The Press., 1919-12-25
COLUMBUS
By LIZZIE M. PEABODY.

l As Columbus stood in the uncaret | bish of all sorts that fine autumn morn ing, his pale blue eyes wore a dreamy look and his thin little face was l turned toward the next yard, which was very neatly kept. Isabella was running down the steps, and Isabella with her softly glowing dark eyes, her l pink cheeks, her shining brown hair combed smoothly, and her long, thick | braids tied with a bright ribbon, to l say nothing of the pretty plaid ging- ham dress she wore, embodied his idea of all that was lovely. "'Tis my birth day." the boy called out. What did you get for presents?' | she asked, with eager eyes fixed upon | him.
 "Oh! I didn't get anything. Dad says I'm getting too old to expect birthday presents. I'm twelve today, you know. and besides he hasn't had much work lately"
 "For ali his, bravery he spoke a bit wistfully, and Isabella suddenly ran
  over her shoulder: "Watch me P which was needless, as Columbus al ways watched her when she was near. She disappeared into a tiny hen coop and when she reappeared her eyes danced with delight. "Mother said l might have the egg" she said, "but you shall have it for your birthday present." and thrusting it into his hand she ran hastily into the house. With pleased smile the boy walked across the yard to the opposite fence, where kindly neighbor stood.
 "A birthday present." he said, and held it up for her to see. With an an- SWering smile she replied: And I've just broken one which I was to put with setting of eggs. Wouldn't you like to haze me put it with the setting and let Whitey hatch it out for you? Your chicken will be brown, but the others will be white," she added. He hesitated only a second. An egg was very nice to eat, of course, but think of the joy of having a downy chicken for his very oWn-One he could hold and which would pick from his hand ]!
 II don't mind," was his diftidently spoken answer, but his neighbor read the truth in his sparkling eyes, and placed the egg with the setting.
 In due time 'Whitey paraded proud ly with her family and his neighbor agreed to keep Brownie for a while, and Columbus carried to her all the scanty table leavings; also all his spare change for the benefit of Brownie until she began laying eggs.
 Then his father began taking an in- terest in the affair; and built tiny coop from packing box. Later, he bought two more hens, and the next spring, having a pronounced case of hen fever, he moved into the country where he had leased a small farm.
 That was the beginning of prosper ity for the family, and a few years later they were the proud owners of the farm.
 All this time Columbus had been so occupied with his work that he had had no time to think of love; but when his twenty-first birthday came and he started out on his usual route with butter, eggs and poultry for sale, he met with an adventure. He was fussy customer when thin, pale, shabbiy dressed girl came hastily from a side street. 'I'd like half dozen fresh eggs," she said. "Mother is ill, and should have the best"
 Her eyes were wistful as she asked the price of the smallest fowl in sight, and the sharp eyes of Columbus had noted her sudden shrinking from him as he mentioned it, and that she held more closely her small pocketbook.
 "I'll not take the fowl today" she said and turned to go; and Columbus was really surprised to hear his own voice saying: "Wait, please!" The color in his cheeks deepened as he said: "'Tis my birthday, and I've so many things to be grateful for! I've always thought that when things are that way a fellow ought to be looking around for some one to give presents to, instead of expecting them."
 It was not like him to talk in this way to stranger, but somehow he couldn't bear to have her go. If she went now he felt that he should never see her again, and so he went on talk ing.
 "A few years ago pretty little girl gave me my only birthday present which was an egg; and that egg hn nf nf whole family. Much for the better too. Would you help me to pay lit tie of inc debt which I owe to her by accepting for your mother present of the eggs and fowl?"
 The girl had been gazing at him in ten:ly. and as his pale blue eyes looked eagerly into hers, for an an swer, memory Whisked them both back to a lovely autumn morning WOn- delfully Ike this, when two children talked to each other over an old bro ken-doWn fence.
 "Columbus '" Isabella !" they cried out in wonder, and Columbus, still holding her hand and gazing into her eyes discovered that for him, her face held even a greater charm than it had held in days of old.
 Also he suddenly knew why he lad never loved. It was simply that no one else had been so well worth low ing as Isabella.
 And so they were married; and the srory their children love best to hear, and the story their mother loves best to tell. is the story of "Columbus and the eGg."