Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-09-23

John. who went away with n wonderful
mist in hi. eyes.
By one o'clock little Floy was dressed
in her best. which happened TO be just
the thing plain white dress and her
mother put lew Of the pretty rosobuds
in her darling's curls. and then dressed
herself AS neatly as she could with ber
meagre wardrobe.
The little guests all arrived in good
time. Some Of them 4 triae shabby
perhaps. but all clean and smiling with
delight over the wonderful treat Of q
real party. What EXPLANATIONS of de-
light burst forth when they saw the cro-
quet set. and the swing, and all the beau.
tifu! birthday gifts. They all loved
Floy too well 10 be envious and miser
able because they had none of those
good things. and the dear child said,
Now. let's all have good time with
them y SO they divided of into little
gyoups, some by the swing, some around
the croquct ground. and the rest were
happy over the pictures aud books. Mrs.
Granger seemed 10 be everywhere at
once. keeping every child amused. and
happy rs possible. Just rs the clock
struck four something wonderful hap
pened Five carriages. drawn by
splendid horses. drove up to the door
Mrs. Downs came into the house smiling
very swselly upon the flock of happy
children. Alter pleasant word with
Mrs. Granger, who was rs much sur
pliscd Us the childIcn at the unexpected
sight, she Kissed little Floy AMI said.
there deaI, are carriages enough Tor
you to give all your little friends ride.
You will have time enough 10 go to ;he
lake and back before supper Before
the litlle girl could say II word John
caught her up aud put her safely into the
first carriage. and was helping in the
rest. tossing their hats in aner thom.
"You must 60. too, Mrs. Granger" ="
said Mrs. Downs. The carriages bo.
long 10 your friends. who take great
pleasure in sending them To you to.d day.
We will attend 10 the supper: Jane and
Maria have come to relieve you from all
care"
So away they went, in fine style; up
hill and down. through green fields and
lovely woods, until they arrived at the
lake A fine steamboat was passing by.
and the children waved their tiny hand
kcrchicis and hurrahed until they were
hoarse. and they caught the faint sound
ol all answering shout from the passen'
gers on tho boat. to their infinite delight.
Thoy ran along over the hard. sandy
beach. trying to see how near they could
run the edge OF the waves and escape -
wetting. Happy were Ihc boys who
were barefoot that day They rolled up
their pants aud waded out into the water.
and the splash ol the cool waves over
their feet reconciled them perfectly 10 the
unpleasant tact OF having neither boots
nor shoes to wear They found wonder
tai shining stones. and pretty little shells,
aud would have stayed there until dark.
had not John reminded them Of the sup.
per that was waiting tor their return.
So they FASTENED back to the carriages,
aud ~ere soon nl the door ot the little.
old house again.
What sight me-, their eyes A long
table adorned with flowers and covered
with everything nice Tor hungry children
To eat. There was an enormous birth
day cake in the center with Floy's name
on it, and there were sandwiches, and
tarts. and cream puff. and various kinds
oi frosted cake. There were ice cream
aud lemonade enough tor each one 10
have all they wanted ioI once. What
they could not eat was wrapped up in
papers and carried homo. leaving still
goodies enough 10 last Mrs. Granger and
Floy month al least.
Mrs Granger tried to express her graf
itude to the kind friends who had given
them so much pleasure. but Mrs. Downs
would not hear OF it. She slipped The
lace collar into the Mrs. Granger's hand
and said. II am glad FloY has had such a
good time for once. aud The cost is moth
ing compared to the pleasure We have
taken in seeing So many happy faces. SO
there is nothing more 10 be said about
that, only good night"
Somehow this was the beginning Of
better things for little Floy. and her
mother too. Her aristocra,ic school.
mates all heard oil the wonderful party,
OF course. and they suddenly discovered
that the washerwoman's daughter was a
very sweet we'll behaved girl alter all,
and from that time she was invited to
every party that was given in The little
town. Mrs. Granger's long lost brother
returned from foreign lands. and she be.
came his housekceper in beautiful
home. She would often fold her happy
child to her heart and exclaim, "Ah !
Floy. God is always kind 10 the widow
and the iatherless child"
"A smart fellow. who should be pro-
nntad has found ont ,vha e. vess.i l.