The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-21
RELATED
And They All Agreed to Forget Again
Next Year.
~ Ethel Taylol

by Ethel Taylor.
abigail. third child and second daugh-
ter Of Frederick y. and Louise N. Demp-
ster. was born on Monday, May 9Th, at .
o'clock p. NJ"
Mrs. Dempster shut the family Bible
with a sigh. then said aloud:
My precious little six-year-old, how
could 1 forget your birthday! Spring
sewing and birthdays do not go well to-
getherl Well. at any rate, L will try 10
make it up to her by a very good time
tomorrow
She sat thinking a few moments, then
went 10 an open window and called:
"Abagaili''
Two minutes later the door opened and
a fair-haired child peeped into the room.
Did you call me, Mother?'
Eyes. Come here. Abigail"
Mrs. Dompster took the little girl in her
lap and turned the freckled little face up
TO hers.
abigail. dear. Mother has just looked
in the family Bible and found that yes
terdav was your birthday; but walt a
minute"-as the child's lip quivered-"I
have a plan
Then followed q long whispering, only
broken by little ordinations from Abb
gail.
Presently Mrs. Dempster put her down,
saying:
Now 90 and play; but don't tell our
secret"
All that afternoon Abigail and her
mother were very busy in the kitchen.
and the rest Of the little Dempsters were
wild with curiosity and envy. as delicious
odors Of good things issued from within.
II know l smell applicants" said Har-
old. the Oldest. as a spicy scent came
through the crack against which his nose
was pressed.
and that must be tea-cakes now"
cried ten-year-old Louise, rising with the
print Of the keyhole on the end Of her
nose.
children, children" came from with
IN. In Mrs. Dompster's laughing voice,
run away now. You will all know the
secret tomorrow morning"
Away the troop scampered 10 the barn,
there 10 discuss the possibilities.
Never was there a fairer May morning.
The suns yellow face was one broad
expanse Of smiles. and the young leaves
seemed 10 be intoxicated with pride at
The beauty OF their fresh green dresses:
for they danced and rushed and shook
out the crlnklcs where they had been
folded all winter. so as 10 show them
better.
Mrs. Dempster rose with the birds: and
very sweet and cool did she look as she
came out on the veranda in a fresh blue
and-white cambTic.
None OF the children were awake, and
she tripped nOiselessly around. taking
down the hammock from the holly-tree.
bringing the camp stools from under the
big white rosebush, and getting a shower
of dew from the opening buds. Finally
she brought a large basket and set 1t on
the hall table.
Then the children were walked. first Abb
gail. who jumped out OF bed with a little
squcal. and finally hve-year-old Davie.
The children were so excited when they
saw the basket that they could scarcely
wait: but IL was not until after breakfast
that Mrs. Dempster said:
"Now, Abby. tell the grand s~ecret!'
well. my birfday was day before yes
terday. but Mother forgot It. so to-day
were going TO have a picnic In the woods;
and we've got apple-tarts and pickles and
tea-cakcs. and
But she was interrupted by a yell from
tho children, beginning with Harold, and
ending with tho tail-end OF the squeal
from Dayie.
Then. what a hustle followed
Harry had TO find his fshing-tackle.
and Davie was begging TO take his puppy
with him. and little Nelly pinched her tn-
ger In the pantry door. and had to be
comforted.
Al last however. they started. and n
merry party they were-the little girls In
their Oldest dresses. and big blue sun
hornets. and Harry and Davie I'm the
~patohedcst pants OF ALL" as the latter
expressed Il.
Mrs. Dempster and Harold led the way
with the big basket between them, then
came Louise n Nelly with the ham
mock. and, lastly. Abigail and Davie,
Teach with a camp-stool.
They had quite a long walk, but dear
me- who minded an aching arm from
holding a burden. when they were going
through the beautiful green woods; and
then the bllssful thought OF apple-tarts
and tea-cakes after a while!
Presently they turned a corner, and
there before them rushed a little stream.
dancing and ripping in the sunlight.
Here we are!' said Mrs. Dempster.
The children rushed forward in delight,
and then Mrs. Dempster and Harold
swung the hammock between two shady
oaks. unfolded the camp-stools. and hung
the big basket on a limb. out of the reach
OF ants.
And then Harold and Davie went TO
"A Quiet place upstream 10 fish. and tho
three little girls sailed boats and made
p~layhouSes. while their mother read in
the hammock.
After three happy hours, Mrs. Dempster
took a big tahle-cloth from the basket,
and while she spread out the lunch, Har-
Old took a pitcher and hiled IL with clear.
ice-cold lemonade, made from spring
water and the lemons Mrs. Dempster had
tucked In.
After they had eaten all they could.
and that meant a good deal. the soiled
dishes were piled back into the basket.
and Mrs. Dempster spread a shawl on the
ground for payie 10 lie on, and the others