The aegis & intelligencer., 1906-12-14
When David Came.

Elm Dale was the scene OF joyful prep
arations, for Mr.. and Mrs. Ezra Ham
mond were soon to cel elebrate their golden
wedding. From far and near their child
rem and grandchildren were coming to
the old country home under the great
elms.
All of the neighbors were interested in
the coming event, and a number of them
were pledged "to help out on chairs and
china" Patience Saybin, Familiarity
known as Patty" and her brother
lived only mile from Elm Dale, but they
had not been asked to contribute, and
Patty felt slighted.
"I'ye offered to lend them everything
on the place, even you, john" she said
to her brother, 'but Mrs. Hammond
says they have all the arrangements
made. did want 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. II thought we could stow
'em all away" she said, with smile,
"but was thinking Mary had four child
rem stead of five. l don't see how l came
to forget little David when l counted
noses. I've been wondering, dear, if
you'd let him sleep here-either him or
one of the othersE"
"Oh, yes" Patty cried delightedly.
81 should love to, Mrs. Hammond"
The old lady smiled. II brought his
picture along" she said, go you could
see what dear little fellow he was"
Patty bent eagerly over the photo
graph. A pleasant little face smiled at
her from the cardboard-the round,
dimpled face of fve-year-old. Hes a
perfect cherub," she cried.
I'm expecting most of my children
this evening, and if his folks come I'll
send him over before bedtir'e."
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 pre-
pairing "lttle David's room" An old
high chair and trundle bed were brought
down from the attic and busted. Lizzie,
the good natured girl in the kitchen,
made some little round cakes, and Patty
| frosted 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 and the little rocker held out
its welcoming arms in the sitting room.
An old rocking horse that had been
| John's long ago waited patiently for its
gallant rider, and a little wuolly dog
stood on three legs with an air of expec-
| tatiOn.
The day had been long one to Patty.
At I O'Clock she was rearraDging the
furniture in little Davii's room when the
doorbell rang. She went to the head OF
the stairs a1d called to Lizzie.
Hurry, Lizzie!' she cried. They ve
brought little David over. Take him
into the sitting room and amuse him
IN he down in a few r,iru+ss" She
A;tted hack to her work and did rot hear
Iizzie's exclamation of astorishmsrt
when she onened the door ard saw a
bio brood shouldered mau standing
there Probably he had overheard
Pattv's instructions to the girl. for his
ewes were full oflauphter though he said
sohe,Iv enouob Good evenino, am
David Terrell Miss Savbin was EXPECT
;,o mo ba1;ere,r
Nv YES sir, Lizzie stammered. "but
che v,asr, r ,xnsctin' ouite"-She raused
in embarrassment
"Orita nc r,rcb IF ,,e2o he . ekedI Iauob.
;noIv
;zz;s oi~,1sd nd lei The r,avt to t1,a
s;++;no-oo,n T,,,ii+-fe Oh air held ont rs
Welcoming arms IN vain +o his ouesr
Dou;d rorr;1,,s eroe res.ed AZ once mn M
4ho -ool;,a ro,so and v,oIr aog and
-. o,.r-ass;.,,, ,,,.,,a,,s~;Ir, Grew ,rrr.