The Osceola times., 1880-10-16
THE PINK COCOANUT C,kE.
An OId-fashioned Story, for Young Folks
aud Old Folks,

An OId-fashioned Story, for Young Folks
aud Old Folks,
Deacon Parsons big wagon with the
heavy iarm-horses was stopping before
Judge Hills house. and many bright
ewes peered out from cape-bonnets and
wide straw hats to see the Judges little
granddaughter as she came down the
steps to Join the party. The old deacon
himself descended solemnly fir m his seat
and, with a how to the Judges wife,
lifted little Becky into the wagon and
placed her among the cape.bonets.
"Glad your grandma would let you
60" said Mamie Potter as they drove on,
and one seemed inclined to do more than
stare at the stranger.
81 think YOU are real good to invite
me, Pm sure" said Becky.
After this remark the cape-bonnets
seemed to belong TO double-headed bod
dies so quickly did they pair off; while
pleased whispers reached Becky,s ears,
which sounded like "She amt proud a
mitew
She laughed, and her little round
cheeks grew very red. And then all the
DoillclS utN bt'h anu o'liN 'hS Wv"
cons sou said, II don't think yer very
perlte." But he was pleased at the YER
dict of the cape. bonnets, and from that
moment the ride was merry one,
"I don't know even where we are go
ing" said Becky, merrily.
ave are going up to Deacon Parsons
other farm" said Mamie Potter.
II didn't know anybody ever had two
FARMS" said Becky.
Jerry tried not to appear proud
when we get there, suppose it won't
Le the other farm, wiil it?" said Becky.
Jerry laughed, and said town-folks
were pretty sharp.
The five miles were passed too quickly
to Becky, for everything to her, was new
and delightful.
When the other farm was reached, a
farmer came out and opened the gate for
| them, and little boy with torn hat
watched them with wishful eyes as they
drove through to the barn. A pretty
lite woman came out from the house
and asked them to come In, but the dea-
con said they were going to the woods to
eat their dinner.
They all scrambled down from the high
wagon and the boys began to hand out
the pals and baskets.
''fhe candv-basket is tipped over!
sang out Tommy Potter.
The sun-bonDets all flew to the rescue
"Coccanut cakes and peppermint drops
all mixed up together" said one little
girl, in such pathetic tone they al
laughed.
'Let Becky fix it," said Susan Lee
wishing to give Becky ;he highest honor
possible.
With quick appreciation of the com
pliment Becky took the pretty basket
ana began to sort its sweet contents
The others were busy with baskets, pail,
and Jugs. She noticed the cocoanu
cakes with pleasure. If she had gen
uine weakness il was for cocoannt cakes
After it was all carefully replaced il
the basket she still held the cover VI
and looked at one pink cocoanut cake
II was much smaller than the others
1t was harly larger than a silver dollar
certainly too small to ever be missed.
The children, each with something tC
carry, were ready to start and they
called to Becky. There was no time tC
loose. The iney, pink cocoanut cake
was slipped quickly from the basket t.
Betky's pocket. As she rose from tn,
grass with the pretty basket on her arm
her eye fell Oh the same little boy VIII,
stood at the gate. Don't YOU want {,
90 TO the woods with us?" she said
noticing his wistful look.
SHE deacon didn't ask me-" holdini
down his tow head.
"But YOU would like to 90, so COM
and she pulled him toward the old gen
tleman,
This little boy would like to go will
us, ii you please, Deacon Parsons, sht
sad, as She stopped before the tall dea
con who was leading one Of the grea
horses to drink.
The deacon stopped, looked dowi
gravely at the boy rs if he had caugh
him laughing in church, then said
kindly, go spruce up tritle, Nathan
then come along"
Another consultation among the small
sun-bonnets, but Becky didn't mind tina
now, She bobbcd her little head, frs
into one, then another, as freely as be,
dives into flowers, and laughed, and saiC
:: she wanted Nathan TO 20, because h,
looked as If he wanted TO go somewher,
awiully. In few minutes Nathan re
turned with shining face and cleai
jumper. and then they We're ready fo
the woods.
The long ride had made. them thinl
; that the "dinner" was the first thing {,
be t ked OF. and they quickly chose
pleasant spot for their dinine-room. Ii
very short time the long liruen clotl
was spread, the baskets and pail
emptied, and the merry little party
with hap " faces, sat down 10 dinner.
The deacon arose, took of his broas
hat. and asked a simple blessing, Will,
the little heals all bowed reverently
Il seemed very solemn to Becky. Th'