Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-16

me Christmas eve in Virginia, during
the war between the north and the south,
Rosy Tanner sat on the fence by the big
gate and watched the blue soldiers go by
their plantation. millions and millions
she thought, some on foot and some
horses.
Rosy was not quite clear about this war.
She knew that her father and her uncle
Robert did not live at home any more, and
that blue was the wrong color and gray
was the right one. Besides this she had
heard everybody saying how dreadful it
would be when the blue soldiers came, and
here they were at last, and nothing had
happened, so 1t was all right.
Just now she was mighty glad it was
Christmas again. This year she wanted
real doll with china head and hands and
feet, and fine stiff sawdust body. Where
such plaything was to be got nobody In
the family could think, but deep down in
her heart Rosy was sure her wish was
coming true Meantime it was very pleas
ant for her and Mary. her little black maid.
to sit on the fence and watch the army go
past. and they did not bulge off their perch
until the last blue column disappeared be-
hind the bend In the road. when they rushed
to the house to find Mrs. Tanner.
'Mother'-Rosy talked very fast to get
in the first word-"the blue soldiers are
here. I saw them! About millions, I
think And. mother, would you believe 1t,
they are just the image of menl Mary
said they had horns and hoofs and long
white tushes!'
Oats what Unck Jonah saidr Mary
laid the blame on the first person she could
think of.
Then Uncle Jonah was mistaken! Now,
Mary, you and Mss Rosy must keep close
in our grounds! It Is not safe for little
girls away from home these days! Do you
hear?''
"Yessum Miss Mollyr'
The two little girls meant to be good
and kind, but somehow, before they knew
It they found themselves playing in the
willow grove by the creek. When Mary
saw where they were she was frightened,
for near by was the haunted swamp" and
the daylight was growing DINNER and dim
mer every minute.
LES go home Miss Rosy! Desc hyar
woods Is gittin' plum night and dey ain
so safe, nohOw'
They went as fast as ever the slippery
leaf mold on the ground would let them,
for they heard a cracking noise In the
bushes to their left. as If some Wild animal
was following them. Although they hur-
ried with all their might, they could not
keep up with their heartbeats and at last
Rosy gave out and stopped When she got
her breath she whispered:
Mary. you afraid?''
4eSsunl-Ndt L MISS hcSS. ueS
terrIbul almighty scairt-dat what 1 Isl"
They kept still a minute before Rosy
dared speak again.
You must stop 1t, Mary! Don't you
know it's a noble honor to die a brave
death for your country?" Rosy heard her
Uncle Robert say this the night he rode
off and left everybody crying to break their
hearts.
''Yessum, know hit eff you sesso, Miss
Rosy Mary SMILED, with her ear cooked
toward the threatening noise. But don
wanter die on de count er nobuddy, an
reckon dat hant gwne come after us to-
reckly-O Lawdy! Lawdy!'
Mary screeched as a big hairy man
crashed through the woods and stood over
them In silence. They expected him to eat
them up on the instant.
Mary, go and bring me something to
eat at the sprlng-house Miss Rosy and
I will meet you therei Don't tell any one
what you WANT
''Yessum. 1 ain gwine tell Mary slut
tered, but how 1 gwine git no white foxes