Page:Gadsby.djvu/167

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GADSBY

out good and loud: “Hi! You!! Hurry back to Branton Hills and put up a block of buildings in that silly park!” and Gadsby, walking away, saw that an inborn grouch is as hard to dig out as a wisdom tooth.

Now this Council’s visit on this particular day, was a sly plan of Gadsby’s, for His Honor is, you know, Youth’s Champion, and having known many an occasion on which Youth has won out against Council opposition. So, our big City officials, strolling around that park, soon saw a smooth lawn upon which sat, stood, or ran, almost a thousand small tots of from four to six. In dainty, flimsy outfits, many carrying fairy wands, it was a sight so charming as to thaw out a brass idol! Amidst this happy party stood a tall shaft, or mast, having hanging from its top a thick bunch of long ribbons, of pink, lilac, gray, and similar dainty colors; and around it stood thirty tots—thirty tiny fists all agog to grasp thirty gay ribbons. Old Bill took a look, and said, growlingly, to His Honor:—

“What’s all this stuff, anyway?”

“Bill, and Branton Hills’ Council,” said Gadsby, “today is May Day—that day so symbolic of budding blossoms, mating birds and sunny sky. You all know, or ought to, of that charming custom

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