Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-11
Expressing His Approval by Loving
Kiss


children sometimes wondered If Fairy
Bountifur' had not given him an enchanted
purse, but Uncle Fred laughed and said
that the only fairy who ever helped him
was named Hard Work. This always
made Ned blush and hang his head, for he
inclined to be lazy and liked to have
as little as possible to do with work of any
kind
"Mother! exclaimed both the children a.
once, what do you want the very most in
the world for a birthday PRESENT."
We'll, chicks said their mother smiling
into the eager, upturned faces. Il want a
new piano the very most in the world but
l am afraid that is little too expensive
for your pocket books
"Oh, no, mother, dear; Ned and 1 have
So between US, and am sure"
Come here, Kitty called Uncle Fred
suddenly, from behind his newspaper, land
you, too, Fred he added, as the children
looked at one another in surprise.
They went to him rather shyly, but what
+ he whispered to them seemed to have a
great effect. They both exclaimed: oh,
mother, may we go to town with Uncle
Fred?' And when their mother gave her
consent, they flew out of the room and up
to the nursery two steps at time.
1t did not take them many minutes to re-
turn ready for the trip and by the time
they reached town they were all three in
high spirits over their secret.
They went at once to a large piano store,
and while Kitty and Ned We're looking
with wide-open eyes at the scores of pianos,
their uncle said a few words to the owner
Of the store and finally handed him a thin
piece Of pink paper, which the man took,
bowling and smiling, though to any one
looking on it would have seemed nothing
but very ordinary bit of paper that might
have blown in from the street.
Now, Kitty" said Uncle Fred, II will
leave you and Ned here to select your
mothers birthday present, while l go to
the book store. I will come back for you
in an hour, and if you haven't found any
piano that you like here for $6, we will go
somewhere else"
Any that they liked! The children thought
there would be no trouble about that and
as Uncle Fred closed the shop door they
commenced their search.
But 1t was not such an easy matter, after
all.
The shopman led the way to the back of
the store, and there they saw large pianos
small pianos, grand pianos, upright pianos
pianos that played without any one touch
ing them, and dumb pianos that never made
a sound, no matter how hard you thumped
them. The children were beWidered by so
many and did not know which to choose
until the friendly shopman pointed out one
that they had not noticed, standing by it,
self in a corner 1t was little beauty
with carved legs and highly polished
cherry case.
Il do think mother dear would look Just
lovely sitting at that piano, Kitty whis-
pered Ned. please ask the man If it Is
more than S6.''
The man, with smile Che seemed to be
always smiling, like the Cheshire cat in
the story, said that he could let them have
that piano for $3.50.
"Goody gracious!" cried Kitty; then let's
take it, Ned, and we can spend the 80
cents that's left for birthday flowers"
The shopman, looking more like Cheshire
cat than ever, took the money from
Neds hand with polite thank you,
sir and promised to send the piano late
aft.rnOOn ha hefo 20
birthday. Everything was settled now ex-
cept what to have engraved on the little
silver plate that was to go on the precious
new purchase. just above the keyboard.
came back. but after a few words with, him
they made up their minds and left the
store, as proud and as happy as little girl
and boy could be who have been busy plan
ming pleasure for some one else.
The sun shone his brightest on the birth
day morning. One of his rays peeped in
the nursery window to waken the children
with a kiss, but they were already I'D and
nearly dressed so the little ray had to steal
his morning kiss from some still sleeping
lips.
OF course. with such a wonderful secret
as theirs. Ned and Kitty could not be ex-
pected to sleep, and they were soon hur-
ry1ng to the florists. They came back with
their arms full of flowers, for when they
told the florist what day it was he was
very generous and gave them much more
than their moneys worth.
They took their sweet-smelling burden
into the dining room and at once began
their work. They decorated mothers plate
and twined clematis and sweet peas around
her chair and with the remainder they
decked the table until, as mother exclaimed
when she saw it, 1t looked as though the
fairies had been at work. But she was not
allowed to admire it long. Before they
would let her have a bit of breakfast the
children dragged her to the drawing ROOM
There stood the new piano in all its glory
The lid was raised and the same loving sun
beam that had tried to waken the children
with kiss shone on the silver plate with
its inscription: For darling mother, from
her loving son and daughter"
oh. children!" that was the only thing
mother could say as she stood gazing dunn
founded at her beautiful. beautiful present.
Mother, darling, will you sing to us after
breakfast" whispered brown-eyed Ned.
Yes. you precious child. as long as you
like" she answered: and she Rugged him
first and then Kitty, and then both to-
gether.
BLESS your loving little hearts! This is
the most beautiful birthday gift ever had
In my life.'
Then, seeing Uncle Fred smiling In the
doorway. she Rugged him, too, and ex-
claimed:
what a dear eood brother vor ora