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

great parlor.
Unrolling the little parcel. she spread
out a beautiful collar of filmy lace, and
said, This collar was gilt to me at the
time Of my marriage. l have never
worn il since. and il is very precious to
me but | have special reasons for wish.
Ing to dispose oil it now. and should like
10 sell it to you, if you are willing 10
take it."
Mrs. Downs examined it closely IL
was indeed, beautiful lace, aud she lelt
willing TO pay a good price for ii; but
she had one oil the kindest hearts in the
world, and SO she said:
"Will you tell me why you wish to dis
pose of it +? Are you finding it difficult
to support yourself and SO need the
money for some necessary comfort ?"
The words were so kindly spoken Mrs.
Granger did not hesitate moment. but
told the whole story OF little Floy's great
grief. and her desire to make the ap
Prosching birthday a happy one. the
memory OF which would gladden. her
heart for many n day TO come.
Mrs. Downs did not lrown upon the
poor mother, and tell her she had better
use what money she could get Tor their
actual wants; on the contrary, she
answered. with smile OF utmost sym.
palhy:
81 sincerely hope you can do it, and
will be very glad to assist you all in my
power. Suppose You let me keep the
collar; and. ii you choose to give her n
little party, ] will furnish The refresh.
mrnIs for the occasion. and YOU can re.
deem the collar when you are able. by
paying just what the cost may happen to
be.
Indeed, you are very kind That
would suit NE perfectly :"
We'll. then. you must let me know
Just the number oi little people. and !
shall beg the favor oi An Invitation 10
look in upon them. Tor shall want to
see how they all enjoy it,"
Most certainly. you can come if You
will"
After settling the whole matter salts.
factorily, they separated. and Mrs. Gran.
ger FASTENED home, 80 happy she could
hardly wait Floy's return from school.
The moment she came in the mother
caught her up in her arms. and kissed
her over and over again. to Floy's utter
amazement, for she had never seen her
look so happy before.
why, mamma. what is it? Whist
makes you 20 glad ?"
Would YOU like to nave birthday
party. darIing-a real party, with every.
thing nice TO eat. and ever so much fun?'
Like it. mammal Iguess | would
but"
"Well. dear, you shall one. I've con
trived 1t all out for you. and you may
invite all your little friends as soon as
YOU please"
"Can |, can ?" And the little grl
jumped up and down at leas, twenty
times, laughing and crying for JOY.
"Who will You invite. DEAR"
well. let me see. I'd better have
just such little ghls and boys as am.
who never had party in their life. So
they can have good time for once.
There's Prissy Lord and poor little hunch-
back Joe. and Della Wright. and-but
how many can have. mamma?"
Just as many As you please. dear"
"Oh, my but won't that be splendid"
So the little girl wrote down one name
alter another. until she had thirty on her
list.
IN invite them hi. very day. for
there's only four days before the time.
Plltell 'em TO come right after dinner, 80
we'll have plenty ol time to play"
Away she flew, from one house to an
other. returning just at dark. tired, but
qulyeIiug with excitement and JOY. She
thought she never. neVer should 20 10
sleep that night. but she did. The event
ful day dawned at last The one large
room in the house had been made AS
bright and clean rs possible. There was
large yard back OF the house shaded by
al immense OAK tree, which had been
swept until i: was as smooth and hard as
floor. Mrs. Downs was one of those
blessed women who never do things by
halves. and she had taken pains to quiet.
ly inform all OF Mrs. Granger's employ.
ers, and some OF her own friends, of the
little girls birthday. and the good time
which her mother was trying 10 give her
only child. So it came to pass that just
about noon Mrs. Downs man John drove
up to the door OF the little old house,
with light wagon which contained some
very remarkable parcels. First he
brought in large basket filed with bou
quets, and pair OF lovely white vases
for Floy "from friend" Next pack.
age OF nicely bound chldren's books up
on which was written IRON Mrs. Smith,"
then he brought in a box containing q
siereoseope and lue lot OF views. "A
gift from Mrs. Reynolds"
Then came a lovely Croquet set {!
'from Mr.. Ray" and q cunning little
real gold ring. with Mrs. Proctor's love-"
Last of all came long, heavy rope.
which John said was his present. and he
fxtanad II IN O s,on, lin,h Of tha old tree