Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-29
THE PASS IT ON CLUB.

II think it will be simply superb" de-
clared Philippa. who was given to enthu-
siasm. ''The club hasn't amounted to
row of pins since We organized. and
well. now. really" interrupted Mabel.
IT think you are coming down most too
hard on the club. There are not many
| members yet, and we haven't been able to
get much together to pass on. There
| hasn't been any restrictions on smiles and
| kind words. though
"Oh, yes, I know" rejoined Philippa,
| "they are all very well in their way,
but think we should make an effort to
pass on something more substantial occa-
! sionally. and that is the reason I have
| proposed this surprise party for old Aunt
| and Uncle Henshaw.r
Just listen at the dictionary" laughed
| frivolous Gay. You'd think Phiiippa
had made her dinner on 1t. sometimes I
| wish was stately and could talk gram
| mar like Philippe can, but my tongue
just flows off any old way when I try my
| hardest. About this business now-have
you made the arrangements. Philippa. so
| everybody won't take the old darkies the
! same thing?'
"Oh." sighed Philippa, you are too
| bad. Cay, It would wound the old col
| ored couples feelings. am sure. il they
heard that epithet.'
"Well. they didn't. and If they had !
guess the pair of blankets am going to
carry them to send old Jack Frost OF
about his business would be a good salve
for um.'
You spoke of duplicates" continued
Phiippa. IF they should receive few
no harm would result. For instance, IN
the line NJ n0tatOoS. Hoylr uood and MANY
things. They are very destitute"
"Who. the folks or the potatoes and
dour?" asked Gay. mischievously.
Philippe. as calm and dignified at four
dained to reply. but pursued the even
tenor of her way, which happened to lie
in the direction OF a flannel skirt she was
making for Aunt Abby"
Mamma gave me the flannel and :
think the old lady will appreciate the
II am sure Of it. answered Gay. warm
ly: land what are you going to give. Miss
Flutterbudget?' she asked. turning to
Philippa's tiny sister.
so much she's dettin' awful ragged. and
I'd jest as soon pass her on as not" and
she held the book up for Gays inspec-
ti6n.
"well. should say" exclaimed Gay.
its high time she passed on to the
ragbag. What's your idea for giving her
to Aunt Abby?"
II fought she might like re pictures"
with an injured air. IAN is tired Of re
Of tored-up sing"
have a wrong idea. To give a thing away
because you are tired Of it Is right, be-
cause 1t might seem new to another. but
IL 1t Is SO torn up you cannot enjoy IT.
do you think any one else can: Poor Aunt
Abby is fond Of pictures, / know. but
I }rlx B,o "a otrnr far har-0nd
you, too-if you gave her whole book,
or some OF your good pictures. How
would you like to have book like that
given you, little girl?"
''Td throw 1t in the fire! exclaimed the
child. 'An' 1 won't send it to Aunt Alb
by. like her an that would be too bad.
sister. Til give her my beauty picture. &c
doggie an re chickens"
That's sisters good child" commended
wen see you later, then Philippa."
said Gay. as the girls rose to depart.
Farewell, Miss President"
Fare you we'll Tomorrow night. re-
member. at sharp, for the old people re-
tire early"
AUNT Abby" and her husband were ia
vorites with the white people of the neigh
borhood. For nearly forty years they
had lived in the same humble log cabin,
and gone forth-when others Of their color
refused. even for ample payment. to labor
were i'll Aunt Abby FASTENED with her
''yarb tea" to relieve them. IL possible,
and II wouldn't think O chargip nuthin'
mot fer Sickness she would reply when
pressed to name her price. Now they
were over eighty years old feeble. and
the son who had supported them had re-
Gently died.
On the appointed evening the old man
lowered over the dying embers in the
rude fireplace.
you know dar amt nary noder log to 60
on dis FREQ
''Dat | does, Abslum, but amt fret
tim; fer de Lawd will pervide. rs done
axed him an 1 feels i'll knows dat He
will" she answered brightly.
"An' how much meal in dat ar tub?" he
asked.
as you housekeepin'. Abslum, or is I?
You needn't be akin. spicious questions.
Is you amt he'd enough supper?
I Won't Won Want a bite O. breakfus.'
"Fishen to de day is de evil darof.
Never you min. wes boun' to have
bre akfus; we amt never failed yit." she
assured him, but under her breath she
added. but whar it's. comm fun is
mon I kin tell. fer day amt 'nough
meal in dat tub fer to make hoecake
for mouse. Laws a massey! Abslum.
daha a knock at dat do; open 1t whites
rs shifeen oh my apron. rs proud ef
i
see me wild dis raggedy apron on"
"Evenin', ladies an gemmans; good
even to you." was the old mans greeting
as his eyes fell upon crowd Of lads and
lassies bearing bundles and baskets; at
the same moment two huge loads OF wood
were drawn into the yard.
Aunt Abby and Uncle Absalom. we are
the Pass 1t On Club and SO we are
passing it on to you said Ben Davis, as
he piled the baskets and budgets up
about the old couple. and wound up by
almost smothering them with blankets
and quilts.
'.Praise de Lawd FUN whom all bless
ings flow." quaveringly sang Aunt Abby,
as her tears fell fast.
deed honeys. you mus scuse me. but
rs cryin' fer joy. Not a bite has passed
my lips dis day. I couldn't bear fer
my oil man. to know we wus SO low
down-he not been as rigorous as is
an gin 1t all to him; an not log at
de woodpile--de chips raked as clean as
rejice wild 'ceedin' joy dat you is so
lovely an kim to pass it on"
Here" cried Philippa, opening bas-
ket. "eat this tender beef sandwich.