The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-12-18


little sparks.
Grandma was sitting in her armchair
knitting, and as the bright needles gilt
tered in the freight. glanced now and
then at the sober little face. Presently
sigh reached her ears, followed by an
other, and she bent over and drew the
curly head against her knee.
What is the matter with my pet?"
She asked. kissing the rosy cheek.
II was thinking about sovyneers for
my party" explained Vivian
"Sovyneers?' repeated grandma in a
perpleXed tone.
she means souvenirs" said mamma.
who had been listening to the CONVERSE
ton. 1T is the fashion to give souvenirs
to each little guest at a children's party.
II should think that would be an easy
thing to do, with all the big shops in New
York to select FROM" said grandma.
Il can't buy them: YOU see it's this
way; we have a club--14 of my dearest
friends. and we greed on our birthdays
this year to only invite each other. and
we must make our sovyneers ourselves so
we will always have something to re-
member each other by"
"A very pretty idea said grandma
approvingly. And what will YOU make?
Perhaps l can help
ooh. if you could only tell me some
thing new to make. My birthday is
just four weeks. on Christmas day. you
know" looking up hopefully into her
face. 1T must not be 'spensive, the club
said.' Then the bright face clouded over
as she added: But of course. living in
the country you don't know much bout
sovyneers.'
Grandma smiled placidly as she an
swered Il think l know something
pretty and not expensive, if it is a coun-
try idea. I made some once for Christ
mas when I was a girl. First save all
the merry thoughts until you get ii and
them -
But, grandma" interrupted the little
one, "how can l give any kind Of
thoughts for sovyneers?"
Grandma laughed merrily. I'm my old
home In England we call the bone you
term a wishbone. a merry thought. I've
wished with them though many time"
and grandma's thought went back to
childhood's days in "Merre England"
Yes, grandma" and Vivian patted the
wrinked hands impatiently. but what
will do with them when get them?"
DRY them first; then get some liquid
gliding and gild them nicely. Cut heavy
bristol cardboard into squares large
enough to fasten the merry thought lin
the center. Tie them on with bright
colored ribbons in a pretty bow, or glue
them on. Then above or below the bone
paint with the gilt, "A Merry Thought
For Thee"
But l can't paint and it must be all
our own work." objected Vivian.
Have mamma trace the words with a
pencil and you can paint them over"
suggested grandma.
know you'd holm mo" cried Viva n
joyously, giving grandma such a rap
turous hug 1t sent her glasses flying
"Be sure and save me the wishbones
from dinner tomorrow
eyes, child, and now the souvenir
question is settled it is time my baby
was in bed" said grandma: and in half
an hour Vivian was wandering in
dreamland.
The next day Vivian returned to her
New York home, having been down to
the old homestead to spend a week with
grandma.
At least a week before her seventh
birthday the little one had her souvenirs
all finished and each one placed in a
dainty box. She had - chicken merry
thoughts and to complete the number
two large turkey thoughts. and
I'm afraid all the girls will want the big
Ones" she confided to mamma
you can put the covers on the boxes
and let your friends choose for them
selves. mamma suggested.
Christmas day Vivian's birthday came
and a merrier group of little maidens
was not to be found in New York that
day. The souvenirs We're declared a sue
cess, and to complete the happiness Of
the little hostess her dearest friend,
Laurel Cousan, drew one turkey merry
~,
She was so tired that night after the
guests had departed that she went to
her room as soon as she had kissed papa
good night. 1t seemed to the weary
child that mamma could not have
reached the foot of the stairs before she
heard her name called by what seemed
a chorus of odd little voices.
Sitting up in bed she saw, standing
close by her, ~ chickens and two turkey
gobblers, all in row. While she gazed
at them with frightened eyes they all
raised their right wings and pointed
them straight at her. Then the largest
turkey spoke:
"Vivian," he said, in a deep voice,
"Where are our erry-thoughts? we
have come for them"
II have not got them. I gave them
away" cried Vivian; then as each one
looked at her sorrowfully, she added:
Don't look so sad I will get them
back and burst into tears.
"Cry, that's right" cried the big
turkey savagely; we want you to cry;
we want to take your merry-thoughts
away. You who can have all the merry
thoughts you want, to take away a
poor turkeys who has only one"
'Why, l thought as you We're dead
you would not want them. did not
know" walled Vivian, wringiug her
hands. Mamma was so far away.
You ignorant child! Don't you sup
pose we chickens have a heaven" asked
a pretty white hen. And If we don't
have our merry thoughts Well always
be sad there?'
Indeed, indeed, didn't" sobbed poor
Vivian.