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

ingly on her shoulder, and the young
man holding him, who probably had sis
tiers of his own at home, said softly:
There, there, little lass, no harm shall
come to you, and were it not for war no
harm would come to your precious load
which we expect is far more precious 10
us"
Faith heard but did not answer. What
did he mean? Then, in flash she real
lied what had happened. She rcmem-
bered having heard of some important
message which had been sent through the,
lines, but which had not yet been deliv-
cred. Could it be possible that her par
ents had come into possession of it from
the young wounded soldier that they had
befriended? And could that message be
concealed in one of the squashes? The
spies would. of course, find it, and then.
OH what might not happen to her own
dear parents, and to the wounded soldier
who had tried to get the message
through.
Faiths brain worked very quickly for
a moment. Then her sobs quoted a
little.
"Zeke would like a piece of the
squash" she said to the young soldier
He's very fond of dainties.'
You can give it to him." he said, and
the Others nodded assent.
So Faith, one bright eye fixed on the
precious little squash her mother had in
dicated, bent to pick up the pieces, and
then, with lightning quickness. she
snatched the little squash into her apron.
Now, would Zeke carry out his part?
Had he ever eaten squash, and would he
do so now?"
"Zeke good, kind, faithful old Zeke,"
she whispered, "eat it for my sake, even
if thee doesn't like it,
The first piece Zeke chewed with
relish. Would the young soldier never
take his eyes from them for a minute
Hey, Cal, tumble that pile over"
called one of the others, and the young
soldier stopped to do as he was told.
Here was Faiths chance. Would Zeke
bite the squash, and could she hide the
paper under the browband and his name
before the young soldier turned againg
| Zeke bit brayely into the squash, and
before Faiths trembling hands could
catch the paper it had futtered to the
ground.
Poor little Faith! She dared not stoop
to pick it up-the soldier was turning
again toward her. Quick as a fash she
concealed it beneath her broad soled
shoe, and burst into tears.
Faithful old Zeke wnined and tried to
comfort her, and the young soldier looked
distressed Il am very sorry. little lass"
he whispered, that you should be treated
| So"
Faith shook with sobs, and in so doing
managed to work the precious document
into the soft wood earth and cover it
from sight
Disguised EXPLANATIONS from the other
soldiers stopped her crying
1T isn't here" one declared. eve
much search the child and the wagon"
Then carefully they searched Faith and
every crack of the wagon, and every bit
of the harness. Knowing old Zeke looked
at his mistress and almost smiled.
Finding no document the soldiers were
disguised
"Tricked!" exclaimed one "The child
WAS sent as Il rusc. and the message has
gone in some other way. We must waste
no more time
You may go. little lass said the
young soldier; and, believe ne, | am
very sorry
They prepared to mount the horses,
which were tied few yards distant.
Faith started to pick up the broken
sqUashes and put them back in the
. wagon.
The rebel soldiers, chiruping to their
horses, cantcred off. Faith worked hard
and reloaded most of her damaged
$ squaSheS. Then, making sure the soldiers
were out of sight she secured the pre-,
t cious paper, putting it in her shoe for
| safe keeping,
> oh, Xcke, We have outwitted them :"
she whispered as she jumped in.
. Old Teke made his best time 10 town
and stopped before Ephraim Bassctt's
Q store. Kindly old Ephraim came to the
q door
a load for me. Faith?" he asked. Il
r want some tine ones for my use. Why
/ what's ths?"
: Il want to speak to thee alone" said
Faith gIavely as she followed him in
Y Then in his own little office, she gave
. him the paper and told her story.
p "Ah. little Faith" said the old man
patting her head as she finished. you
q are Il brave lass. and am proud to know
I You. Ihls paper Is to warn our army OF
= a plot to trap them, and YOU. by yom
T t"' N"u'"SV an" u"IliS' nave preserved
IT., and can now send the message for
e ward without danger of its being stopped
e You axe Il heroine, little Faith; you have
- done your country brave Christmas
service"
+. Faiths ewes frightened and her cheeks
; burned at praise from this stern man
: sind with fast beating heart she drove Il
. Rachels house, where in few minutes
/, she had forgotten her fright and he,
. heroism in Christmas Joy and anticipa
, uon.-New York Tribune.