The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-08-17
GERTE GOES TO
A PARTY
KATHLEEN BECKMAN

In just one week Mary would have
her birthday party.
Glow many may l invite, Mother ?"
she asked eagerly.
Glow many would you like to in
vite?" questioned her mother.
ooh, all the girls who were in my
class at school, l guess-except Gertie.
don't like her."
''If you invite all the girls of your
class but one, it would make that one
girl feel very unhappy, wouldn't it ?"
said her mother.
"Well, nobody likes her." stated
Mary, "and it's summer now"
"Why don't they like Gertie ?" ask
ed her mother.
"Well-of course she can't help be-
ing poor, but-she wears dirty clothes
and her hair doesn't look nice. She
lives in that old house on Bend Street
where they don't have any curtains" "
"That may be, DEAR" said her
mother, "but no matter what she is
like it would be very unkind to
invite every one in the class but Ger
tie. If you decide on small party and
ask only a few girls you need not in
vite her, but, if you have big party
for your class you must include every
one. You may think about it and let
me know tomorrow what you decide. -
AS Mary had set her heart on hav-
ing a large party she finally decided
to invite Gertie.
The day of the party arrived. Mary's
mother had made a very large cake
with seven candles on it-and a great
deal of ice-cream. All the little girls
except Gertie came dressed in gay
party frocks. Gertie's dress was a
much-rumpled rayon affair, and she
wore high-heeled shoes a couple of
sizes too large for her, but this was
her first party and she had come de-
termined to have a good time. She
was not bashful child, but rather
forward with affected, unnatural man
ners that had been adopted for this
special occasion, and she was blissfully
happy.
The children played games out on
the lawn under the trees, and after
the games were over they sat around
the big table. When Mary started to
light the candles on her cake, little
hysterical giggles came from Gertie
who then began eating her ice-cream
before the lighting was finished. But
no one seemed to notice this, and it
was gay party. Gertie did not join
in the talking, for she was too busy
with her ice-cream and the large pieces
Of cake to which she helped herself
repeatedly. As the servings were
generous, several of the girls could
eat only a part Of their ice-cream.
After they left the table Gertie re-
manned and slid around from chair to
chair finishing all that was left.
Mary's mother, thinking all the chill
dren were out on the lawn playing,
came in and found Gertie all alone.
'I've had a swell time," the child said.
81 guess III go home now"
Don't you want to go out and play
with the other girls?" asked Mary's
mother.
"Oh, no, I think I'll go home" Ger
ties voice was high pitched and shrill,
but joyful.
Mary's mother went to get Gertie's
hat and also went into the kitchen and
filled bag with oranges and nuts.
These she gave to Gertie saying,
"Take them home to your sisters and
brothers." Then Gertie ran off with her
high heels clicking and her thin face
wreathed in smiles.
"Mother," said Mary later, "I'm so
glad l invited Gertie. She had such a
good time and l never did see anyone
eat SO much cake. l guess she liked
my party"