Washington telegraph., 1914-02-13
A HAPPY OCCASION

Dl6SU OCCdS1On 6NtI 1SllleillD tl |
and feel sure many Of the dear
old Washington friends will be
glad to read Of it,
Thursday, January 5, was the
18th birthday Of my father, Mr..
W. H. Carruth, who now lives in
Arkadelphia but who spent near
ly all his life on the sand hills Of
Washington, which he loves bet
ter than any spot on earth.
Three Of his children, Mayday,
Hugh and myself, surprised him
by suddenly walking in where he
sat in his big chair by a roaring
fire. He had not seen Hugh in
three years and did not recognize
him at once, but he was overjOyed
on learning that he had come to
celebrate his birthday with him.
Besides those already mentioned,
there were present Mrs. I'll. B.
Turner Of Hope and Mrs. John
Lee of Malvern, nieces of papa S,
and little Mary M. Carruth /,
daughter Of Hugh, who now lives
in Nashville.
Each one who came brought
grips and baskets Of gifts to the
dearest old father anybody ever
had and it would have done your
soul good to see how he enjoyed
everything -with childlike glee.
A new suit Of clothes was
among other things, 50 it was
promptly put on the owner, who
said he was too dressed UP for
everyday" Baskets Of ready
cooked dinner we're unlOaded and
the table fairly groaned under
the load. The very things had
been prepared which papa liked
best, old fashioned things that he
remembered in the long ago-not
French salads rose leaf sand
witches and ices but baked
chicken and 'stufing, spareribS
like he used to have at the deal
old home on the hill, pigs feet jus
to his notion, old fashioned swee
! potato biscuit, half dozen sidc
dishes and a desert of peach cob
bier with cream-just the kline
he had 7Oyears ago.
1t was the first time we had al
4 been together in a great man,
years and Of course we had mucl
to talk over, so the occasion wa
a great one to the guests as vel
as host and hostess. After din
ner papa asked Us to sing hin
some of the old songs he loved
! and we gladly did>so. TWAS to-
much for the pent up love am
, feelings of the dear old Saint, s.
he turned loose in an old tim
Methodist shout and wound III
y with a prayer of thanksgiving t
God that his children and love-
ones had been spared to com
once more to make him a visit
He thanked God for the man,
blessings that had been sent al
| during his long life and begged
: for patience to await the tim,
z when he might 20 home Wher,
he would never suffer any more.
After our love feast" was owe
we put him to bed to rest awhile
] and the rest Of us sat in anothe
room and laughed and joled eacl
other till time to eat supper A
seven-t thirty the bus came for us
all except Hugh and little Mary
who spent the next day, and W,
kissed our dean. old loved on,
goodby as he urged us each to b.
, faithful and meet him on the 9th
er side, declaring that he had
through ticket but 0 rount
trip, as he was not coming back.
1t was a splendid day for u
all and frequent mention wa
made to the absent ones: Maude
who lives in st. Charles, Mo-, al
so Marshall and Gussie Gray
nieces who had made their hom
with US in childhood.
! We could hardly wish our dea
t father many happy returns 0
the day." for he is so anxious t,
60 and be at rest, and he begs d.
not to want him to linger or grievC
when he is gone.
Nav his last days all be spen
in perfect peace and may the Goo
who has sustained him these Ions
years still walk BY his side till the