The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1892-09-15


cave the woman some flowers, and
flush of happiness came into her poor,
wan face.
"Would you like to see my little boy1"
she asked. Aud all the children gath.
cred round while the mother drew aside
the scarf from round her blby's neck, so
that they might see it the better. 1t,
too, bad tiny black bows on its little
hat.
"Oh, how grandfather would love to
/ to see him" cried one Of the children.
MAY we take him to grandfather It's
his birthday to-day. 1t would make
him so happy"
"Ard who is grandfather" she asked.
"lou doa't live here, do you!' lues-
/ toned one of the youngsters.
| NO" the woman answered. al am
quite stranger here. But why do you
! ask
"Becausc you don't know grludCa.
/ thcr,' came the logical reply.
"Ncll tell me who he is"
Then one Of the children took the wo-
man by the hand aud led her to the cor
ncr from whence the hill started towards
the spot where the roses grew. The
cottage was pointed out TO her.
That's Rose Glen, the child said.
"Ycs, can smell the roses here. Oh,
how sweet the woman murmured,
looNing at the cottage.
"rhat's where lac lives" the little one
went on.
Yes" said child older than the
others, "Mr. Holloway"
The woman gave wild scream,
which almost made the children run
from her in dismay. She had nearly
fallen to the ground But she was her
self again in moment.
"Oh! my children, my children" she
cried, pitifully, "don't turn from me
don't be rightened-don't be afraid of
me. l love you, every one. Come
nearer to me. Ga conc nceTaased can't,
That's riSnt. l love you, every ont: =
, lE-n0w-I know it is his birthday to-day.
And would he-would he love to see my
, little one, would it make him happy
, DO you think he would kiss it just rs hc
does you aud give it smile the same as
he gives you! Would he take it in his
arms like the tiniest Of you3'
she had won the sympathy OF the
, children about hcr and they all cried out
"Ics, yes; let Us take it to him.
4 wild gia incsS ovcrspread her face.
, Her lips quiyercl, her eyes sparkled.
some sudden resolve had come to her.
she drew her hand nervously across her
eye; then turning to the little ones
, ABOUT her quickly, she asked;
And ii | let you take my child to
~ him-what will you dot'
They were quiet for moment. Then
\ the cider child, who had spoken before,
! said:
/ ~ will carry him ever so careful
n You can cone, too.
IS IL can come, too" she murmured; %,
d can come, too,'
II Silently she placed her baby in tn
.r little girls arms. The children troope'
q down the hill toward the house, tht
=. woman following them with. hesitatinl
10 steps. The children had reached thl
Il cottage gate and the woman stayed out
,c side, looking through tho hedgcrow anC
ir watching her little one with anxiou
,c care Onc OF the children, carrying tn
:. baby in her arms, crossed the law
" toward old lIollOway's favoritc rose tree
Ic Marion" Tnerc was just room for tn
M child TO stlnd beneath the great cover
/ ing OF green leaves and flowers. The
ii The other children ran to the porch
!" They cried out: "Graudiather! grand
,r father Many happy returns OF the day
many happy returns of the day :"
,e The old man heard their voices an
i came to the door. How those chhdre
.c danced and shouted! They got hold O
N both of his hands aud his coat, and
ne with merry lau shtcr, pulled him acros
" ;hp lawn 10 MS iavoritc tree. Then ever
~. little tongue became still, as thong
TX waiting for him to speak. lie locke
,c at the picture before him. There, bC
N meath the cover OF blossoms, stood littl
nj girl, looking up at him with face i
ry up with smiles. She held out to him
to baby. Scarcely knowing what he di
nj he took the child from her arms into h
ye lwn, and covered its tiny face wit
- kisses. lie looked round about hin
not knowing what to do or whittier
n turn, but his lips were mutterng OF
RS name.
ne Again the children took hold OF hi
nd and pulled him along the path towaI
zee the wicket gate. They opened it, and Il
ful woman was still standing there, her pa
to face now flushed, her once dim ey
,ld brighter still.
ife "Marion Marion !" the old man erie
tn She fell on his shoulder, with her arr
about his neck. Just then the scho
bell rang out, aud away the children r
The up the hill, their voices shouting all t
'ol. way, "Many happy returns of the da
old grandfather! many happy returns of I
the day"
rem The old man. caressinG the child