Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-03-12

shabby. Her words aud toiio were
ungracious enough, but she tried to
smile as she met her little brothers
questioning gaze.
"You shall have your shoes, john
ny; remember that u
| So the little fellow trudged on,
we'll pleased. Arriving at tho tailOr's
he exchanged his bundle for another
nearly as large, received the money,
and was off. He was man Of bnsi-
ness, was johnny, and never let the
grass grow under his feet. The bot
tie was filed, and Jacks boots paid
for; but how to carry thenf all was
u puzzling question until tho ingeni-
ous shoemaker suggested putting the
bottle into one OF the boots, which
was done.
Jack laughed heartily IS the COM
icul little figure staggered in with its
load. Johnny joined in the merri-
ment, as he caught glimpse Of him
self in the small lookins-slass, but
Susan's face was very sober.
"You look like a beast of burden"
said she. "Staud still aud let me un-
load you"
The '.bcast'' seemed disposed to
cut up few antics, but he thought
of the camphor-boltlc and his worn
shoes, and restrained himscli. He
submitted patiently to the unloading,
then stretched himself out upon the
floor.
Johnny" cried the feeble voice
again.
Eyes, MOTHER he answered quick
ly, starting up.
"Couldn't you battle my head
awhile, rs Susan used to? She never
gets time now"
He ran down stairs for some cool
water, then lie folded the cloth as he
had often seen his sister do, and for
half an hour he sat perched upon
corner of the bed (such u little, lit
tic cornerD passing his thin fingers
over the white temple and faded hair.
At last the tired eyes closed. She
was asleep, and lie crept softly down
and went into the sitting-room,
where Susan stood, looking anxious
and perplcxed.
ado you know where Jack is ?'
johnny shook his head.
"Mr. Blake has forgotten us to-
day. We haven't thing in the
house for dinner"
"Shall rrun over to Townscnd's 2"
"Yes, if you will, Johnny. I late
to ask YOU"
She gave him his GRAND, smiling a
little sadly, as she took the money
from her purse.
"Your shoes are in here yet,
JOHNNY"
He laughed gaily. "They'll be on
my feet tomorrow, wont they
Susan?"
She stopped and kissed him. She
watched him from The window until
he was ont of sight. She stood there
very quietly, waiting until he reap
peared with the ever present bundle
(not a large one this time. alas y in
his hand. She looked so very grave
as she opened the door, that Johnny
was almost frightened.
"What are you thinking of, Susan?"
"Fm thinking how good you are
and how hard you work for us all.
Next week you must go to school,
johnny. We must manage it some
how"
"What will mother do?"
"Poor mother! Perhaps she'll be
BETTER" replied Susan, evasiveiy,
resolved to carry her point at all
hazards.
The errands seemed numbcrless
that afternoon, and never were John
ny's poor little feet III greater rcqui-
sition. Hc found time, however, to
take his old slate from the shelf
where it had lain neglected so long,
and almost got an answer to the
long example in addition which
Susan had "set him.
Supper was over at last, but not
until the dishes were washed and put
away could the brother and sister
start upon their shopping expedition.
johnny was as happy as a king, and
frisked about like d young monkey,
until suddenly brought to q stand
still by the troublesome sole.
Take care" cried Susan. "You're
as bad Us Lizzie Lambert's baby.
Hadn't you better take hold of my
hand, Sonny ?'
81 guess so! Gronically,) and off he
started upon the run. 1t was q very
lame, one-sided rGn, however, and
tfe stopped at the first corner, and
waited for Susan to catch up.
The shoe-stOre was reached and the
purchase made. They were coarse,
thick shoes, holnely enough-but the
best that the poor girls half-exhaust-
ed purse would allow. In Johnuy's
eyes, however, they were beautiful.
They fitted to cllarl1-aud he put
out his newly shod feet triunphanLly.
"Can anything be done with
thcse?" asked Susan kesitatingly,
holding up the old ones.
"No, they aren't worth it. The
leather was poor in the first place.
It's always cheapest to buy good
SHOE"
"Of course it is if you have the
money!" said she with G sigh. "Come
johnny. Why, what are you doing?"
us she saw the little fellow take of
his new shoes, and wipe them care
fully with his bit ora handkerchief.
"Put them right on again. We're
going now"
"Oh-Susan! In this mud? Can't
Iwear my old ones?'