The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-24
How Grandma Wen, to the picnic.

Atlanta Journal.
How Grandma Went to the Picnic.
Nine years old. nine years old. I'm
nine years old today" sang Nellie at
the top of her lungs, as she came
running out of the house, soaring old
Red Cloud so that he backed the
spring wagon into a flower bed.
Here, here called her father,
laughingly, even il you are happv
about growing old. you needn't get
poor Red Cloud excited. too. jump
In, chick, mother and Bob are com.
ing"
Go wish grandma could come 70
my picnic,' said Nellie. as she tuck.
ed in her short skirts, and spread ont
the lap robe. oh. grandma, can't
you? Just cause it's my blrthday?"
But grandma shook her head, no,
dear,es,' she said, It's too long a drive
Tor me, and the wagons full as It Is.
Tiny and | will stay nome, and be
ready to take care of you when you
come back all tired and hungry"
We went be hungry" said Bob az
he thought of the big whitetopped
basket. My, but mother put up a
good lunch"
Jam tarts and fruit cake, with
bottle of raspberry lGmname." MUIR
INJURED Nellie. happily. Let me sit on
the front and drive when there isn't
any one in sight?"
Everybody laughed but Nellie look.
ed very important as she held the
whip. while her father drove out in
to the road, leaving grandma and Tiny
waving good-by from the door step.
They were almost out of sight when
grandma turned to go In, aud then
she gave little gasp. Tiny" she
cried, Tiny, they've forgotten the bas.
ket!"
In second Tiny was out, running
down the dusty road and calling at
the top of her voice. But Il was. no
good. Red Cloud was making speed
that day. and nobody heard.
What we do?" she asked as she
came back. They 50 hungry. Nellie
will feel so bad
Il know. | know" and poor grand.
ma looked ready to cry. But sudden.
ly her face frightened.
Hurry. Tiny" she called. hitch
up the colt. Wen catch them. I'll
help you,' and grandma forgot that
she had thought she was too old as she
hurried around, buckling straps and
patting the frisky colt.
Neither thought of a hat. They
threw in the basket, and went off pell.
nell. Tiny with her sleeves rolled
up to her big white shoulders and
grandma with her cap strings wildly
flying.
Everyone looked at them and laugh.
cd, but grandma didn't care. At ev-
cry turn she looked eagerly ahead, al.
ways expecting to see Red Cloud and
the wagon. But It was never there,
and before they knew 1t, they had
come TO the picnic ground, too. and
when grandma did catch sight OF Red
Cloud, he was tied to q tree, munich.
ing the leaves and looking at very
disconsolate party--mother worried,
father trying to laugh. Bob looking
grumpy and Nellie crying.
Don't, don't" cried grandma, stand
ing up in the buggy and holding out
the big basket, "We'vc brought il! It's
all right" And then as they started
at her. Hurry. take it, Tiny and l
must get back to dinner"
"Why, grandma" cried Nellie, you
came to the picnic after all And you
can't go home"
mo" said mother you can't tell
us you're too old any more. We did
not come with a frisky. young colt
and drive him hard every step Of the
way and we did wear hats. You're
the youngest of the lot, grandma, and
you'll have to stay"
Well said grandma, as the grin
ming Tiny helped her over the wheel.
Il don't know but you are right. We
are as young as we feel. and-look
here. my son. as long as / did come
to the picnic. want my lunch right
away. I'm hungry"
And everybody laughed; even the
colt and old Red Cloud, who were tell
ing each other the Joke over the pas.
ture.-Nancy Lloyd in Farm and
Home Magazine.