The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-06-05
My Birthday. >

L,
sitting In our little sitting-room, our
best room, but not parlor, for mother
would never call the little box of a room
by so dignitied Il title. and for the hum
dredth time they were telling me what
they knew of my life
"You see, Birdie" said mother. rs 7
had always called her, cit was stormy
night and Jack had been detained at
the store-he WAS cash boy at Cotton &
Co.'S thcn-but just rs he was running
up the steps abont seven O'Clock he met
woman hurrying down them. She
brushed by without speaking, and lie,
when he reached the door, almost
stumbled over basket where you lay all
snuggled up in warm fiannels. ALI, but
you were very nice baby. my dear"
"Pity my mother hadn't thought sol"
1 sarcastically observed
Undoubtedly you would have Jared
better than in our humble home" said
Jack. grimly.
"Why. Jack, yon don't think that, do
You, dear?' l 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"
"That was seventeen years ago to-
morrow night mcditated mother.
unheedlng our conversation.
"Yes," l chimed in, anxions to clear
the cloud from Jacks forehead; land
you have always called it my birthday,
and have made the day SO pleasant for
me. too. Let mo see," l ratified on;
"you thought must have been about
year old. and so l am eighteen to-mor-
row. Have yon made my birthday
cake yet. mother ?"
Yes. indeed. And that reminds me
| must 60 out and see to the frostinc of
it. tonight. No. you stay right here.
Watch her. Jack. for she's not to see the
cake until tomorrow"
l retreated before her laughing COM
mand, and seeing how sour Jack still
looked, l determined to do my best to
again. Perching myself on the arm of
his chair / leaned over, trying to catch
his eye.
Gross, dear?" I asked. very sweetly.
"No" he replied, III tone that said
Yes, decidedly so; let M alone"
But | was not to be rcbUiiel. Slip.
ping my arma around his neck | drew
his face aronnd toward m,nc.
You're sorry you didut send me to
the Fonndlincs' Home, aren't you? It's
enough to make any one cross to think
how he has been troubled for seventeen
years Just because he was so soft-hearted
over miserable little baby whose own
people didn't care about keeping it.
Are you sorry. Jack p
Are you. Birl2"
He suddenly Strengthened up, look
IN his dark eyes l had never noticed
there before.
"What have l to be sorry for?" l
asked. WAS l not thrown into the
hands of the dearest. hindcst mother
and brother a girl ever had ?"
=. "Yes, dear-that is. we've always
meant kindness; but still am not your
brother"
II know it. but I love you Just as
we'll. l began. but some way under the
steady look OF Jacks beautiful eyes I
could not 20 on with my usual protesta-
uons OF affection, as had always been
IN the habit OF dong. and / drew my
arm away from abont ms neck.
But | don't want you to, Bird" he
SAID slowly; and then he Wen; on eagerly,
My darling, | want Aou to love me
Just as well as | do yo1. l want you for
my very own, for my wif Bird."
ClaspinS Inc, c,ose IN h;' strong arms
ne told me Lov happy | could make