Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-09
PINNIE'S TEA.PARTY.

Grace. Mamma, are you in real truly
earnest?"
Yes, dear; you can take your choice
between birthday presents and a tea
party"
"Oh, I've chose the party the moment
you mentioned bout it. But am | to do
all my own 'viting? All my own self?'
for worship, and mamma only had time
to nod Eyes" before the books were
given out and the reading was begun.
Pinkie sat still as mouse, thinking who
to invite to her party, until papa, in whose
lap she sat, read in his turn
"Then said He also to him that babe
them: When thou makest dinner or a
supper, call not thy friends, nor thy
brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor thy rich
neighbors; lest they also bid thee again
and recompense be made thee; but
when thou makest feast, call the poor,
the manned, the lame, the blind"
Pinkie was very attentive all the rest of
the time. AS they rose from their knees
she whispered eagerly to her father:
Who is He9 The one that said who
to invite to your party?" and when he an
swered, "The Lord Jesus, darling" she
said, musingly, Z" [ s'posed it must have
been. Nobody else would thought of
it, would they?" and, without waiting
for an answer, off she ran.
The girls were all very loving in school
that day. Jennie Davis, in the strictest
confidence" Promise you'll neuer tell;
so longs you live, NEvER"-had told
half the girls, and they told the other half.
Pinkie May was going to have tea-party
tomorrow, and her mother said she could
invite just whom she pleased. Human
nature in small girls is strikingly like
the same thing in big people. Pinkie
was overwhelmed with offers of iuiube
paste, licorice-root, popcorn, and, from
few choice spirits, chewing gum; to say
nothing of the slate pencils that were
showered on her when she couldn't find
her own. But she bore her popularity
with good deal of dignity. "A girl
nine years old to- morrow mustn't act like
pack of children any MORE" she told
Jennie Davis, who admired and agreed.
Tomorrow came, bringing with it
many kisses and good wishes for Miss
Nine Year Old, from big sister Maggie
down to brother Jack
"What time does the party begin ~
asked papa, at the breakfast table
f." Five o'clock" said mamma.
I" Who have you Invited, Pinkie?"
4" Mamma, please don't ask till you see
'em come in. You know you promised
And | haven't 'vited 'em yet" and she
hurried off to escape from that provoking
Jack, who marched slowly after her,
singing: ooh, pink and blue, I'm COM
ing loor' which Pinkie said was not
poetry. "Cause 65ue and too don't end
with the same letter."
Three O'Clock came, and no Pinkie.
Half-past three! Four! Half-past four!
Mamma looked grave, and Cornelia put
on her hat and went round to the Davis's
to see if the child hadn't forgotten the
time, talking over the party with Jenny.
Back she came in great excitement.
She hasn't been there at all, mother |
Jennie says she hasn't invited her nor any
of the girls. Where do you suppose she
90
Mamma was very anxious, and sister |
Maggie, who had just come in, with a |
bundle that looked like books, was offer
ing to 60 out and make more thorough |
search, when the door bell rang. A pierre !
ing shrek was heard from Katy as she |
opened the door; and then Pinkies voice
rang out, loud and clear: Come in!
Come right in the parlor! It's just azactly
five O'Clock. 1 guess the party's most
ready. Come right straight in" And in
they came, Pinkie at their head, serenely
Maggie echoed Katy's shrek.
The parlor was full of them. Not pair
of shoes among them, though some of
them had made an attempt at clean faces
Irish and German, black and white-two
little Italians who had been singing in the
street. All the children from DOdd's Al.
ley and Green Court. Their clothes in
tatters, their poor little faces wan and
thin. There were two little lame boys;
and, cllnglng close to Plnkle's hand, q
pale, half-frightened, blind child
"Goodness!" screamed JAMIE 50 Whose
are they? Where did they come from ~
Most eyerywhere!" said Pinkie.
q They don't blong to hardly any one,
cept God. And I've brought 'em to ma
oartyT
Mamma laid her hand on Maggie's lips,
md frowned silence at Cornelia and John
: Why didn't you ask me, dear ~ she said
gently.
Z" You said, just who l choosed," said
Pinkie, somewhat aggrieved. ''And the
Lord Jesus told me to, out of the Bible.
Yes he dad, Cornelia! And, mamma, I've
been all around and round, and isn't the
party ready?''