Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-08-27
PAPA's BIRTHDAY.

Home.
20 Maysier' said Seth, in a horrs.a
tone. Its papa's birthday tomorrow
Tomorrow echoed Maysie. he
corners Of her sweet mouth suds4Blv
dropping. 20 Settle. and this ( ~
first time, too"
Seth didn't laugh, although Maysie's
statement sounded funny. He under.
stood it too well. 1t uas papas sr.
I birthday in their new home. away ont
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
I winter before, and they had 70 sell their
fine house and pretty things to get
enough money 10 20 to Montana and
begin again
Everything was strange 70 Seth and
Maysie, but they rather liked II Pa.
pas birthday was the FIRST real stun.
bling block 10 their happiness.
They stood looking at each other N
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 mouth all dim
pies again.
Come on. Sethiel know some
thingr' she cried. excitedlv. 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 a go. Maysiel You're brickr
The next morning a cautious little
voice at Seth's door said: Are yoa
ready, Sethie? It's nearly daylight
"Ies. Come on down these stairs
Maysie, and don't let EN- ereak mite.
Sh-hr'
Let me slip the bolt Settle, cause
my fingers are little. Th-e-r-el Now,
you take the basket, and let's run, for
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
miners sluiee-box, and began to climb
the high mountain, back Of the little
town.
"s'pose you don't know where they
are, MaYsie?n
"oh, do. They're right around that
big rock
A few steps more, and there was 30
''Oh-h." Of delight from both children.
Then silence for a long tine; when
they came from behind the big rock
again, and started down the mountain,
they carried the little basket in a very
different way.
They walked quickly up the silent
streets, and stole back into the house
as quiet as mice. Then began mui-
fed rafting of pots and pans ana
crockery amidst much tiptoeing and
whispering.
Then once more all was quiet N the
kitchen. but a most mysterious writing
was going ON in the dining-room. sem
struggled with the pen, while Mayss
hung over him. bresthless.
When il was done she Just huggea
Seth in a whirl Of icy, and then daHeea
around the table, saying: "lsnth l0A!'
Isn't it jolly"
In the midst Of her caperng ihel7
were steps on the stairs. Then Wla'
Seth flew TO hold the ao'.'
you can't come downyss
mamma and papa Bling tic z-H''
kerchiefs, Maysie, quickr'
Mavsie few. and returned Win w
large folded handkerchief. seth olslso
the door a little way. and theT oo,I
slipped through and stood before tn'H
parents,
Papa. I'm going to tie up your esss
and sethie's going to tie mamma ; ln1
hen you can go down, Maysie ~
in a business-like way
Now. come on, and we'll LEAD 70.
what is going to be done 2 "
,sked mamma. cropping around VIA 10
lands.
'.Sethie. don't let her see teeu9
cried Maysie, anxiously
The children scampered to the o'le
.ide of the table and took their pisoe~,
Now you can take off your bliudioios'
hey cried.
And what a sarprisei sne"
,reakfast-table all ready, with aalp''
lish Of spring flowers BY mamIs
,late. and a luscious basket Of rea'i.s
Wild strawberries. crisp Win ~
mountain dew, by Papa'S
There was also a pitcher o. eIs.-s
old. sliced tongue, and coffee o. ss'-'
particular make.
little white note lay on papa
late which he opened and read 49,,
prEr rAra-we weut upp on the nloel..-
bi.e morning and piked these sif-r -l-'-,.f
nd fonses fore you becaus ne et--
ear moi too civ yon enything ioI -
urthdav- We haven't cnythihs 49,, -
ara. bat Ne lov yea veri maea An'
hama. Your too Title children- -
afsrslE AID sElH'
paua,s ewes filed with tears ~
ropr;nr the note be went g - ~.
nes. ana putting an erm aroan1 800
s.sss .feir brown heads Then' iog-