The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-08-20
PAPA'S BIRTHDAY.

expressed lt.-ShrlstIan inquirer
PAPA's BIRTHDAY.
How Maysie and seth Celebrated the Inn
portaDt Occasion in Their Western
Home.
% Maysie." said Seth in Mortified
tone. Its aoa's birthday Tomorrow
Tomorrow echoed Maysie, the
corners Of her sweet mouth suddenly
dropping. @ Sethie. and this is the
first time. too"
Seth didn't laugh, although Maysie's
statement sounded funny. lie under
stood it too we'll 1t ras 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 and
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
| girl besides.
But the tears were slowly coming,
when suddenly Maysie flew at him. her
| eyes sparkling and her mouth all dim
Piles again.
''Come on, Sethie. l know some
thing" she cried. excitedly, and danced
ont 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
| Its go, Maysie. You're brick"
The next morning 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.
Sh-h.'
Let me slip the bolt, Sethie. cause
my fingers are little. There. 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 a
miners sluice-box, and began to climb
the high mountain, back of the little
town.
"S'pose you don't know where they
are, Maysie?'
"Oh, ] do. They're right around that
big rock
A few steps more, and there was al
''Oh-h!" of delight from both children.
Then silence for 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 muf.
fed rafting of pots and pans and
crockery amidst much tiptoeing 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't it jolly!
Isn't it jolly.
In the midst Of her capering there
were steps on the stairs. Then what a
scattering. Seth few to hold the door
shouting: "iou can't come down vet,
mamma and papa. Bring the hand
kerchiefs, Maysie, quick
Maysie flew, and returned with two
large folded handkerchiefs. 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 Sethie's going to tie mammals, and
then you can go down." Maysie an
nounced in business-jke way.
Now, come on, and we'll lead you. :
what is going to be done to us?'
asked mamma, CROPPING around with hel
hands.
''Sethie, don't let her see teenty.
weenty. cried Maysie, anxiously.
Here's the table" said Seth. Now,
sit down, please, and wait minute
The children scampered to the other
side of the table and took their places.
Nov you can take off your blindfolds.
they cried.
And what a 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
mou ntain dew, by papa's
There was also pitcher of cream,
cold, sliced tongue. and coffee of Seth's
particular make.
A little white note lay on papa S
plate, which he opened and read:
DERE PAPA-We went upp on the mountine
thise morning and piked these Strawberries
and noures fore you becaus we couldent
birthday. We haven't cnything else, deere
papa, but we Low you veri much and 20 dus
mama. Your too little children.
MAYsIE AND SETH.
Papa's eyes filled 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 We're too full OF
JOY to speak. Youths Companion.
Hanging Them Up.
Jimmy was once lled how he would
like to go to military school.
mot at all" was lis prompt reply.
''Why?" we asked.
"'Cause." he said, ''they hang a fel.
low up there for little or nothing"