The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1919-05-03
Tie Party of James
And Jean


boy and girl They lived with theil
mother and father, but their father
wasn't able to work. So they were
poor. They had once lived in
very nice house and their mothei
was clean and good. They now
lived in a little ottage. They went
to school every day Jean, for tina
was her name, was seven, and
James was eight
1t was a hot summer day in the
last of June They were sitting on
an old bench beside the back door
Il wish could have an ice cream
cone, it is SO hot" said Jean.
Il would rather have party
Just think Of the children we could
have. We could invite FIVE boys
and five girls" said James.
Yes, that would be fun, only
there is no money for eats and you
know it isn't any party without
eats There's no use, girls can't
earn money. They can't sell pa
pers, nor cut grass, nor carry wood,
nor run errands as well as boys. II
you do all those things, I'll do all
these things: wash dishes, bake,
clean house, take care of baby and
set the table. can earn 25 cents a
day and you so cents, because
you're boy, and in two weeks we
will have our party" James an
swered. IF you can earn 10 cents
] will be proud of you as my sister,
Just then their mother called
them for dinner. AT the dinner ta-
BILE, James told it all. But where
will you have it?" asked the moth
er, there isn't room here and what
will you have?"
Eve haven't thought that out"
replied Jean. "We could have it in
the orchard, or we could have it
back in the woods by the creek,
and we could get 10 cents worth
OF decorations. Mother, your dear.
We have two big apple trees, and
we can have apple pie and apple
tarts."
Two weeks from that day the
children rose bright and happy.
Jean helped her mother with the
baking, while James brought wood
and did his daily duties, only he
had a happier face and went
around in a hurry. Jean and her
mother had sent invitations to the
children. James picked apples and
bought what was needed. At half
past one, they went down a little
lane. AS the woods widens in
sunny spot where clear tinkling
water runs, they set their things
down. They made a fire, set the
table, got the games ready and
set the chairs around Their moth
er was already taking the chill
dren's hats, because it was cool in
the woods at sunset.
The first children were Elizabeth
and Fred. They helped because all
the things were not fixed. Then
came four happy children with
merry voices. They were poor as
Jean and James. The rest came in
groups of two and four. The first
thing they did was to get partner. |
This was done by throwing up pa
per with a half of name on. These |
two played games. They played |
games that each one wanted to. |
They ate lunch at half-past five
and a nice lunch II was. Apples
in all sorts of ways, ice cream, can
dy as favors, and that was all. be-
cause that used up all the chill
1ren's money. They played two
more games, as two deep and wink
en-. They said goodbye to every
body and started home. 1t was two
.ired, but happy children that
Kissed their mother that night.
ut shows" said James that night,
hat even, if we try we can have
un." Yes, ! am glad | took the
party and worked for it instead of
ce cream" said Jean. But we
lad both," cried James. Good
light" ...
Mary Jane Schillinger.