Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-06
DeLa's Easter PARTY

ooh, mother!" cried Della, run
ming into the kitchen, one Frida!
afternoon. Ruth Simons is going tt
have an Easter party, and she says
she does every year, and never, never
have; and mayn't I, just once?" ant
the little girl paused, quite out Of
breath.
Mrs. Burlen turned slowly around
and looked rather sadly at her ex
lpectant little daughter:
Wei, dearie," she said at last, try
ing to speak cheerfully, Pm afraid
mot. You see, Ruth's father and
mother are a great deal richer than
we ever were. and, as daddy had al
especially hard time last month, I'm
afraid it is altogether out Of the ques'
ton for you to have a party"
Della tried hard not to cry, but it
fun, when all her little playmates had
parties and lovely dresses and big
ha%ir-ribbons! Mrs. Burlen tried to
console her by promising that, when
times were better and father was
we'll. she could invite some Of her
friends to a little party.
So Della dried her eyes, and went
into the next room to do her home
work for Monday, SO as to nave a
whole day on Saturday, without any
lessons; and Mrs. Burlen racked her
brains to find some way to make up
to the little girl for her ~disappoint-
ment.
The next morning, after Della had
made the beds and helped her mother
with the dishes, she ran outdoors to
join Ruth Simons, who vas awaiting
her rather impatiently. Ruth was 60.
ing to have her party OF Easter Mon.
day, and could hardly talk of any.
thing else. But Della hardly heard
the glowing descriptions Of the egg
hunt and the pretty prize that was to
be given to the most successful col
lector. She was wishing that 1t would
not always have to be the other girls
who invited her to their parties, and
that she might invite them Just once.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Burlen had gone
over to have a chat with young Mrs.
Churchill. lately become the proud
]possessor of twins! After having duly
admired the babies, Mrs. Burlen began
to talk about Della and her disappoint-
ment, and asked her hostess if she
could think Of no way to make it up
to her.
"Well,' said Mrs. Churchill, slowly,
about how she feels, for ! had many
such disappointments when l was a
child. l was wondering il Della
wouldn't like to have one of Fifi's
puppies. You see, I've often heard
her say that she would give anything
for a pet, whether it were bird, beast
or fish; so, it you like. you can take
one of the little dogs back with you.
and welcome, for I cant find anyone
who wants them"
Mrs. Burlen felt that a considerable
load had been lifted off her mind, as
she replied: "Why, that would be
lovely. and / shall tell Della that some
n is coming to tea with her, The
puppies are on the back porch, are
they not? All right. I'll just take one.
Goodbye. and thank you so much!"I
And she hurried home. after securing
one of the little terriers.
On reaching the house, Mrs. Burlen
hid the little dog in the shed. and in
formed Della that she had invited a
little friend to take tea with her. Della
frightened up. and eagerly inquired
"Who mother, who Is it,"
, But all the satisfaction she could
get was:
Never mind Just now, daughter.
Come and help mother spread the
table"
That afternoon. after Della had gone
out for a walk. Mrs. Burlen set to
work and made three little ginger
cookies. which she set on a small table
in Della's room, set for two; on one
side was a saucer of milk, for the
"little guest" and at Della's place she
filled a cup of steaming cocoa When
she saw her little girl coming up the
walk.
We'll, grille" she called to Della.
go up to your room. and III bring
your guest to you" She hurried to the
shed, which mystified Della greatly. ,
What could n Of her friends be do
ing in the ~coal-house?
On opening the door into her room,
the little girl was still more sur.
prised to see the saucer of milk, and
began to think that the apparently
rather eccentric visitor must be bring
ing her cat. When, a minute later,
Mrs. Burlen came into the room, hold
ing the little dog up in her arms. Della
gave a cry of delight, and caught him
up in her arms.
ooh, Mother. Mother!" she en-,
claimed. "Is he my own, my very
own"
Yes" answered her mother. Mrs.
Churchill gave him to you"
Then, while. Della had her cocoa and
cakes, and the little dog contentedly
drank his milk, Mrs. Burlen told how
he had come to Della's Easter party.