Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-03-11
The Joy OF Life.

Miss Hayden waited impatiently for
her change. A fretful frown darkened
her brow. 1t was tedious shopping, and
she had not found the particular cut cryS-
tai buttons she wished. And now she
was being delayed by some tiresome mis-
take about the change. 1t was all very
irritating.
"Yes," said The little clerk who had
served her, TO the girl who stood next
her behind the counter, 81 had mighty
nice birthday. Honestly. Laura, think
Pve got about the best folks know.
just wish you'd been at our house last
night we had such good time !"
"Did you have party, Helen ?" in
quired Laura, after she had patiently told
merely curious shopper the price OF at
least dozen sets OF buttons.
Eyes; it was a surprise party, or |
would have asked you. You see, we're
all saving up to get mother new brass
bed for Christmas. So OF course | didn't
expect to have any party or any presents,
but when got home mother told me to
put my pink silk crepe blouse and my
white ratine skirt, because there was 10
be company to dinner. She wouldn't
tell me who it was-I'm sorry, madam,
that you have TO wait so long. The in
spector has TO straighten if out"
81 don't mind waiting" Miss Hayden
was astonished TO hear herself speaking
rather pleasantly.
at was Jimmy Pollard. Mother had
telephoned him, and he brought me The
loveliest bunch OF sweet peas. The big,
pink, butterfly kind, you know. Mother
had them in a glass on the table, but after
dinner pinned them on my blouse, and
they were just lovely. We had peach
cobbler, because like if best OF anything
and mother thought il would be nice TO
have our dessert then, instead OF on Sun
day. The dinner was present from
mother. II was grand, reallY-chicken,
green corn, and everything. Jimmy said
he had never eaten a better dinner. Then
there were the presents, all tucked under
my plate. Bess gave me written prom
ise 10 make my bed for month. don't
know anything I'd have liked better, for
just hate 10 make bed, and ! don't
like TO leave it for mother to do. BeSs
doesn't have TO get to her office nearly
so early as have TO get down here.
Louise gave me her |. o. u. TO wear
her beautiful pink sash whenever | want
to. think that's a specially generous
gift. And what do you think Bob, my
kid brother, had for me? He earned
quite lot of money as messenger last
vacation, and he gave me dollarl 1t
was all framed in paSSe partout. He did
if himself, and he had printed under the
dollar, in case Of emergency, break the
glass Wasn't that funny o.? feel now
as if there'd never be an emergency great
enough TO break that glass. Maybe,
though, if we don't get quite enough
money for the brass bed that dollar will
come in handy.
"In the evening the neighborS from
upstairs-they're awfuIly pleasant peo-
ple-came down and brought their phon-
ograph, and we had lot Of fine music.
| just wish you'd been there, Laura.
Here's your change at last, madam.
1t was too bad you had to wait so long,"
at didn't matter at all, smiled Miss
Hayden; and then, with quite an unusual
expression on her face, she went TO an
other part OF the shop, where gloves and
laceS were sold, and selected belated
birthday gift, which few moments later
she surrepttiously handed TO Laura, who,
as Miss Hayden turned away, read the
attached card wonderingly:
"For Helen, who knows the Joy OF
life"