Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-26

about that. But he did know the day
was quiet and beautiful, and that
he felt happier than usual And the
church bells called forth the songs from
the birds. Skinkies friends. The trees
and the air was filled with their music.
We'll. this is a day for smiles and
good wishes to ALL" said Skinkie to him
self. How long and severe the winter
has been. too; but now the spring has
come to make all things beautiful. Soon
the ground will be carpeted with green.
The meadows will be full OF blossoms.
and the trees full Of foliage. All. then
my house will be q bower. covered over
with green. And even now I can see
many buds on the limbs about me. ready
to burst into leaf. Oh, this is really
perfect day.
= 4
And thus did Skinkie mediate on
Easter morning. sitting on the great
strong limb which grew from q greater
and stronger trunk. in which-just at the
base OF the limb-was a deep hole into
which Skinkie would dart occasionally to
get nut This hole In the tree trunk
was Skinkies house, and a fine coy
place it was, too. And while Skinkie sat
there, enjoying the glorious morning there
were other creatures enjoying II. too: but
in their individual ways. One of these
creatures was Tommy Grey, q fine, stall
wart chap of twelve. He was on his way
to Easter service at the church attended
by his parents and himself. and he was
fully alive to the splendors of the day.
II never saw a more perfect morning" he
mused as he walked along. And how
clear the air is, too; so clear and pure
that every tone OF the church bell rings
out like melody. So often we have
rain on Easter. but this year is a happy
exception
AS Tommy thus communed with him
self he did not notice schoolmate by
the name OF Paul Story lettering on the
overlook Paul did he realize his pres
ence. Then he greeted him cheerily:
Hello. Paul! on to church,"
Yes. Tom. I'm going that way, but
not of my own will, I can tell you. This
day is too fine to sit in a stuffy church
listening to serious sermon, and I'd
rather be out of doors-going hunting
squirrels or rabbits. But mamma insisted
morning. so here I am churchward bent.
But I'd rather take a licking"
well, don't understand your feeling
said Tommy. "Only sickness in our fam
lily could keep me from the Easter serv-
ice, for it is always so impressve--so
soul-inspiring. 1 always feel the better
for having attended church OF Sunday
morning, especially on Easter Sunday.
And this is divine day, isn't it,
Yes, too fine to sit indoors even for an
hour" deplored Paul. Il say, Tom. sup
pose we walk through the park to church.
We have ample time. The first bell has
just rung. and It's fifteen minutes before
the second one will ring. Well have plen-
ty Of time to take the turn through the
park
Tommy agreed that the walk through
the park would be most enjoyable, and
as they had plenty Of time for it con-
scented, and together he and Paul turned
their steps toward the city park-a fine
old grove of a hundred acres and just
as nature designed it.
Il always loved this park" said Tom
my. 1T is so grand and imposing. These
huge trees must have stood here during
the revolution What stories they could
tell IL they could speak, And Tommy,
of a strongly poetical nature, stopped to
admire one of the giant trees Of which
he had spoken.
Il don't bother myself SO much about
such things" said Paul. Il live entirely
in the present and never in the past.
What / like this park for is the fact
that it is full Of squirrels and birds. and
with my airgun l can get good bag
when the park policeman Is not about In
my way. But-be careful! Don't move!