St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-11-15
Little Surprises.
BY SIDNEY DAYRE.

"A new SDale nRt-rn, now p[etby.
Jessie found it on the hat rack, when she
ran to it expecting to find her old one
hanging there. The old one had disap-
peared, so there could be no doubt Is TO
whom the new one must be intended for,
and the prettily shaped straw with Its
dainty null trimmings fitted exactly over
Jessies sunny curs.
"Uh, mamma, dear, l thought | was to
wear my old hat all summer. And you
fixed it for surprise, didn't you r
Yes" said mamma kissing the pretty
face which looked up into her own.
Thank you, mamma. Good bye.
Heres another SURPRISE said Jessie,
as she opened her lunch basket at noon.
"a cunning little frosted cake. Dear me,
mamma Is always fixing surprises fer
somebody"
Jessie had small bit of he adache. and
felt little less hike laughing and Chatter
ing than usual with the other girls This.
perhaps, was the reason why she CHANGED
TO give more than passing thought t"
mammals pleasant way OF arranging small
surprises for those about her.
"And what nice thing it is, she went
on to herself sometimes she puts them
in your pockets, sometimes they're under
your napkin at dinner, and sometimes
they're just ready when you want them.
Yes, it's nice. Some girls mothers have
surprises for them at Christmas, but mann
ma has surprises, all the year round
Jessie ate her cake still thinking about
the surprises, reserving the frosting for q
last dainty mouthful, pretending to be
surprised when she came to 1t. And just
then new thought popped into her head.
"Why wouldn't it be nice to have sur
prise for mamma, once in while I"
Nobody ever seemed to think of it, and
yet it could not possibly be that mamma
would not enjoy them as well as anybody
else.
s'They would have to be very small
things, indeed, anything | could do" she
unused, las much as large things would.
Yes, tomorrow is Saturday and I'm going
to begin"
Jessie awoke the next morning 81 fir
of her good resolutions that she lay think
ing of them for at least Eve minutes after
the rising bell rang. This Is no way to
Begin" she said, sprinsing up. Il am al
most always late for breakfast on Satur-
day"
So lively was she in making herself
sweet land fresh. that there Were still a
few moments to spare as she went down
stairs. Passing the nursery door she heard
a petulant voice. There's Harry having
fuss with Jane, as usual she said. She
was going on, but changed her mind and
went in.
"see here. Harry, let US try II we cant
be at the table first of all, and then won't
mamma smile Ill finish dressing him,
Jane"
Harry locked little doubtful about al
lowing Jessie to brush his tangled hair
and button his bots. But she was half
done before he had time to make up hls
mind, handling the brush so carefully and
patiently that he forgot his i'll 'iumor.
And they had time to run for bit OF
swee,briar to lay beside mammals plate.
"Three sweet things so early in the moro
ing" said mamma with a kiss for the two
bright faces, a Whit of the sweetbriar,
and the smile which Jessie had promised
Il want to 90 out DOORS" clamored
Harry, as soon as breakfast was over.
"Wait awhile, dear" said mamma.
'Jane is too busy to take you now"
Harry fretted as he went back to the
pursery in way which promised little
chance for Jane to do her morning work.
Jessie went out on the piazza. 1t was a
sunny morning and she had decided to
play tennis with her friend Gertie May.
But she could not forget that Harry wanted
to be out of doors, too. Down through
the hall still came the sound of his COM
plants. She felt as If it would be pleas
ant to get out of hearing of them, but
with second thought she walked up.
stairs. "rll take Harry out, Jane" she
said.
Oh" said Jane, with look of great
relief. "Indeed. it'll be kind enough Of
you, Miss Jessie. can get along well
enough with the baby, bless her little
heart, but since Harry's been sick it's
hard knowing what to do with him."
stlt's o surprise to Jane" said Jessie, al
she led the fellow out. "And to Harry
too. Why, how many surprises there
can be as We 60 along if only we look out
for them
Harry shouted with delight as hi
felt the sunshine and watched the birds
and butter flies. Jessie took him into the
meadow beyond the garden, in the cor.
ners of which grew some berry bushes
and for some time both were busily en-
gagged in hunting for the ripe fruit. Hall
an hour later Harry was glad to be swung
in the hammock, where he soon fell into s
sound, refreshing sleep. Jessie did mo-
eat her berries, but put them in q saucel
| on the sewing machine, where mammt
| would be sure to find them before long
She went to grandma's room and read bel
| q chapter. Grandma laid aside her WORK
to listen, and then took up again the