The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-08-17
NUMBER %.
upturned brow.

upturned brow.
The child flushed with pleasure, and
allowed the peddler 70 depart with quiet
good bye. She was seated at the table,
and partook Of n dish Of berries and bread
and-mils with a relish.
a new life now commenced for the
child. For months she had had no home,
but wandered with her sick father, de
pending upon the charity cf strangers,
wherever they chanced TO be. Now she
was made comfortable.
The two women, though shocked at her
wild, untutored ways, were kind, and
tried TO lead her in the way she should
so, and she learned 10 love them both,
even while her pervcrse nature led her 10
set at defiance all their rules
Aunt Dorothy declared dozen times a
day hat she was the plague Of her life"
but yet the houseseenaed strangely lonely
! aad still when she was absent.
She taught her TO sew, and would leave
her demurely seated il her low chair. an
; industrious little maid, and returning in
q few moments to find her gone and catch
the iutter Of her garments up IN some
tree, where she was talking 20 the birds.
She attended the village school, was
bright, and easy to teach, but the prime
mover in all mischief, and a general fav-
orite with the scholars. But best Of all
she loved to wander over the hills, pick
ing flowers or playing IL some mountain
rill.
She formed m acquaintance with some
rude wood choppers, who, with their fam
flies, dwelt in some little shanties or the
!nountain-side
The men smiled when she came, and the
women loved the helpful little girl who
kept the babies so still and told nice stor-
les to the bigger children.
She saved a little -year-oId boy from
drowning one day, aud won thereby the
everlasting gratitude of the parents; and
when one OF the poor women fell i'll,
begged some nice things Of her aunt to
carry % her
One dark November night she and her
aunt Dorothy happened 10 be alone. Bet
sey had gone 10 sit up with a sick neigh
Dor, and the hired man lived some dis
tance away.
About midnight Gypsy, who slept in a
small room next TO her auuts, was
awakened by a scream. Springiug from
the bed, she rushed into the outer room.
Two masked men stood by the bed, one
holding lantern. while the other held
knife to the woman's : threat, and a voice
that Gipsy recognized said:
stop that screechingnnd tell Us where
that money is you took for those cows to-
day, or III soon settle YOU
NO, you won't, Pat Dslyr' said the
child. sYria2ing to the bed and clasping
her aunt around the neck.
Both men started, and the man with
the lantern said:
Its Gipsy,'
Eyes, Dennis Carter: and don't you re-
member how saved your little Mike from
drowning"
"Indade do. And not n hair Of yer
head shall be harmed, the blessed darlint
that ye are! But how came We heresp
Il live here, and this is my aunt Doro-
thy, who gives me a home aud is so kind
to ne. YoU sia'n't touch her uuless YOU
kill me first. She sent your wife, Pat
DAILY, those nice broths and jellies when
she had the fever, aud she'severs so good"
and Gipsy bgrst into tears.
The men consulted together while the
child bent over Aunt Dorothy. who had
faiuird for tho first time in herlife.
On, shes dea2.' she screamed.
.'No, sha issI't. aLe has oaly fainted.
She'll come - in a few minutes, said one
man. We wouldn't have come here If
we'd known IL was your aunt. Now,
child. You must promise never to tell who
we are, and you mustn't either of you tell
of this nights adventure, as il would set
folks TO talking and make trouble, you
see.''
Yes" said Gipsy, 'I understand: and
won't tell, and I'll promise for Aunt
Dorothy, too. Only be good, aud 80 right
away, and, Oh, don ever do so again.
You don't hate Us, Gipsyf"
ooh no, indeed; I'm only sorry for you.
DO go"
When Miss Dorothy recovered her
senses she was alone with her little niece
Where are those horrid mem" she
asked.
They've gone, Aunt Dorothy"
'But what a brave child you are. Gipsvl
But won t they come back7 Call for help.
Muir"
The chilI's hand was on her lips.
Don't, aunt. I've promised we won't
tell anybody about this
Not tell I'll have them arrested
1t took some time TO prevail ou the ox-
cited woman to be silent; but asshe really
did not know who her assailauts were,
! and the child refused to speak, she re
solved TO keep quiet.
The next day. 10 Betsey's disgust. she
had the hired man move h!s family into a
| part of the house, "for company" she
! said.
a week after Gipsy climbed the noun
tain side to find the cabins OF Daily and
| Carter deserted, and the c,ill Noven Der
wind sweeping JarouGh them.
She was now prime favorite with Aunt
| Dorothy, who seemed TO forget she had
ever been "the plague Of her life.'