The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-06

Do you remember the times that we
had in the old days hanging May
Baskets? The baskets were made of
colored paper and filled with trailing
arbutus or such other flowers as we
could find. We had no colored crepe
tissue in those days but there was
good natured man at the printing
office who gave US the colored scraps
of paper from under the paper cutter.
Early in the evening of May Day
the girls would hang their baskets and
the boys would stay at home to re-
ceive them. Later in the evening the
girls would go home and then the
boys would sally forth and return the
favors. You know the rule was for
the little girl to approach the front
door quietly and hang her basket on
the knob, then knock on the door and
run. OF course she needn't run so
very fast for the boy would dash out
and chase madly after her and if he
should catch her the rules of the
game allowed him to kiss her.
Once upon a time there was little
boy and he knew a little girl with
soft fIaxen hair and a little 1ispy voice
who lived in the next yard. This little
girl had thrown out some hints about
a certain little boy who might have
basket hung on his door knob on MAJ
Day. So when it grew dark on May
Day eve this little boy was sitting close
by the door waiting for the knock.
At last there was the sound of a soft
step on the porch and little knock.
The bow opened the door quickly and
fairly flew down the path after the
little white form that he could see in
the gathering dusk.
Yes, he caught her just at the cor
ner of the hedge. No, he didn't kiss
her Now this little boy was sturdy
chan and he was not afraid of most
E, r.f n ufi11 h2 q
ed eve from the time but a few days
ago when he fought a boy a full head
taller than he who had made a nasty
remark about this little girls lispy
voice.
When he caught her he was afraid
and could only hold her arm and say,
II caught you" And the little girl
hung her head and lisped, 81 thought
you would"
Then he told her of the crows nest
that he had found in a tall tree in the
pine woods and that tomorrow after
school he would climb to it and give
her all of the eggs that he found. And
the little girl told him that he just
mustn't do that as he might fall and
hurt himself and then what would she
do. So he promised that he wouldn't
but instead would come home with
her and help in her flower garden.
Then hand in hand they walked
home, the long way around, through
the shadows.
A very good friend of mine has
little granddaughter and often go to
their house at bed time and tell her
little stories till the sand man comes.
Recently 1 told her of hanging May
Baskets in the old times and she ask
ed about a hundred questions.
The next night 1 took down a bask-
ct of records that they might play on
their talking machine and noticed that
they were long time in letting me in.
When in the living room 1 noticed a
few scraps of colored tissue on the
floor.
May Day night 1 was sitting alone
in my rooms trying to study out one
of those book chess games where you
are supposed to mate in seven moves
when there came a little rap at my
door. 1 hurriedly opened it and there
was a little basket hanging from the
knob and down the street was the
sound of scurrying feet and childish
/ laughter.
| 1 toddled after her and down at the
corner her mother was waiting The
4 little girl buried her head in her
mothers skirts and cried, You can't
catch me now
But 1 did get her, though she could
| not know when I pressed my lips tc
l her soft hair. that the kiss was not in