Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-10-22
WAS fast burning a hole in her pocket.

feel your fingers tingle and burn when you
touched three or four pennies in your pock-
ct, and could you not almost taste the de-
lightful taffy candy that the little old wo'
man two doors from the school sold?
Mrs. Adams pale face and troubled eyes
interferred with Jessie's peaceof mind. She
certainly thought yesterday that if she had
q dollar she would give it to her. Why
did she not want to now?
"Clara Adams hasn't been to school to-
day." Miss Trusdell said. "Who goes near
her house?" . .. .. .
Jessie swallowed great lump that SEEM
ed to rush up from her heart. -r...,
"I'll call, Miss Trusdell."' -:
"Thank you, Jessie. Clara ought not to
miss day. I am afraid she is sick" -,
So Jessie went around by another path,
almost afraid to pass Warmers again. It
was cold December day, cloudy now, and
with the appearance of snow. The wind
nipped Jessie rosy cheeks, but she did not
mind. Here was the little cottage rather
cold and forlorn looking, it must be con-
fessed. Jamie answered her tap at the door.
"Oh come in, Miss Jessie !" Mrs. Ad-
ans exclaimed; and Jamie shut the door
quickly, so the biting air would not rush
in. .-...
81 called to see why Clara wasn't at
school to-day" Jessie said.
Clara blushed. Mrs. Adams looked rath-
er troubled. IT,.
you're not sick 7" ..,
"No, Miss Jessie, it wasn't that. But
Clara hasn't any shoes. She would freeze
her feet in those old ones besides, they're
out to the ground"
Jessie cast furtive glance at them-old
and shabby indeed, She thought of her
own half.worn boots, but, although Clara
was smaller girl, her feet was larger than
Jessie's. No, that would not do. s'
81 ordered her pair at Air. Gregg's,
and they're done only he will not let me
have them until pay down little And
I've Just money enough for my rent, which
is due tomorrow. Mr.. Dallas is hard
landlord" -
''Then you have all the money!" Jessie
said gladly.
eyes, 1 am thankful for that but Clara
must wait until next week. I shall have
to earn some more. .-..-.
Jessie talked to Jamie and Charlie a.
while, and listened to the praises of her
own dear nanny, who was always doing a
kind turn for everybody. And plan came
into her mind but then she could not haye
a crying doll, nor paint box, nor any OF
those charming toys that she half coveted.
She said good-by to them presently, and
went straight to Mr.. Gregg's.
A woman in faded shawl was standing
by the untidy counter. She had been bind
ing some shoes, and brought them home.
II can't give it to you, because haven't
a cent in the place." Mr.. Gregg was say
ing. 'People won't pay me, and can't
pay Others"
s.But we actually haven't anything in
the house-not mouthful of dinner even;"
and here the poor woman's tremulous voice
broke down. ...-
Jessie felt like crying, too, but she wink
ed away the tears with a great effort. Then
she asked Mr.. Gregg about Clara's shoes.
"There they are, he said rather brusque-
ly, and nodded his head toward stout pair
standing on little shelf. "Good, strong
ones, too, and dirt cheap, and yet they
can't pay for them. I'm done trusting
its poor plan, and it keeps me like beg
gar"
Then he hammered spitefully upon his
lapstone, and looked savage. He was q
surly old fellow.
"Will you let her have them if I give
you dollar now, and promise to pay the
rest if they can't?" Jessie asked bravely.
eyes, Miss"
Out came Jessie's dollar. Spent for a
pair of coarse shoes that had not bit Of
beauty or grace, like the fairy or the doll,
or twenty other things.
The poor woman approached again: 80,
Mr.. Gregg -"
"Well, take it," he said ungraciously.
The thin fingers clutchei it nervously,
and she almost stared at Jessie.
"Will you send them down to Mrs. Ad-
ans, tonight? I'll ask papa for the rest
of the money. How much is it 2" q.
"Only dollar. Cheap enough, must
say; but I do my work for about nothing"
When Jessie was in the fresh air, trying
to breathe out the smell of wet leather and
wax, hand was laid upon her
shoulder.
''Heaven bless you, child,' q faint voice
said. "You have done kind deed for
friend, and been the means of blessing a
stranger. My poor old mother and l were
absolutely at starvation point. God must
have sent you hither."
Jessie's heart swelled too full for utter
ance. The temptations in Warmers win
dow were nothing to her then. She ran
down the street with light, happy heart.
"How late you are," Mrs. Marsh said,
as Jessie entered. 1t was dusk in the cosy
sitting, room.
Mamma" she said presently, ~ must
tell you; have spent my dollar. And
I've had such an odd time! I'm satisfied
though"
Then Jessie told her mother the whole
story. Mrs. Marsh kissed her tenderly.
But that was not the end of it. Jessie's
dollar was likely to have quite q history of
its own.
Sono t;na aftar nm one Saturday. old