Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-30

s.THuRsDAY is a holiday" said
L pretty Edith Sawyer to the three
girls who occupied all the space of her
small bedroom do stop your knitting,
Ruth, for few minutes and let us plan
what we will do. | want to enjoy every
minute of the day"
"Of course. we do" echoed dark eyed
Minnie. Some of the boys we know
Will be home for the holiday. Won't 1t
be fun to have a picnic party and spend
the day at the beach?"
But that isn't anything new OBJ
iected Hazel Il spend most every Sun
day at the beach Let us go into the
country"
But this will be different, Hazel. We
will all take a lunch and picnic. Then
we can dance and swim and have lots
more fun than we could going out into
the country where you can only gaze at
a COW and get bitten by mosquitoes. Be-
sides | know the boys would much
rather spend the day where they can
think so. Ruth?" Minnie asked of n
vivacious. curly-hared girl, busly work.
ing with knitting needles.
If you will promise not to tell" said
Ruth, misChevouSly, Il will impart to
you my plans. | made them last week. "
And never told one of us. Ruth San
born. That is what l call stingy," re-
torted Hazel
We'll. it's like this" said Ruth. Be
ing tired of the city and all such
amusements. | decided to spend the day
in the country looking at the COW that
Minnie said would he there. AS | didn't
like to spend the day alone. | invited
five very Congenial people to go with me,
so we are going to take a lunch. start
early and spend the day in the most de-
lightful place that know of.
There are large, shady trees. a nice
brook TO wade in, buttercups and daisies
in the meadows. wild Strawberries that
are ours for the picking and"
There were looks of CONSERVATION and
amazement on all the girls faces. They
had always considered themselves Ruth's
particular friends. and now TO hear they
more Congcnial company made them
somewhat Chagrined
Il didn't mean to offend you girls"
hastily went on Ruth, and I'm sure you
won't be when I tell YOU my company
will be Mrs. Morgan's five kidiets."
Mrs Morgans five children! Are you
crazy, Ruth Sanborn, to spend your
holiday taking care of babies?' asked
Minnie.
NO, not quite crazy, Minnie" an
swered Ruth, laughing. but, you see. l
knew Mrs. Morgan wanted very much TO
see her youngest brother, who is at Camp
-, so | suggested to her that she
and hubby should motor to the camp ana
] would take the children. including baby
Robert, and spend the day in the cOun-
try. She was so grateful that l wOn-
dered l hadn't thought of it before"
The idea" said Edith. 'of any woman
burdening you on a holiday with her five
children"
you girls all talk as if Mary Nor
gan was to be blamed for being the
proud mother Of the five incest children
that I know Of" said Ruth, rising to
go. I'm sorry If I've disappointed you
but please remember, girls. Mary is my
friend also, and it was | who asked her
to let me take the children into the coun-
try l hope you will have as nice a
time as expect TO-" and with Good
by, ALL" Ruth w23 gone.
The astonished girls watched Ruth
disappear through the open door and
then. when the door was closed, voiced
the ir sentiments.
THAT is just like Ruth" said Minnie
"She would give up n good dine at our