Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-12-06

til long past midnight, she became
| lost in this new world.
II know all about how folks live in
the woods" she said one Sunday to
| Uncle Jud, when half through THE
| Deerslayer." 81 was brought up
there. I know how Injuns live, and
what they believe. l had an old
| Injun friend once. I've got the moe
casins and fur cape he gave me now
His name was Tomah, N he believed
in queer things that sometimes creep
an sometimes run Eastern we can"
1t was her first reference to her
old life, but once begun, she never
paused until all her queer history had
been related.
81 didn't mean to tell it," she ex
planned in conclusion, for l don't
want nobody to know where l came
from, an I hope you won't tell"
How near she came to DISCLOSING
what was of far more importance to
herself and these people than old To
mah's superstition she never knew, nr
that all that saved her was her refeC.
ence to Old Cy by that name only.
More than that, she had no sus-
picion that this kindly old nan, so
much like him In looks and speech,
was his brother.
With the coming Of September, how.
ever, visitor was announced. "AHnt
Abby's comm to stay with us a spea."
Uncle Jud said that day; "she's
Mandy's sister, Abigail Bemis, an she
lives at Christmas Cove. It's shorc
town, bout hundred miles from here.
She amt much like Mandy" he added
confidentially to Chip; she's ncve
book larned, so you'll have to mIrH
your p's and as. If ye like, ye cSD
go with me to the station to mes:
her"
And so it came to pass that few
days later Chip, dressed in her best,
rode to the station with Uncle Jud
in the old carryall, and there met this
visitor
She was not welcome guest, so
far as Chip was concerned, wonted as
she had now become to Uncle Jud
and Aunt Mandy, whose speech, like
her own, was not book larned," and
for this reason Chip felt afraid Of
her. So much SO, in fact, that for
a few days she scarce dared to speak
at all
Her timidity wore away in due time,
for Aunt Abby-a counterpart of her
sister-was in no wise awe inspiring.
She saw Chip as she was, and soon
fnJt irtn in NJ
culiar history, or what was known of
It, She also noted Chips interest in
books, and guessing more than she
had been told, was not long in form
ing correct conclusions.
What do you intend to do with
this runaway girl?" she said one day
to her sister, keep her here and let
her grow up in ignorance, or what?"
wal, we amt thought much about
that" responded Mandy, "at least lot
yet. She amt got no relations to
look arter her, so far ez we kin larn.
She's company for us, n willin'.
Uncle Jud sets lots Of store by her.
She Is with him from morn till night,
and handy at all sorts O work. This
Is how It's with us here, an now what
do you say?"
For a moment Aunt Abby meditated.
you ought to do your duty by her."
she said at last, land she certainly
needs more schooling
I'VE can send her down to the Cor
ners when school begins If you think
we orter," returned her sister, timid-
ly; but we hate to lose her now.
We've kinder took to her, you see."
II hardly think that will do" an
swered Aunt Abby, knowing as she
did that the three RS comprised the
full extent of an education at the Cor
ners. What she needs is a chance
to mingle with more people than she
can here, and learn the ways of the
world, as we'll as books. Her mind
Is bright. I notice she is reading
every chance she can get, and you
know my ideas about education. For
her to stay here, even with schooling
at the Corners, is to let her grow up
like a hoyden. Now what would you
think If took her back to Christmas
Cove? There is better school there.
She will meet and mingle with more
people, and improve faster
81 dunno what Judson'll say re-
turned Aunt Mandy, somewhat sadly.
Hes got so wonted to her, he'll be
! heart broke, I'm afraid" And so the
| consultation closed.
The matter did not end here for
| Aunt Abby, "sot in her way as
| Uncle Jud had often said, yet in real
| ity only advocating what she felt was
best for the homeless waif, now began
a persuasive campaign. She enlarged
on Christmas Cove, its excellent
school and capable master, its social
advantages and cultured people, who
boasted a public library and debating
society, and especially its summer at
fractions, when a few dozen city PEG
pie sojourned there. Its opporfuni-