The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-10-04
AUNTIES QUEEN,

| was fishing; but, although for many
hours | had set by the waters edge pa
tiently holding the rod, |, as yet, had
not caught anything
This did not make me unhappy; the
day was so fine and warm, the sky so
clear and sunny, all Nature appearing.
in her brightest and loveliest robes, that
the mere pastime of lying idly on the
mossy bank, watching the sparkling
waters, was Il great enjoyment in itself.
just, however, rs had fallen into q
deep reverie, u Sudden pull at my line
aroused me to the consciousness that
had at least gotta bite.
Cautiously | drew the line from the
water, at the end of which | could see
the white form of Il fine fish. ss
The next moment had got him safe
ly to land, and with a sigh of mingled
relief and triumph, put him in the
basket
To my surprise, I heard the sigh soft
ly echoed behind me. | had been SO in
tent on my work that l had not heard
footsteps approaching.
Turning hastily, / saw, not the boy
| expected, but a little golden-haired
girl.
For moment surprise held me silent.
Never before, all through the bright
summer weeks l had spent with my
uncle lin whose grounds the lake
stood), had / been intruded upon by a
stranger
Surprising her friends to be some
where near. and anxious to try my luck
again, with a last look at the tiny child,
turned to my rod.
Little boyr AS the clear habyish
voice fell on my ears looked up.
She was standing beside me, gazing
thoughtfully into the water, quietly
swinging large white sun-bonnet in
her hand. r.f -s.-L ~
"Well?" l answered, scarcely know
ING what to say, and feeling my dignity
trifle hurt at being addressed so un-
tremendously.
Use lost she said gravely, solemn
ly,still with her deep blue eyes fixed on
my line.
LOST | echoed in surprise; and
glancing hastily round, saw that indeed
if she had come with friends they were
not hero now, no trace of human form
was visible in the wide extent of fields
and meadows lying around.
Yes" she repeated, "l'sc lost. :"
"But-but," !" stammered, utterly
taken abaek by the child's serene COM
posurc, ''what brought you herep"
Nobody; Host myself shaking her
golden head sagely.
''Where do you live?"
A puzzled look crept into her eyes,
and She looked inquiringly at me.
Don't you knew where you live?" !
said, seeing she did not understand my
question. "What is your name, little
grip" ..5es.e. ---s
'.Auntie Queen" she answered
l could not help smiling at her SIM
plicity, she seemed so sure of having
answered right.
'.But mean your right name. What
are you always called?"
'sAuntie calls me Queenie," said she
pathetically, tears coming into the
bright blue eyes, and the rosy lips quiv-
| ering, Il want my auntie. I'm lost.
Take me home. little boy"
| quickly jumped to my feet, seeing
that storm was threatening, and had
| all boys horror of tears.
! eyes, yes" | said soothingly; II will
take you home,'' hastily gathering III
my fishing materials. ~ r''s
Smiles once more broke over hel
face, she waited until had finished
then confidently slipped her tiny hanc
in mine, daRcing lightly over the mossy
ground beside me.
l hardly knew what to do, but though
h best to go home first, and rid myself
of my rod, etc. ...-....,
Acting on this thought, soon arrived
at the place where my uncle lived.
perhaps uncle knows where she
lives,'' l thought, and having triumph,
antly given my fish over to the cook,
went in search of him.
He was alone in the library busli.
writing some letters but he looked ul
with kind smile when entered
| "Well. Ned, :" he said, shave you spen
pleasant morning, caught anything!
| ''Yes; one fish," ! answered Iheil
drawing my tiny charge into the room
/ added: '.And I have found u little los
girl. Do you know who she belongs 10
i | don't. nsal. ea otao d.a i1
! Uncle looked at, the mite with al
amused smile. ......- -.i,.,,, 49,, .l4ss.. :
| l really can't tell you. Let me Sc
your face, little one" he said, taking
! the big bonnet off the golden eurlsi then