Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-07
DREAMLAND
ADVENTURES
The Big-Hedrfed Ashnian
by DADDY
CHAPTER VI
The RirthflaY Gifts

A FTER they had played many jolly
"A games at the Ashman's birthday
party. the Ashmnn called Peggy, Billy,
the poor children, and fat Tommy Grim,
thin Bennie Bean and cross Hiram
Hatch to his auto.
This is my birthday" he said.
Usually folks give presents to q per
son who has birthday, but az | enjoy
giving presents as much az getting
them. I'm going to change things about
n bit. ! am going to bcstow gifts upon
you to make my own birthday
happier"
hshman," cried the poor children. and
then freckled. faced boy, who seemed
to be leader among them, stepped for
ward.
1--WE thank you. sir, for giving US
presents, and we will be particularly
happy to get them. because we know
it makes you happy to give them to
u.s." ht said. "But we have birthday
gifts for you. too. ! hope you will be-
as glad to get them as we are to give
them"
That little speech upset the Ashman.
He hadn't expected to get any gifts.
mo, no." he objected. You chill
dren are too poor to give presents
We are not too poor to give the
kind Of presents We have for you"
said the boy. annie O'Ncill!" he
cried out. Annie O'Ncill. little slip of
0 girl. came shyly forward.
my birthday gift is the wish that
YOU may always be as happy as you
mako others she whispered.
"Ah, that is fine gift" cried the
Ashman. much pleased.
80 MI y,ft 10 - all
any more fibs." said a tiny lad. And
mine is kiss" lisped wee girl.
And mine is a cheerful smile" spoke
up n lame lad.
"And mine is sweet song which
will sing outside your window this eve
ming declared soft-voiccd girl.
"And mine is a joke to make You
merry" chuckled the frccklcd faced
boy And so 1t went all around the
circle among the twenty-cach poor
child has some pleasing gift of this sort
to offer the Ashman.
And we have a present, too" cried
fat Tommy Grim, thin Bennic Bean,
and cross Hiram Hatch. 1--WE will al
ways be polite to strangers, have jolly
word for those who appear in trouble,
and lend n helping hand to those in
trouble"
It seemed these gifts were just the
kind the Ashman wanted lie bcamed
with JOY as each offering was made to
him and his heart seemed fairly to
bubble over, for tears came into his
eyes.
oh, you children have made this
a happy, happy birthday" he cried.
Thank you Thank YOU !"
Every one had given the Ashman a
gift except Peggy and Billy. They were
trying to tn ink what they would offer
when the Ashman turned to them.
These two kind children gave me
my first gift Of the day." he said to
their surprise when ! was dirty and
thirsty they made me nice, cool lemon =
! adc.
Then Peggy and Billy we're glad they
had been kind TO the Ashman.
The Ashman now climbed into his
auto and he gave out the toys he had
there. My, how happy he was, acting
as Il birthday Santa Claus, and my, how
happy the children wcre to get his
presents Every child got 10y, and
there was string Of beads for Peggy.
Il whistle for Billy, a top for fat Tommy
Grim, knife for thin Bcnnc Bean
and. mouth organ for cross Hiram
Hatch.
BY the time the presents we're given
out it was beginning to get dark. so the
express cart train started back for the
street In which the poor children lived
Every one got safely home, then the
Ashman unhitched the express cart
train and took Peggy and Billy swiftly
to PcSgy'S house.
"IIere you are,' cried the Ashman
"Thank you for coming to my part,
and helping to give me happy birth
day" And away he went before the,
could, turn things around and thanl
him for having taken them to the party
Next week will be told another jolly
adventure OF Peggy and Billy.