The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-24

HAD had a very restless night, so
 I arose early and was sitting in my open window. watching the curious half-lfght that precedes the dawn, and the long white road that went struggling like white ribbon up the hill.
 The birds were faintly twittering, far off sounds from early rising farmers were just audible. and the scent of growing things was waited up to me as l leaned out of my window.
 Suddenly heard footsteps on the ground below.
 "Burglarsr' thought, forgetting that such gentlemen do not, as rule. pursue their nefarious calling at daybreak. Then decided they were not the steps of Robert, our village policeman. They were too light.
 But I could see nothing. although leaned far out. but after waiting five minutes or so. I distinctly heard the noise once more. And this time there was no mistake about it. They were footsteps. and I again peered out.
 It was lighter now, so light that could distinguish each flower and bush in the garden below as well as some thing else that amazed me.
 For there among my rows of sweet peas was little figure industriousiy digging. 1t was child.
 Hastily slipping on a dressing gown and slippers, I hurried downstairs and as silently as I could slipped the bolt of the han door and went into the gar den.
 I was just in time. One arm akimbo. complacently regarding the result of her work, stood a very small. very dirty. very sharp-faced child. one of our gar den spades in her hand.
 A DOUBLE SURPRISE
 She started as a twig cracked under my feet
 'rwhat are you doing here. little giriGf I asked.
 She looked up unabashed.
 'T haven't nicked nothing, haven't" she said, strike me dead if havel' s'what are you doing here7' repeat cd. ''who are you, and where do you come from7"
 She rubbed her shoes uneasily against the spade. and I saw her little brown feet were peeping through the worn leather. That decided me. Besides. al- though early summer. the morning was chilly and her face looked pinched and forlorn.
 sfsCome indoors with me-" said, and after one swift, upward glance into my face, she followed as led the way into the kitchen. Here I found a bowl of bread and milk and piece of pie, and set them before her at the clean kitchen table.
 said.
 She nodded.
 s.Ain't had nothink to eat since he were took" sine remarked vaguely, talk ing a huge bite out of the pie, and snnacking her lips after 1t.
 That's goodl' she said, with pathetic emphasis, as the last bit of food dis appeared. Beats old Mother Pike's pies into cooked hat"
 But was interested in the child. not in 'Mother Pike"
 'sWhat's your namef' I asked.
 ''Young Kicker she returned in Q matter-of-fact tone.
 ''Is that your real name?"
 ''Dunno. They all calls me that Bill he he alius W says 'Yung' Nicesr', he do"
 ''Where is your father?" was my next question.
 Dom Itme, WdS uST Ecplys LuC1s after a quick glance around, Hadn't I best be goin', nissus7 If your old man comes knocking around, things'n be lively for me, reckon"
 ssThere is no old man." replied with some amusement. You are perfectly safe here.'
 Then she noticed my appearance in my dressing gown and plaited hair.
 You looks like Miriam Bodie afore she dresses up," she remarked. only her hair is yaller'n yours.
 THE BURIED "swAa'
 Not exactly fancying personal re- marks, changed the subject back to Now, see here." said I. eff you do not tell me what you were doing In my garden shall have to call the police man and hand you over to him."
 She only grinned.
 nounced. II seen him go an hour back"
 Never mind if he has. If you don't tell me, shall see that you are locked Ssurs you won't tell if I dor" she asked, suspiciously.
 'sWell, I was only burying the swag," she declared, swiftly.
 "The what?" asked, not recognizing the last words.
 "The swag," she repeated. CT always has to hide 1t fur him whenever he gets took in. An I've been a-watch- In this here place fur ever so long. a----~----~--s---------