Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-10-23
QUIZ.
PART I.

PARTI.
That's what Fred called her when she
first came and the name has clung to her
ever since, although she has really
earned more musical appellation.
One day when Fred and all of us were
at home, n strange woman. with queer
little girl about five years old, came to
the door and asked if she might come in
and get warm. II was the afternoon of "A
cold windy day In March. and rs Bridget
had gone out and the kitchen fire was
down, mamma let her come into the sit
ting-room where we all were. Fred read
ing, Nell and ! sewing, and Willie and
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 herself
demurely upon it,and then beganlooking
ut Fred, who sat next to her.
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
until she came back.
We lived in n 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 n long time
and then suddenly startled US all by ask
ing in clear, childish voice.
What dat be ?" She was looking nj
Fred. and nodded comically Mt the book
heheld in his hand.
That's n book" said Fred.
What be you do it with?"
I'm reading it,"
What dat is?"
Here Fred's gravity gave way and he
burst into a hearty laugh. The child
only looked at him wonderfully and re-
peated her question with grave earnest
ness.
what dat is you do7"
Look here, little Quiz said Fred.
"you must be a savage IL you never saw
= book before" and he tried TO explain
TO her what he was doing, but Mt every
step she stopped him with n question.
always, as Willie said. putting the cart
before the horse.
"Wcll. Quiz. said Fred Mt last. "you
display marvellous desire for informa-
ton II you don't know much now. PRAY
tell us what your name is?"
But for all we could learn from the
little stranger, who could ask questions
far easier than she could answer them.
she had no name; so Fred said he should
call her Quiz ne long rs she stayed with
us.
The afternoon wore slowly away. and
still the stranger 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 Mt dinner.
Quiz amused us with her odd WAYS
and droll questions. and we thought it
very cruel for her mother. rs we sup
posed the woman to be, to desert her in
that manner. And what was 10 become
of poor Quiz now was the question we
all asked of papa.
"S'T ose we'll have to send her TO the
county house" said papa.
guess you'll find out what the rest
of the little paupers know In Just no
time, won't you. Quiz2" said Fred.
Quiz looked Mt him n moment with
her great, serious, gray eyes; then her
lips duivcred, and two big tears rolled
slowly down her cheeks.
"Where be | sleep9" she said, with a
little, sharp sob.
Fred hesitated n moment between n
desire to laugh and a temptation TO catch
her in his arms and kiss away her tears.
Finally he asked her in sofened tone
Don't you want to go, QUIZ"
81 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 hCrP" asked Fred
suddenly Of papa.
81 don't know; what does mother
sayP"
"Oh, mamma, do?" said Nell. whose
heart was even softer than Fred's.
"Oh, 'es, mamma, .doP" urged little
Willie.
Mamma thus appealed to locked per-
picked. Her motherly heart had gone
out toward the lonely little stranger, but
she had many cares and quite children
enough to occupy both heart and hands.
"I'll help take care of her. pleaded
Fred.
1--WE might keep her awhile, mamma
said, and so we did.
Willie clapped his hands and cried
.Hurrahin Nell said, "0h, goodyT
Fred said, That's iollyw but Quiz said
nothing. only took up her fork and went
on with her dinner
In time we all became very much at
tached TO her. Her demure, funny ways
were constant source of amusement,