Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-02-02
Two Birthdays.
Il was Efris Johnson,s birthday.

A birthday, like Christmas, comes but
once year. All the more reason for keep
ing it, when it comes Fife would gladly
have kept hers for whole week, if that had
been possible; but the shades Of evening
close over birthdays as over other days.
Fife received great many presents, for
she had great many friends But she had
one gift which had special interest of its
own. The others had their own special
charms or uses which would not change;
but this represented unknown possibilities,
and was made to be changed. 1t was a
crown, a silver crown,-fve shillings; and
what this crown should be changed into was
a very pleasant subject for speculation.
of course, as it was to be spent, there
could be no reason for not spending it at
once. Though it was bright aud new, Eflie
did not want TO look at it or TO hang it like
locket from her neck. So her brother was
to drive her to neighboring town that she
might lay it out.
And this was another subject for congrat-
ulation for Ellie was TO have her choice of
seats in the pony trap which was minia-
ture dog-cart, with room for two in front,
aud wished very much to try the back seat
Just for change. She was fond of change
as we have already limited, and now her OPP
portunity was come.
They started. Ben, the BROTHER with an
elder sister, was in 'front.' and Effie at the
back with a strap before her to keep her
from being shot off into the road as they
whirled round the corners for Ben was
known to be sharp driver. They went at
a great pace; and, as she looked down at
the road, it seemed to come from under the
vehicle like torrent, and to pour away in a
steady, rapid stream behind her. She soon
got used to it, however, and feeling herself
safe, ventured to undo the strap. 1t was so
unpleasant to be "tied in" She kept her
place Just as we'll without it till they came
to a sharp turn, when the pony took it into
his head, or his heels, to quicken his pace
suddenly.
Then the catastrophe which her careful
mother would have guarded against took
place. Effie was thrown from her seat, and
fell at full length on very soft place in the
road
"Goodee gracious me !" said a voice near
her, before she could pick herself up. BE
We hurted, missP"
al hope not" said Efiie, looking first to
the mud upon her clothes and then to the
good woman who hurried up to help her.
"Then it's good thing for you that the
road was so soft" said the woman. O. 1t do
want mending sadly. 1t be all of sludge.
And you be in pretty quicker from head to
foot and up again, that's certain. Do ye
come into my house, and let me wipe ye
down wi a wet flannel"
Etfie looked after the "trap," but it was
hidden from her sight by a turn in the road.
She had not been missed yet, evidently. She
supposed Ben would return for her pres
emily, when he found that she was not with
him. Meantime, though she did not like
the idea of the wet flannel upon her dress,
it would be desirabl to get rid of some Of
the mud. So she followed the good woman
into the cottage.
There was poor girl sitting near the fire,
looking pale and ILL.,
That,s my daughter" said the old
woman "She have been poorly"
~ am very sorry" said Etfie
She don't look like thirteen, do she ?"
said the woman :" but that's her age, and
this is her birthday"
"Dear me-" cried Etie. "Why, that's
my age, and this is my birthday"
think of that now," said the woman.
why, that's quite allegory Then you
might be twins, you two"
They did not look like twins at all. Etfie
was strong, healthy, plump, and rather tall
for her age; her cheek was ruddy and her
eye clear and bright, Polly was thin,
stunted, sharp.featured, pale and wan.
Have you had many presents to-day 2"
Effis asked, thinking of those which she had
herself received.
Presents ?" said the girl, as if she hardly
understood her.
ayes, birthday presents /"
The girl shook her head The question
seemed to her foolish one. She never had
presents on her birthday, and did not ex-
pect any. She would hardly have remem-
bered that it was her birthday, if it had not
happened to be the Goth of September and
that was rent-day also. So they had good
reason to remember it, especially when times
were hard.
"Polly have been very ill" her mother
said, looking at her tenderly. She be in
mending way now, | do think. When she
can begin to get out bit, the air will do her
good and help her on"
Polly looked dolefully at the window and
shivered.
She did not want to go out, she said. 1t
was so cold.
cts not cold to-day" said Elite.
"Ain't it ?" said Polly. 1t strikes cold
to me-"
"You must be well wrapped up" said the
woman, :" before you ventures out. l shall
get you bit of flannel next week, now the
rents done vii"
| Efie wondered what the rent had to do
with flannel; but at that moment she caught
| sight of the dog-cart, for which she had been
all the while on the lookout, and, bidding
| her friends hasty farewell, ran out.
Ben drew up for her at once, and was glad
to find her safe and sound. He helped her
to her place and fastened the strap, which
Ellie promised not again to undo, and then
they went on their way to the town.
al hope, though, you are really not hurt,
Effe," he said, anxiously, after they had
gone some distance.
"No not at all.
Are you quite sure ?"
"Yes why do you ask 2"
"You seem so silent"
81 was thinking"
Thinking of what, your birthday 2"
eyes, and OF something else" she an
swered.
Fife found it very difficult thing to sat.
isfy herself that day.
She asked the price of great many
things, and bought none of them. At last,
she stopped thoughtfully at the door of a
small diapers shop.
an go in here" she said, with sudden
determination.
find anything there to suit you"
Five yards of that red flannel at the
door, marked only one shilling" said Eff
fe TO the shopman.
Looking at her sister with smile, half
ashamed, and ruddier in the face than ever
she put down her crown upon the counter,
saw the red flannel cut off, took up the par
Gel, and returned with it to the trap"
"Now," said she, I'm ready. Let us q
home the same way that we came"
She stopped the carriage at the cottag,
door, and went in without any ceremony.
"There," she said to Polly, opening the
parcel before her. "There's a birthday
present for you"
Polly could not speak word, but he
pale cheek flushed and her eyes sparklet
with pleasure. The next moment they grew
dim, for she was very weak
"Bless your dear heart |" cried the woman
"Why, however you could so for to thinl
of such thing Bless you, my dear young
miss, again and again, ! say. 1t will be thu
saving OF Polly, please God | said as YOU
might be twins didn't ? And il do lool
like it, don't it ?"
"Sisters, at all events" said EfIie. "W,
are all brothers and sisters, aren't we ?"
Then she went away again, happier fa
than if she bad spent dozen crowns upoI
herself and kept a dozen birthdays.--Rer
r. s. MilingtOn.