The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-04-06
q BEss. ADVENTURE.

Let lis go to the field with Kate; it is
80 dull in the housen' cried Jack.
Nurse had a great deal to do that
day, and thought it would be quite a
nice thing to get Kate and Jack and
Bcss out of the way.
"Will you take care of them Miss
Kato, and not let them spoil their
clothcs?"
''Oh yes" said Kate, who was eight
years old. ''Let me put your hat on.
Bcss."
"My doll, too?"
Eyes; we'll take your doll, and give
her a swing"
Bess gave a jump-she was glad.
Nurse saw them to the door, and then
went back to her work.
Now" said Jack, "here is the
swing My turn first!''
mo; girls firstw said small Bcss with
some pride, as she got upon the seat.
"You are puss. miss" cried Jack;
sand shall climb up, too"
'Kate too?' said Bess.
Up got Kate, and good swing they
had. You could have heard them laugh
Il long way off.
BY and by they tired of the swing,
and went on through the cool field till
they came to a stream.
at looks so clear; / can sec the fish, ="
said Jack. ii shall catch some"
But the fish can see you," said Kate.
81 don't mind if they do. Please give
me pin"
Down sat Jack, and with stick, q
bit of Irvine. and a bent pin, on which
he put bit of bun he had with him,
he tried to catch q fish. Some small
fish ate up his bit of bun, and he saw
them do it, but he did not catch them.
He still sat there, while Kate and Bess
went on to some long grass. Bess lay
down. and soon went to sleep. Then
Kate went back to Jack, and threw all
the crumbs they had left in the stream
for the fish to fight for; and fine fight
they had.
Nurse came to the door to call them
home to lunch. She had to raise her
voice, but they soon heard her, and got
up at once.
Come and fetch Bess," said Kate,
and they both ran to the long grass
where the wee child had lain down to
sleep; but no Bess was there!
'Bess! Bess!' they cried, but no voice
was heard in the field.
Nurse came out now, and saw the
white face with which Kate ran here
and there.
What is it?" she cried.
''Bess" was all Kate could say.
Nurse got white too now.
where did you leave her, Miss
Kate?" said nurse in a stern voice
''You said you would take care of her. ="
Il did," said Kate, with big sob,
"but she went to sleep just here, and
thought she was quite safe, and came
back to Jack. OH, nurse! what shall
We dog'
Then John. the man who had to cut
the grass on the lawn, came up with
his scythe in his hand.
What be it all, then?" he said to
nurse.
1.-The child-Miss Bess-is lost"
'Lost!' said the man, in a slow
voice; where did ye lose her?'
lover there in the grass; she went
to sleep, and Miss Kate left her, and
now she can't be found, poor lamb!'
and tears ran down nurses face.
See here" said John, as he put his
scythe up on the branch of tree, Il
must go ost on the road bit. If | can
get lift in a cart, maybe shall be in
time"
What forp" cried the nurse and poor
Kate at the same time.
Il seed a tramp come from the house
not long since, and she was just mad
with the cook, who would not give her
more than bread"
You mean she has been and stole
my dear Miss Bess?" said nurse, and
the man thought she would faint.
Il don't know. I'll go down the
road at once; these tramps all go one
way. Don you lfet.
He put on his coat, and went, and
was soon out OF sight, for man in u
light coat drove him on his way. They
had gone half a mile, and John thought
the search would be in vain, when he
heard child cry on the other side of
the hedge. 1t did not take long to stop
the cart, and for John to make his way
to the place the cry came from.
There on the grass lay poor Boss,
her wee fat hands tight round her dolls
neck. Her nice frock was gone, and
her good shoes. She had no hat on,
and cried in a sad way.
"Oh. Miss bess! said John. as he