Middletown transcript., 1884-02-29
MY BIRTHDAY.

We, Mother Raynor, Jack and I,
were sitting in our little sitting-room,
our best room, but not parlor, fol
mother would never call the little box
Of room by so dignifed title, and
for the hundreth time they were telling
me what they knew of my life.
"You see, Birdie, " said mother, as
had always called her, " it was a
stormy might and Jack had been detained
at the store-he was cash boy at Cotton
s. Co.'s then-but just when he was
running up the steps about z O'Clock
he met a woman hurrying down them.
She rushed by without speaking, and
he, when he reached the door, almost
stumbled over basket where you lay
all snugged up in warm fannels. All,
but you were nice baby, my dear ~
" PITY my mother hadn't thought sol''
I sarcastically observed.
Undoubtedly you would have Jared
better than in our humble home" said
Jack, grimly.
"Why, Jack, you don't think
mean that, do you ~ ! hastily asked.
"It made me feel badly to think my
own flesh and blood would abandon
me and trust me with strangers, that's
all.n
"That was seventeen years ago to-
morrow night, meditated mother, un-
needing our conversation.
YES chimed in l, anxious to clear
the cloud from Jacks forehead g and
you have always called it my birthday,
and have always made the day 50 pleas
ant for me, too. Let me see ~ ratified
on, ''you thought I must have been
about year old, and SO | am Is to-
morrow Have you made my birthday
cake, yet mother ?"
eyes, indeed. And that reminds
me must 60 out and see to the frosting
Of it, too, tonight. No, you stay right
here. Watch her, Jack, for she's not
to see the cake until tomorrow"
Iretreated before her laughing COM
mand, and, seeing how sour Jack still
looked I determined to do my best to
make him behave like his own sell
again. Perching myself on the arm Of
his chair, | leaned over, trying to catch
his eye.
"Cross, dear ?" Iasked very sweetly.
"No,o he replied, in tone that said,
eyes decidedly SO let me alone. 4
But | was not to be rebuffed.
Slipping my arms around his neck I
drew his face toward mine.
i" You're sorry you didn't send me to
the Foundling's Home, aren't you ?
It's enough to make any one cross to
think how be has been troubled for
seventeen years just because he was 50
soft-hearted over a miserable little baby
whose own people didn't care about
keeping it. Are you sorry Jack ~
!" Are you, Bird ~
He suddenly Strengthened up, look
in his dark eyes | had never noticed
there before.
"What have to be sorry for ~ ]
asked. Wasn't thrown into the
hands Of the dearest, kindest mother
and brother a girl ever had ?"
= Yes, dear-that is, we've always
meant kindness but still | am not
your brother, Bird"
g | know it, but | love you just al
well, z I began, but some way under
the steady look Of our Jacks beautiful
eyes | could not 60 on with my usua
protestations Of affection, as I hat
always been in the habit Of doing. ant
I drew my arm away from about hi
neck.
"But / did't want you to, Bird" III
said slowly, and then went on eagerly
/" My darling, I want you to love m,
just as well as do you, dear. want
you for my own, for my wife, Bird.
Clasping me close in his strong arms
he told me how happy could make hin
BY saying that I loved him.
| And 50 strongly did he urge his cas-
that some way was completely woI
over to his way Of thinking, and befor
! the great birthday cake was frosted
Jack and | were engaged.
II have accepted Jack as birthda
gift I whispered to mother as / RAJ
out.
"A radiant look Of surprised joy fairl
Illuminated her dear old face as sh
comprehended the meaning Of the re
mark.
! "It has been the wish Of my life,
she whispered, kissing me softly. "B
ready for other birthday gifts to-mol
Erow ~ she called after me.