Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-24
Who Ate the Ringo

Harold was havingNa birthday part,
because he was six years old, and Aun
Helen and grandma and Miss Nelli,
ana ever SO many big people were Their.
helping all the little people to have {
splendid time. They played games ant
the magic lantern pictures till the
clock struck five. and then Harold
knew what was coming.
Out IN the dining room tho table was
set with mothers prettiest china. and
there were candles and flowers and
bon-bons Just like a grown-up party.
Harold was very anxious to have all
the children see the table. So he was
glad when Aunt Helen said. Now We
are going to march to the dining room. .
Miss Nellie played q bright little
march, and the boys and girls formed q
long line Through the parlor and out on
the piazza. '.just like a long white rib
bon" said grandma; for most OF the
girls wore white dresses and the boys
white waists.
The tiny sandwiches ana wee pickles
vanished like magic. and all the grown.
up people were kept busy waiting on
the little folk. Playing games makes
one very hungry, you know, and most
Of the guests had been too excited to
eat much dinner that day. Altogether
it was a. very jolly supper, and, when
mother wanted to make a little speech,
she had to ring the tea bell several
times.
Now, children" she said, IT am 20
ing to pass some little cakes, and one
Of them has ring baked in It. You
must eat them very slowly and careful
~. so some one does not swallow It.
find the ring. but just nibble away till
some little boy or, girl says, tive got
the ring"
Aunt Helen brought in icecream,
made to look like ar-little chickens.
and the children ate the cakes and
cream very slowly, At last all had been
eaten, and still no one had said, 1--WE
got the ring" t
THAT Is very strange" said mother.
Il will ask Mary If any one took one Of
the cakes"
mo. ma'am," said the maid, positive
ly. There has been no one but me In
the dining room since I put the cakes
on the table,"
II Just know swallowed It," sobbed
a little girl. II felt 1t doing down"
$50 did T. said tiny boy, and he
had to cry too.
There, there!" said Mrs.. Clifford,
much perplexed. 1.-TWO Of you couldn't
have eaten 1t, SO don't cry
1 1cel Udu, LOO SAID announcer, utLlo
girl. II think it must have been in my
cake
I really don't know what would have
happened Just then II father hadn't
come, In. He was so surprised to see
tears at birthday party that he had to
inquire the cause, though he was in a
big hurry.
''well. we'll" he laughed. II didn't
know what commotion would cause
by taking one cake. was on my way to
see little patient who has been in
bed a long time with a lame limb, and
I wanted to take her some OF the
goodies. i slipped softly in here little
while ago. and took some of the nice
things without disturbing tho party a
bit. Even Mary didn't see me. Now,
just wonder II little Bess Ryan isn't
wearing that ring this minute?''
20 father, won't you 60 right over
and sect" begged Harold.
IT hope she did get It," cried all the
children. Sure enough. in a few min
utes DR.. Clifford came back to tell how
happy the little girl was with her
treasure
"she is sitting propped up in her old
beds looking at the pretty green stone
in the gold band" said father, "and
didn't 60 in at all. Are you all glad poor
Bess got TIP
Eyes! Yes! Yes!" cried the children
-Hilda Richmond, In Sunday School
Times