Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-03-16
IsabeI's Birthday,


chlld, SAID her tather. " I GU know that 4
would gladly Oblige you, if thought it would
be right"
81 know that, father; am not grisved,
replied Isabel, but still she remained very
! thoughtful.
After long silence, she said, Father, if
will give up my party, will you buy COW for
Mrs. Greeni"
"Give up your party my dear Isabel! Can
you make up your mind to do this, when you
have looked forward to it 90 longi"
mot very easily, father; but l think can
/ do it. The pleasure that we should have from
the party seems Of little consequence, when
think of the good that the money would do
| Mrs. Green"
1t was now Mr.. Crawford's turn to be silent
and thoughtful. AT length he said,
"I will speak to your mother about it, Isabel;
and Tomorrow morning we will talk on the sub
! iect again. Perhaps you will repent Of too
! hasty decision"
+ Both Mr. and Mrs Crawford felt little re-
luctance at the thought of Isahel's giving up
her party; and at one time her father halt re-
solved to buy the COW HIMSELF and not ask for
any sscrifce on her part. But her mother op-
posed this course; for she felt sure that the
self denial would be good for Isabel, and she
did not think it would be right for them to de-
prive her of this good.
''We will let her take her own course" she
said 70 her husband. She will lose her party,
It is true; but the act of kindness will bring
around her many good and gentle spirits, and
she will be happier than with her earthly cons
panions.
When Isabel came to her father, in themorn
ing, therefore, and told him that she still wish
ed TO buy the COW, he consented at once, and
| promised that he would attend to the butiness
himself, and would see that she was provided
with food for the first year at least
| When Isabefs companions questioned her,
as usual, about the expected party, she was
| little at a loss what to say to them. She could
easily tell them that she had concluded not to
| have it; but then they would want a reason,
and she was unwilling to speak other generos-
| ity to Mrs. Green. Her friend, Kate Burton,
however, suspected at once that she had denied
herself the expected pleasure for some purpose
Of charity; and begged so earnestly to know
all about it, that Isabel told her the whole
truth.
Kate, and indeed all the girls, were good
deal disappointed at first; but many Of them
had become quite interested in little Jenny
and her mother, and they could not help re-
joicing that they were to receive so valuable
gift.
And now Kate Burton appeared to have some
secret Of her own. She called at Mr.. CraW-
ford's one afternoon, when she well knew that
Isabel was absent, and had quite long talk
with her mother. After this, there was good
deal Of whispering and consultation among the
elder girls at the school; and finally Isabel was
told that they had concluded to celebrate the
afternoon of her birthSdaY by having little
/ picnic, and invited her to Join them.
1--WE are going TO the grove near Mrs.
Green's cottlge,n said Kate. "You know
what pleasant place it is, Isabel. It has
been nicely cleared up within few days, and
is all ready for picnio."
Isabel entered readily into the plans Of her
schoolmates, and promised to be early on the
picnic ground, and to bring an abundance Of
flowers to decorate the table.
"How l wish father could have bought the
COW before the picnic!' said Isabel to her
mother, as she told her of the proposed pleas
ure; "then Mrs Green could have treated US to
some fresh milk, and JeRny would have felt SO
proud and happy. But father is very busy at
present, and he says must not hurry him.
| The day appOintsd for the picnic was one
of the most lovely Of all the autumn days, and
the faces of the happy party in the grove were
as cloudless as the SKY.
First of all, we must choose our dueeni''
exclaimed Kate Burton, when all the girls had
assembled, and kindly greetings had passed
between them. ExE raH
"She is already chosen; is she nOtp' remark
cd one Of the other girls. 1--WE have only to
| crown her, and conduct her to the throne"
every true" replied Kate; "aad here Is the
crown" she continued, producing beautiful
| wreath of autumnal leaves and flowers, and
placing it upon Issbel's head
"Long live Queen Isabel!'' exclaimed many
voices, as Kate took the hand of the new made
| queen, and led her to a messy seat, which was
to serve the purpose Of throne.
! Isabel was so much sstonished at this un-
expected honor, that she found it difficult to
recover her self>possession sufficiently to re-
ply in dignifed and proper manner to the
congratulations of her subjects, and to receive
the numerous gifts Of flowers and fruits which
were now presented to her.
| Just as she was becoming more at at ease in
her new position, Jenny, the little berry girl.
appeared, bearing in her hand small but
beautifully chased silver cup, and with her
usual modest courtesy, presented it to the queen.
| i'The speech, the speechp' urged Kate, lay
ing her hand gently upon the little girls shoul-
der.
Jenny looked up with q bewildered air.
81 cannot, Miss Kate. Indeed, 1 tried to re-
member it, and have Just said it every word
to my mother; but now it has all gone out of
my mind can only say, dear Miss Isabel,
! love you, and thank you with ell my heart"
Here Jenny's voice failed her, and she burst
| into tears. The queen and several of her sub
iects appeared much disposed to fellow her ex-
ample. Even the gay Kate brushed the drops
from her eyes as she exclaimed, "Was there
ever anything so pfovokingl That eloquent
speech that have taken so much pains to pre-
pare! But will your majesty be pleased to
taste the contents Of your cupip She continued
plRyfuly addressing Isabel, who still held the,
cup IN her hand apparently quite unconscious
of what it contained.
Isabel started, and raised the cup to her lips
/ "Miik warn new milk % she exclaimed,
| springing from the throne, 1.-The COW has come
at Iast!"
| HYes, miss, che has come" said JENNY. snil.
ing through her tears. .sAnd such beauty YOU
never saw; and 80 gentle, that can milk her
lust as easily as could our old one. But you
have not looked at the beautiful cup, Miss fsa.
bel"
| Ashamed of her neglect of the costly gift Of
her companions, Isabel hastened to examine it,
and with the teals still gathering in her eyes,
read the simple inscription,--'1sABEL; from her
Afectionate Schoolmates."
at is beautiful, and thank you very much,
she said earnestly as she looked around upon
them all "but ike Jenny, I cannot make any
speech" -, .-+.
1--WE do not want any" replied Kate. "YOu
have said enough, There shall be no speeches
to-day, since the one planned has failed And
now, girls, let us pay our respects to JeHny's
rev treasure. saw her feeding in the field
near the cottage" oUlia-' - l.l,If1 ss
Away ran all the Eirls: and. in spite of Kate's