Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-18
DY ADELINE oARRICK WELL

rs IL really ana truly mere Tor
sure?"
Really and truly for sure" de-
clared Mother Dear, giving him an
other kiss Aren't you going to
get up?"
Davies eyes sparkled. "I just
guess 1 am" he cried. Where
are my clothes, mother? Am
going to be all dressed up cause
it's my birthday"
Not right now" said Mother
Dear. "Here's Nelliel She'll help
you to battle and Dress
NO" decided Davie; 81 want to
do it all myself, even the hardest
buttons, cause I'm seven now, and
that's very old, isn't it? Nellie,
you mustn't help me-" And he
sprang out of bed and scurried
across the hall to the bathroom,
with nurse Nellie following, to
make sure that he washed properly.
you don't have to watch me-" he
cried gaily. I'm even washing be-
hind my ears, SOS I'll be as clean
as anything. I'm going to do it
every day, Nellie, and you won't
have to help me any more, ever"
Nurse Nellie decided to accept
this statement, though she had her
doubts, for she knew very well that
small boys were never very fond of
water-that is, bathroom water.
Water in a brook or river, in which
one could run and jump and learn
to swim, was quite different.
In q few moments Davie came
from the bathroom with face red
and shining. Proudly he put on his
clothes, and IL he had trouble with
the buttons he never said word,
because he was afraid that Nellie
would insist upon helping.
He sat on the floor and pulled on
his stockings, fastening his carriers
and lacing his shoes, putting
nightly during the process.
Nurse Nellie watched his efforts
with an amused smile. The tin cap
slipped from one of the strings, and
Davies face grew very red as he
kept moistening his finger and
twisting the fraying end to a point.
All things come to an end, how
ever, and at last the shoes were
laced and knotted securely, so Sc
curely that that night, when Davie
was going to bed, Nurse Nellie had
to cut the strings with the scissors.
"Now!" Davie jumped merrily
to his feet. I'm ready! Did / get
n lot of presents, Nellie?'
Nellie handed him the brush and
comb, and watched while he
smoothed his hair.
81 did every single thing myself,
didn't II" Davie ran toward the
stairs, vastly excited. did I get
a lot, Nellie?" he repeated, but
Nurse Nellie only smiled wisely,
saying "Wait and see"
Down the stairs dumped Davie.
Behind him came Dorothy, who had
heard him talking to Nellie and
wildly scrambled out of bed and
into her clothes, all eagerness to
see the birthday surprises.
Father and Mother Dear were at
the breakfast table. The children
slipped into their places and looked
anxiously about, but not present
could they see.
Their faces were puzzled as they
began to eat their oranges. Doro-
thy cautiously peeped under the ia
BILE, but no gifts were there. Then
she glanced at the sideboard and
serving table. No lumpy packages
were in evidence.
Davie began to wriggle. He
looked at Father and Mother Dear,
but they were eating their break
fasts as calmly as if this was just
an ordinary day.
rs this my birthday or not ~ he
asked, at last.
"Of course it is" said Father
Dear.
I'm seven. then" announced Da-
vie, with shining eyes.
"Of course" said Mother Dear.
In a moment Davies face grew
long again.
"Well, if it's my birthday, and
I'm seven, where-where are the
the things?"
"Things?" Father Dear elevated
his eyesbrows. What things?"
Now Davie grew very red, in
deed.
"why, my birthday things-my
presents
YES" chimed in Dorothy, lean
ing forward, "his presents! o.
course he's to have presents on his
birthday"
Father Dear put down his coffee
cup.
1902" said he, inquiringly, "how
Interestingly"
Davies eyes began to fill. and
when Mother Dear saw this she
leaned toward him.
Were not going to tease any
more, sonny boy" she declared.
Indeed you have some presents,
but they're all in the library, and
you're not to see them until after
breakfast. Father and 1 thought
it best"
Upon which Davie cheered up
amazingly, and began to eat quick
ly, so eager was he to discover just
what the library contained.