The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-11
DORRANCE's BUSY
BIRTHDAY,

BIRTHDAY.
A birthday without main,ria. Dorrancc
could hardly believe tho dreadful news
1t had been bad enough to thiDnof fiav-
Ing papa away; but mamma 10 be sure
Torrance was very sorry for dear Aunt
Alice, just homo from over tho sea ana
lying III In New York among strangers,
nnd trero wasn't anybody, but mamma
to go and bring her home; but oh, dear,
birthday all alone! jenny, the cook,
and Brdn, the maid, didn't seem to count
Just now. Dorrance cried n little, but not
even his tears or big snow storm. which
sct In during the night. could keep mamma
from going to New York.
Tom drove Up to take mamma to the
station, just as Dorraiice camc down to
brenkfast The eight OF tho driving storm
had given him very doleful face, for
there. would be no outdoor fun for him un-
less 1t cleared. 1t did seem as II his
birthday were bound to DO dismal, indeed.
His lip qulyercd when mamma Kissed him
goodbye, and he would have cried again,
only she called him her "big brave boy"
and, OF course. l,o mustn't after that. He
had forgotten about birthday presents,
and was 10 surprised to find by his
plato tiny note. It said:
After breakfast look In the library for
a white package marked. 'Dorrance.
YOUR LOVING MAMMA"
II was delightful to have It to wonder
about, while ne was eating his wheat
and cream. How nice OF mamma to leave
Ills presents in this way, instead OF Just
handing It to him, But when I, ne g went en-
to look, he couldn't sec any white pack
age. He hunted behind books and among
tho couch cushions. and was dolefully
thinking he should have 10 give 1t up,
f when he spied something yhito right un-
der tho easy chair In the corner. Yes.
that was TIA beautiful book full OF
stories and pictures. Dorrance looked y
4 through many times. read q few OF the
stories and was Just wondering what ne
should do next, when Brida came In. and
handed him a slip OF paper. He read
s"If you will 60 UP into your room.
you will find pink package for you.
How he bounded UP the stairs; aid
then what a search he had for some
thing pink; besides the pink cushion on
3 his dresser. 3a
At last he found It, away in back
corner OF his table drawer-a box OF
colorcd crayonsi Just what he had been
longing for. These kept him busy for
an hour or 80. and then Bridn appeared
4 with another note:
"Oh, what can 1t be this timer he cx-
claimed. The fun Eas growing Interest
81 ing. !ta
"Hunt through the halls untlsyou dis
cover q wooden box.
That was the message no rend With
y q shout, he dashed off, while Brida wat ch-
ed him. smiling to herself at his excite
ment.
Upstairs ana down behind doors and
;n window corners, until, oh! JOY There.
right by tho laundry was the prcttiest
tool chest he had ever seen. ~ Jenny
brought some bits Of boards. and Dor
rance snwdd and planned and hammered
8 until luncheon time. And then the little
h lad found moro gifts. pretty orange
spoon from Brida. and a beautiful cart
that Jenny had made for him with his
name In pink letters on top.
AS he left the dining-room he was met
by another note, that badc him search
& In tho parlor for a Il long pacnage, He
found It to be a dear little violin! OH
what sweet discords he made for an hour
Il or two safteryvard.s He almost thought
= this present the very best Of all, TIL he
Z had to stop playing to hunt In his own
room for a real silver watch. That was
Il something no nhO not uIedIlitd u. <a'u
then lit was time for mamma and Aunt
Alice to come He sat by the front win
dow, counting the minutes on his watch.
when at last the carriage camein sight.
when, with one hand in Aunt Alice q and
the other in mammals. they came into
the hall. Dorrance said:
II wasn't lonesome n mite. My presents
s wouldn't let me be. They kept me so w
full busy"
Locust Hill P, O., Va,