Ikey had succeeded in getting for them free passes, and they had paid him the amount agreed upon. The dress had been finished, and on the evening before Katy was to leave the hospital they carried it up to be sent in to her, in order, as Jimmy said, "that they might jest knock her eye out before she was stunned by the idea of the excursion."
"Tell her Jim an' John sent it in to her," said the latter, as he handed the bundle to the porter, "an' that we want her to be all ready when we come up here for her at nine o'clock to-morrow mornin'."
"That'll fix her," said Jimmy, triumphantly, as they left the hospital; and during the remainder of that evening they enjoyed in anticipation the royal time they were to have next day when they took "their girl" on her first excursion.
[to be continued.]
| With gun upon his shoulder, Sir Beetle hunting goes, |
| There is nothing in the larder, for a dreadful wind arose; |
| It blew their cottage over, and the rain began to beat, |
| They couldn't find their overshoes, or anything to eat. |
| But Mrs. Beetle's thankful that after such a storm |
| She has still a silk umbrella, and a fire to keep her warm. |
| Back from the forest we're bringing our sheaves— |
| Armfuls of posies and bright Autumn leaves; |
| Happy are we, though the chill wind may blow, |
| The herald of Winter in garments of snow. |