The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-05-25
Selett Story.
WHEN DAVID CAME
ny HARRIET G. cANFIELp.

Elan Dale was the scrne of Joyful prep
arAtion, for Mr. and hrs EErA Hammond
we're soc to celebrate 'heir golden wed-
ding From far and near their ehildrea
and grandchildren we're oomiug 10 tae cid
country home under the grrAt eluas,
An Of the neighbors were interested in
the coming event, and namber Of them
we're pledged ito help out on chairs aud
china Pa,iencc Saybin, fAmiliAriy known
as Patty. and her brother lived only a
mile from Elm Pale, bas they bad no,
been asked to contribute. aud Patty felt
sighted
I've offered to lend them everything
on the place, even you, John, she said
to her brother, but Mrs. Hammond says
they have al the arrangements made |
did van, hugoF in the pie
John laughed Never mind, liGtle
girl, be said eoasolinsly. Mr., Ham
monl says they may ask Us to sleep one
or two if the old house wen bold them
all
The day before the celebration Mrs.
Hammond drove over in the morning TO
see Patty II thought wc ouald stow
em all away, she said, wiIh smile,
but | vas thinking Mari had four chill
dren stead Of five. | don't see how
came to forget litsls David when counted
nOses- I've been wondering, dear, il
you let him sleep here-eilher him or
one Of the oshers?'
"oh. yesr' Patty eried deligh,eily.
II should love to, Mrs Hammond -
The old lady smiisG II brough, his
picture along, she said, 80 you could
see wha, dear little fellow he was
Patty bent eagerly over the photograph.
4 pleasant little face smiled AT her from
the eardboard-the round, dimpled face Of
a five year old. He a perfect cherubF
she cried
Il IN expecting most of my children
this evening, and if his folks come III
send him over before bedtime.
The dear old lady forgot TO tell Patty
that the picture Of David was taken TWEEN
ty three years before.
All that day Patty was very busy pre-
pairing ''little David room. An old
high chair aud trundle bed were brought
down from the attic aud busted. Lizzie,
the good natured girl in the kitchen, made
some little round cakes, aud Patty trusted
them and put pink ''D' on the top Of
two or three. When evening came every
thing was in readiness for the expected
guest. The tin waiter and tiny knife,
fork and plate were on the dining room
table, aud the little rocker held out its
welcoming arms in the sitting room. An
old rocking horse that had been John 5
long ago waited patiently for its gallant
rider, and little woolly dog stood on three
legs with an air Of expectation.
The day had been long one to Patty.
At o clock she was rearranging the fur
niture in little David room when the
doorbell rang. She went to the head of
the stairs and called TO Lizzie
Hurry, Lizzier' she cried They We
brought little David over Take him into
the sitting room and amuse him III be
down in few minutes. She fitted back
to her work and did not hear Lizzie ex-
clamation of astonishment when she opened
the door aud saw big, broad shouIdered
man standing there Probably he had
overheard Patty's instructions to the girl,
for his eyes were full Of laughter, though
he said soberly enough: Good evening.
| am David Terrell Miss Saybin was
expecting me, | believer
''Y yves, sir, Lizzie stammered, ''but
she wasn't expeetin quite = She paused
in embarrassment
"Quite as much of me?' he asked
laughingly.
Lizzie giggled and led the way to the
sitting room. The little chair held out its
welcoming arms in vain to this guest.
David Terrell eyes rested at once upon
the rocking horse and wholly dog, and his
expression momentarily grew more cheer
ful.
"Were -ahem-these prepara-
tions made in my honor?'' he asked Liz
zie. But before the girl could answer a