Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-06-07

6&A in small Southern town. ana
81 81 she was a very busy little girl.
~ for she helped her mother near
~ 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
{ sood. and every one loved her. The
I boarders thought her the most help
full child they had ever seen, and they
showed their fondness by giving her
! an occasional I'VE or ten-cent piece.
which Betty accepted, putting IL in
a little wooden box in her bureau
/ drawer.
Now. up TO this year. Betty's IA
Their had plenty of money, and her
mother didn't have TO take in board
ers. 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 this year. There are so many
I real necessities. and so little with
which 10 buy them. that presents are
out of the question"
''Oh. that's all right" said Betty.
already, so I won't miss this one.
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 your 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 II TO the others
in the house. But Betty was uncon-
scious of the whisperings that were
soiug 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 90 down town TO 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.
Betty's hand clasped the little
wooden box filed with nickels 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.
II only hope I can get these things
in so they won't see Them" she said.
as she faced for home. II know
what III do. III ask Mrs. juror
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 I'm 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: II
want you to enjoy my birthday with
me"
Mother was the first to discover
hers. 1t was a lovely lace scarf. For
Daddy she had a necktie. Mrs. Smith
loved pretty handkerchiefs, Betty had
heard her say II, so she bought her
a pink bordered one. Mrs. Simpkins
got a purse. and Mrs. Linton pretty
hatpin.
what does all this mean?" asked
Mrs. Linton. This is your birthday
not ours. Where are your presents?"
ers al the table.
why these are all my presents
Presents are something you give
away, aren't they?"
1T is more blessed to give than
receive" said Mrs. Simpkins. And
have never received a gift that ]
valued more than this purse. It Is
just what 1 need"
Then Mrs. Smith came forward
and. kissing the child, she said,
There are times when we, too, ind
Il blessed 70 give. and your thirteenth
Dirt hday today is one of them. Here
$ a gift from your loving friends in
he house"
Betty's eyes fairly danced. She wns
-ery happy. She carefully opened the
BOX and found d beautiful ring with
an emerald set in the center
"The emerald is your birthstone"
aid Mrs. smith do you like it2"
.oh-oh-ohl" was all she said,
,ut that expressed volumes TO the
,oarders. who helped TO make Betty's
thirteenth birthday one long 20 be re-