Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-09-03
PAPA'S BIRTHDAY.

Seth dldn' laugh, although Maysle
statement sounded funny. He under
stood it too well. It lras 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 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 10 Seth and
Maysie, but they ra>her 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 flew at him, her
eyes sparkling and her mouth all dim
pies again.
Come on, Sethie! l know some
thing!' 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 a shout.
ITS go, Maysie! You're brick!'
The next morning a cautious little
voice at Seth's door said: Are you
ready, Sethie? It's nearly daylight"
Yes, Come on down these stairs,
Maysie, and don't let 'em creak mite.
shit
LET me slip the bolt, Sethie. cause
my fingers are little. There! Now,
you take the basket, and let's run, for
its 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 a gulch on a
miners sluice-box, and began to climb
the high mountain, back Of the little
town.
''Spose you don't know where they
are, MaYsie?"
oh, ! do. They're right around that
big rock
"Oh-h.n of delight from both children.
Then silence for a long time: when
they came from behind the big rock
again, and started down the mountain.
they carried the little basket in very
different way
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 and
crockery amidst much tiatoeing and
whispering.
Then once more all was quiet in the
kitchen, but a most mysterious writing
was going on in the dining-room Seth
struggled with the pen, while Maysie
hung over him. breathless.
When it was done She Just Rugged
Seth in whirl Of JOY, and then danced
around the table, saying: "Isn'tit jolly!
Isn't it jolly"
In the midst of her capering there
We're steps on the stairs. Then what a
scattering! seth few to hold the door,
shouting: You can't come down vet.
mamma and papa! Bring the hand
kerehiefs, Maysie, quick
Maysie flew, and returned with two
large folded handlerchiefs Seth opened
the door little way, and they both
slipped through and stood before their
astonished parents.
Papa, I'm going to tie up your eyes,
and Settles going to tie mammals, and
then you can go down. Maysie an
nounced in business-lille way.
Now. come on, and well lead you .
What is going to be done to us?''
asked mamma, CROPPING around with her
hands
"Sethe, don't let her see a teenty-
weenty" cried Maysie, anxiouSly.
The children scampered to the other
side of the table and took their places.
Now you can take of your blindfolds.''
they cried.
And what surprise, a snowy
breakfast-table all ready, with dainty
| dish of spring flowers by mamma S
plate. and luscious basket of red-ripe
wild strawberries. crisp with the
mountain dew, by papa's
There was also a pitcher Of cream,
cold, sliced tongue, and coffee of Seth Is
| particular make
A little white note lay on papa 5
| plate which he opened and reads
/ DEERE It.A-We Went upp on the mountine
/ thise moaning aud pil@d these straw berries
! and foures fore yon becaus We couldent
/ bear not too xiv you cnythiug fore your
| birthday Ne haven't onything else. deere
/ papa, but We 10y Yuu veri much ANA so dus
mama. Your too little children.
MANStE AND SEra
Papas eyes fitted with tears, and
/ dropping the note he went to his little
ones, and putting an arm around each,
kissed their brown heads Then. look.
ing at their mamma, he said, tenderly
MY blesseds This is the happiest and
best birthday papa ever had.
And Seth and Maysie were toe full OF
Joy to speak, outh's Companion.