The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-08-19
PAPA'S BIRTHDAY.

20 Maysiew said Seth, in horrin.d
tone. "It's papa's birthday tomorrow"
"To-morrow." echoed Maysie, the
corners of her sweet north suddenly
dropping 20 Sethie! and this is the
first time, too"
Seth didn't laugh, although Maysics
statement sounded funny. He under
stood it too well. 1t acas papa's first
birthday in their new home, away out
west. And it was also the first time
that they had ever been too poor to give
him a present
For papa had lost all his money the
winter before, and they had to sell their
fine house and pretty things to get
enough money to 90 to Montana and
begin again.
Everything was strange to Seth ind
Maysie, but they rather liked it. Pa
pas birthday was the first real stun
bling block to their happiness.
They stood looking at each other in
woeful silence. Seth was nine years
old, and he didn't want to cry before
Maysie, because she was only six and a
girl besides
But the tears were slowly coming,
when suddenly Maysie few at him, her
eyes sparkling and her mcatf all dim
Piles again.
"Come on Sethie! ! know some.
thingw she cried, excitedly, and danced
out into the yard.
There, on her tiptoes, where nobody
could possibly hear, she whispered and
whispered in his ear, until Seth threw
his hat into the air with shout.
cts go, Maysie! You're brickv'
The next morning cautious little
voice at Seth's door said: "Are you
ready, Sethie? It's nearly daylight"
Eyes. Come on down these stairs,
Maysie, and don't let 'em creak a mite.
Sh-h"
"Let me slip the bolt, Sethie, cause
my fingers are little. There! Now,
you take the basket. and let's run, TO,
it's late
In reality, the dawn was just break.
ing; but Seth gave Maysie his hand and
away they scampered down the street
until they had passed all the houses
Then they crossed gulch on a
miners sluice-box, and began to clint
the high mountain. back of the little
town.
"S'pose you don't know where they
are, Mavsie?"
"Oh, l do. They're right around that
big rock"
A few steps more, and there was an
"Oh-h!' of delight from both children
Then silence for long time; wher
they came from behind the big rocl
again, and started down the mountain
they carried the little basket in a very
different way. ...s
They walked quickly up the silent
streets, and stole back into the house
as quiet as mice. Then began a muf
fled rafting of pots and pans ant
crockery amidst much tiptoeing ant
whispering.
Then once more all was quiet in tn,
kitchen, but most mysterious writin,
was going on in the dining-room. Sell
struggled with the pen, while Maysi'
hung over him, breathless.
When it was done she just hugget
Seth in a whirl of joy, and then dance,
around the table, saying: Isn't it jolly
Isn't it jolly"
In the midst of her capering Their
were steps on the stairs. Then what
scattering! Seth flew to hold the door
shouting: "You can't come down yet
mamma and papa! Bring the hand
kerchiefs, Maysie, quick"
Maysie flew, and returned with tw
large folded handkerchiefs Seth opene
the door little way, and they bot
slipped through and stood before thei
astonished parents.
Papa, I'm going to tie up your eyei
and Sethie's going to tie mammals, an
then you can go down." Maysie az
nounced in business-like way.
"Now, come on, and we'll lead you.
"What is going to be done to us?
asked mamma, cropping around with he
hands.
"Sethie, don't let her see a teenty
weenty!' cried Maysie, anxiously.
The children scampered to the othe
side of the table and took their places
"Now you can take off your blindfolds!
they cried.
And what . surprise! A snow
breakfast-table all ready, with daint
dish of spring flowers by mamma
plate, and luscious basket of red-rip
wild Strawberries, crisp with tn
mountain dew, by papa's.
There was also a pitcher Of cream
cold, sliced tongue, and coffee of Seth
particular make.
A little white note lay on papa
plate, which he opened and read:
DEERE PAPA-We went upp on the mountr
thise morning and piked these strawberi,
and figures fore you becaus We cpuldel
, bear not too Civ you enything fore 20,
burthday. We haven't cnythins else, del
/, papa, but we low you veri much AID so d,
mama. Your too little children,
MArsIE AND SETH.
Papa's eyes filled with tears, an
dropping the note he went 10 his litt
ones, and putting an arm around eael
kissed their brown heads. Then. Loo
l ing at their mamma, he said. tenderl
"My blesseds! This is the happiest al
: best birthday papa ever had"
And Seth and Maysie were too full
r joy to speak.--Youth's Companion