Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-26

should laugh at NAB Wnen Sne was
in earnest! The baby girl had keen sense OF
hunor; but it never found expression IN words
that literally true Neither did she expect any
thing but the exact truth from rom others ne result
very good and discerning persons worshped at her
little shrine After she had settled herself in her tiny
chair and had spread her little skirts contentedly
she looked up to Uncle Tom Andy Bill and said:
''Now!"
That word was the tnkling bell that raised the
curtain, and Uncle Tom Andy Bill began:
THE morning after Balser and I reached Gin
= cinnati we received our money in canvas shot
along with the presents for the folks at home
hitched up the horses, and started for Blue River
The wagon was light, and the horses, having had
long rest in the stable, Travelled homeward at
brisk rate
No adventure befel us till the second evening
when about halfway home. At the rate
evening of the second day, and would have missed
the adventure, the results of which have affected
my life even down to this present moment, had we
not stopped at little town called Napoleon to wit
circus performance. But did STOP and
that small incident, have told you, has colored
my whole life ss
The circus threw us one day behind, and at
the end of the second day drew up in drilling
rain in. front of old, rambling two-story brick
house that looked if it had been deserted by
kind and appropriated by family of ghosts Think
ing the house unoccupied, we concluded to camp
in it for the night: but after looking at it for
moment it seemed so lonesome and haunted like
that about to drive on when old woman
came to the door and said:
Light, strangers! Light and in! You're
very welcome, and it's going to be bad night.
It's ten miles to the nearest house.
LET 60 in and stay for the night suggested
Balser.
I'm agreed answered; so we stopped.
+" While We were unhitching the horses, young
girl perhaps fourteen years old came out and pro-
ceeded to help us. Balser and l gazed at her in
wonder. Despite the coarse rags that served her
clothing, despite her unwashed face and un-
kempt hair, she beautiful beyond description
Her hair was like black sunit cloud tossed by
the caressing wind. Her great violet eyes, fringed
brows, fairly shone with the luster of health and
the glow of her soul. Her exquisite face with its
dark, rosy complexion, of type frequently
met with under the blue skies of Italy, but seldom
found in this cold cline.
When the horses were unhitched the girl led
of them to the stable, and l followed leading
the other.
Put your horse in that STALL she said. and
Ill put this one here.
Il answered like yokel Yes. MAJ am
Shall give them corn!' she asked and again
"'Yes, ma am
They'll want water, suppose? she suggested
Again l responded brilliantly. Yes. ma'am'
There's bucket just outside the door, and the
pump is at the end of the barn. You get the water
and III get the corn Six ears apiece?' she asked
YES am said l.
ing to feed the horses While they were drinking
/ stood by her side, trying very hard to think of
something to say; but failed, and grew more
and more embarrassed the silence continued
The girl was composed as the horse. After
long silence, she said:
you needn't call me ma am I'm just Nab
She smiled, and Tom Andy Bill, though very young,
got his finish then and there.
The girl and talked for awhile at the barn. We
didn't say much; but, little as it was, don't in
tend to tell you about it. She had the knack of
making others feel easy in her presence, and by
the time we got the house had told her my name
and the names of all my relatives. where l lived.
bod hoox ,11T 49,