The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-11-12

learning to walk, around IL several
times. The two boys wanted it cut;
but their mother told them nothing
would be so nice as to sell it, and to pay
| for their house, so that nobody could
take their home away. They went to
bed then, and one and all dreamed Of the
big cheese.
The next morning the children's father
said:
't am going to town"
And his wife said: ''I will 60 with
you, and get little stuff to make jackets
for the boys"
"Will you take the babyl"
''No, / will leave him with Sophy.
He is very good with her."
They were delayed little by two old
farmers coming in to look at the big
cheese, but at length they got off. Lizzy
started off with an unusual sense of COM
fort and security.
"Sophy is very good girl, F." she said.
al only wish she were brighter and bet
ter favored. / don't like girl to be SO
plain ard quiet"
"Oh, handsome is as handsome does"
replied Nathan.
Yes, Sophy seemed little dull, and,
with her pale hair, pale eyes, and her
pale checks, was not at all pretty; but
she washed the dishes, and coaxed the
baby into being contented, and made
hasty pudding for the boys dinner very
faithfully. She was as sober and steady
as little old woman. But she smiled
on the baby, and nurse1 the ailing
chicks, and always looked out that the
cat was fed. She seemed to have a fell
low feeling for all dependent creatures; /;
so one could see her quietness was not
MOI oseness.
Nothing went wrong in the little house
until afternoon. Then a shaky old wagon
drove into the yard, and two dark, ILL
kempt men got out. Sophy went to the
door, and they begged for something to
eat. While she hesitated, listening to
the whisper of little Hiram behind her,
"them's gypsies, Sophy," one of the men
thrust his elbow against the door.
''Let's sec what you have in here" he
said.
Both of the men pushed in, and the
| children were forced to yield.
The former looked about them. The
kitchen ives neat and COOL One began
looking from the various windows; the
other went into the buttery, where he
found dried apple pie, which he COM
menced to eat. Then the man at the
windows looked at the children, and
they looked gravely back at him.
'I say" said he; and his listeners GER
tainly gave him all needed attention.
''Where'p TIL big cheeseG"
"Hold on minute, Jim," called the
big black fellow in the buttery. "Sure
all's clear2"
eyes. There's nothing in sight"
There's no hurry, then. I'm hun
gry."
"Oh, dash the eatin'!" returned the
other. But, he too, went into the but
| terry to have look about. For an in
slant the three children standing wide
eyed, in the centre of the big kitchen,
were unobserved.
$50 out tn side door-still now, 5"
whispered Sophy to Hiram. "Creep
through the bushes up to Mr.. Arthurson's
don't let 'em see you-an' bring some
one quick!"
AS the boy disappeared, the men came
out of the buttery.
"Looll here, girl! Where's the big
cheeseW
Sophy did not speak. The men began
to frown.
"None o. that You'll have to tell,
We know" said one.
Little Sammy began to cry.
"Let tn young ones alone" said the
other man. at is in the house, OF course
Where does this door go to2 Where
does that. .one gol"
"The baby's there" said Sophy
quickly. "He's asleep--don't disturb
him."
The men pushed their way into q she'd
room. Sophy turned instantly, and
| pulled Sammy into the other, which was
bare, shaded, and almost empty. But
there was the baby, asleep upon an old
settee, and there, upon the floor, was the
| big cheesel There was little else. Mrs.
Salton had been in tffe habit, during the
summer, of placing the child here, away
from the light aud flies for his afternoon
nap.
Catching up the baby, Sophy flung the
blanket and pillow on the cheese, and
laying the little fellow down on them
again, placed Sammy upon one side and
sat down on the other, hushing and talk
ing to the child, who sat up on his strange
couch and began crying vigorously. The
men, who had been searching through
the house, came back.
"Say, now," said one, "that cheese is
neither in the house or barn. Where is
it2"
'It's too heavy for tn old wagon, 1
5'reve, anyway" said the other.
sophy got up, and taking off the long
apron in which she was enveloped,
spread it over the baby's lap so that it
covered a spot where she could see the
cheese's edge.
"Can't you speak, you girl2 How
much does it weigh, anyway"
"The girls a fool, said other.
Sophy sat closer on the edge of the
big cheese and speechlessly dangled
spool on a string for the baby, warning
Sammy (who in his fear sat somewhat
uneasily) not to move.
'I'm bound TO have it-l tell you!
exclaimed the more determined of the