The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-01-01
WHEN DAVID
CAME
BY HARRIET G. CANFIELD
Copyright, 1908, by I. C. Mcclure

Elm Dale was the scene of joyful
preparation, for Mr.. and Mrs. Ezra
Hammond We're soon to celebrate their
golden wedding. From far and near
their children and grandchildren were
coming TO the old country home under
the great elms.
All Of the nciGhbors were interested
in the coming event, and n number of
them were pledged "to help out on
chairs and china" Patience Saybin.
familiarly known rs Patty" and her
brother lived only mile from Elm
Dale, but they had moi been asked to
r contribute, and Patty felt sighted.
'1've offered to lend them every
thing on the place, even you, John,"
she said to her brother, but Mrs.
Hammond says they have all the ar
rangements made. l did want finger
in the pie''
John laughed. "Ncvcr mind, little
girl" he said consolingly. "Mr. Ham
mond says they may ask us to sleep
-Spe or two if the old house won't hold
them all."
The day before the celebration Mrs
Hammond drove over in the .!nofHIng
to see Patty Il thought we could
stow 'cm all away" she said, with a
smile, "but 1 was thinking Mary had
four children stead of five. l don't
see how 1 came to forget little David
when l counted noses. I've been Won
dering, dear, II you'd let him sleep
here-eithcr him or one of the others"
ooh, yes!' Patty cried dclightcdly.
II should love to, Mrs. Hammond"
The old lady smiled. Il brought his
picture along" she said, 80 you could
see what dear little fellow lie was
Patty bent eagerly over the photo
graph. a pleasant little face smiled at
her from the cardboard-the round,
dimpled face of Il fivc-ycar-old. Hes
n perfect cherub.' she cried
I'm expecting most Of my children
this evening, and if his folks come I'll
send him over before bedtime"
The dear old lady forgot to tell Patty
that the picture of David was taken
twenty-threc years before
All that day Patty was very busy
preparing "littie Darid'S room.' An
old high chair and trundlc bed We're
brought down from the attic and dust
cd. Lizzie, the good naturcd girl in
the kitchen, made some little round
cakes, and Patty frosted them and put
4 pink "D" OH the top of two or three.
When evening came everything was
in readiness for the expected guest
and plate were on the dining room
table, and the little rocker held out it's
welcoming arms in the sitting room.
An old rocking horse that had been
Johns long ago waited patiently for
its gallant rider, and q little woolly
dog stood on three legs with an air Of
expectation.
The day had been q long one to Pat
ty. At o'clock she was rcarranging
the furniture i'm little Davids room
when the doorbell rang. She went to
the head of the stairs and called to
Lizzie.
Hurry Lizzie" she cried They've
brought little David over. Take him
into the sitting room and amuse him.
I'll be down in few minutes" She
fitted back to her work and did not
hear Lizzie's exclamation of astonish-
ment when she opened the door and
saw big, broad shouldered man
standing there. Probably lie had over
heard Patty's instructions to the girl,
for his eyes were full of laughter.
though he said soberly enough: Good
evening, / am David Terrell. Miss
Saybin was expecting me, belicve"
"Y-y-yes, sir" Lizzie stammered,
"but she wasn't expectin' Quite She