San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-10-03

August is my Beuldh'S birtbddy."
Seems to me, Mis- Barton, that your
folks are going to hev party" said Mr..
Spicer, the grocer, as he extracted from
the punches of fine 'eating raisins" that
he was weighing one that tipped the
scales, and held it suspended, hesitating
between a wish to be just and fear of
being too generous. Seems to me, Mis-
Barton, your folks are going to hev a
party"
Mrs. Barton, thin lady, with fat
chest and sloplng shoulders, who wore
the waterfall" of the period at the back
of her head and was dressed in a way
that spoke of easy circumstances, as in
deed did the little basket phaeton that
waited for her at the door, pursed up her
lips.
I've dealt with you ever since | was
married and came to live on the Heights,
Mr.. Spicer," she said, land you don't
know yet that the fifth of August is my
Beulah's birthday. gave her party
when she was two years old, and I've
given her one ever sine, and as long as
live shall give her one. don't think
there's anybody else in Mulberry that
wouldn't remember that we always had
party at our house on the fifth of
August
81 did remember it, too, Mis- Barton"
said the grocer, but this here war is
driving everything else out Of our minds,
think. Well, since it's birthday, in
gees the bunch, overweight as it is.
And how old is little Beulah getting to
be- Mis- Barton:"
shes seventeen" said Mrs. Barton.
We'll, we'll" said Mr.. Spicer. Why,
ia have said ten if I'd been asked. How
time flies"
Don't talk" said Mrs. Barton, lit
spins. YOu can send two baskets of
them Maryland peaches up, Mr.. Spicer,
they're beauties, and | guess I've got
everything else. US a young folks
party, you know, so don't ask any mar
ried folks but Beul&h's aunt and uncle;
but I've sent an invitation to your Reu
ben guess he must have got it. If
not he'll get it today. He might fetch
his flute, | should think; anybody that
can entertain had on. lit 20.
III make him. NJ Barton, said
Mr. Spicer Hes h;.-..,ul about taking
it with him for fear i..ls viii think he
wants to be asked to play don't know
but like him to feel so. But if you
really want he should I'll make him."
After which he helped Mrs Barton into
the phaeton. And the facts that it was
Beulah Bartons birthday; that she was
seventeen; that Mrs. Barton was going
to give a party; that she always did
and always would give party on her
daughters birthday; that she had
bought some Of those Maryland peaches,
and that she was anxious his Reuben
should bring his EU,e and that he was
going to make mm, furnished counter
conversation for the rest Of the day.
The squire sat on the sugar barrel and
talked it Oyer. The doctor dropping in
added the Information that Beulah Bar
ton WIS as pretty a baby as he ever saw,
and the real estate broker remarked that
jeremiah Barton had been one who
knew how to buy and when to sell, and
hadn't LETT his widow TO 80 ont "aShing
for living. as some men did who had
passed for rich with everybody. And
then they fell to talking Of the war, the
all absorbing subject Of Vhe day, OF their
own regiment, Of the boys who had done
gallant Things and tie boys who had
fallen. Strong partisans, they, all on
one side, and they agreed perfectly.
Glad when it's over, though" said
the squire, checking sigh. Moth
er, she gets up sometimes of moon
light nights and looks out Of the south
Il. low. SeeIls as If Jim might be look
ing at the moon at that minute and sort
of feel ma was locking too, she says.
Jim was her baby, you know"
Yes, know" said the grocer. Il
couldn't spare Reu, you see. was oldish
when he was born. Sarah Jane was my
second wife. tell tle minister I'd ought
to hev named him Benjamin"
Just tAen Reu calne into the store. He
had been to the postoEice and had some
papers and letters in his hand. One of
the envelopes was large, square and
glossy. with a gilt edge. Such envelopes
were used for elegant occasions in that
day.
His color rose as ne nodded to every
body and went hastily into the back