The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1920-05-15
COLUMBUS
~ LIZZIE N. pGAsoex.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
e. 1919. ~ Necisrs Nsws1apsr syNAteats.b
A. Columbus stood In the uncarSd
for yard. which was filled with rub
bis,, OF all sorts that fine autumn morn
Ing. his pale blue eyes wore dreamy
look and his thin little face was
turned toward the next yard. which
was very neatly kept. Isabella was
running down the ;steps. and 1Abelaa.
with her softly glowing dark eyes. her
pink checks, hss shining brown han.
combed smoothly. and her long. thick
braIds tied with bright ribbon. to
say nothing Of the pretty plaid sing'
ham dress che .wose,' eabOdsedE his idea
Of all that was lovely. ""Tis my birth
day." the boy called out.
"what did you ct for presentsf'
she asked. with eager eyes hxsd upon
him.
"oh! I didn't get anything. Dad
says I'm getting too old to expect
birthday presents. I'm twelve today.
sou know. and besides he hasn't bad
much work lately"
"For all his bravery he spoke . bit
wistfully, and Isabella suddenly ran
away from him. calling breathlesaly
over her shoulder: "watch mel"
which was needless. ~ Columbus al-
ways watched her when she was near.
She disappeared into tiny hen comp
and when she reappeared her eyes
danced with delight. mother said !
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 q pleased smile the boy walked
across the yard to the opposite fence.
where a kindly neighbor stood.
"A birthday present." he said, and
held 1t up for her to zee. With m m.
swerinG smile she replied: "And I've
just broken one which I was to put
with setting Of eggs. wouldn't you
like to have me pat II with the setting
and let Whitley hatch It out for yous
Your chicken will ne brown, but the
others will be white" she added. He
hesItatetl only 4 second. An esg was
very nice to eat. II c0urss,' but thiak
Of the Joy Of having Q dswny chicken
for his very own-ons he could hold
and which would pick from his hands
81 don't mind WAS his dimdsnsly
spOkeu answer. but hie 'ne1ehNoe road
the truth In his sparkling ayes. and
placed the eGg With the .setttnga
In due time swtitey paraded psssA-
~ w,th 1her family sod ~. urixhboY
ssreei IN keen provnIe far q While.
ana (o,ruhu. carried ~ her m the.
scanty table lsayiuss: also all bis
snare change for the benefit OF
Brownie uatil she BEGAN layine segs
Then NJ. father srsan ,t,h,ne an h.
terrst In the a1.Ir. "a, him, 4, tipy
coop from . packing boz. Later. h.
bought two mere hens, and the sest
spring, having . peonoupeed case Ct
l,en fever, he moved Into the country
where he had leased q email farm.
That was the .besia.ius Of .prosper-
Ity for the famtly. and . rfsvc-years
later they were the proud owners a.,
the farm.
An this time Columbian had bees NJ
occupied with his WORK that he had
had no time to think Of love: but
when hts tveaty.0ryt birthday csue
and he started out on his usual route
with butter. eexs and poultry for NE,
he met with an adventure. He vas
standing looking after 20 suussssily {
fusxy customer when q thin. pale.
stability dressed girl came hastily
from q side street. I'D like . half
dozen fresh eggs" she said. ':.Adsthss
IA III, and s,ouM have the asst"
Her eyes were wistful NJ she -sskevt
the price Of the smallest fowl In sight,
and the sharp eyes Of Columbus had
noted her sudden sair,ukinx from MIN
NJ he mentioned IL and thst she held
mor. cIose,v her r,rsll, nnr&r .<Su,os