The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-01
A BIRTHDAY GIFT.
BY NELLIE HELM.

1t was q strange, square, mysterious
package to be addressed to them, but
there was no mistake, for mamma had
read their names printed on it, and they
themselves could see the great black let
ters. What could it contain? 1t was very
hard to wait patiently while mamma I'M
tied the string and removed the stiff
wrapping paper. Then, ss she lifted the
cover off the big box, two little faces
flushed with excitement, around which
the bright curls of exactly the came hue
lay in the same clinging fashion, leaned
eagerly forward, and two little voices
were raised in ordinations OF delight.
For, oh. what vision OF loneliness
they beheld And this wealth OF beau
tiful flowers was all for them. There
we're roses, red and white, yellow end
pink, and lilies and gersniums, great
clusters Of white daises and pansies OF
every kind and color; and nesting in
among them, ley a card from which
mamma read the words, "a happy birth
day to the twins, Rosy and Daisy from
Uncle George" Was there ever such an
other dear kind Uncle George?
"What are you >0oing to do with SO
many lovely fowers?" asked mamma,
looking from one beaming little face to
the other.
smell 'em," said Daisy, burying her
little pug nose in their cool fragrance.
rs that all?" asked mamma smiling.
"Pm going TO keep mine always" said
Rosy, laying her little hand careesingly
On Z selvety pansy fece that looked up at
her.
aBut they wont last always" said
mamma. They will very soon fade and
die: then what will you have to remem-
Der them by?"
Well member EN- by Uncle George,
mamma" said Daisy, with triumphant
toss of her curly head. He WON'T fade
and die" And Rosy chimed in, "Yes,
mamma, every time we see him we'll
member 'em and thank him for them"
Mamma made no reply as she COM
menced taking them one by one from the
box and held them up to admire their
beauty, while the twins exclaimed in de-
light as each new treasure came to view,
sob, my, what lots of flowers we have"
said Rosy, as sbe looked at them spread
all over the table. "There's SO many
l can't see EN- all at once" Apd she
walked slowly around the table to view
them from every side, Daisy following
close behind. At last Daisy looked up at
mamma, who sat quietly by with loving
eyes upon them, and asked:
Mamma, il you had q birthday, and
your Uncle George sent you so many
flowers, what would you do with them?"
That was just the question mamma
Was hoping for, and sne smiled on the
questioning little face as she answered,
well. if they were all mine, l think the
first thing / would do would be to select
as many as thought could enjoy with
out being selfish, then should take the
rest and try and ind some one who did
not have birthday or kind Uncle
George to send her flowers, and share
them with her. want my little girls to
learn by experience how much it adds to
the pleasure OF such gift il it is used to
give happiness to those who are not so
blessed. Do you not know some one to
whom you would like to give some OF
your howers?"
"Oh, yes, mamma said Rosy, eagerly;
"there are those little sick children at the
hospital you took us to see one day."
"Would you like to take some to them?"
she asked.
"Oh, yes, may we?' they both exclaimed,
and they began to gather their hands full
OF the flowers as il to start at once.
"But, wait, children, said mamma, first
you must each select what you would like
to keep, for it would not be right for you
to give away all of your Uncle Georges
gift So each one choose which ones she
wants for her own, and will arrange
them for YOU"
Soon their little hands we're filled with
those that we're particularly attractive to
them, making about half of the whole
When they were arranged in vase, mann
ma gathered the rest together and placed
them in two little baskets while Rosy
and Daisy ran for their hats to start at
once for the hospital, which was only
few blocks away; and, as the doctor in
charge knew them well, they we're to go
unattended. In very few minutes their
eager little feet brought them to the
door OF the hospital, where they were met
by their friend, the doctor, who had
seen them approaching hRnd-in-hand,
carrying the little baskets with the great
est care.
Good afternoon, yonng ladies'" he