New-York tribune., 1902-12-14
II CHRIS6MAS HEROINE.
BY KATHERINE NEwBoLD BIRDsALL.


It's long journey for a little maid and dis
like send her" said a sweet voice. as its owner
tied Faiths bonnet strings under her chin and
kissed the solemn red lips
she is longer baby. Deborah" said the
stern looking man holding the horses head Did
thee tell her that he paused he glanced at
his wife. who laid a warning finger on her lips
Demure little Faith. in her gray Quaker gown,
looked from one to the other. Then she cried:
"Oh, yes father Mother told that / to
drive old Zeke fast he will go. down the
post road and through the wood. and so to Wayne.
and when / reach there, go straight to Ephraim
Bassett's with the load squashes. And if
he asks which the best 1 to tell him the
marrow squash, and that the smallest is ripest
for his use. Then, when he has given me
the meal and tea and camphor, L may drive to see
Rachel and spend the night" Faiths eyes
sparkled at the thought. for Rachel her best
friend and trips to Taunton were few and far
between. And if L should meet any rebels
Faith shuddered she said the wo-d-"I not
to tarry. except to answer their questions civIy.
1 hope 1 shant meet any for they ogres, in
deed
Thee will probably meet not one on the way
said her mother, Faith sprang into the wagon
and picked up the lines. Remember. if thee
should. that thee is just the vay to take
Christmas squaskes to exchange for meal and to
spend Christmas Eve with thy friend. Farewell
daughter
The good Lord keep thee" said her father
reverently. chirrupng to old Zeke. Faith start
ed off with her wagonload of sqt ashes for Ephram
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 mis- farm products
to town, so she knew how he did his trading She
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 seen.
So Faith and Zeke went meTrily on. Faith think
ing of the pretty presents Rachel would probably
have for her. aid Zeke of the good bag of and
meal that RacheIs father kept in his barn. Per
haps it 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 fve-mile stretch of woods a brisk trot.
This the most fearsOme as we'll the most
beautiful part of the drive. and and tsen a
scampering squirrel rabbit startled both the old
horse and the little maid. The old horse covered
the first two miles in good time, then slowed down
a little to rest.
Brave old Zeke.' called Faith. "A good friend
and companion" Then. he raised his head and
shifted suspciously. What does thee smell, Zeke.
to make thee uneasy?"
For reply Zeke raised his head and started into
the best gallop he could. with the heavy wagon
behind him.
"Zeke running away laughed Faith. holding
the line with both hands. He had been longer in
the family than she herself had and she had al
ways thought of him very old and very sedate.
Perhaps he was thinking of the oats At that
moment swapping and cracking of brush in the
woods startled the little driver. and looking ahead
she beheId in the road three stalwart soldiers
rebels-whie from either side came two more Old
Zeke running as If he eight instead of
eighteen years old. tried to make his way through
them but one young sprang at his head, and,
catching the rein. brought the wagon 10 stand
still. So,
pray stand out OF the way. sir begged Faith,
her heart beating wildly. Thank thee for stop
ping him. though il is fun to see Zeke run
Tia hat / Y.
Zeke
Not so fast Mistress said one of the
I'VE are fond of squash and we would like a Few
for camp"
They are Christmas squash for Ephraim Bas-
sett at Wayne'' objected Faith. sitting very
straight Il sorry that 1 can spare none
I'VE must perforce take them If they are not
given said one of the which were you To
tell Ephraim the best?