mud-gutter bands that play 'round the streets."

"Wisht we could fix the yard up some," said Asia, when there was
nothing more to be done in the parlor.

"I got a Japanee lantern," suggested Miss Hazy, doubtfully.

"The very thing!" said Mrs. Wiggs. "We'll hang it in the front
door. Billy's makin' a Jack o' lantern to set on the fence. Fer the
land's sake! what's John Bagby a-bringing' in here?"

The grocery boy, staggering under the weight of an ice-cream freezer
and carrying something wrapped in white paper, came up the path.

"It's fer you," he said, grinning broadly. John was cross-eyed, so
Miss Hazy thought he looked at Mrs. Wiggs, and Mrs. Wiggs thought he
looked at Miss Hazy.

However, the card on the freezer dispelled all doubt: "Fer mrs Wiggs
on her 50 Birthday compelments of The Naybors."

Under the white paper was a large, white iced cake, with a "W" in
cinnamon drops on top.

"How'd they ever know it was my birthday?" exclaimed Mrs. Wiggs, in
delight. "Why, I'd even forgot it myself! We'll have the cake fer
the party to-night. Somehow, I never feel like good things b'long to
me till I pass 'em on to somebody else."

This necessitated a supply of saucers and spoons, and friends were