The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-10-05

first place, it had been loud-herald-
ed by the man of the family" as
his birthday, for James Frederick
Gray, Jr., was about to embark
upon his tenth yearly voyage Of
existence. Then the day had start
ed with the family being aroused
by a persistent door bell, and upon
answering it, Jimmie G. almost had
lifted the upper portions Of the
house with a tremendous shrek,
followed by a joyous howl MO
Their! A cablegram from dad. He's
safe!!!"
And finally after the excitement
from that had died down enough
for thoughts, Jimmie remembered
that this was the day the splints
could be taken off OF his arm. Yes,
altogether it was a day to be
streaked with glowing red long in
the history of the Grays.
The particular celebration, how
ever, was planned in the form of
Promptly at six o'clock William
Hadley, Harold Jones and Thomas
Harlow, with hair slicked smoothly
down and shirts still white and
clean, presented themselves at the
Gray's little home, and were met
by an equally subdued and clearly
James Frederick, Jr. 1t was a
rather state occasion, this birth
day dinner-such only came once
a year.
After talking in an off hand way
for a few minutes and reviewing
the birthday presents, the chief of
which was a familiar looking fold
er well filed with green stamps,
the boys were invited out into the
dining room. And such table!
Instead of the usual white cloth,
the table was covered with brown
khaki, and for silver and dishes,
tin plates and wooden handled
knives and forks, and old pewter
spoons were used, while in the
center of the table was a caramel
cake, (made by a special war re-
cipe) surmomted by ten glowing
red candles and the American
flag.
AS the boys entered the room
Mrs. Gray laughingly saluted each
one, while Jean, dressed in her
little Red Cross uniform, proudly
brought in the plates. And such a
dinner! Baked white fish flor
boys always want to know the
things they eat) creamed peas,
mashed potatoes, graham mullins
with strawberry jam, tomato salad
with dressing a Ia Jimmie c.
and finally ice cream moulded in
the form Of a French flag.
But the part that caused the
most excitement was eating the
birthday cake, for Bill Hadley had
eaten no more than three bites
than he dropped his slice and look
ed over at Jimmie with a reproach-
full martyrs expression.
IT'S a wonder you wouldn't feed
a fellow bullets when you invite
him to birthday party" he grum-
bled.
who gave you any bullets" de-
manded Jimmie Indignantly.
We'll. what do you call it." re-
torted Bill as the other three boys
crowded around his chair to ex-
anime his cake. But instead of a
bullet the offending piece of metal
proved to be a little signal service
emblem.
Wa we'll, where'd 1t come
FROM" gasped Jimmie G.
"WOnder'f l got one," was Tom
my Harlow's first concern, and
with that all the boys fell to in
vestigating their pieces of cake
with energy that was sure to get
results.
Harold found himself consigned
to the artillery, but Jimmie and
Tom were forced to try the second
and even third pieces before they
were placed. Then Jimmie found
himself to be an aviator, much to
his delight, but poor Tommy had
no better fortune than to be a
cook.
Iii, old pot whatchu-