Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-26
PRISSY'S FIRST PARTY.
BY MRS. A. W. CURTIS.

BY MRS. A. W. CURTIS.
Prissy Tompkins was the happiest girl
in the world. She was so happy she
didn't know what to 10 with herself. so
she just danced up and down and laughed
and cried, and would have clapped her
hands only she couldn't, for she had
something in them held ever so tight
which she might lose if she didn't take
care, and that would be the end of all her
joy. What was it? A very old, brown.
soiled bit of currency worth twenty-five
cents, which was her 0ery ooou, to use lust
as she pleased, and she never had even a
cent before in all her life.
This was the way she got it: A rich,
equity old man was walking SLOWLY down
the street when a huge dog came tearing
along and knocked his gold headed. cane
out of his hand. Now almost ANYBODY
else could have picked up his own cane,
and gone on without particle of trouble,
but this old man, rich as he was, could
not stoop at all without the greatest prob
ability of general sprawl over the side
walk, while it would then be impossible
Tor him to get up without help. Prissy
was close by, and she called out, "Wait a
minute, sir, I'll pick up your cane" She
handed it to him with a pleasant smile,
and was running off again, when the old
man cried out, stop! stop! don't be in
such hurry" She came back and he
slipped that twenty-five cent bill into her
hand and said: you're good little girl!
go and buy some candy or doll baby
with that"
PrIssy was so surprised she almost for
got to say thank you," but she did in
good time, for he walked so very slow.
Then she ran home and told her mother
all about it, and her mother said, eyes,
do Just what you please with it." Now
Prissy's mother was a widow, and she
supported herself and child by washing
and doing all sorts of odd jobs for people,
and it was just all she could do to pay the
rent and keep themselves in the plainest
clothes. Bread, potatoes and tea was
their usual bill of fare, sometimes varied
by q bit OF meat or butter, so it is not
strange that Prissy thought herself the
most fortunate child in the world to have
so much money for her own. As soon as
she quoted down enough to sit still, she
spread the precious scrip on her knee,
and began to think what she would do
with it. She thought first she would buy
doll, for she never had one in her life
except rag baby which her mother
made for her long ago, and it was dread
full looking thing. Then she thought she
would like an orange, and some candy,
and some raisins, and then she thought of
hundred things she had seen in the shop
windows which she would like very much
But the more she thought the more per-
picked she grew, until all of sudden she
sprang and ran to her mother with a
shining face,
"Ah! mamma, know. I know what
I'll do. I'll have party"
GA party, child? What could you get
for party with twenty-five cents ?"
"Why, mamma, l can get ever so much.
| don't want a big party, only Della Roy,
Molly and Matty Gray, and poor little
Jamie; that's four, and l would be five"
80 yes, | see, you could have quite
little treat for FIVE Well, suit yourself,
dear; I'll help you all can"
Thereupon Prissy fell upon her moth
er's neck and Rugged and kissed her until
she cried for mercy, and then sat down
again to make arrangements for her first
party.
"Well, mamma, l must have bread and
butter, of course
eyes, and 1 will furnish those, else I
fear you would not have much left for
goddess
"Will you? OH you are the best
mamma in the world. When can [ have
the party?"
Tomorrow afternoon, if you like"
"Then I'll 90 this minute and invite
them"
Prissy tied on her sun-bonnet and ran
down the miserable old stairs and hunted
up her little friends. She told them of
her wonderful good fortune, and what
she was going to do with her money, and
they were almost as happy as she was
over the prospect of real party.
"Now, come early, so we'll have time
for lots of fun"
eyes, indeed, We'll be there right ear
ly," was the response. The next few
hours until bedtime were full of anxious
thoughts how to make the most Of that
money. Finally she concluded to wait
and see what Mr.. Brown had before she
settled the matter.
Bright and early the next morning she
went to the store and peered anxiously
over his stock of goods.
We'll, dear" said good-natured Mr..
Brown, ''what shall l do for you this morn
ing?"
I'm going to have party to-day, and
I've got twenty-five cents to spend"
ga party? Whew! that will be fine!
How many have you invited to your
party?"
"0nly four, and I'll be five, and
mothers going to find the bread and but
ter"
Eyes, yes, 1 see, and you are going to
provide the goodies. Well, what will you
haver
wish I could just tellyou what time
Prissy had making up her mind. 1t was
early, so Mr. Brown was in no hurry, and
it was full half hour before she had
completed her purchases, and the pre-
| cious bit of money was transferred from
h warm, moist little palm to his money
drawer Mr.. Brown had to help her to
contrive it out after all, and she went
home greatly pleased with her bargains.
She bought two oranges, five sticks of
candy, six cunning little patty cakes,
twelve ginger-snaps, and bit of cheese,
which, with plenty of good bread and
butter, would make fine feast for her lit
tie party.
Mrs. Tompkins finished her washing
! T.. Al.