Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-01-28
WHEN DAVID
CANE
BY HARRIET G. cANFIELD
Copyright, 1903. by Z. G. Mcclure

tlim 4Ddke WAS TIE SCelle OL JOY VI
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 d mile from Elm
Dale, but they had not been asked to
contribute, and Patty felt sighted.
.I'ye offered to lend them every
thing on the place, even you, john"
she said 10 her brother, -i'but Mrs.
Hammond says they have all the ar
engagements made | did want q finger
in the pie
John laughed. Never mind. little
girl" he said consolingly Mr.. Ham
mond says they may ask us to sleep
one or two if the old house won't hold
them ALL
The day before the celebration Mrs
Hammond drove over in the morning
to see Patty. Il thought we could
stow 'em all away she said, with a
smile, sbut / was thinking Mary had
four children stead of five. | don't
see how came to forget little David
.1,.z.. -, ~ ,,x,coe J,xn, laon., won
dering. dear. If you'd let him sleep
here either him or one of the others!
"Oh, yesis Patty cried delightedly.
81 should love to, Mrs. Hammond
The old lady smiled. q brought his
picture along" she said, 80 you could
see what a dear little fellow he was"
Patty bent eagerly over the photo
graph. a pleasant little face smiled at
her from the cardboard round.
dimpled face of a fiye-year-old. He's
a perfect cherubr' 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-three years before.
All that day Patty was very busy
preparing little Dapid's room" An
old high chair and trundle bed were
brought down from the attic and dust
ed. Lizzie, the good natured girl II
the kitchen, made some little round
cakes, and Patty frosted them and put
a pink ssD'' 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 We're on the dining room
table, and the little rocker held out it,
! welcoming arms in the sitting room
An old rocking horse that had been
Johns long ago waited patiently fol
| its gallant rider, and little woolly
dog stood on three legs with an air OF
expectation.
The day had been long one to Pat
/ ty. At Z o'clock she was rearrangins
/ the furniture in little Dayid's room
when the doorbel rang. She went t.
the head of the stairs and called t.
/ Lizzie
Hurry, Lizziel'' she cried 'eThey'vt
/ brought little David over. Take hin
into the sitting room and amuse him
4 I'll be down in few minutes" Sht
fitted back to her work and did no
/ hear Lizzie's exclamation of astonish
lnent when she opened the door ant
saw a big, broad shouIdered mai
i standing there. Probably he had over
heard Patty's instructions to the girl
for his eyes were full of laughter
though he said soberly enough: "Goot
evening: / am David Terrell. Mis-
Saybin was expecting me, believer"
.sY-y-yes, SIR Lizzie stammered
ssbut she wasn't expectin' Quite Sh
n paused in embarrassment.
"Quite as much of me?v he aske'
Elaughingly.
Lizzie giggled and led the way t
the sitting room. The little chair bel,
out its welcoming arms in vain to thi
guest. David Terrell's eyes rested a
once upon the rocking horse and wool
| ~ dog, and his expression momentari
~ grew more cheerful.
Were these ahem-these prepare
tons made in my honor?' he asket
Lizzie. But before the girl could an
swer sweet voice came from III,
upper landing. Are you amusing him
Lizzie?p Lizzie giggled Historically.
"Tell her you are" the young mai
whispered
"Yes'm.s she called in muffied toneI
from behind her apron.
SHOW him the picture books tn,
voice went on, ''and If the little fellow
is tired take him up in your lap
Lizzie stepped into the lower hal
and turned her laughing face up to be-
mistress. Please ma'am, | can't
she said. I'D hate to try
4I'm ashamed of your the Indignant
reply came. "I'll come right down ant
take him myself"
Lizzie fed to the kitchen. and there
/ UvnS ffn n,,intx cliolz NJ haais ~, A.