The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-24
A NOVEL BIRTHDAY.

A LICE WAKEFIELD had the
IA humps. There was no doubt
ABOUT it. Grandma Warfeld has
made her taste vinegar in the good
old fashioned way before summon
ing old DR.. Fuller, and DIR. Fuller
had settled the question at once.
yes, indeedl It's mumpsp' said
he.
"They are mumps, you mean, don't
you9" asked Alice, trying to joke.
Eyes, my dear; the disease is plural,
indeedI"
"And can't l go home for my birth
day, week from Saturday."
No, my child; you mustn't expect
that!"
81 was going to have beautiful
party-and Jack is coming homer
said Alice, mournfully.
81 remember when your father had
the mumps," said DIR. Fuller, as if
he had not heard her. HE was just
about your age, and he was pretty
sick boy. But, bless you! though he
could not talk or whistle, he made
the best of it. He kept an illustra-
ted diary, and drew sketches of his
own face every day. He kept strict
account of my visits, too, | can tell
you; but when he got we'll he proved
to ne in black and white that | had
contradicted myself seven times!
Well, we'll, Alice! you're not so sick
as he was. Well have you up soon"
After DR.. Fuller went Alice did her
best to put brave face on her dis
appointment. She wrote cheerful
note to her mother, and another to
brother Jack, who was away at school.
In her home letter she said: "Of
course, I'm ever SO sorry not to be
with you all in Montrose on my birth
day, but you mustn't think of me as
sad or blue I'm going to make the
best of it, and have pleasant visit
here with grandma and grandpa. l
will skip my birthday this year.
We'll forget that | have one. Make
Jack promise not to tell everybody
that l have the 'mumps;' and don't
any one tell Uncle John, for he'll be
sure to tease me"
1t is wonderful how cheerful and
sunny a girl can be when she really
wants to, even if she is ill and disap-
pointed. Alice Warfield made ten
days, long and tedious enough to
look forward to, pass pleasantly, even
brightly, to herself and those about
her.
The morning of her birthday was
rainy. mot very good day for a
party, anyway" said Alice as she
came downstairs.
After breakfast Grandfather War.
field went to the village, and when he
returned, an hour later, Alice saw
him drive into the yard and noticed
large tin pail in the back of the
wagon.
81 hope that you have letter for
me" called Alice, as she heard the
outside door open.
eyes, indeedw he returned, bring
ing the big pail into the sitting
room. Here are several" he added,
taking off the cover. 81 had to buy
this pail to bring them in. | had no
pockets to hold them"
The pail was filled with mail for
Alice; letters big and little, with
postal cards of all three sizes. All
her relat yes and friends who were
near enough to know about her i'll
ness had been asked to remember
her birthday by letter, and they had
remembered it.
One very long envelope stuck up
above the rest, and was directed in
Jacks hand. 1t was like legal doc
ument within, beginning, know all
men by these presents" and it stated
that Jack Warfeld, of the town
of Montrose, County of Middlesex,
and State of Massachusetts,, unmar-
ried, did solemnly promise never to
tell any man, woman or child that
Alice Warfield, spinster, also of the
aforesaid town, county. and State,
was afflicted with the wasting disease
known as mumpsl" This was signed
in the presence of twenty-three of
Jacks school-fellows.
Then there was thick letter from
father and thicker one from moth
er, beside pages of sympathy and