The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-23

Now this did not please Elfreda as all So she banged upon the window pane just as hard as she could.
 Mercy me. Elfredal" said Mamma hurrying into the room. What is the matter?"
 "I want that-horrld little boy across the way to wave his hand al mel, Elfreda replied
 You will meet him soon eaouvs. my dear,' exclaimed Mamma. with laugh. His name is Carl Jackson and his Papa and Mamma are old l friends of ours. He knows about yoa and his Mamma Is going to let him come to see you just as soon as yo, are well enough. He Is nice nt,le boy and l hope you will be good play mates-though you won't if you think him 'horrid.'"
 Just then the little boy looked up a the window again. Elfreda promptly waved her hand. And--would you be- lieve it--little Carl stared moment in surprise then smiled and waved back at her! Really, 1t was quite d red-letter day for Efreda.
 That afternoon carl came out again. This time he had with him the big red, blue and green-strlped rubber ball He waved at Elfreda, bounced the ball down on the pavement just as hard as ever he could. and caught It as 1t descended Then he looked up al slfreda and smiled She clapped her hands and waved both at him fran tically. He repeated the performance several times and then suddenly, he stopped and seemed to be deep in thought.
 Presently in determined fashion, he picked mp the ball and walked straight across the street to Elfredas house. A moment or two, and she heard the bel ring. And goodness me, what sur prise-in q minute or so up came Sarah, the maid. bearing the rubber ball.
 "Please'um." said she. dat little ge'man what moved In acrost de street done rung de bell an he says as how 1 Is to give dis here ball to Miss Elfredp wlv his compliments. lie say. too. his name am Carl"
 Efreda grabbed the ball and rushed to the window to wave her hand tc Carl and thank him--but Carl had vanished.
 The next day, however he appeared as usual and Elfreda held up the ball so he could see it. and smiled and waved her hand at him. He smiled back and held up for her inspection the cuuningest little muley COW you ever saw. He waved it at I;lfreda i several times before she understood. then she nodded her head vigorously.
 And in a minute or so, the muley COW was brought up to her by Sarah. This time Carl had not disappeared. so Elfreda held 1t up to the window and nodded to him and clapped her hands to show how pleased she was.
 Two days after that Carls Mamma brought him with her to meet Elfreda. And they came up to her room. where she was s.tting on the floor playing with the ball and the muley COW Mamma introduced her and Carl made her his very incest bow. Then they shook hands very gravely while their Mammas looked on and laughed.
 "O-o-o-h. that is such a nice muley COW. Carl" said Elfreda
 I've got velocipede, too" replied Carl And I'll let you ride soon as you're we'll"
 Mercy mel" exclaimed Elfreda. in just the tone of voice she had heard I her mother use so often What n careless boy you arel That neclktie Of yours is all crooked Come here and let me straighten iti"
 And Carl obedently stood still while she smoothed it out.
 Also, you may be sure, from that day on they were Just the best of lit- tie playmates And they had. oh. suen good times togetherl 1 So you see. little lslfreda didn'' really mind her period of "conval. essence" as grown-ups call 1t. after ] all.