Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-07-17
Johns Bargain.

l.
any n4ore-SO -
Maidie Ioo,Eed very much gricved,
and began 20 cry. Mr.. Royal was
sitting at his desk, writing. but at
Johns emphatic words, he glanced
up, and said To his son, In = very
grave voice.
John, come here"
Il was just going into the Kitchen
stammered John, coloring. II wan't
to speak TO Kitty
but | wish to speak to YOU said
Mr.. Royal. SO John came slowly up
to the desk, with the look oil cul
prit on his face.
wv hat, sir ?''
Il want to know how much you
will take for your share in Maidit ~
John looked up, surprised.
Il don't know what y0u mean, lac
said.
why, Tex planned his father, "since
you have done playing with Maidie,
[ would like to buy your share in
her, or your right to her. How much
shall | give you for her ,"
How much money do you mean,
papa"
"Yes.n
"Iguess I'll sell her for fifty dollars"
said John, after a few moments re-
Election. "Yes, will-fifty dollars. !"
Every Well that is quite reasona-
ble,n said Mr.. Royal. Nov you
must remember that as I am going
to buy ell your right to Maidie, you
have nothing more to do with her.
You must not kiss her, or speak to
her, or play with her any more. She
is your mammals little girl and mine,
not yours at all. It Is bargain, is
it, John p,
Cant kiss her goodnight, when
we go to bed ?''
mo-
Cant we go out doors together pr
Johns voice began to sound lit
tie unsteady. "Iou know our gar
den, papa"
you VIII have to make another
somewhere else. / will find you a
place. You must not work IN the
same garden any more.n
II shall have to lead her TO school,
papa; she will get lost if / don't,
lust as sure as anything"
81 will attend to that, John You
will have to go 20 school by yourself.
Is the bargain made?"
eyes, sir-I suppose so, ;" and John
east a doubtful glance at Maidie, who
stood close by, with her doll III her
arms, and tears on her long eye
lashes,
every we'll said Mr.. Royal. "When
you want the money, you can ask
me for it. You may go now.n
Il know what | mean to buy"
thought John, running to the other
end of the room, and sitting down in
the broad cushioned window seat.
Hl'll buy pony and a saddle, and a
Il tnl IA III
watch, and a sail boat, and lots of
other things that I've been a-want-
ing ever since | was a little bOy.n
The idea of these splendid acquisi-
tons was so pleasant, that he want
ed to share it with some one, SO he
cried out.
sob, Maidie, you come here, and
I'll tell what Pm going to buy with
my fifty dollars"
stop, stop" cried papa; "have
you forgotten so soon that you have
no right to speak to Maidie? She
doesn't belong To you at all"
y cloud came over Johns face, and
he sat very stillfor Il long time, think
ing, and by and by two or three tears
fell. Maidie and he had played to-
gether ever since he could remember,
such Il long, long time, and she was
the only little sister he had in the
world, 4 real teaZe, sometimes, to be
sure, but thel, how could he get along
without her. lie looked slyly out
from behind The window curtains, to
see what she was doing.
How pretty she looked, sitting in
a high chair beside her father, with
Il book of colored pictures open be-
fore her, and her sunny curls falling
over her rosy cheeks and white neck !!
Wasn't she better than a sail boat, or
Il gold watch, or even a pony? cs,
indeed u thousand million times, -
thought John; "and yet Ive gone
and sold her for fifty dollars, and /
Almost know that papa won't take it
back, 'couse it was a regular bargain.
Oh, dear, dear ~
Here the tears began to flow faster
and faster, and presently choking
little sob attracted Mr.. Royals at
tention. Then another and another,
and then John jumped down from
the window seat, and running to the
desk, hid his face on his fathers arm,
and burst into such u passion OF tears
that Maidie was frightened and be-
gan TO cry too.
"Why, what is the matter, my
sen ?n
"I-I-I-don't wa-want TOTO
sell my right to Maidie," answered
John, as we'll as he could, for weep
ing.
"Why-not for fifty dollars ," ask
cd papa.
ooh, no." said John mo indeed,
not for fifty million. VIZ you let
me have her back again, please,
dear papa? and | don't believe I'll
ever be so naughty and cross as long
as / live
VERY well, said Mr.. Royal, smil-
ing. ''Since you wish it so very
much, / will give up nay bargain,
and you may have your little sister
back again, but / hope you will
think, another time, when you are
tempted to speak to her as you did
to-day, how you would feel not TO
have Maidie at ALL
81 guess / shaIl,n said John, Civ
ing her a good hug and a kiss. II
love you, Maidie"
$50 do l you, " said Maidie, return
ing the carcss. Now let's 20 out in
our garden, John"
So away they ran, hand in hand,
as merry as the birds that We're sing
ing up among the boughs of the old
butternut tree.-FroHl little 4nui
die"
y MARRIAGE When