Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-04-07

they might have spared lis'le, Moody
was ailing, and there was Sothing to
| spare from.
Poor old Moody! Bernie had watered
her and fed her and MIXED her the
whole year, and he felt so sorry when
he saw her standing there, dumb and
quiet not touching the sweet clover
hay he had brought, that he forgot all
about Easter eggs.
He thought he would stir up some
bran and see If she wouldn't eat that.
So he brought the water and measured
the bran into the pail and then looked
for the clean, smooth paddle he used to
mix it. 1t was nowhere In sight
"Guess the rats have dragged 1t off
again" saidtBernie. Il must keep It in
the feed box after this" and he looked
under the manger and behind the door
and around the hayStack.
"Why. where is that paddleY said
Bernie, and he climbed over a pile Of
old lumber to look in the farthest cor
-ner behind Il crippled wheebarrow.
"Well. if ever.' cried he What in
this living world" and off came his
hat, and down he went on his hands
and knees in the dusty straw 1.-TWO,
four, six, eight. ten" He counted them
into his hat. for there under the old
wheebHrrow was the cutest hens nest
ever yOu/saW. with ten eggs
BY the time Bernie had taken a good
long look at that lovely hatful, think.
ing how they would seem all bright
cned up with gay colors and gilt stars
for Easter, it came over him that they
weren't his eggs. after all. They must
he Mrs. Bales or maybe Mrs. Ora
hams. They both kept chickens that
often came into this yard to scratch
in the straw.
So 1t was Il rather sober little boy
that appeared in the kitchen soon
after and said: Just look at that,
nomuic. Don't ! wish they were
ours! Can you spare me right now
to take 'cm over to Hrs Bale'sT
And when she had heard the whole
story his mother said "Why, bless
your heart. Bernie. Of course can
spare you. Take 'em right along. I'm
glad you knew that was the only way"
When Mrs. Bale received a caller
with hatful of eggs she looked very
much pleased She asked all about II
and just where the nest was, and tho
she said, ITS very good of you 20
bring them over, Bernie, but how do
know whether they're mine or Mrs.
GrahamsT'
you might divide. you know" said
Bernie.
"Why, so cam" said Mrs. Bale. 81
hadn't thought Of that"
And she brought a little pail for
Bernie to put the eggs in and didn't
80 much as offer him one for his
trouble.
Well, Easter Monday came, and
MOoly was better and ate her hay with |
good relish. Bernie had made new |
paddle, and after he stirred the bran |
'or her he thought again Of his scare.
FOR the old one and Of finding the
len's nest. SO Of course he climbed
,ver the lumber, for the third or fourth
line since Saturday, to see If another
egg had been laid.
"Oh, my!' he cried as he peeped I'M
Ter the wheelbarrOw. "Oh. my! Or.
mommle, do come and look!'
And then without waiting for her tn
,ome he counted them into his hat |
gain, with all their bright colors and
tilt stars and tiny pictures.
ooh, mommie.' he painted as he
ushed in, "my nest was full Of Easter
,ggs! And can you spare me right
low to go and thank Mrs. Bale? AID
likely Mrs. Graham did part Of 1t.
Wasn't It good Of them to think of It
md now we've got Easter eggs att.
ll."-Youth's Companion.