The Forrest City times., 1894-09-07

Dorlnua could not have done, and in little while Cynthia was dancing at her side, down to see the chickens and the turkeys, and in and out of the paths of the old-fashioned garden.
 When they came back Miss Mariah had made friend for life. and Cynthia looked like different child.
 Miss Sally saw them coming, from the window, and she smiled grimly in spite of herself as she said Tt does beat all how Marian makes everything foller her about, from turkeys to chil- dren. See that child chatterin' like magpie, and tried all the way from the station and never got word from her but yes and no: but Mariah will spile her for any use
 This prophecy did not prove true. however, for as the days went by, the little girls hands and feet saved them all many steps; and even Miss Dorinda acknowledged half reluctantly that she was willin'. bidable little thing.
 She grew round, and pretty and childlike, and lost the pinched, old, look she had had when she first came.
 Mariah was her staunch friend, from the first, and told the others all Gym thia knew about herself.
 She remembered her mother, who had sewed for living, and who had died four years before. when Cynthia was eight. Since then, she had taken care of herself; she was now almost twelve.
 1t was pitiful story, much like many others, no doubt, but no other had come so near to them, and Miss Mariah's voice trembled as she told it. Even Miss Dorinda got mp hastily, and began to dust the high mantlepiece vigorously, when they all knew there was not the faintest suspicion of dust there.
 After the shyness wore off. and she grew accustomed to her surroundings, they found that she could interest them, in her description of the city and the stores
 Miss Dorinda said that she was right smart tallzey for child" but deep down in her heart, she never trusted her, or approved of having her
 The turkeys and chickens were her especial care, and she soon grew very fond of them.
 Most of all, she was interested in a turkey hen, which was the property of Miss Mariah. and was one of a brood raised by hand, as she expressed it. She had petted it until the turkey had grown to be real nuisance, and took q haf han a1 ever been known to take. 1t would follow Miss Mariah into the house and pick up spools of thread with it's bill, or other small objects within reach. When Cynthia had been with them two days the turkey wandered off, much to Miss Dorinda's pleasure, but Gym thia was never tired of hearing of the funny things it had done and was sorry that it had gone.
 Almost three weeks had passed, and it was Cynthia's birthday.
 Miss Mariah came into the wide, cool kitchen and began preparations for stirring up a cup cake for tea, in honor of the day; and she tied on an apron and proceeded to do it, in spite of Miss Dorinda.
 Well, Mariah. eff you ain't foolish, and at your age, too. Where's shat child? I want bucket of water
 "She's gone to the medder to hunt for that turkey hen; its been gone nearly three weeks. and l believe what I said at first, that it's got a nest some where and some young ones.'
 ''Ef the young ones air all like their mother. hope Cynthia won't find her." said Miss Dorinda, as she went into the spare room to change her dress.
 Presently she came out looking strange and excited.
 "Mariah smith," she said, "I put my pin right on that spare room pin cush- ion after 1 came home from the Par sons, two days after that child came, and it's gone. Now. where is it?"
 Are you sure?" said Mariah.
 "Yes. I know it. l ain't worn it since that, fer ain't had on my lace collar. I've worn that pin for forty years-it was mothers, and you and Sally know what a store l set by 1t. That childs done took it. fer there ain't been nobody else in the house. seen her twice when 1 sent her to the spare room closet stop and look at it. and now she's took it."
 Why, Dorinda.' said Miss Mariah, .sshe liked the pin, and she said so, and sbe wouldn't have talked about 1t if she had been going to take it. don't believe she would, anyhow"
 '.Children don't have no judgment, and her times most up, answered Dorinda. grimly. And maybe she thought that would not miss it til after she was gone. Any way I'm