Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-22

and then hObblc on TO the more empnauc
moving OF his knotty cane. Evidently
he was puzzled over the solution OF
grave problem. the nature OF which took
form as pausing near his cabin door.
he slowly soiloquized.
"r'h. IN, Now l done git whar dc fog
s0rter lif' fom de OF mans min. Dis
var bufrday party 'splanerfy how come de
cables an de Wlses an de Gordons. an
r raf mo or de naborem young uns
down dar ter de sto' yesterday puchersin'
1ickernacks an udder sooferneers. an
vhispern' TO deirsefs like doy gwine
Ormicate er lOcum Sandy Claws snderkit
"dout lettn' Daddy Abe inter de secret
Den dey all come a-troopin' ter de lfr
Missy party ter-morrer. Wild DER buffday
gifs ter sprcsserfy DER lection. an
yer ] Is, Wild moer dat same ERECTION
dan airy one or de hull pa'sel kin helt,
an jis' muffin tall ter sarterfy ter de
fack. Mebbe Is gwine dar ercordance
ter dat progance. an mebbe | hain't.
Oars gotten be er confabulum wi1 OF
Han some In de martcr. OATS sho'!' and
with n final shake Of his head. and a
very gradual rcoperating OF his rheumatic
joints. ne moved into his lowly cabin.
a charming September day gave "A
crown or glory TO the birthday festivi-
ties Of Miss BESSIE. Through lcafy cano-
py OF the sloptUg lawn the tribute sun
beams descended IN varying showers 20
write messages OF golden cheer upon the
velvet verdure Birds. trimming with
the happy import OF the day. rendered
sweet choral offerings from the over
archng bowers. The winds, STEPPED in
the perfume OF countless flowers, breathe1
GLORIOUS welcome to the glad event. and
Garands OF golden-rod decking the merry
makers who had gathered TO do honor 20
t,t.N 1. 1fu.l IN
treasury OF love outpOuring from hearts
that had throncd her In tenderest affec-
ton. Grouped upon a table beneath
great aspen near the mansion were gifts
that far outnumbered the young guests
who were 80 hearttully cchOing Bessie's
demonstrations Of delight Suddenly.
while these joyous EXCAVATIONS were Al
tteir height, a shrill note OF surprise
shot up through waves OF laughter. and
as one OF the group pointed down the
slope all eyes We're turned 10 cUntcm-
pate a moving picture quite out OF keep
ing with their surroundings.
Slowly moving up the gravelled road
way the familiar figure Of Daddy Abe was
seen. the lankincss Of his anatomy en-
phaslzed by long linen duster. and the
sWarthincss OF his face deepcned by the
OVcrshadowing brim Of a monster straw
hat Rayly adorned with daisies, phloX, ana
fiaring sumac leaves Behind him. with
head holding a drOWSY accompaniment to
his numbering feet ana his angular body
Garlanded with mass OF wild nowerS
long cared quadruped logged laboriousiy
uIorg his "trade-marks' Tapping IAN
cuidly from either angle Of his brisuy
crown. and his insufficient tail twinklng
a feeble protest against the insect host
that Desct the line Of the procession.
The surprise and amusement awakened
by tn. approach Of these quaint guests
had barely eliminated when Bessie
giving vent 10 an eNultant cry, bounded
from the midst of her young compan-
ions and sped "a on the wings Of love
toward the new corners. Reaching Daddy
Abe. who had barred his head and bent IN
graceful salute. She threw her arms about
him IN "A very spasm Of welcoming ardor,
and exclaimed:
you did come. din't you, Daddy? and
wasn't it nice Of you to bring old Hand
some too. 1t isn't every ono that could
have such dear old blessing at her
birthday party. is it," and. sprnging to-
ward the dumb cripple. she worked h"r
little hands through the oncumhering
vines and flowers. AMI patted his granite
jaws until the sleepy eyes opened Win
an expression 81 genuine wondermont.
"Yas.. liz Missy" said Daddy Abe.
moment TO glimmer through the win
kles in hi% weatheT-beaten face, 'yo see
twarn't Only Gaze ] knoWed or Han
some boun ter be lonesome of ! don
fotch 'im-dat warn't the On'y reason
why | brang 'im-but Gaze hem gOtter
be- we're ter spresserfy De buhiay sen
tcmcns done got 70 he 'casiOn.
4 moment later the new arrivals were
in the midst Of the happy-heartcd com
l.. IL, ID. to-. nj
the latter. after having with no little
ceremony introduced them, busted her
self in exhibiting to Daddy Abe her birth
day tributes. her young guests mean
while devoting themselves to the diverting
study Of the emblem Of stuhbOrnness
that sleepily tottered beneath his wild
wood adOrnments.
Dem sholy is fine liz Missy" the old
darby began. after critical review OF
Bessjcs presents AN dey sorter mex
de- oil man jubous erbout de buffday
mcmbrance he done fotch ye'.'
"Now. Daddy" intorposed Bessie. Il /
hope you haven't thought because in /
vited you to my party. that it was neces-
sary for YOU to bring present
"Twan't ne'ssary, Honey returned the
ola darby "on accOunter anything 20
done say. an yo' nee'nter blame yo'sef
ON dat pint. femme tell 20, but ter dc
extent dat de OF mans heart wantcr
spresserfy de fac dat hem 'sponsible TO
a mighty big shar' er de joy yo' buifday
instergate. dar hain't muffin mo nes-
sary dan mer iedgmen' cackcrlate. An
ef yo' done meshur' De soofernecr by de
mount er' lection Daddy Abe ben per-
sarbin' IN De OF specermint TO de las
nifty var. hit won't p'izen dat honey
heart O. yOn ter 'socatc 'un wild de I'D
der 'memhrances' then saluting the host
ess Of the fete he led her to the four
footed guest, and placing the tatterei
halter in her hands continued:
"Dar's 30 burday membunce. Missy
an may yo lib ter be as OF as he am.
an nm yo'sef as happy as yo' umble
sarbnt sarteriy inset ter be in de honah
OBJ maxim de 'sigmment.'
Tcssie stood for moment as If not
quite comprehen1ing the situation. then
turning to Daddy Abe with a glow re-
necting both surprise ana pleasure. she
saId:
you don't mean. Daddy. that old Hand
some is mine tor ever and ever, do
you
Hem JUS as much yo'n." was the
reply. las of he own nanny glib yo' "A
4 ar nice deed dc vey fust day Dat she
mtcrJooce i'm inter dis changin worl."
"But. my dear old friend. you can't
spare him. protested BESSIE.
Oars gotter come eT time, Honey"
he answered, when elder OF Han
some sotter spar Daddy or Daddy gottcr
spar OIL Han some. an hit pears lax
de OIL mans recteriied in takin' time by
de fetlock an spar'in' de Of quaderped
ter de kydr an keepin or some one dat's p.
gwine lub I'm To- de sake er de gibber .
So please TEX i'm, mer lady, an member ,
dat cf he war chOck fuller sugar he .
couidn' be mo- sweeter dan dc lection .
what mex Daddy Abe orp'int i'm 10 yo' +
buftday mebrunce.'
A bright CLEAN Of JOY flashed from Bes- /
sizes eyes as alternately she shOwered .
upon the old negro and his dumb atten- .
dant her demonstration Of gratitude. and /
clapping her hands she shouted.
"Oh, girls, was there ever such |
birthday present? Isn't he just splendid
and following her example of enthusiasm
her associates Joined in a circling dance
about the now astonshed object OF her
admiration. while Daddy Abe radiant
with the assurance OF the JOY he had
created. let out a series OF outlaws that
set the aspen leaves 10 quivering and
waving their added tribute 10 Bessie's
birthday. WADE WHIPPLE.