Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-03-31
SURPRISE FOR BOTH


hAisheop anu ia kiaup luz IL CeftAinlf
has been a hard job. but 1t looks good.
I'm proud Of II. and I'm going to spend
all my spare time knitting for the sol
dierS. They have hard jobs, too. at
times. And when | stop to think OF
what they are doing for US, 1t makes
me ashamed OF myself for calling this
q hard job. But It's the first knitting
i ever did. And mother says, after /
have finished two or three I'll be an
expert. 1 wonder II l ever will for
when I look closely at this sweater I
can see two drop stitches.
"Oh, dear mel | guess III have to
rip this all out again, and pick them
up. and they are fully four inches
back.
"Say. Mabel. what would you dor
III It were mlne," said her sister, look
inI up for the Grst time during the
conversation, from the sock she was
about to finish, I'D simply darn that
place. and let II 60 at that. The sol
der who is lucky enough to get It
won't mind n little thing like that.
And " he does notice it he will Won
der who took the pains TO mend It so
neatly, aud possibly try to learn who
she is, and what she looks like"
well, to save him the trouble I'm
going to write my name and address
on a slip Of paper and tuck II inside
somewhere"
Better stlll, put "A OF your little
pictures in II. inst FOR fun"
mo. / wouldn't like to do that. Some
fellow from around here might get
II. and think me a fine little goose"
oh, 20 on" leased Mabel, ut might
prove romantic. and I'm sure none OF
the boys who know us win ever get
Il. But wouldn't Il be fun IL brother
BIZ were to get II hlmselff He GER
tainiy would think you had got to
be some knltteV since he went to
camp"
After much argument the ,hoto-
graph was chosen and tucked away IN
a little corner provided fof<ths puF-
pose. and the sweater. togethsNw Win
Mabel's socks, returned to the NGSa
branch OF the American Red CrosEs
where 1t was packed IN q boz. With
many other comforts for the boys who
were to remain In q Western camp for,
the winter.
In due time the consignment reached
camp. and each soldier received q cou-
fort kit, In which were many useful
and necessary articles.
One evening q few weeks later az
Bill s. sat writing letters. he vas sur-
prissd to see his old college chum, jim
W., reading a newspaper at the other
end Of the room, a. he had heard Jim
was In France months ago.
Hello, there Jim. old man, how are
your Thought you were chasing the
Huns back to Berlin long ago"
mo, I had hoped to be doins that,
but our company has not CONT across
yet. We have been transferred here,
and | can't say I like the change. for
It 10 cold. / think I would have frozen
stin, only for this sweater I got from
the Red Cross-fn like q glove: and
see what ] found tucked Ia the coAert-
Really, you'll think I've gone crazy
when tell you I'm In love with her.
/ dream Of her. take this little picture
out ten times a day and look at II and
wonder IL I'll ever have the good luck
to meet her. Why. what's up, Bilif
You look as though you recognized
her"
But Bill only answered: She's
pretty, and I'm glad you like her.
Hope she approves OF you when you
meet. must get ready and finish ny
letters. I'm going home on furlough
for eight days, starting tomorrow.
wish you could arrange II and come
along with me. I've a little surprise
planned for you"
whats the surprisei No, 5u wont
tell me-? All right ! guess~ts some.
thing like the pranks you ed to pus
over on the old professor. Ia. ha !"
Two days later Bin az his friend.
Lieutenant W, arrived at the 8. home
and were welcomed by Hrs. g.. who
said the girls were out. but would soon
be back. Just then the doorbell rans.
and two bright young ladies rushed 10
and almost smothered Bill with
braces.
There. there. glrlsi Hold on q nin,
ute until ! present my old chum. jim
W." Then came the surprise. Jim as,
once recognized Rhoda as the girl Of
his dreams and dsrted some accusing
g~lnnces at Bill, who was enjoying the
toke 10 perfection.
Say. what did I tell you, Jlmi Some
surprise. ehl"
The girls wnnted 10 know what Bill
meant by the surprise" and Jim ex
planned II by saying II was some Of
their silly college tricks he was refer
ring to. But when he knew Rhoda
better and had an opportunity to
speak with her alone. he took from the
corner OF q certain brown sweater
with q neat little mend In It the pie
ture he had shown Bill. and told her
the whole story. and more. tool Then
was Rhoda surprised also. and very
happy. and she promised Jim she
would continue to knit for the soldiers.
but would not put her picture In any
more.
Copyright 1878. Mcclure Sszspapss
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