The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29
DOTS and TOTS Decoration Day.

her hands, sat down. who are your
she asked directly of Dot.
I'm Dottie Graham" came the infor-
nation. And this is my little brother,
David Graham. But we all call him Tot
tie or Tot. Mamma and Papa call me Dot
tie, but the girls and boys at school call
me Dot What's your name?-And where
do you liver
My names Pink King" said the lit
tie stranger. AN ! live away down by
the railroad depot. My papa is a switch
man In the yards
Dot and Tot seemed glad of the growing
acquaintance and Dot asked: How many
brothers and sisters have you got?''
81 haven't any," said the little girl,
her eyes wistful. my little brother
Neddie died same time at my mamma
died. That's year ago, most z
"Oh-oh-oh-!' exclaimed Dot, half
awful? How lonely you must be without
a mamma
Tot also looked his sympathy and fell
to wondering how the little girl could get
along at all without mamma. "Who
lives with your he asked abruptly. who
battles you an puts you to bed If you
haven't mamma?
My granny" informed Pink. "Shes
a very nice old lady. my granny is. She
was my mammals mamma. An she told
me this morning about Decoration Day
coming, an said at II we had some
flowers we'd put 'em on my mammals
and Neddie's grave. They are buried In
the same grave, and the same flowers
will do for both. But--we are too poor
to buy flowers, an We haven't any grow
In In our yard. So / went out to hunt
for flowers while granny is taking her
morning nap. See, I got these roses down
there by the sidewalk. But he" point
ing to Tot-"called out to me to stop
taking them. Are they all yours-all these
lovely roses that grow everywhere about?"
Yes, all that grow inside the hedge"
explained Dot. "But-you may have as
many as you like. Here, take this
wreath. | can make another And she
pressed the lovely wreath into the hands
of Pink.
Then all three children fell to gather
ing roses for Pink to carry home with
her, and soon she had her apron full of
them, and went off as happy as a little
girl could be under the circumstances
On Decoration Day, when Dot and Tot,
accompanied by their mother went to the
cemetery, there they saw Pink and a
dear old lady, tenderly laying the beau
tiful flowers and wreath on q grave. The
mound showed tender care, but had no
headstone or monument of any sort. But
well-kept grass was growing green over
it. Mrs. Graham went with Dot and Tot
to speak to the old grandmother and
little Pink. and before they parted, Mrs.
Graham promised to send her gardener to
plant some rose bushes at the grave of
the mother and child.
Is Is. "Oh,. thank you,'' said the old lady,
emotion in her voice. s7f
You and your children have made Pink
and me quite happy by giving us these
beautiful flowers. Otherwise, this last
resting place of my dear daughter and
little grandson would have been undecora-
ted today, save by our tears"
And as they went homewards, Dot said:
ut made me SO happy, mamma, to see
those lovely roses and that wreath on
Pink's mammals grave"
Eyes, an it made me happy, too" de-
clared Tot. Every Decoration Day we'll
give lem flowers, won't we?'
Yes, darlings," said their mamma.
"And we'll give to all who want them
for the graves of their dear ones. But,
come, let's hurry, for yonder Is papa
waiting for US at the gate"