The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-06
Betty s
 @ Birthday


 she was a very busy little girl. bA~ for she helped her mother near ly all the time that she wasn't in school. You see her mother kept boarders, and there was much to do for all hands.
 Besides being busy, Betty was very good, and every one loved her. The boarders thought her the most help full child they had ever seen, and they showed their fondness by giving her an occasional five or ten-cent piece, which Betty accepted, putting it in little wooden box in her bureau drawer.
 Now, up to this year, Betty's fa- | ther had plenty of money, and her mother didn't have to take in board CTS, nor did the child have to work so hard, but her father lost everything and all their lives were different.
 My dear,' said her mother one day while Betty was drying dishes. Your birthday will have to be for gotten thls year. There are so many real necessities, and so little with which to buy them, that presents are out of the question.
 "Oh, that's all right" said Betty. smiling, I've had twelve birthdays already so l won't miss this one. I still have many of the lovely things you and Daddy gave me last year"
 You are a dear, good girl and some day you will get yous reward" remarked one of the boarders who had come into the kitchen for a glass of water. When is the birthday?".
 Next week-the thirteenth of May" answered Betty.
 The lady made mental note of the date, and later told it to the others in the house. But Betty was uncon- scious of the whisperings that were going on around her, because she had an idea of her own, and her little brain was busy planning
 The following Saturday she asked permission to go down town 10 see the shops, and as the shopping dis trict on Saturday was always attract i've in that Southern town her mother saw nothing unusual in the request. i Betty's hand clasped the little wooden box filled with nicl<els and dimes. as she skipped on her way She went from one shop to another. coming out each time with an extra package under her arm.
 q only hope I can get these things in so they won't see them" she said. as she faced for home. q know what I'll do I'll ask Mrs. Juron, next door, to save them for me until the thirteenth"
 When the thirteenth of May dawned Betty was the first down stairs. Even her mother, who was an early riser, was still in bed as Betty peeped in at the door and said: You take your time, because Pm going to set the table, Mother"
 Her scheme was to place a pack age on each ones plate. and each package bore a card which read: q want you to enjoy my birthday with me-"
 Mother was the first to discover hers. It was lovely lace scarf. For Daddy she had a necl<tie. Mrs. Smith loved pretty handlSerchiefs. Betty had heard her say it, so she bought her a pink bordered one. Mrs. Simpkins got a purse and Mrs. Linton a pretty hatpin.
 What does all this mean?" asked Mrs Linton. This is your birthday, not ours. Where are your presents ?" She gave a knowing wink to the oth- CTS at the table.
 Why these are all my presents Presents are something you give .away, aren't they?"
 Ut is more blessed to give than receive. said Mrs. Simpkins. And I have never received a gift that l valued more than this purse. It is just what I need.'
 Then Mrs. Smith came forward and, kissing the child, she said. There are times when we, too, find it blessed to give, and your thirteenth l birthday today is one of them. Here is gift from your loving friends in l the house.
 Betty's eyes fairly danced. She was very happy. She carefully opened the box and found beautiful ring with an emerald set in the center.
 "The emerald is your birthstone,' s said Mrs. Smith "Do you like it? S "Oh-oh-ohi" was all she said. s but that expressed volumes to the boarders, who helped to make Betty's I | thirteenth birthday one long to be re-