The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-02-09

Elm Dale was the scene OF Joyful
preparation. for Mr.. and Mrs. Ezra
Hammond were 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 neighbors were interested
in the coming event, and number of
them were pledged ''to help out on
chairs and china Patience Saybin.
Familiarity known as Patty" and her
brother lived only a mile from Elm
Dale, but they had not been asked to
contribute, and Patty felt slighted.
I'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 / did want a finger
in tie pie"
John laughed Never mind. little
girl" he said consolingly. mir. Ham
mond says they may ask us to sleep
one or two IL the old house won't hold
them ALL
The day before the celebration Mrs.
Hammond drove over in the morning
TO see Patty. 81 thought we could
stow 'em all away" she said, with
smile. 'but / was thinking Mary had
four children stead of five. / don't
see how / came to forget little David
when counted noses. I've been won
dering. dear, If you'd let him sleep
here-either him or one of the othersF'
"oh. yesr' Patty cried dellghtedly.
Il should love TO, Mrs. Hammond"
The old lady smiled. Il brought his
picture along" she said, $50 you could
see what n dear little fellow he was"
Patty bent eagerly over the photo
graph. A pleasant little face smiled at
her from the cardboard-the round.
dimpled face of five-year-old. Hes
perfect cherubr' she cried.
I'm expecting most of my children
this evening, and II 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-three years before.
| All that day Patty was very busy
Il
old high chair and trundle bed were
brought down from the attic and dust
ed. Lizzie. the good natured girl in
| the kitchen, made some little round
cakes, and Patty frosted them and put
| pink ID" ON the top of two or three
When evening came everything was
| in readiness for the expected guest
| The tin waiter and tiny knife. fork
and plate were on the dining room
table, and the little rocker held out its
welcoming arms in the sitting room
An old rocking horse that had beer
Johns long ago waited patiently fol
its gallant rider, and a little woolly
dog stood on three legs with an air oi
expectation.
The day had been n long one to Pat
ty. At o'clock she was rearranginG
the furniture in little David's room
when the doorbell rang. She went L
Lizzie.
Hurry, Lizzie.' she cried. They've
brought little David over. Take hin
into the sitting room and amuse him
I'll be down in n few minutes" Sh
fitted back TO her work and did no
hear LizZie's exclamation of astonish
ment when she opened the door AM
saw n big. broad shouldered maj
standing there. Probably he had over
heard Patty's instructions TO the gir
for his eyes We're full of laughter
though he said soberly enough: Goo
evening. / am David Terrell. Mis-
: Saybin was expecting me, believer
"Y-y-yes. sir" Lizzie stammereC
''but she wasn't eXpectin' quite Sh
: paused i'm embarrassment.
Quite rs much of meg he aske
J laughingly.
Lizzie gigGled and led the way
b the sitting room. The little chair hel
out its welcoming arms in vain to thi
I guest. David Terrell's eyes rested q
once upon the rocking horse and WOO
ly dog. and his expression momentar
ly grew more cheerful.
Were Observation-Disclosures prepar:
tions made i'm my honor?" he aske
D Lizzie. But before the girl could al
,wer a sweet voice came from Il
upper landing. Are you amusing hin
Lizzie?" Lizzie giggled Historically.
Tell her you are" the young ma
whispered.
G "Yes'm," she called in muffied ton,
G from behind her apron.
J. SHOW him the picture books" IL
voice went on, "and If the little fello
Is tired take him up i'm your lap
Lizzie stepped into the lower IN
d and turned her laughing face up to la
Il mistress. Please. ma'am. can't
e she said. I'd hate 20 try"
o I'm ashamed of you the indignal
< reply came. III come righ; down nj
l. take him myself"
p Lizzie fed 10 the kitchen, and the
le was the quick click Of heels on Il
p stairs. Then David Terrell saw pre-
y ty picture framed in the wide doorwa
h Miss Patty stood there. with surpri
2. and disappointment plainly written I
Id her expressive face.
p "Wherc- where is she began in
I'd bewildercd way.
k David came forward. Il don't kno
st where lac is he said. III did I'd .
ce him fnr yCu. Miss Sayhin."
rs YOU she asked.
TO Yes. I'm little Davids success,
a Will you forgive me for growing old
p ana larger. Miss Sayhin:''
mt For moment the sensitive mou
Ir- quivcred. she had anticipated 81 mu,
il Then she held ont Aer hand and sa
with smile. Il suppose you can't he