the lit
tie stranger, who could ask questions far
easier than she could answer them, she
had no name; SO Fred said he should call
her Quiz as long as she stayed with them.
The afternoon wore slowly away, and
still the strange woman did not come
back. Little Quiz stayed with US all
night, and the next morning papa made
inquiries and learned that she had taken
the train for Chicago, and was by this
time beyond the possibility of tracing.
We were all very indignant when papa
told us next day at dinner.
Quiz amused US with her odd WAYS and
droll questions, aud we thought it very
cruel for her mother, as we supposed the
woman TO be, to desert her in that man
ner. And what was to become of poor
Quiz now was the question we all asked
papa.
"S'pose we'll have to send her to the
county house." said papa.
%! guess you'll fnl out what the rest
of the little paupers know in Just no time,
won't you, Quiz p said Fred.
Quiz looked at him moment with her
great serious, gray eyes; then her lips
quivered, and two big tears rolled slow
ly down her cheeks.
Where be | sleep ?" she said with a
little, sharp sob.
Fred hesitated a moment between a de-
sire to laugh and temptation to catch
her in his arms and kiss away her tears.
Finally he asked her in a softened tone
Don't you want to go, Quiz ?"
Il like to 'tay wi you,' answered Quiz.
with another sob, leaning her head on her
hand and her elbow on the table, looking
the very picture of sadness.
Couldn't We keep herr asked Fred
suddenly Of papa.