Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-04-21

the ground all mantled with new.
fallen snow, the sparrows clamorinp
at the window ledge for crumbs, like
sboid little beggars as they were, and
the sky bluer than the lbiuest ribbons
ION little Phillis' winter bonnet. And
1.-THE children all looked at each other
las they scrambled out of bed.
One thought was in all their minds.
This was the day upon which Uncle
Eric sailed, with bis vessel, for the Ber-
muda islands.
Il wish to goodness was going with
him." said Nathan. IT'D like to be n
sailor. and pipe all hands on deck. and
jclimb up the rigging when the sea was
mountains high"
"Pooh!" said Sam, contemptuously,
!"you'd take to your heels If anyone
threw washboiler full OF water on the
ldecki"
! But he had to jump pretty nimbly to
get out Of the way of the wash basin
kull of CASTLE soapsuds, which Nathan
flung at him. In reply to this haunting
speech.
'Ho's going to the summer land
sighed little Phillis, where there is no
rnow nor ice, and where dear little
brides don't starve to death. I wish 1
could CO."
That's where the new potatoes and
the asparagus come from" said Patty.
And the nice Strawberries, before ours
In the garden have even begun to bios
SOM"
"Patty thinks of nothing but things
ITO eat and drink" said Sam, ironically.
Il DO, tool" said Patty, wrathfulIy.
s''I can say my French verbs a deal bet
ter than you cant And Uncle Eric IA 90
ing to bring me home talking parrot
from the Bermudas, when he comes
back"
"Humphi" said Sam. at should think
you were parrot enough for the whole
family"
Sam was certainly very disagree
able boy. He was always teasing and
fcrmenting the other children.
Just then a voice called up the stair
way to them.
Come, children, are you never COM
ing downstairs2 Breakfast is smoking
hot on the table. And here are four
little farewell gifts which Uncle Eric
sent over for you last night, after you
had gone to bed"
This piece of news had the effect of
Fastening the toilets of the four little
people in truly astonishing degree.
And presently they tumbled down
stairs, one after the other, like four
unruly kittens, into the breakfast
room.
What is it, mother?" cried Phi{lis
Let me see It'll" said Patty.
I'm the oldestl" bawled Sam.
But Nathan tripped him deity up,
and leaping over his PROSTATE form
got to his mothers side first, leaving
the champion sprawling like an i'm
'mense beetle on the carpet.
give us look at it, mother" said
Nathan, hugging his mother around
the neck.
Not a look for one of YOU" the
mother firmly answered, until you
nave eaten your breakfasts"
From this decision there was no ap-
peal; so the children sat down, re-
,Iuctantly enough, to their milk and
water, oatmeal porridge and broiled
nam and eggs. And when even little
tPhilhs, the slowest of the family. had
FINISHED her meal, and folded up her
napkin and put 1t into its ring, Mrs.
buddington opened mysterious-look-
ing package, and gave Nathan little
paPer-box which happened to lie on
the top.
= For N. Buddington,' she read,
reading the label before she handed It
TO him. with Uncle Eric's love-"
'Ho, hol" cried the little lad, joy
fully; 'it's Uncle Eric's silver fruit
l1nife, with e. b. engraved on the
blade in jolly Old English letters, and
a little sharp spike for a nutpick."
For Phillis Buddington,' said the
mother.
And Phillis' eyes sparl1ied at the
dght- Of n pretty little clock. about
@z~-~~~.u~zsn--~a~-.