The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-31

''Where-is-Mary-A Oh
-she--has-go ne-homep' 1t was the
thin, mysterious voice of little Mary
Alice Smith herself that so often queried
and responded as above-every word ac-
cented with a sweet and eerie intonation.
and very gayety of solemn earnestness
that baffled the cunning skill of all child
ish imitators. A slender wisp of a girl
she was, not more than ten years OF age
in appearance, though 1t had been given
TO us as fourteen. The spindle ankles
that she SO airily fourished from the
sparse concealment OF a worn and shad-
owy calico skirt seemed scarce fraction
more in girth than the slim, blue-veined
wrists she tossed among the loose and
ragged tresses of her yellow hair, as
she danced around the room. She was
from the first. an object of curious ana
most refreshing interest to our family
to US children in particular-an interest,
though years and years have interposed
TO shroud 1t In the dull dust of forgetful-
ness, ,hat still remains vivid and bright
and beautiful. Whether an orphan child
only, or with a father that could thus
lightly send her adrift, do not know
now, nor do care to ask. but do recall
distinctly that on a raw. bleak day In
early winter she was brought TO us,
from a wild country settlement by re-
puted uncle-a gaunt round-shouldered
man, with deep eyes and sallow cheeks,
and weedy looking beard, as we curious
~ watched him from the front window
stolidly swinging this little, blue-lipped,
red-nosed waif over the muddy wagon
wheel to fathers arms, ike 80 much
country produce. And even as the man
resumed his seat upon the thick board
laid acroes the wagon, and sat chewing
straw, with spasmodic holdings of the
head, as some brief further conference
detained him. / remember mother quick
ly lifting my sister up from where we
stood, folding and holding the little form
In unconscious counterpart of father and
the little girl without. And how we
gathered round her when father brought
her In, and mother fixed a cozy chair for
her close to the blazing fire. and united
the little summer hat, with It's hectic
trimmings, together with the dismal
green veil that had been bound beneath
It round the little, tingling ears. The
hollow pale-blue eyes of the child fol-
lowed every motion with an alertness
that suggested a somewhat suspicious
mind.
Dave, gimme thati" she said, her eyes
proudly following the hat as mother laid
IT on the pillow OF the bed. Mustn't git
II mussed up sir er you'll have Dave in
yer WOOL" she continued, warningly, as
our childish interest drew US TO a nearer
view Of the gaudy article IN question.
Half awed, we shrank back to our first
wonderment, one Of us. however, with
the bravery to ask: Who's Dave?''
who's Dave?' reiterated the little
voice, half scornfully. why. Dawes a
great big boyi Dave works on Barnes 9
place. And he kin purt-nigh make a full
hand, too. Dawes purt nigh as tall as
your pap. He's purt'-nigh growed up
Dave Isl And -Mason-J effries. -
she continued, jauntily teetering her head
from left to right, and for the first time
introducing that peculiar elaboration OF
accent and undplating utterance that we
afterward found to be her quaintest and
most charming characteristic - and
Dayid-M ason-J effries- he-likes- Mary
--Alice-Smithl" And then she broke
abruptly into the merriest laughter. and
clapped her little palms together till they
fairly glowed.
"And who's Mary Alice Smith," clam
orcd chorus of merry voices
The elfish figure Strengthened haughtily
IN the chair. Folding the slender arms
"tahtly across har breast ana tutns bar