The Meeker herald., 1894-07-21

When Betsy Bakers birthday was
only ten days off her indulgent nam
ma told her that she could plan day
of pleasure, and anything she decided
upon as being proper celebration of
the event she would be allowed to
carry out.
Now, Betsy was n generous little
girl, and in schcming for n happy
holiday She thought OF others before
She considered her own pleasure, and
in the end decided that above all
things She would like to have a picnic
at Uncle Jim's farm.
So it was determined that all the
little boys ami girls in the neighbor-
hood should be invited to aid in max
ing Betsy's birthday one long to be
remembered. Betsy herself made the
rounds of the neighborhood and in
vitcd all of her friends. The children
accepted with Joyous EXPLANATIONS,
AMI the consent of the parents was
not hard to obtain. for Betsy's mother
was known to be n very careful
woman when children were placed in
her charge.
The sun had not been mp very long
on the bright June morning that
dawncd upon Betsy's birthday before
all the little folks, dressed in holiday
attire, assembled in the Baker yard,
and their presence alone made that
little corner of the wor Id look
brighter and happi err than it had ever
looked before.
They had not been there long be-
Il
BY four horses, drove up to the gate,
and one smaller wagon. Into the
first two the boys and girls were
quickly lifted. and into the last there
were big bundles and baskets and
buckets that gave fair warning of the
feast to come.
1t was i've miles to Uncle Jim's, but
the merry little folks, who spent the
time during the ride in singing "The
Star Spangled Banner" Red, White
and Blue" and many other songs,
thought the distance very short.
Uncle Jim was ready for the picnic
party, and so was Aunt Hannah, who
had kiss for each smiling face, and
so were Uncle Jm's big collie dogs,
that appeared to think that the outing
was arranged solely for their pleasure.
Out in the grove behind the orchard
Uncle Jim had constructed number
of swings and see-saws, and in one
corner of the big field beyond he had
moved the grass so that the boys
could have nice ball field.
The little folks, after the manner
of their kind, quickly. scattered and
a.. v n
many games that help amuse Jack
and Jill.
After a while Betsy and several of
her friends wandered off down the
lane toward the water-an arm of the
sound-where Uncle Jim kept moored
his yacht. Hauled ont on the sandy
shore there was small boat, and into
this the girls jumped and played
sailors"
1t was rare good fun, and they roll
licked to their hearts content They
did not notice that in their rompings
they had loosened the slSif from her
mornings. and that a rapidly rising
tide had set her ahoat Suddenly
Betsy discovered that their frai! craft
was adrift They were not bit
alarmed. but thought it fine fun and
shouted in their glec.
But on the shore, Dan and Dick,
two wise collie dogs, evidently
thought differently. They saw the
little boat drift from the shore, and
scented danger, probably disaster.
They ran to and fro along the waters
edge, emitting short, sharp yelps, and
in dor lonpuaoe proclaiminp the peril
of the little folks.
a strong wind from land sprung up,
and despite t he force of the incoming
water, the boat was surely but slow
" making for the broad stretch of
trcacherous waters beyond.
Betsy began to realize that her po-
sition was not one of pleasure, and in
her distress called aloud for help Her
companions took up the cry, and the
,,ipintivn cries rsaohed the cars of tho