Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12

week ago what present for her mother she
should buy with the three shiny quarters
her papa had given her and now--'There's
no use crying about it." she said to herself
as she rested both chubby elbows on the
window sill
What should she do? She was still think
passage calling Bridget. What she said
Betty could not hear. but she did hea1
Brtdgets reply: Sure mum, I'll go, but
won't have time to make the puddin' thinv
Very well. Bridget, never mind the pud-
ding, but go as soon as possible" said
nurse. and Betty could hear retreating foot
steps up the stairs.
Suddenly she jumped up, her eyes shining
with suppressed excitement. She tiptoed
carefully to the door and listened; not q
sound did she hear but nurse rocking up
stairs. Betty then went into the kitchen
and looked behind the door. yes. Bridget
mad left 1t. and taking down the big blue
and white checked apron, tied it around her
neck, even then 1t dragged but, eth keep
my shoes Clean" said Betty to herself and
so thought no more about 1t. She looked at
the nre. 1t was very hot Bridget had left
1t In good condition. so she then proceeded
to take down the shiny yellow crock and fill
IL with flour as she had seen Bridget do.
Then elated by her success she added some
butter. sugar and salt. I'm not quite sure
how much she puts in. but I'll put hand
fuil OF each in" but when she came to the
eggs she hesitated. I'm quite sure Bridget
beats them" she said. so she began care
fuily breaking them into large dish. but
this was the hardest of all. for with all her
efforts she dropped two on the floor.
After adding these to the mixture she
dumped IN a generous handful of spices of
her own mixing. ITO give a flavor" she
explained to herself as she had often heard
Bridget say.
But 1t was with a sigh of relief that she
poured the batter into baking dish and
after many attempts succeeded in putting
1t in the oven safely. blissfully ignorant
that she had forgotten to place it in a pan
of water
Now I'll wash my hands: I'm glad it's
done. wasn't it nice that Bridget went out ?
m sure mamman be pleased, she's so
fond Of pudding she murmured.
After setting things to rights. which she
did bravely, although it was hard to clean
up all the flour she had spilled, she sank
in blissful repose on the sofa until 1t was
time to look at the precious pudding.
What happened in the next hour Betty
did not know nor was she aware of any
thing until opening her eyes she saw nurse
standing by her saying: Come, Miss Betty.
IT. time to get dressed, your mother will
be here soon" and half asleep Betty al
lowed herself to be led up the stairs. where
nurse proceeded to put her in her prettiest
dress.
But she was combing her long curls
Betty. remembering the happenings Of the
morning. dashed from the room and down
the steps. not hearing the front door open,
In her excitement. Into the kitchen she
open the oven door only to be greeted by
the remains of what might have been a
pudding once, but no longer bearing any
resemblance.
burst into a flood of tears. What shall
do she sobbed. AN took much pains
with it an now l haven't any present at
ALL Hearing footsteps behind her Betty
looked up to see her mother smiling down
at her.
And now what was the matter with my
little grille" she said. after both had been
half smothered by kisses and hugs. why,
l made you a puddin' an the horrid old
thing went an burned up while I was
asleep. but don't let's talk about it. now
that you're here" go -e
ELOUISE W.. 30434 Street.
A HOT-AIR FOOTBALL.
1--WE had more knocks in my short life
than you've ever had" said punctured
foot ball to base ball that was lying in a
corner with black eye and sore head. IT
have been through the different matches all
safe, but In the eleventh game a man kicked
me on the side. and fell on me with his
knee In the sore spot and 1 exploded" the
foot ball continued.
Don't talk about trouble to me-" said
the base ball. THE first game 1 was ever
In, one man threw me at another one, and
remember a hard knock that sent me fly
ing through the air. and 1 landed on a
sharp stone. Then boy picked me up and
put me In his pocket, brought me here and
took twenty stitches In my head it was so
badly cut. Now 1 trying to rub my
head Don't talk about trouble
Then the foot ball said: "A stone can't
cut ne: I'm tough
There was silence for few seconds when
the foot ball raised on his knees and
gasped: "Oh! I'm losing my wind fast: put
your hand here and feel it esca ping" plac-
ing the base balls hand on the puncture.
Feel ft?"
Go away" cried the base ball. You're
full of hot air. and 1 don't believe half
you have told me now that 1 know it,
P. J. NJ.
THE FIRE.
1t was late and the library in which
Louise sat reading was getting dim and
dusky. but curled up in the corner of the
sofa she still read on.
'Oh. wish the fire would tell me a story
like the girl in this book" she said at last
as having finished what she was reading
she laid down her book
II think 1 will try to get it to tell ma
one.' she thought: as she left the room.
So accordingly next evening at twilight. she
drew the big sofa up before the large open
fireplace In the library and curled herself
up among the cushions as comfortably as
she had been the evening before
Now. she thought. IL 1 stay here long
enough. perhaps l shall hear a story She
sat for about five minutes not hearing a
sound. but the loud ticking of the great
clock in the corner but at the end of that
time her heart gave a leap, for the Are
5poke
You expect me to tell you story. do
you not?' asked the fire. In voice that
fiared up and died down with the flames
as he spoke.
Yes! Yes!' said Louise, eagerly
well. i Shall not do 1T" rafurpad H.
fire. Il do not like children they are young
things who have not been living but a few
years. l have been living in this CRATE for
years and years. he added In proud tone
You are made up fresh every morning"
said Louise.
We'll. what IL | ann" asked the fire
angrily. Il simply go to sleep at night.
Don't you go to seep?"