The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-03-29

| country, leaving with us all the money he
had except Just barely enough to take
him there, he was in good spirits and
| full Of hope, telling US that within
three years we should all be together
and happy, with enough of the worlds
goods to make US comfortable All, how
/ he infused hope into mel And I've never
lost that hope, either. Somehow, your
father wasn't the sort of man to succumb
to any sort of disaster. And he was phys
ically so strong. He never knew what
sickness meant So l feel sure that
| he'll be with us-and soon"
That evening after school Andy per-
formed his usual chores and ran several
errands for his mothers customers.
He always managed to make few dimes
| doing odd chores of evenings, and In this
way was OF much financial aid to his
mother as well as being dear, light
| her and Sissie.
TITS time you were getting to bed, my
dears,'' said the good mother to Sissie
and Andy as the clock struck eight. You
know Sissie mustn't tire herself out these
| first days Of her convalescence, and you,
Andy dear, have your lessons for tomor-
| row. So, get you to bed and to sleep,
| my little chicks"
"Tomorrow's April FOOLS Day." said
| Andy. And Sissied better be on the
alert or she'll be elected fool Of the fam
lily for the next year. Well SO long.
mommer mine; good night, Sissie. I do
feel sorry for you, kiddie. But it's a
| feler's privilege to fool even his nearest
and dearest on April first. Tata, and
| happy dreams" And Andy was on to
| his little room with a happy laugh,
which ended with the whistled tune of
ooh. don't know"
| The following morning Andy's mother
called to him earlier than was her Gus
| tom. Dawn had scarcely driven the stars
| from the sky when her voice reused him
| from slumber. To his surprise he found
| Sissie up and dressed when he came into
| the kitchen, where their mother was pre-
| pairing breakfast A fresh stakeholder
and Juicy-was on the table, all prepared
for broiling. The coffee steamed on the
stove and toasts Drowned In the oven.
"Whew!" whistled Andy, seeing the
spread. Guess this Is a new kind of
April-fool surprise. Is that real steak.
mommer, or just a make believa" And
Andy poked the steak with his finger to
test its genuineness
But at this moment Sissie called his
attention to two parcels on the table, one
at each of their plates. "Oh," she said,
raising ner eyebrows. you can't 1901
me- Mister Andy. You put that little par
eel at my plate, and In order to fool me
into opening IT you placed one just like
1. at your own plate"
"What-t-tf And Andy. his eyes full
of wonder, went to the table and looked
curiously at the parcel by his plate. "Oh.
ho!' he laughed, 80 you think that's the
way to catch me, do your I put those
things on the table, did II Well, just
you wait till l open that, and then you
may laugh. But I'm not SO easy, Sissie. :"
And Andy whistled gaily, cycling his sis
ter the while.
"Pon my honor, didn't put those par
cells on the table," declared Sissie. "And
II you didn't do so l have not the slight
|, est notion who did,"
Andy knew his sister was In earnest.
Then he looked at the parcel second
time, daring this time to touch 1t. MON.
ner did it," he exclaimed. and looked
questioningly ut his mother whose face
shone with happiness. why, mommer.
what's up?" cried Andy, running to her
side. ''You look just lovely, you DO.
Didn't you put those parcels on the sable
for Sis and me?"
"They were put there by youA April