Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-11

Ned could scarcely wait for Monday to come, SO
excited was he at the thought of the Surprise party,
he termed it, he was preparing for his friend
On Sunday, Polly pronounced fit to sit up,
and the next day, in honor of Ned's birthday, he
to be allowed to come downstairs.
1t must be confessed tLat Ned his birthday
morning when he looked the gifts laid out for
him in the breakfast room, did feel if he max
ing a pretty big sacrifice
His mothers present and his sisters, and those of
an aunt two, who still remembered to send him
necktie or pair of gloves, were there, but his
fathers gift, always the great prize of these occa~
sions was, of course, absent, and the boy felt for
minute rather like martyr to duty.
This feeling, however was only momentary, and
after thanking them all he hurried through break
fast and off to the Browns.
He found Polly downstairs at last, and after
ceving his and Mrs Browns congratulations, they
sat down to a game of checkers. Ned was usually
the master at this game but this time disas
trousy beaten through his inability to attend to his
play
Several times he started up at the sound of
approaching wheels, only to find that they not
attached to the vehicle he anxious to see but
at last, when his patience almost exhausted up
drove the expressman and stopped at the door.
"Wonder what he's rot?" queried Polly. Come
for the nurses trunk, though, suppose"
Probably that's it," answered Ned, with 5on-
derully assumed calmness, considering his state of
mind. "But, Polly he seems to be taking something
off It's long box and there's another, a square
one."
"What in the world can it be-" said Polly. "Sup
his book signed"
Ned, choking with excitement, summoned Mrs
Brown from her housework and resumed his seat as
she opened the door to Slocum.
Morn, Mis- Brown" said the latter as he stood
the doorstep wiping his brow with his red
bandanna handkerchief for the morning was a warm
one: Il got two boxes hardware from New York
for ye"
Ned volunteered to bring the boxes into the sit
tingroom and did So while Mrs. Brown went to get
the ak and hammer.
"What do you think it is, Polly?" asked Ned.
"We must all guess, you know
I'll tell you what I'm afraid it is, Ned" replied
Polly solemnly
WHAT"
"Crutches. Doctor Watt said might have to
"Crutches, nothing, responded Ned savagely re-
lapsing. into slang under, the pressure There is
something heavy in both boxes. l guess it must be
an electric fan. You know in those hot nights how
you needed one Perhaps they sent for it.
IF you will only, hurry; wen soon lind out,
urged Polly. Il am almost dying with curiositv.
"Take it easy, pardner, I'm almost ready with the
long one There, off she Whatever it is, it
is all wrapped up in paper I'll move it over and you
one"
He attacked the other box with seeming fury,
under cover of which he slyly watched Polly as he
carefully laid back the paper coverings and at length
lifted out the flannel case containing Ned well knew
what.
come here! This can't be for me. think it's gun,
it feels like it,"
'What?" responded his innocent" companion
AASAN A'' "A~
born"
there are plenty of P. Browns in this world"
Lets have look at it, anyway" cried Ned. I'VE
have that satisfaction. Slide off the case, Polly
Off it and disclosed a beautiful double
barreled, breech-loading shotgun, with pistol-grp
and safey-guard all slver-mounted and inscribed on
the side of the lock in letter and device nlaid with
gold:
Polly Brown, from Ned Saunders.
Aug. a, 1906
Med" cried Polly what does this mean7"
at means, Polly, that had new gun given me,
and just couldn't bear to part with my old one yet,
"oh, Ned, how could youl But can't take it,
Ned, cant indeed. You wanted a
much. You really must take it back"
Impossible, old fellow. It's marked now, and
But Ned, the date, August 4th, what does that
mean? Why, that was last see now" he went
the gun, Ned, and always remember But it shall
shoot for you Ned, and we will use it together
1--WE can afford to buy shells for it"
Father has settled that par; of it. The square
box is full of shells. That is his present to you.
He is brick, isn't he, Polly?"
"He has been very kind to me, Ned and some
day, when | grow up hope in some way to repay
him I'll have to hurry up and get WELL for I cannot
stand it long to have that gun and not fire it. But,
Ned, what in the world is this" for Polly while
talking. had been fumbling in the gun box and now
drew forth a second flannel case. Its another.
Open it Ned, quick, quick! Oh, hoo-ray hoo-fay!"
he shouted as Ned tore off the enveoping flannel and
dlSclosed second gun the counterpart OF the nFst
in all save the inscription which read
Edwin Saunders, from his Father,
August 10th, 1906.
Ned stood still for a few minutes gazing at the
gum which he held at arms length, and speech
less with delight and rather sobered by this
token of his fathers generosity.
"A brickl Ned you said he brick
think he is whole diamond mine. Hurry up and
open the other box and let feast our eyes on it
ALL"
Duly opened, the second box was found to CON
tain not only ammunition in abundance. but two
fine cartridge-bets and two corduroy Shooting
jackets, lined with blanketng, and proof against
cold and Storm and with pockets everywhere of all
sizes desired by sportsman
Two happier boys Browntown never held than
Ned and Polly that morning they sat and fon
died their new weapons and chartered away max
ing plans for the future, that, by the time Mrs.
Brown came in to say that Ned must home
to dinner as it was o'clock they had already.
in spirit. become mighty Nimrods. and had