New-York tribune., 1902-12-14

Faith thought very quickly, II she told these
none for Ephraim Bassett.
said. remembering to have heard her father say
that few days before
to hed ake the others Whipped oup 6ss Sas
knives and TO Faiths surprise began to cut The
they dropped them on the ground with exclama-
she reached the store, How was she to get the
meal and the tea and the eamphor?
and buried her face in zeke's name The old horse
put his nose earessingly on her shoulder and the
of his own at home. said softly: There. there
not ot oT % War no NO arm Nod o 70 yo precious
load. which expect is far more precious to US"
mean? Then. in a fash she realized what had
happened She remembered having heard OF sons
the lines but which had had not rot yet been del delivered
der der that they had befriended? And coGd that
gpss you'd OF Course find it, and them Oh what
might not hapIen to her own dear parents, and
message through
Faiths brain worked very quickly for moment.
Then her sobs queted little
'Zeke would like a piece Of the squash she
said to the young soldier. He's very fond OF
You can give it to him." he said. and the Others
So Faith. one bright eye fixed on the precious
hess She snatched the little squash into her apron
ever eaten SQUASH and would he do so now?
''Zeke; good. kind. faithful old Zeke:n she whls-
pered. eat it for my sake, even II thee doesn't
The first piece Zeke chewed with a relish. Would
the young soldier never take his eyes from them
Hey. Cal tumble that pile over. called one OF
the others. and the young soldier stopped to do as
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
zeke bit bravely into the squash. and befor.
Faiths trembling hands could catch the paper II
Poor little Faith She dared not stoop TO pick it
up-the soldier was turning again toward her.
Quick as a flash she concealed it beneath her broad
Faithful old Zeke whined and tried to comfort
her. and the young soldier looked distressed Il
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
1t isn't here one declared 1--WE must search
Then carefully they searched Faith and every
KnoNi9g old ZeRe looked at his mistress and al
Finding no document the soldiers were disgusted.
''TriCkedH' exclaimed one. The child was sent
as a ruse. and the message has gone in some other
you may go little lass said the young SOL
dier; -and. believe me. am very sorry -.
They prepared to mount the horses which we're
tied a few yards distant. Faith started TO pick up
the broken squashes and put them back IN the
The rebeI. soldiers. chirruPing to their horses horses
most OF her damaged squashes. Then making
sure the soldiers of sight. she secured the
precious paper. putting it III her shoe for safe
keeping go
pered Is she jumped in
Old Zeke made his best time to town. and
stopped before Ephraim Bassetts store Kindly
old Ephraim came 10 the door
"A load for me. Faith? he asked ! want scns
fine ones for my use. Why. what's this?"
Il want speak to thee alone. said Faith
Cravely as she followed him in. Then. in his own
little office she gave him the paper and told her
story.
All little Faith said the old man. patting her
head as she finished. you are brave lass, dnd
m proud to know you. This paper is to warn our
army OF plot to trap them. and you, by your true
courage and daring have preserved II. and can
now send the message forward without danger o.
its being stopped You are heroine. little Fatth;
YOU have done your country a brave Christmas
service ,,
Faiths eyes frightened and her cheeks burned
at uraise this stern man. and with fast peat
ing heart she drove TO Rachels house: where II a
few minutes she had forgotten her fright ana her
heroism in Christmas JOY and anticipation