The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-05-06
MRS, -L-olIu,eMAts --lI, y
y, 'ISURPRISE PARTY
CMGRY e. IRELAND

Poor MIS- lIOngman remembered
with a pang, that she had been 50
wrapped up in her own gloomy and
selfish thoughts the past week that she
had paid but little attention 10 her
boys in any way, and she reflected
shall ] let the good seed sown by n
stranger iD the hearts OF my children
perish for want OF care from their
mother VIII / let my own selfish
ease rob these poor boys Of pleasure
which might always be pleasant re
membrance TO them? No. ! will rouse
myself and make the best Of H."
Bridget, in the meantime, had been
summoned again TO the alley gate, and
had rescued two more guests, one q
pale little cripple on crutcles, carefully
sheltered from the rain by the Even
ceeded in obtaining substitute, but
had borrowed an umbrella, which um-
brella had seen its best days TO be
sure, being minus two stays and
patched with n different color; but de
moralized as il was, il did not pre-
vent the guests il sheltered from being
joyfully welcomed by their compatri-
OTIS already under shelter. The cripple
boy In particular was warmly received
by Mrs. Longman, whose heart went
out in sympathy to suffering in any
form. She had just been upon the
point OF proposing tbatthc boys should
until supper was ready adjourn TO the
attic, which, like the rest Of the house,
was warm and comfortable, but out
OF consideration for the lame boy. she
changed her plans, and sent two Of her
guests with her sons to bring down
such playthings as they desired in the
parlor, in which, with her usual good
sense, she had nothing too inc for use.
The boys were scarcely ensconced in
the parlOr when ring from the bell
sent them all scampcring TO the hail
door, where stood three boys, one Of
whom, the Evening News was spokcs9
man.
81 hope you Will excuse mo ma'am.
for not coming 10 the alley gate this
evening" said hG, bowing over the
heads Of the boys TO Mrs. Lougman,
who was coming TO see what this
method OF announcement might por-
tend. Buddy here" pointing 10 one OF
his followers, "is blind and | thought
you would not mind our coming to the
front door, ud could nor find a lame
hoy" continued he, apologctically, to
The Longmgn ihoyf, go | brought the
charcoal mans boy, who is deaf and
dumb"
Mrs. Longman escorted them TO the
kitchen 10 remove their wet wrappings
ana to dry their shoes, and then took
them into the parlOr, where the other
guests were sitting rather silently, ga2-
Ing at the parlor and its contents,
which. though 10 some persons might
'be' Considered plain, whsto the boys a
scene of unacCustomcd luxury; then
she went back 10 the kitchen to hold
counsel with Bridget in regard to that
allimportant event Of the evening sup
per-
what In the world will we get,
Bridget p said she. There are eight Of
them in there besides G,r bwn, which
makes ten ahd there may bc as many
more for all know, and ii is 100 wet
to 20 out for anything
"The aisicst thing in the world,
ma'am. | have been considering the
same while you we're in the parlor.
There's the chickens in the yard. that
you are fattcninG; nothing in the world
would be suitabler than, thcnE'
%But that would be only one kind
of meat Bridget, and perhaps some OF
them do not eat chicken; and now
that they are here would like them
to- be sa usiicdP
Trust me for that ma'am. | never
saw boy yet that could rot eat his
weight in chicken. only give him the
tine. I Twill 80 Immediately and tell
the fowls their presence is wanted ut
a party, and the kettle IS singing as
though it expected broth Of n time
! ,g ,Apd, Ifwll make lot of biscuits,
said MRS. Longman, land while you
are cooking the chickens viii set the
slaDle. sh''.ts'sl.. .". ,...is. Esq. at.,.'
And II YOU place. ma'0m. while the
flour and other things are around | will
make lot of my ginger cakes; foi
next TO n chicken stew with oceans OF
gravy, there's nothing a hoy likes bet
ter than hot ginger cakes
oh, Bridget. you are 50 thoughtful
said Mrs Longman. and somehow, hel
heart began TO grow lighter, and will
Il cripple-aEd n blind boy and Il NUT,
In the next room she began to rcaliz,
that she had much TO be thankful for.
Several new additions We're made I,
the company in the parlor. and 10y tn
time the supper was smoking on TIA
table the mirih was growing fast an,
lfuriousr =M,gNI
The boys were almost da2zled by IN
brilliancy of the dining room; the gilt
j fCrofchma and glass and silver undc
? Tie strongr eas light. NMrs. Longma
had cxcrtcd herself TO make feast il
l-derd,tosthuse who seldom Jared cXccr
llaron- tlfe coarscst viands, and her tabl
showed no lack of dainty preserve
fruits. jenies hnd oD The little l>nicl
knacks which she could muster on sue
short notice
, Mrs. Longman took n quiet observ;
ton cf the whole company while hell
ing them. and she observed ono puzzl
for which I'm her own mind she coul
: find no solution. and that was that u