Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-22

turkey gobbler made dreadful fuss show
ing all his feathers and following Jean all
the way across the orchard. But Jean did
not know that gobblers have such a dislike
for red She thought 1t was merely his way
of saying Hello. JEANNE; what pretty,
pretty parasol you have!
1t must have been either the loud gobbling
of the young turkey or the sight of the red
parasoI that attracted the attention of little
Annie O'Neil. who lived in Grandfather
Grays tenement house. For when Jean
| reached the fence at the farther end of the
orchard there stood this little girl. with
very wide open eyes.
Jean was the first to speak. and she said
pleasantly: Hello, little girl"
Hello" was the timid answer.
whats your manner" asked Jean.
Annie" said the child.
Mines Jean, and this is my birthday"
At that Annie cIambered up TO the top
rail of the fence as she replied: IT'S my
birthday, too. I'm just six years old"
Jean jumped up and down for joy. I'm
six. too! Are you going to have birth
day cake?'
Annie was not sure about II. She guessed
they didn't have birthday cakes at her
house. Jean explained that she was going
to have a birthday cake with six candles
on it. Annie's eyes opened wide as she
| asked, After dark?'
Maybe I'll bring you a piece tomorrow"
, said Jean, with an encouraging smile.
By this time Annie had gotten entirely
over the fence and was leaning against 1t.
or admire her.
Jean went on with the conversations
Have you got parasol?'
Annie shook her head.
Mines birthday present from mamma"
| Jean continued. Mamma sent me a pink
ribbon and white ribbon. too"
Annie tried to smile, but 1t was rather
| faint She just locked straight at Jean. but
| did not know what to say. s.
| Jean tried again: Have you got owls
| at your house?
Again Annie shook her head A sudden
| idea seemed to seize Jean as she said
Here Annie( you can hold my parasol till
| l run home Now you stay right here un-
der this apple tree"
| Away she sped, bright look on her face
saying to herself: Grandpa won't care. He
can get more owls. Poor little Annie
hasn't any owls. and no parasol. and no
| ribbon. l know grandpa won't care
She tiptoed her way into the house for
fear of waking grandma, went up to the
| porch where the two brown owls sat, and
after much pulling she had both OF them
| loose. With one in each hand she started
| back across the orchard ''Therev she said
| handing them to- Annie, you can have
| them for your birthday. 1 know grandpa
! will not care"
Annie looked at them curiously. not GER
| tain if she was pleased not. until Jean
| told her the story of how her grandpa had
| found them one morning frozen dead Then
Annie began to stroke their fea thers and
| fondle them. Her face began to BEAM and
day she ran home very happy.
Jean was happy, too. For while. IN the
enjoyment of her parasol and with the COB
bling of the young turkey who kept strut
| ting about behind her. she forgot all about
| the owls. But when grandfather came home
| from the bayfield, she began to wonder just
how to tell him that she had given away
| the little brown owls.
Before she could make up her mind in
| came Mrs. O'Nei1 carrying the owls In her
arm and leading Annie by the hand. Every
one looked surprised. and poor little Jean
for a moment could not find her voice. 1t
was Mrs. ONeil who had to explain that
her Annie came carrying the owls home
and saying that little girl with red par
asol gave them to her
Then Jean ran to grandfather, climbed
upon his knees and said: "Of course,
grandfather, I gave them to Annie because
| 1t was her birthday. and she didn't have
any parasol nor any ribbon nor any birth
day cake. You don't care. do your
Bless her little hearth broke in Mrs.
O,NefL
"And Annie's just six years old, too"
Jean added.
| BY that time grandmother understood AL