The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-07-06
Etta's Birthday
Gift
AN~N = -
By JUSTIN WENTWOOD

"When you are six you shall nave
q surprise for your birthday" said
Etta's mother.
Eta walked upon air, because she
was going to be six in just a few
days. When you are six you become
big girl. You can do lots Of things
when you are six that you can't do
when you are five.
For instance, you can walk round
the block all by yourself, only you
must take great care not to cross the
street. Mother trusts you when you
are six.
Eta didn't mean to do wrong, but
she was so busy thinking about things
that her feet carried her away. She
was thinking Of the father who was
only dim memory. He had died,
mother had said. When mother said
that her lip quivered in the way that
means you mustn't ask any more ques-
tions. Eta wished she could remem-
ber her father. 1t would have been
80 nice to have had father to come
home from business In the evenings
like the other girls.
When Etta's feet stopped carrying
her, she looked up, to find that she
was in part of the city that she had
never been in before, as far as she re-
membered. And yet 1t was just as II
she knew 1t from some dream. She
knew that there was mail-bOx on
the corner, even before she saw 1t. And
she knew that there was police sta
tion opposlte-and there was, and
policeman was swinging his club there.
Eta ran as hard as she could, because
she was afraid Of the policeman.
But presently she stopped in front
of block of apartment buildings and
began to cry. She didn't know why
she stopped there, but perhaps she
thought there were people inside who
would take care Of her. A man who
was Just coming in spoke to her.
whats your name, little girl?" he
asked.
"Etta," she answered. "and live at
127 Shenstone avenue"
"And what are you doing here"
asked the man, in very deep voice.
"Pm lost" sobbed Eta, land want
mother"
"Well, 1t isn't far. I'll take you
there" said the man.
Eta slipped her hand trustfully into
his, and they walked a little way, and
there was their house, just round the
corner.
"Can you find your way home now"
asked the man.
Eta nodded and clapped her hands.
Mother, such nice man brought
me home" said Eta, when she had
been scolded enough for going away.
II wish we could have him for my
birthday present, to be my father"
"Don't be foolish, child" answered
mother.
She questioned Eta as to where she
had been, but Eta could only indicate
vaguely. For several days Eta was
not allowed out, but at last the ban
was lifted, and one afternoon, as she
was going round the block, she met
the man again.
"Hello, EttaI" he said.
Hello, man I" said Eta.
Dlu you ever near VI iCC
soda?" asked the man.
"Oh, yes" said Eta, clapping her
hands.
They had an ice cream soda, and
the man told her not to tell her mother,
else she might not be allowed to meet
him again. SO Eta said nothing,
though she was bursting with the in
formation. But after that she often
met the man, and they always had an
ice cream soda together.
Etta's mother soon discovered her
little daughters habit of going out at
a certain hour. One afternoon she
followed her., Eta went dancing along,
and turned the corner. When her
mother reached there the child had dis
appeared.
For an instant she was frightened; (;
then she saw her going into the Ice
cream soda shop. holding mans hand
She ran across the street and entered,
just as they were sitting down at
table.
minute later the man and woman
confronted each other.
$50 It's you, Jim," said Etta's mother
They both looked so funny that Eta
paused In the act Of dipping up the Ice
cream with her spoon.
MAN, man !" she called. wont you
give mother an ice cream soda tooT
''If she cares to have one" said the
man.
I'm going to take you home, child"
said Etta's mother, with the look that
meant you mustn't ask any questions
"How long has this been going on.
Jim7"
II met her two or three weeks ago.
She was lost. I asked her name, and
well, I'd have known her anywhere"
"Man, give mother an Ice cream
soda" said Eta.
I'm sorry we've met, Jim. I didn't
know you were living here" said
Etta's mother.
"I'll move. didn't know either"
"Oh. mother" said Eta, "can't I
have the man for my birthday pres