The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-05-08
REBECCA STUART.
BY PENsIE.

Alto years of age Rebecca Stuart was an
orphan, her parents dying left their only
child penniless and dependent upon the
charity of the good people of Strowbridge.
She was not pretty child. but wore an ex-
preston of great intelligence, and few pass
ed her by unnotced At the villa ge school
she made commeRdable progress in her
studies, besides bore the palm of popularity.
/ Mrs. Rood desired a little girl 20 do chores
! and eTrands, so she gave Rebecca a home
. The Roods were the wealthiest family in
+ Strowbridee village Besides the large dry
goods store, Mr.. Rood owned half dozen
tenement houses which brought him good
rents. At first it seemed strange. but after
a while Rebecca became recOnciled to her
new home, and was happy
Sometimes. however, Hhen alone at night
she could not help thinking of her parents,
now in the cold ground, and of her home
which. though humble, was more to her than
any other ever would be; and then heI heart
felt as though it would break, and she in
dulped in copious tears. Her depressed
spirits became thereby, relieved, and she
arose the next morning feeling much better.
/ Lottie Rood, Mrs. Rood's eldest daughter,
was A beautiful child besides -.-~-A-s1o nad
! Sr--.--- .,.-aS'CUidfIy NICE as candy, or fruit
she would always share with the Door or.
phan. Rebecca was sent to school At
Strowbridge there was but one school which
all the children of the village attended. Mrs
Rood discouraged the growing intimacy be-
tween her daughter and Rebecca, but child
rsn do not care for difference of caste. So
they played much together at school.
Ma, mayn'tI go with Rebecca thfs even
ing to bring home the cows p Lottie asked
NO. Lottie, L wish you to practice yoyr
music lesson. You must give ND going with
Reoecca for the COWS do you know there
are poisonous snakes liz the old meadows
replied Mrs Rood.
linen they will bite Rebecca, but we hava
never seen aLy of them. O, it is so nice m
walk out ID the meadows, and want TO Dick
some howers. Mamma, will get up early
tomorrow morning and practice if vou will
only let me go this time,' and Lottie mt her
arms around her mothers neck.
Well, you must give I'D teasing me as vop
do. You may go, but remember it is the
last time
If you have ever been in the meadow in
Uhe late spring, you know how delightful it
ls'-Iresh, joyous nature all around Won.
fou gather large bouquet of wild flowers
TO orIng home, and your very heart tbrobs
with rapturous delight. Surely FAIRIES pre-
side in the woodlands
Lottie bad given Rebecca two nice orangas
that day, one Of which she ate. but Tn q otber
she had in her pocket. As they reached tba
cot of Granny Rawley, Rebecca entered. OF
all eccentric old ladies, perhaps the greatest
was Granny Rawley.
how are you this evening, Granny? This
Is Mrs Rood's daughter, Lottie.' said Re-
oecca, and Lottie smiled pleasantly.
hne slip O. lass, Miss replied Gran.
ny, and fine trimmn's We wear. too She
added by way of compliment, casting s,de.
wise elances at Lottie, and showing ber
snags OF teeth.
y, these clothes are not very fine. Gran
ny, they are only my school clothes.'
My my But it's been me that's been
feeling beelouded. Why haven't YOU been
n afoTe, Rebecky? p
I've had sore foot, so Sam had to fetcs
he cows. Well 1 am sorry you've been
poorly replied Rebeeca.
Going up to her, GRANNY whispered Pc.
'eeky, guess you might be poln' now. ,er
don't much care for the children of than
lpper-tens' Come when ye're alone, an 1
an chat wi ye, an ye can scratch bit o.
etter to my girl, Caroline
All right, Granny, laughed Rebecca.
tipping her remaining orange quietly into
er hand, 'I'lI come when can
The girls continued their homeward walk
a very slow pace, stopping occasionally to
ick some yiolets, or watch the little grew
luirrel spring nimbly from branch to
ranch. Their conversation Was carried on
patchwork style-a word or two here and
lere. Upon reaching the spring they rest
on the grass.
Presently Lottie discovered human form