Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-09-17
A DAUGHTERS GIFT
lOrigtnal.1

hard on us all, for Del was my only
child, she had always been her fathers
pet, and his treatment almost broke
her heart.
The years went by, and pa instead
Of softening appeared to harden,
though Jim made Del q splendid hus-
band and grew rich. They had one
child, a boy. the prettiest little chap
you ever saw. One day an artist saw
him in his bath and was so struck with
his slender little form that he asked
leave to copy him into picture he was
painting. The picture was a success
and brought the artist a fine reputa-
ton, all on account, everybody said. Of
the little figure in the corner.
One day Del said to me, ma. I'm
going to send pa present"
"I'm afraid, my dear, he'll send It
right back to you"
Anyway, I'm going to try 1t. I'm 60
ing to put 1t in the dining room so that
he'll see 1t when he comes down the
first thing in the morning. He's al
ways In a better humor then than at
any other time Of day. Don't you re-
member how he used to toss me In the
air every morning before breakfastY
How are you going to send itY'
"Jim and are going to get up early
and take 1t round. You are to let us
In. Wen place 1t right where pa will
see It the first thing when he comes
into the breakfast ROOM"
didn't believe 1t would do any goad,
but told Del I would help her In any
way l could. so It was all arranged
that they should bring their gift the
next Sunday morning. On that day
we breakfast at 0 O'clock and pa does
not have to go downtown to business
When Sunday came, the sun was shin
ing bright and beautiful, the birds were
singing In the yard, and there was q
delicious freshness in the air. l was
thankful. thinking that II anything
be this beautiful morning. A little be-
fore 8 Jim and Del drove up to the
side gate. which was hidden from the
house by trees, though that wasn't
necessary, for pa was shut up in his
shaving room, where he couldn't see
anything, and Jim carried an oblong
box about three feet In length up to |
the side entrance. let them In, and |
they went to the dining room, while l |
went upstairs to keep an eye on pa.
He had finished shaving and was sit
ting by the front window looking out,
but instead of being happy the bright
morning seemed to make him all the
more melancholy.
What pleasant day." said, "for
a family party to go for a drive in the
There's no family party except you
and me-" he said.
1 knew that he was pining for
Del, but l didn't say anything more
for fear Of making him ugly. / saw
by the clock that 1t was FIVE minutes
to o, and l went to the banister and
to give Jim and Del warning,
then told pa that breakfast was ready.
He got up with n sigh, and we went
downstairs together.
We both stood mute looking at what
we saw In the bay window at the end s
IF the dining room. The marble bust
that always stood on the pedestal had ,
been removed, and in its stead was the ,
statue Of little boy about five years
Did. 1t was Of white marble-that is.
70 far as we could judge-and held out
/ pair Of little arms to us.
"Great guns" pa exclaimed. '
Little darling!" said l. what q t
,ity 1t isn't alivew
How do, grandpa?" cried the statue {
md, tearing of It's white face, 1t dis Z
'layed the rosy features Of Defs little
Inn. Jumping off the pedestal, all +
n his white tights he ran up to his :,
randpa, who bent down and took him .
n his arms. a
! never saw pa so overcome I'm my I
re. He Rugged the boy so tight that 8
thought he would crush him. Then t,
Eel came from the pantry and put her v
rms around them both. Del was o.
sughing and crying, and pa was try Il
ig to keep from doing both. Then he :,
ut little Jim down, and without no. :,
cling that his clothes were covered u
18th the white powder that had made II
he boys tights look like marble be
,lded Del In his arms.
Jim-big Jim, I mean-seeing through -,
crack In the pantry door that the ~
an had been a success. came into the ~
'om. and pa put out his hand u
That was the happiest breakfast par. D'
any Of us ever sat down to. / had W
ken pains to have a nice breakfast, pl
Tough l didn't believe Ders present In
her father would break through his 90
ustiness, but hoped that It would j..
Id we would all take our Sunday l.,
orning meal together. After the ~
eakfast we sat In the library and ~
liked while pa and Jim smoked. 10
Ma" said pa TO me, didn't you say co
about family party going by
r a driver I reckon we'll have out lis
e horses" -
Pa and Jim went out to the stable a
lille Del and got up lunch. Then
Q started for the country. There 7
Is room for Jim and Del on the back
1t, while pa had little Jim with him
front. Jimmie hadn't ever ridden
hind horses before and was wild
tn delight, talking to his grandpa
d begging him to let him drive till
consented.