The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-07-17
Ethel Mays Reward.
lBY Mand Walker !

to small and interesting village =" i'0'i
as the Anderson childrens home was in very
large eastern city, they found great deal of pleas
ure and many surprises in the country There
seemed no end to the variety of sights and sounds
Ihere were the domestic animals fowls in the harm
yard the helds, gardens meadows woods and hills
ana then there were the brooks and ponds. full of
Hsh' the meadows and woods full of birds and moi
some insects.
One day during the last week of Nav the chill
dren Aunt Mary called them to her. on the big
front saying: MY old friend Mrs Jones' lust
called me by phone this morning and saws she is
arranging picnic IN the woods for her grandchil-
aren, who are visiting her from the CITY, and she
pegs me to allow you three youngsters to be of her
company Would you enjoy picnic the day after
tomorrow"
oh, yes. Auntie," exclaimed all three children
Then one spoke at a time: II don't think there'd
be anything nicer, Aunt Mary, than picnic in the
wild woods" So spoke Oracle. ooh III take along
my fishing tackle, and fetch home enough fnnies
Tor dinner. cried aJck "And | think it would be
perfectly splendid" agreed Ethel May II do love
picnic more than anything"
Then all be prepared to start at o'clock on the
day after tomorrow" said Aunt Mary. "Ill see that
hne luncheon Is prepared for you to carry with
you. John, man, will take you in the carriage
TO Mrs. Jones house. From there you'll go afoot
to the woods-which is only mile distant from
Mrs Jones place"
OF course, the children talked of nothing else all
that day. except the coming picnic in the woods.
They had never enjoyed a country picnic, and this
one held much pleasure for them.
On the day of the picnic theAn derson children
were ready to start to the home of Mrs Jones long
before John had the carriages in readiness And
their baskets filled with luncheon the very
best that Aunt Mary's fine old colored cook could
prepare.
1t was wanting quarter of an hour till 9--the
time set for starting-when Jane, the housemaid.
called to Oracle: Come to your aunt's room at
once Miss She's taken suddenly ILL.,"
oracle accompanied by her brother and sister,
ran upstairs to Aunt Mary's room and found that
good old lady lying on her bed very pale and i'll
looking. After j few inquiries Aunt Mary ex-
planned that she had been very miserable all night,
but that she had tried to dress in order to come
down and see the children off for their days outing
but she had become faint that she was obliged to
lie down. and to call TO Jane to to her assist
ance Il have asked her TO phone to my DOCTOR
who lives IN the village, and he'll be here within an
hour | sorry to have spoiled your starting
children dear So spoke old Aunt Mary.
But shall 60 to the picnic?" asked Ethel
Nay, socitously. 81 don't think we should leave
aunty when she is ILL.,"
A cloud passed over Gracie's face 1t was plain
she did not wish TO be disappointed in the picnic
She turned toward Jack who stood looking his dis
pleasure at Ethel May for having made such blum
der. He, too, did not wish remain away from the
picnic. Then he spoke up;
Il really don't what we kids could do for
Aunt Mary There is Jane to wait on her, and the
i
10 the picnic for Mrs. Jones and the Jones kids will
be looking for US"
yes" said Oracle, adding her argument to
Jacks; "Auntie will be well cared for by Jane and
the doctor We-as Jack says-can be of no use
to her, Well be in the way, only"
Ethel Nays face redeemed, and she turned
sharp look on her brother and sister: ''Wel," she
said, I'VE may not be of any far as waiting
Auntie is concerned, but can be company for
her, and try to cheer her up. /, for one won't leave
her while she's ILL.,"
Aunt Mary put out her hand and touched Ethel
Nays hair gently. Dear little grille" she said
feebly "You shall not sacrifice your day for me.
] shall get on very well with Jane to nurse me.
And Jack and Oracle anxious to GO to the
picnic would not for the world detain them here.
No, all of you go. And it is time you were off.
John is at the gate with the carriage"
well Aunt Mary, hope you'll be O. K. when
we get home this evening" exclaimed Jack, hurry
ing from the room. "Ill get the luncheon baskets
in the carriage, girls while you are getting on your
jackets and hats. But hurry"
"All right Jack. we'll follow Immediately" |
called out Oracle. Then, STOPPING, she kissed her
old aunt's cheek. Goodbye, Auntie~ she said. 81
hope you'll be well soon The doctor will fix you up
all right I'm sure. Come, Ethel May, don't stand
there and worry Aunt Mary. ] fancy she wants to
he left alone Come" And Oracle was off down
the stairs like fash, all thought of the aged sick
aunt banished as she saw the carriage waiting at
the gate
why don you 90, cnlld! asked Aunt mary,
turning to Ethel May, who still fingered in her
room.
Because Auntie, just can't GO off and leave
YOU sick in bed. And ] wouldn't enjoy the picnic
were I to 90 knowing you were here alone and i'll.
I know lust how Jane will do. She'll come to you
when called and perform lust the little errands you
REQUIRE Of her Then she'll hurry down to the kitch
en- to gossip TO the cook and the gardener. | know
her. and the other servants. too. They'll neglect
YOU. So I mean to stay and look after you"
Tears triclled down old Aunt Mary's cheeks. and
she caught Ethel's hands in her and pressed
them tenderly. saying. "Thank you, dearie. 1t is
sweet to have some one with you who loves you
Servants want only money. You stay with me be
cause"
Because you are the dearest old Auntie in the
world and love you," declared Ethel May. And