The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-10
FRED,S BIRTHDAY.

My birthday Is the day after Christ
mas said Emily. Il almost wish 1t
came some other time, for l can
hardly tell my Christmas gifts from
my birthday gifts.
Mine is in the summer said little
Ruth. Il like 1t then, cause l always
have picnic instead of a party.
Mine is in November" said John.
| Il like November, because sometimes
there's snow and We can coast. once
for my birthday party we had a bob
ride"
''whea is your birthday, Fred o.
said Emily. suddenly turning to a
very quiet little boy in the merry
crowd.
What's birthday said the little
boy. II never had one"
Never had onei" cried the children.
Everybody has to have a birth
day."
Il don't even know what 1t Is"
said Fred. stoutly.
why, it's the day when you get
presents. and have a CAKE with candles
on it, and ,"
And all the boys pound you az
many times as you're years old!' put
in John. as Emily stopped to get her
breath, ITS lots Of fun
So the children tried to tell Fred
about birthdays, and they all insisted
he must have had about six or seven,
but he stuck to it that he never had
had one. They were getting pretty
loud, when Emily's mother came out
on the porch and heard part OF the
little fuss.
Let me tell you about Fred" said
Mrs. Newton. taking the little boy
In her lap. He's has had birthdays.
but nobody told him when they came
txyaa
time in a big house with many other
little boys and girls waiting for
somebody 10 come and take them to
their homes. AT last Mrs. Hume
chose Fred for her own little boy
and brought him here to love him
and make him happy; but she does
not know his birthday. He can help
all of you celebrate yours and enjoy
the days SO ii does not matter when
his comes"
I'D like to have one" said little
Fred, Il think It would be very nice"
or course. all the children Wen,
home and told their parents about
the litle boy who had no birthday,
and some of the papas and mammals
cried about 1t. The very next week
a big parcel was left at Mrs Hume's
for little Fred, and when it was opened
it held beautiful birthday cake with
seven candles. so Fred could play he
had birthday. There were some
pretty gifts In a box with the cake
also Fred ran quickly about the
neighborhood gathering up his little
friends, and together they had a
feast on the big porch that afternoon.
Another birthday cake" cried Mrs.
Hume. when big box came for Fred
a few weeks later. Isn't this lovely?
/ wonder who sent IT.
There mama the box
hut the children celebrated the birth
day once more, this time with big
freezer of ice cream that came with
the cake and the gifts MY, but
you are lucky" cried the children as
they ate the good things, Two birth
days in one year"
1t was colder weather when Uncle
Cyrus Hume heard the story, and he
said II was a shame that boy should
have no birthday. SO he gathered
up al the children and took them for.
a long sleigh ride. with fine dinner
when they returned. Then Aunt
Mary Carroll gave party in her
huose and Cousin Sally Moore an
other
Now, Fred. you have been here a
year" said Mrs Hume one pretty.
summer day, do YOU want to call
this your birthday and keep 1t always
or would you like to choose some
other day."
IF you, please, mamma. I'll not
set any day" said little Fred Mrs.
Newton and Auntie and Uncle Cyrus
are all planning 10 have birthday
parties for me, and they might not
like it. TIL take the old way / guess"
VERY we'll" laughed his mamma
7 think myself ii is very good
plan a boy who has had seven
birthday parties in one year, with
pretty gifts each time. might find II
rather lonely TO settle down to only
one like the other little hoys and
girls. so We'll let you have it your
way Hilda Richmond. in Pittshurg
Christian Advocate