THE MAY PARTY.
A bright, happy crowd of children marched to the woods for a May party.
First came two boys carrying a May-pole to which bright ribbons were tied.
Then came the May Queen with a crown of flowers on her head, and a long wand in her hand.
The girls marched behind the May Queen, carrying the pretty May baskets which they had made. The boys were waving flags and blowing horns.
When they came to the woods, the boys setup the May-pole and all the children danced around it.
In and out they went weaving the bright ribbons. The girls went to the left, the boys to the right. They bowed as they passed each other, and sang the pretty May-pole song.
Soon the pole was wound with the bright ribbons.
Then some of the children ran down to the water to sail boats, and others went up, up, in the swings.
The older girls set the table. What a beautiful table it was! There were sandwiches, and oranges, and cakes, and nuts, and candy.
After the children had eaten all the good things, they went through the woods gathering flowers.
They filled the pretty baskets with flowers, and stood them side by side. But the children could not tell which they liked the best.
That night, when it was dark, each girl and boy put a basket on the door-step of a friend, then rang the bell and ran away.
They had such a good time that they wished May-day came oftener than once a year.