River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-02-07

Lille n nice watch and chain. The
boys all thought that they had made an
excellent bargain but Lille and Fred,
the youngest and wisest of them all,
were not content to rest here.
" If we take ali the care of the
Guinea pigs, papa, may we have the
money they bring ia 2" they asked.
''Yes, said Mr.. Cunningham, ssbut
I'm afraid it won't amount to much.
Little did he know Of the foresight
of those twol
The Guinea pigs lived upon the barn
floor, and though the great doors stood
usually open, the little creatures never
ran out.
Even if you took them in your hands
aud, carrying them out, placed them
gently upon the grass, back they would
scamper as fast as their little legs could
go, and gaining the sheltering fold of
the great barn, would turn and look at
YOU, crying . Qu-week qu-week! We
know best"
They were little trouble and no ex-
pense, for, with plenty of fresh grass
and clover, they almost picked up their
living off the barn floor; and in the
winter, when grass and clover were not
procurabie, they ate bread and milk,
grains and vegetables.
They had warm nests in snug little
houses, all along one side of the barn,
and in every house, now and then,
Lille and Fred would find:a nest full
of little ones. Before long there were
twenty pairs for sale.
Harry went to town, and, hunting up
naturalist's store, asked what the
keeper would allow for the little pets.
Sevety-fve cents a pair, he said, if they
would sell only to him. So The next
day Harry took the little pigs to town
in basket, and brought home fifteen
dollars to the children.
{" Put the money In the bank for us,
please papa, they said. "We're GO
ing to save it up, and by and by per-
haps we can buy something that we
want with it."
So Mr.. Cunningham made a deposit
in the savings-bank for them, and be-
fore long another and another, for the
Guinea pigs were such pretty little pets
that everybody wanted them, and they
sold rapidly that Lille and Fred had
quite flourlshing bank account.
OF course it required patience and
perseverance to look after them and
feed them regularly; but the children
were patient and persevered, and the
little Guinea pigs never went hungry.
Their plump, tailless bodies were sleek
and shining, and their little black eyes
glowed like bright Goals, and whenever
the children entered the barnt they were
greeted with chorus of "Qu-week-
week-week as their little pets
scampered up to be fed.
"What do Lille and Freddy mean
to do with their money!" asked Aunt
Carrie one day. "Do you think it
good plan, Charles, to let them hoard
itup SOL"
"They have an object in view," said
Mr.. Cunningham, with a smile. "They1
know what they are about"
But won't it teach them to be mi
serly?"
:" No, 1 think not. They do not
save the money for its own sake,
and, meanwhile, they are learning
something of its own value"
"But what can they mean to do with
it2 They have been saving it up for
nearly three years, haven't they?"
eyes, about that.
"And what will they do with it
"You viii know before long," said
Mr.. Cunningham, smiling again.
They want to surprise their friends.
"Well," said Aunt Carrie, greatly
mystifed, "when shall know the Sc
cret 2"
"Tn few days, think, Mr.. Gun.
ningham replied.
Not long after this conversation
and Lille went to school in such
state of excitement that to this day
don't believe she can remember wheth-
er she failed in her lesson, or not; for
the "Guinea-pig money" had been
drawn from the bank, and the mysteri
Gus purchase was to be made. Mr..
Cunningham took Fred to a great sale
stable in the city, Where he inquired
for Mr.. Coleman.
Ct want my boy to see the gray
pony about which | spoke to you a few
days SINCE" said he.
I" Yes, sir" replied Mr.. Coleman.
"How do You do, young manl Are
you thinking of buying a horse9"
eyes, SIR" said Fred, glancing
shyly at his father and reddening with
pleasure.
you'll be sure to like the gray
pony" continued Mr. Coleman. "She
is famous little horse. Brown, tell
them to bring up the gray pony"
Brown disappeared, and presently
somebody led the the horse around.
Fred looked at her breathlessly.
He thought that there never was such
perfect horse, so pretty and small,
and with such bright, mild eyes, small
feet, and long, wavy name and tail.
eve call her Gypsy, said Mr.. Cole.
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