The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-09-20
A DAUGHTERS GIFT
torlglnaLl

low the wedding at the house or allow either Del or Jim to come here after ward. This was because Jim had been wild and hadn't settled down. It was hard on us an. for Del was ny only child. she had always been her fathers pet, and hls treatment almost broke her heart.
 The years went by. and pa instead of softenlng appeard to harden, though Jim made Del a 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 hls bath and was SO struck with his slender little form that he asked leave to copy him Into a picture he was painting. The picture was a success and brought the artist fno reputa- ton. an on account everybody said. of the little figure In Che corner.
 One day Del said to me. "Ma, I'm going to send pa a present"
 "rm afraid. my dear he'll send it riglt bach 70 you.
 'Maybe be win. and maybe he won't Anyway, I'm going to try it. I'm go- ing to put 1t in the dining room SO that hell see it when he comes down the first thing in the morning. He's aL ways in better humor then than at any other time of day. Don't you re- member how be used to toss me in the air every morning before hreakfastr
 "How are you going to send ftp
 "Jlm and are going to get up early and take it round. You are to let us in. Wen place it right where pa will see it the first thing when he comes into the breakfast room"
 I didn't believe it would do any good. but told Del would help her in any way could. SO it was an arranged that they should bring their gift the next Sunday morning On that day we breakfast at o'clock. and pa does not have Co go downtown Co business. When Sunday came, the sun was shin ing bright and beautiful. the birds were singing in the yard. and there was a delicious freshness in the air. I was thankful, thinking that H anything could put pa in a good humor it would be this beautiful morning. A little be fore Q 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 iu his shaving room. where he couldn't see anything. and Jim carried an oblong box about three feet in length up Co the side entrance | let them in. and they went to the dining room. while l went upstairs Co keep an eye on pa. He had finished shaving and was slt- ting by the front window looking out but instead of being happy the bright morning seemed to mako him an the more melancholy.
 "What a pleasant day." l said. flor a family party to go for drive in the country
 There's no family party except you and me" nc said
 I knew that hc was pining for Del but | didn't say anything more for fear of making him ugly. | saw by the clock that it was five minutes to Q, and | went Co the banister ury coughed to give Jim and Del warning then told pa that breakfast was ready. He got up with a sigh, and we went downstairs together.
 We both stood mute looking at what we saw In the bay window at the end of the dining room. The marble bust that always stood on the pedestal had been removed. and in its stead was the statue of a little boy about Ave years old. It was of white marble-that is, SO far as we could judge-and held out pair of little arms Go us.
 Great guns" pa exclaimed.
 Little darlingw said |. What a pity it isn't aliver'
 How do. grandpaT cried the statue, and, tearing or its white face, it dis played the rosy features Of Dels little Jim. Jumping of the pedestal, all In hls white tights he ran up to his grandpa. who bent down and took him ln hls arms.
 never saw pa SO overcome in my life. He hugged the boy SO tight that thought he would crush him. Then Del came from the pantry and put her arms around them both. Del was laughing and crying. and pa was try lng to keep from doing both. Then he put little Jim down. and without mo- tlclng that hls clothes were covered with the white powder that had made the boys tights look like marble he folded Del in his arms
 Jlm-blg Jim. mean-seeing through a crack In the pantry door that the plan had been a success, came into the room. and pa put out bis hand
 Thot was the happlest breakfast par ty any of us ever sat down to. I had taken pains to have nice breakfast, though I didn't believe Ders present to her father would break through hls crustiness, but hoped that it would and We would all take our Sunday morning meal together After the breakfast we sat ln the library and talked while pa and Jun smoked.
 "Ala." said pa to me. didn't you say something about a family party going for a drive? l reckon we'll have out the horses"
 l po o,,a rtr, ,-o,t ort to the qfabie