The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-17
THE BUTTERFLy'S BIRTHDAY.
BY FANNIE.

In garden belonging to lady, who lived
less than hundred miles from here was q
peculiarly beautiful moss-rose busa. One bright
sunny morning in June, under the shade of
this bush, there might have been seen two but
terfes, engaged in very earnest consultation.
The more beautiful of the two had on bril-
liant pea-green jacket, spotted with yellow and
red, very tight fitting brown trowsers-and his
bright little eyes twink;sd like diamonds. His
name was Cheri. Tie other butterfly was his
sister, and sne was called Charmaute. She
was much older thar her brother, and conse-
quently did not wear lutte such gaudy dress !;
but still they made q very snowy couple.
The garden in which they were was famed
different kinds of ross g. which with the beds of
heliotrope and mignionette, go perfumed the
air that you could perceive the odor when at
quite a distance. Beside these, there were
tulips and geraniums of the most beautiful spe-
cies. Verbenas, cacti, and sweet peas, grew in
great prefusion all kinds of lilies, from the
stately white to the modest little bells of the
lily of the valley. There was too, beautiful
fountain in the garden. A graceful water
nymph held in her hand q vase, from which
spouted jet Of water to the height of twenty
feet.
Little Cherie was begging his sister to let him
have grand party the next day, because be
would then be exactly one week old-qnite a
mature age for butterfly. He teszed his sis.
ter until at last she gsve her consent When
Cherie heard this, he showed his delight by
cutting several capers so strange, that Char
mantle told him he spust remember how old
he was. Cheri INN edistely sat down by his
sister, and was very digni6ed ali the rest of the
time. Charmante hen asked him who he
vonld ike IN invite
"Oh," said he, "there are all the Butter
flies that we know, and the Hummingbirds,
and the Crickets, anil Locusts, and Grasshop-
pers, and -
"Stopl STOP! cried his sister, " not so
fast. will get piece of lily leaf, AID write
the different names Gown as you give them to
me-now am ready"
swell, there is MIR. Gaywing, and his six
brothers and sisters, and Mr.. Spotter and his
wife, and Miss Gresuspot. 1 mention these
first because they are the most fashionable
people"
THAT makes ten," said Char Mante.
Let me see-we must have our friends the
Bluebottle Flies, they look 80 pretty by lamp
light. How many of them do we know, sister?"
WE'LL" said Charmante, stopping in her
writing to count, "there is the family in the
Red Tulip on the next walk, there's eighteen
ladies who live in Sv Get Pea Hall that makes
twenty one"
Then" continu, Cheri, /" we must have
Mr.. Beetle, for he is knight of great distinc.
ton, and always wears such q shining black
armor. We will not have the Misses Mosquito,
or the Messrs. Gnat and Flea, unless they
promise to lay ssie & their stings before they
come. | will ask oily Mr.. Cricket to come,
and not forget to bring his fiddle with him, so
that he may play foa Us to dance"
Why don't you invite the beautiful Miss
FREELY, Cheri !! sad Charmante, archly, Z" I
thought you we're &C much in love with her"
$50 am" said (iheri, growing very red !;
but because l die not mention her first, it
does not follow the t the last shall be least.
Put her name down. Now write Mr.. Locust,
his wife and child, sad Mr.. Miller, his wife and
two daughters"
But Cheri," said Charmante, "you have
not yet given my tpe name of Grandfather
Longlegs.s He must have an invitation. for he
is respected by everybody"
Very well, said Cheri, "and to show nv
respect, | will 60 myself and ask him. Now
We must have our friends the Hummir ebirds,
because they always dress so gayly, and dance
90 prettily; and then must not forget to ask
the 9rasshoppers who live near US. think
mat II enough. And, sister, please write the
invitations now, and will take them around. !.
They were soon written, and Cheri took them
to the houses of the people for whom they were
intended. Beside those that have been men.
toned, he asked gseat number of the KATY.
dids and Housefies. All promised to come ex.
cept Mr.: Miller, who had signed his wings very
| badly the night before, by flying too near 8
light, and his wife had to stay at home to take
care of him; but she said the children ahould
come by oil means.
When Cheri got home, he was pretty thorou Oh.
| ly tired and ready fer bed.
| The next morning he was awake with the
sun, and immediately set about putting the par
lor and dining room in order, aud getting thu
ball room ready for The dancers. When he hac
made them nice and clean, he went around
gathering dew from the different flowers in {
little bucket made ont of q blue bell. All TIT
morning was spent in getting the refreshment,
and dishes ready. Their table was smootl
block of perfumed wood, but how it reache.
their dining room, 40 one knows. The clo]
was formed Of great many damask rose leaves