Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-03-19

:" a regular little steam englne, Beck
used to say, when that brisk little person
aforesaid got up some new scheme Tor
adding to the family purse.
We made cunning and curious con-
trivances for comfort and convenience,
frightened the walls with autumn leaves
and dried ferns, made wonderful lounges
out of pine boards and calico, and filled
our windows with imprOyised t1ower-pots
and vases full of thriving plants.
If only we could have depended with
little more certainty upon the providence
that makes tO-mOTOws as this day, only
more abundant, we should never have
spoken repining word.
Well" said little Beck, one day, 81
suppose |, or some of us, must carry that
sack home" and she held up little gar
ment beautifully embroidered. "There
it is. Debbv, done; and you're the only
one that's got decent waterproof, so
CO."
Debby inspected the sack and declared
it the prettiest that ever was made.
owe been longing for breath of fresh
air." she said, {" and it's so pleasant out;
besides, to-morrow's New Years Day. |
want to see the shop windows"
So Debby went and soon returned with
the money paid her for the sack.
Only little Becky's sharp eyes could
have noticed the flushed, preoccupied
look of our eldest sister.
"How far did Dick Nudge come with
your" asked the sly little puss.
Beck, what a torment you are"
snapped Debby, with sparkling eyes.
Well, tell me, anyhow" pleaded little
Beck
CAS- far as the corner. then, if youmust
know"
"Deb, why don't you show proper
pride?" cried Beck, almost angrily
You're not bit like me. Do you know
how [ would treat him, or any of that
family? With lofty disdain, thus" and
the small creature lifted herself on tiptoe
and tried to look down upon Debby, who,
being head and half taller, uncOmpro-
misingly refused to be OvertOpped.
/ had an object in view," said Debby,
with dignity. Don't you remember that
missing number of the SpectGtOr?" she
asked, folding her waterproof carefully
away.
Yes, [ remembered how often | had
wished for it to complete the set. My
father had mourned its loss because the
books were unique in binding and print
ing, being an old London edition.
"Oh, you merely wanted to ask" said
little Beck, provOkingly.
"That was all. Some time ago he
promised me he would look for it. To-day
he tells me it is found among some rub
bish in the garnet. He said he would
send it up tomorrow"
"Pray, why couldn't he have given it
to you to-day?"
Z didn't ask" said Debby, dryly.
Maybe he'll bring it here HIMSELF"
said little Beck.
Maybe he will, ;" Debby responded.
The next day came, cold but splendid
We were not so poor but that we could
make our little gifts to each other.
It was ten o'clock when a carriage
drove up to the door, and Mr.. Mudge's
| footman, as little Beck called him, left a
package for Miss Barton Of course it
was for Debby, and she laughed at our
eagerness as she united the cords.
A little note laid on the outside of the
cover. She read it. might as we'll give
the contents here:
! Miss DEBBY-I return this long-lost volume
| with great pleasure, and should like you to
find page 100, and read passage that l have
marked
! Debby opened the book, started to her
feet, read something and turned as white
as ashes. The book fell from her nerve
less hand, and q yelloWed paper foated
| out and laid at Aunt Annice's feet.
Girls!' shouted little Beck, picking it
up and facing us with scared look, sits
the receipt! It's the lOng-lost receipt!
What do you say to that for New Years
present? That splendid Dick! He found
the book, and saw the receipt, and sent it
here"
Tears were running down her cheeks;
| indeed, we all cried a little. Yes, there
| it was, boldly signed by the hand of Grand
father Nudge. The money had probably
been paid when the note was down town
| in the store safe, and not convenient at
the time to get, so receipt had been
| given for the money, with the understand
ing that the note should be returned
when Grandfather Nudge felt able to go
down town to get it-and he was apo
| plectic and died suddenly.
Our grandfather was an honest, easy
sort of man, and supposing the matter
settled thought but little more about it
until he was taken sick a month or two
after-and then he referred to the pay
ment of the debt only in general way.
He had put the receipt away in the vol
ume of the Spectator, it seems, and then
had forgotten to speak about it.
| Well, was not that joyous New
Year! l don't think we shall ever see
quite such another Of course the
Mudges gave up their claim, and another
/, New Years saw as in the glory of full
| possession.
Little Beck always speaks of Dick as
the most glorious fellow in the world, but
| she wishes his name wasn't MudUe: and
Aunt Annice, deprived of her daily grum-
BILE, and surrounded by every comfort,
sits and knits, and knits and mods, and
wonders how Father Barton could have
been so careless with that receipt
Youths CompGGi0R.