The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-01-28
{ |G,bildr rensgo0umD

maam."
'Left till called for!" I repeated.
smiling at the gentle face. "Who
| said SOP"
"Auntie."
SIS auntie coming to fetch yous"
"Yes, soon, aan."
The little maid did not seem shy,
and | felt greatly interested in her, so
/ asked, care you going to stay with
auntie in the couutry?"
"No, I'm going home to father and
mother"
That is nice!" l said. ''What
have you been doing in the country2"
Been TO see grandma, and the cows
and pigs"
DO you like them, my dear?" I
asked.
She gave an emphatic nod.
81 wonder if you have any brothers
and sisters?"
"I've got Bobby, and there's a new
baby now," aud her face grew eoger-
"a new balJy with blue eyes, and I'm
going to love ii.
"A new baby l-thnt will be a pret-
ty pinrthing for you. What is its
mann ?"
"Why, 'bahy';" and the little face
looked mp MS she seemed to wonder
that I could not understand that.
"And what is your name, my child?"
'Rnsie."
''You look like little roscl I'D, in
deed" said; ~ hope you will soon
be called for. Aud l continued
my walk.
Af5cr going into the refreshment-
room and getting something to eat,
bought bun and went out again to
see if my little friend WAS still there
Yes, sue was sitting in the same piace,
quiet md patient. l went up and Of
tered her II bun,
"Wonld you like this?" aske9ss ~ NJ ]
eyes, please, " she said, in pretty.
soft tone. And she took the bun in
her hand, but did not attempt to eat
1t.
Chow old are yon, Rosie?" L
asked.
"Four ycnrs on Christmas Day."
"Do you know what Christmas Day
is?"
'Yes, it's Jesus birthday, and it's
mine"
DO you know that Jesus loves
little children and takes care of
,hem?"
She nodded.
''Ha is taking care Of you at this
station, and He sent me to come and
talk to you whi,e auntie is away"
See locked up very conidlngly, and
pnt her little hands into niue, ns she
asked, "Wili He +, nj anntie soon?"
eyes. l think So, bec,use l must go
when the next train comes. Will you
walk mp aud down with me- for Il little
while?" [ asked.
"No, mu'am," she said softly, shak-
ing her head. "Anntie sal I was
left till called Tor. and l mustn't
move"
l did not press her further, but my
| heart warmed to the ubedlent, trusiiuI
little maiden.
Before long my train was signaled.
and | went to see after my luggage.
just before the trnin started l saw u
| pieasnut-lnc. d young woman go Iulck-
| ly up to Rosie aud say,us sue gave her
1t kiss, You're a good girl, Rosies
I'm sorry l hnd to leave you SO long.
I'd good way to go, but we're all
right now."
Aud then | saw them get into the
train few carriages further down
| than mine.
We bad travelled on for about an
hour, and at one of the stations We
stopped at l put my heal ont of the
window for little fresh air; on tho
platform l saw tall, cheerful-look-
ing mau anxiously waiting for some
body. Then Rosie and her aunt got
out of the train, and when the man
saw them he took Rosie in his arms
and covered her with kisses, while tina
little girl cung round his neck.
THAT must be Rosie's faiher,"I
said to myself. ''Ths little maiden
has Sst koae, the pretty little parcel
that was left ut the station had been
called for. and I hope she and her
friends will have very happy Christ
mas. "-Lvndon Children's Friend.