Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-12-27
A CHRISTMAS HEROINE.

Its long journey for little maid,
and / dislike to send her" said a sweet
voice, as its owner tied Faiths bonnet
strings under her chin and kissed the
solemn red lips.
"She is no longer a baby, Deborah
said the stern looking man holding the
horses head. Did thee tell her that
he paused as he glanced at his wife, who
laid warning finger on her lips.
Dcmure little Faith, in her gray
Quaker gown, looked from one to the
other. Then she cried:
ooh, yes, father! Mother told me that
l am to drive old Zeke as fast as he will
80, down the post road and through the
wood, and so to Wayne, and when l
reach there. 90 straight to Ephraim Bas-
sets store with the load of squashes.
And If he asks which are the best, | am
to tell him the marrow squash, and that
the smallest one is Tipest for his own
use. Then, when he has given me the
meal and tea and camphor, | may drive
to see Rachel and spend the night"
Faiths eyes sparkled at the thought, for
Rachel was her best friend, and trips to
Taunton were few and far between.
And if | should meet any rebels
Faith shuddered as she said the word.
Il am not to tarry, except to answer
their questions civilly. | hope l shan't
meet any, for they are ogres, indeed"
Thee will probably meet not one on
the way said her mother, as Faith
sprang into the wagon and picked up the
lines. Remember, if thee should. that
thee is Just on the way to take Christ
mas squashes to exchange for meal. and
to spend Christmas eve with thy friend,
Farewell, daughter"
The good Lord keep thee" said her
father, reverently, as, chirruping to old
Zeke, Faith started off with her wagon
load of squashes for Ephraim Bassett
This was the first time she had ever
been allowed to drive to town alone. but
she had often driven with her father
when he took his farm products to town,
SO she knew how he did his trading She
was a brave little maid, and Just because
! her father could not leave home that day
| was no reason why she should be afraid:
for although there had been rumors Of
the approach Of the enemy, not soldier
! had yet been seem
| So Faith and Zeke went merrily on,
| Faith thinking of the pretty presents
| Rachel would probably have for her. and
| Zeke of the good bag of oats and meal
that RachePs father kept in his barn.
! Perhaps it was the oats that made Zeke
| step faster than usual; whatever it was,
he made good time down the postroad
to the crossroads, and turned into the
five mile stretch of woods at brisk trot
! This was the most fearsome as we'll as
the most beautiful part of the drive. and
now and then scampering squirrel or
rabbit startled both the old horse and the
little maid. The old horse covered the
FIRST two miles in good time, then slowed
down IA little to rest
Brave old Zeke!" called Faith "a
good friend and companion" Then, as
he raised his head and shifted suspicious
| ly What does thee SMELL Zcke to make
thee uneasyy'
For reply Ieke raised his head and
started into the hest gallon he could
with the heavy wagon behind him.
"Zcke running away" laughed Faith
holding the line with both hands. He
) had been longer in the family than she
herself had. and she had always thought
OF him as very old and very sedate Per
GapS he was thinking of the oats. Al
! that moment swapping and cracking o1
trush IN the woods startled the httl,
driver, and looking ahead she hehcld il
f the road three stalwart soldiers-rebels-
r. while from either side came two more
Old Ieke. running as if he were instea,
{ oi is years old, tried to make his wa,
"A through them, but one young man spran,
D nj his head, and, catching the rein
brought the wagon to a standstin
Pray, stand out of the way, sir.
T. begged Faith her heart beating wildly
- Thank thee for stopping him, though i
Is rare fun to see Zeke run like that
: hid thee good day" and She chirruped t
. Xckc.
Il Ieke would willingly have obcyed tn
/ signal to 70, but two men held his heat
Not so fast, MISTRESS said one of tn
a men. I'VE are fond of SQUASH and W
- would like few for our camp"
. They are Christmas squash fo
Ephraim Bassett at Wayne" obiecte
Faith, sitting very straight. Il am sorr
9, that | can spare none"
i We must perforce take them if the
- are not given" said one of the mel
o Which were YOU to tell Ephraim wer
the hostg"
y Faith thought very quickly. If sh
IA told these rough fellows that the sma
Il marrow squaShes were the best the
:, would take them all and leave none ia
Ephraim Bassett
Z The large ones are often thought tn
N best" she said. remembering to hay
n heard her father say that a few DAYS b.
VI tore.
% Aha" exclaimed the men. Their
leaving one man to hold Zeke the other
- whipped out their knives, and to Faith
surprise began to cut the squashes oper
"a Hut to her further amazemcnt the
=, dropped them on the ground with excla
nations of disgust. Her fathers Gro
y ruined before She reached the stor,.
!. How was she TO get the meal and tn
!, tea and the camphor?
y With sobbing cry Faith jumped t
d the ground aud buried her face in Zeke'
mane The old horse put his nose carcss