The San Francisco call., 1908-05-31

one. two. three. four and part of ive
and SO had come her tenth birthday
I'm going to have party after
Easter she confded to him during
what the weather had evidently de-
termined should be the last coasting
day for that year, "a real party with
real painted cards. and violin and a
piano for music, and I'm going to ask
you"
Oh that bcatifc moment in his life.
She was ever so much too little to un-
derstand what her words meant to her
humble comrade She was going to
ask him to her party: she included him
among her friends. lie didn't know
what to say. so he said nothing at all.
But she was smiling up at him and he
turned and smiled down on her.
I hope youl come she said
4 hope | can, he responded.
You must tell me when you know
she reminded him wisely, so mamma
can put an X opposite your name"
"Tll tell you.7 he promised.
But later he decided not TO say any
thing to his mother for fear that there
might be some mistake after all Tn
such a different sort" he thought as he
walked down the hill after having
dragged her sled up and seen her
headed toward home for the last time
for that season, as he believed--in
reality forever ''She don't know much
about such things. but maybe the fam
lily won't like her asking me. I'll be
just much obliged to her. but |
won't tell mother for fear she'd be so
disappointed when the invitation didn't
come"
He whistled as he dragged his sled
around the corner of the cottage:
somehow whistling seemed necessary
to life just then. He put the sled in its
place beside the wood pile and went in
TO supper His mother greeted him
with her usual CHEEKY smile She was
a good mother and her heart had never
failed her in these hard years. the
worst of which were now SO nearly
over. She had decided long ago that
the boy should have an education
and plenty of fresh air to start in with.
after that she'd see" The education
was acquired: the boy was strong
and healthy and going to begin work
the coming summer The rosy little
mother, with a touch of unmistakable
brogue twisting her tongue in trying
moments, was sure that she saw"
now. She was very proud of him. very
reverently disposed toward his posi-
bilities not one bit dubious as to the
success that should come to him from
this time forth. She was one of the
hopeful ones who are born to realiza-
ton.
The next day it rained. Upon trst
rainy afternoon all the invitations for
the famous party were addressed. There
were quite IS, her papa staying at
home to help her mamma, SO that All
the pretty little missives might be IN
the box in time for the morning deliy-
cry.
And my friend" said the small
birthday maiden, when her mothers
hand moved over the last envelope but
one. my friend who always pulls my
sled home nights. I want him, too
Who is that, my dear!' inquired her
mother. L have copied every name on
the list, I'm sure
He hasn't been on the list: he's in
my head. Don't you know that boy
that always comes home with me-"
mo, I don't" said her mother. much
puzzled.
"Why, yes you do mamma The big
boy with the red hair and the lots cf
freckles, the boy that lives in the house
right at the bottom of our sliding hill'
"Oh, that boy" said her mother a
Id
my dear child, you can't have MIN at
your party.
She looked at her mother in surprise
Why can't I?n she asked.
Her tone was so sad and earnest tnat
her mother (who loved her very iearl.)
looked at her father, meaning him to
explain the matter to her innocent
brain.
But curious train of thought had
been fired in that fathers head by a
word in his wife's last speech, and, to
the latter's most intense astonishment,
he said:
Why, why shouldn't she ask the
lad? He's always been very kind to
her, as she says, and--and. my dear.
elections coming on, you know"
His wife looked at him for a few sec
onds and then she lowered her eyes to
the writing table.
Very WELL" she said quietly. Give
me his name and address"
She wanted her husband to be elect
ed, for her own father and mother lived
in Washington.
OF this conversation the boy natur-
ally knew nothing, but what he did
know was that on the morning of the
next day he received his invitation
1t came by the first post His mother
took it from the postman's hands and
carried it straight to where he was
chopping wood. Her own hands shook
as she gave it to hini-letters were al
most unknown to then-but he, of
course. knew just what it must be. He
was tremendously pleased; he put the
ak down and came into the kitchen to
open the envelope.
How kind of her. he said over and
over Is he looked at the dainty leafet;
how awful kind of her, like it Just as
much as if l could co.
An why shouldn't you go?" his
mother asked sharply.
He looked at her, marveling a little
at her question.
why shouldn't you go?" she said
again.
7 haven't got any clothes" he re-
piled smiling