Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-09-03


Ton, to his companions. putting back
into his teeth the stump. which he had
! f,ourished in his fingers whilst making
this foolish speech.
Ghosts in the old house. Poor Becky
knew we'll enough that Tom never let
lie stand in the way of any mischief
! or sport of his, and she wouldn't have
minded at all what he said, if che hadn't
been so frightened. But now all her
vague fears Of the darkness and soli-
tude of the deserted house took shape
to her fancy. and became horrible
specters.
She stopped at the door, crying DIES
olatelv. She would not have had
strength to go a step farther, if the Ger
, tainty that it was growing darker all
the while, and that she would be
whipped If she should go home without
the shavings, had not given her mo
mentary resolution.
Tom had said that the ghosts scared
only little girls who were afraid of
them. Then she wouldn't be afraid.
She would be brave for once. So she
nerved herself.
Breathless, trembling, cold shivers
of fear creeping over her from head to
foot, she mounted the steps, paused q
moment to listen in the dim entry, then
glided softly into the room where the
shavings were.
There she paused again. She could
sec nothing but the faint outline of the
work beuch, the bare wall. and the
windows through which the evening
light came. Suddenly she heard
rustic in the shavings. II may have
been caused by prowling Cat, or per
hsps by some beggar who had crawled
in there for nights lodging. But to
poor little Becky it was the rising of
the ghosts, and she really fancied she
saw huge head with horns and fiery
eyes, starting out OF the darkness. All
her courage, which had cost her so
much, was gone in an instant. She
dropped her basket and ran.
Out OF the house and down the steps
she went, and along the street, until
she began to meet people. Then she
came to herself little, and remembered
the basket, and the whipping she was
sure to get, if she went home without
it.
| Ouc BtOpPcu anu Aually buIuCu U1Ch
towards the old house. But she could
not summon courage to enter it sec.
ond time; neither burst she go home to
her aunt; and thus, between two fears,
she wandered to and fro, the most
wretched little girl in all the world that
night.
At last, tired out, and not knowing
what to do, she sat down on doorstep
and cried. A woman approaching the
house saw her there, and started back.
What! Becky Fairweather, is it
your"
Yes'm, if you please" said Becky.
meekly. IT didn't know it was your
doorstep. Mrs. Gary. I'll 60 away"
Ono, YOU won't" cried the woman,
mot until you've told me what's the
you out?
"She hasn't turned me ont, not quite,
but she made me go to the old house
for shavings in the dark, and I got
scared, and left the basket, and she
said wasn't to go home without it full
of shavings; if I did, she'd whip me
worse than ever"
So Becky, amid sobs, told her story.
Mrs. Gary put her arm kindly about
her, and spoke so pityingly that the
child cried all the more. =.
"You needn't 60 home without it,
nor with it, il you don't want. She
isn't fit to bring up child like you;
I've known it, and the neighbors have
known it, long while. 30 if you'll
come with me. Ill take you and
give you home till I can find better
one for yen. So dea'. think OF the
basket, but come along with me-"
Mrs. Cary's house was not far off;
and there the orphan found comfort
and kindness, such as she had not
known since her mother died. Only one
great fear now troubled her. Itseemed
- though she might as we'll die at once
40 let the time come for her aunt to
light the fire in the morning, without
the basket of shavings.
But children soon forget their
troubles, when blessed bedtime comes;
and Becky slept we'll that night, in
spite OF her anxious thoughts. The next
day Mrs. Cary kept her in the house;
and on the day following, two strangers
called to see her-a gentleman and q
lady-who talked to her kindly, and re-
garded her with an interest which
Becky could not understand. At last
the lady said,-
Becky, We like you pretty we'll;
Mrs. Cary has told us good deal about
you: and, as we have no children of
our own, we would like to have you go
and live with us, and be our little girl.
What do yOn sav 2"
80 Mrs. Caryl" cried Becky, turn
ing to her friend, in terrified surprise.
" Yes, DEAR" said Mrs. Cary. cheer.
fully. ~ know these good friends
very we'll; and it is for this that have
sent for them. They will give you a
good home, and all the advantages
girl can ask. They live in another city,
and you will begin q new and happier
life with them"
But" Becky faltered, joy and hope
getting the better OF her establishment,
"my aunt"
"She has no real claim upon you;
and it will be best that you should not
see her again. 7 think
ooh! and then I shan't get whipped
for not carrying home the basket
No, no, child!' said the lady, taking
the girl in her arms.