The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-03-09
THE CHILDREN'S INVESTMENT.

NaSNIV put uOWu tNC UiSShCt ulCy Au>t
been carrying, carefully righted its con-
and then, seating herself upon the dry
grass by the roadside, she leaned her ell
bows upon her lap and settled her round
chin between pair of small brown hands,
resting and Watching while her brother
removed the offending stone. 1t was no
wonder the pebbles got in when there was
such wide door left open for them in
the poor worn shoe, and a whole row of
little bare toes looking out, as if to give
an invitation.
"And when l get this one out there'll
another get in pretty sOon-cver so many
others-and I'll Just have to take 'em out
all the time,' pursued Bob, growing still
more Responding at the prospect. " | wish
l had whole new shoes. 'Tain't nice to
Re SO poor"
mo" said Maggie, refectively; "not
so dretful poor. It'll be worse when
winter comes, cause then the cold can
get in your shoes as wei! as the stones.
DO you guess you'll have new pair by
then.'
"S'pose so-mcbby; but then something
clse'll be worn out 1t always isl
Il wish,' said Maggie, slowly, "that
VIC could find some money right while
we're walking along-enough to buy you
some new shoes, and a nice warm shawl
for Grandma to wear while she sits by the
window and sews. Aunt Prissy has to
take the gray one when she goes out to
carry home the work; and the other old
one is SO thin. l just do wish We could
find some"
"We'u better be careful we don't lose
some,' said Bob, growing practical.
Have you got it Maggie:"
damned clear down in my pocket,
tight as can be-" replied Maggie, after a
moments examination.
1t was very small sum that the little
pocket held, part payment for the basket
of eggs Aunt Prissy had sent to the store.
The remainder of the price was in the pa
per parcels. The children took up the
basket again, carrying it between them,
end uudged on down the sandy road.
Aunt Prissy had particularly charged
them to look carefully up and down the
track before they ventured to cross the
vailroad so the bright eyes under the old
hatand under the faded sunbonnet discov-
cred, at the same instant, something un-
usual at the station. A crowd had col
lccted, and, as they drew nearer, barred
their way. Just then train of cars came
up and stopped, amid great burst of
cheering.
"Oh! l know what it isl" exclaimed
Bob. 1.-The Governor! Some man in
the store said he would pass through here
today
A pleasant-faced gentleman came out
on the platform, and, acknowledging
the greeting he had received, began to
speak.
whats he talking so long for?" ques-
toned Maggie, presently. us he max
ing speech?'
"Hush!" responded Bob. "He just
said he could tell them the cause OF the
hard times; and l want to hear, cause
ours are awful hard. Let's listen"
So the two children pressed to the edge
of the crowd and stood solemnly still,
catching an occasional glimpse of the
great man through the swaying figures
before them, but hearing only few dis
connected words, and those not very in
telligible about "specie,"
treasury" currency" and "redeema
ble." Then the engine whistled, the Gov
ernor withdrew, and as the cars sped
away the crowd dispersed.
Il couldn't tell anything about it,
after ALL" said Bob, in disappointment
"Only the folks seemed to like it, by the
fuss they made. wish we could have
heard"
There's Mr.. jerry suggested Mag.
gle, pointing to figure little in advance
of them. II 'spect he could tell us all
about it,"
MIR. jerry" as Maggie politely called
him, was "Old Jerry Parker" to every
body elsa man who sold vegetables,
and delighted in displaying his opinions
olnnd yxStl, hiS foa onA col Nhor ~
particularly sensible, but greatly admir-.
Ing his own wisdom. He was climbing
INTO his wagon when the children reached
him.
Mr.. Jerry, please, what's currency?''
asked Bob, almost breathless from his eff.
forts to reach the wagon before it drove
away.
"Currency? So you've been a-listenin'
to the speech, have you? 2" observed Jerry
"Well. twas tol'able good one-tol'a-
BILE; though there's some p'ints where Inc
an the Gown differ. low he means
right; but he ant just posted on some
things. Currency? Why, see here"
Jerry drew a fifteen-cent piece from his
pocket and began to wax warm. THAT'S
currency-mis'a able paper money, tina,
we have to take cause we can't do nc
better"
"Oh! it's mtnoy? But about the Treas
ury, and redecming it, ana all that?" pur-
sed Bob.
"Eh. Oh! you've got some that's used
up pretty bad, have you? OF course, that's
what happens with such stuff. Well, it's
this way. fyou save the pieces of the
rag money an send 'em on to the Treasu.
~ they'll send you lot more of the same
kind OF paper-rag money. An pretty
Thank you, sir" said Bob, rattle,
blankly.
Welcome, boy. You're welcome
and Jerry drove grandly ON, while Boil
looked dejectedly after him. : q
II don't see how that will make hare
times any easier" he said, "and / dom
know what he meant, anyhow"
ooh! do" cried Maggie, with dane
ing eyes. II do, just as plain as any
thing! Hesaid that was paper-rag money
don't know why he didn't like it.
should think it was just as good as money
for squashes and apples. Aunt Prissy
saves lots of papcr-rags from all the sew.
ing she does for folks; don't you know
And he said if we sent any paper-rae
money to the Treasury they'd send back q
lot more money for it."
% ue uIu! Sdlu DOD, WIN DT1gnt6n.
ing face. DO you s'pose that's what hi
meant? Must have been, for he did truly
say so, didn't he! Wen tell Aunt Prissy
about it.'' E&E5h
Mot just at first, Bob; not for little
WHILE" pleaded Maggie. "'Cause he,
biz rag-bag won't be full for ever sc
long, and it would be so nice to s'prist
her and grandma. There's lots ofragl
we can find in the roads and alleys and
places, and Well do the first all our
selves''
Yes. we will, "agrecd Bob, captivated
at once by SO grand an undertaking.
Well pick 'em up and sell 'em, and
write the letter to the Treasury folks al
by our two selves. Nobody shall know