The Morris County chronicle., 1905-08-15
WHO ATE THE RIM :

Harold was having birthday party
because he was six years old, and
Aunt Helen and grandma and Miss
Nellie and ever so many big people
were there, helping all the little people
to have splendid time. They played
games and sat in the darkened parlor
to look at the magic lantern pictures
till the clock struck five, and then Har-
old knew what was coming.
Out in the dining-room the table was
set with mammals prettiest china, and
there were candles and flowers and
bon-bons just like a grown-up party.
Harold was very anxious to have all
the children see the table. So he was
glad when Aunt Helen said, Now we
rare goiEg to march to the dining
roomn
Miss Nellie played a bright little
march, and the boys and girls formed
a long line through the parlor and out
on the piazza, "just like long white
ribbon" said grandma; for most Of the
girls wore white dresses and the boys
white waists.
The tiny sandwiches and wee pickles
vanished like magic, and all the grown
up people were kept busy waiting on
the little folk. Playing games makes
one very hungry, you know, and most
of the guests had been too excited
to eat much dinner that day. Alto
gether it was very jolly supper, and,
when mamma wanted to make little
speech she had to ring the tea bell
several times.
Now children" she said, 81 am
going to pass some little cakes. and one
of them has ring baked in it. You
must eat them very slowly and care
fully, SO some one does not swallow it,
You must not break up the cakes to
dnd the ring but just nibble away till
some little boy or girl says, 'Pve got
the ring.
Aunt Helen brought in ice-cream,
made to look like dear little chickens,
and the children ate the cakes and
the cream very slowly At last all had
been eaten, and still no one had said,
sT've got the ring
THAT is very stran-r," said mamma.
II will ask Mary if any one took one
of the cakes"
mo. ma'am," said the maid positive
ly. There has been no one but me in
the dining-room since I put the cakes
on the table,
Il just know swallowed it." sobbed
little girl. Il felt it going down"
so did l." said tiny boy, and he
had to cry too.
There, therer' said Mrs. Clifford,
much perplexed 1.-TWO Of you couldn't
have eaten it, so don't cry
II feel bad, too" said another little
girl. 4 think it must have been in my
cake"
Ireally don't know what would have
happened Just then if papa hadn't come
in. He was so surprised to see tears
at birthday party that he had to
inquire the cause, though he was in a
big hurry.
We'll, well,' he laughed. II didn't
know what commotion l would cause
by taking one cake. I was on my way
to see little patient who has been
IN bed long time with a lame limb,
and l wanted to take her some Of the
goodies. / slipped softly in here little
while ago and took some of the nice
things without disturbing the party
bit. Even Mary didn't see me. Now, /
Just wonder if little Bess Ryan isn't
wearing that ring this minute?"
20 papa, won't you so right over and
see? begged Harold,
II hope she did get it." cried all the
children. And. sure enough, in few
minutes DR.. Clifford came back to tex
how happy the little girl was with her
treasure.
she is sitting propped up IN her old
bed, looking at the pretty green stone
in the gold band, said papa. "and !
didn't so In at all. Are you all glad
poor Bess got itg'
..Yes! Yesl Yesl' cried the children.
-Hilda Richmond, In Sunday-school
Zines.
JAMES TRUST.