The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-07-21
A STORY, FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS

I wish father hadn't given us each O
whole dollar, and said he hoped we'd
spend it in some way that we would be
glad to think of the rest of our lives"
eyes, but, don't you see, he said il
was the birthday of the United States,
aud they"
"H-the United States is all one"
"Oh my! you needn't be so particu-
lar. Father and mother are one, and we
talk about them. But what makes you
interrupt fellow9 It's the United
States one-hundredth birthday, and /
think we ought to do something splendid.
A whole dollar apiece Why, don't you
remember, last Fourth you had 20
cents because you were Ii, and
1 only 10, as was IL. What do you
say to our buying one dollars worth of
works and dollars worth of ice
cream-have enough for once-and in
viting the girls ane father and mother to
q Centennial celebration in our shop 2"
Tom brought out the last clause of his
sentence with emphasis, casting an adj
miring glance around the "shop." 1t
was a place any boys and most girls
would have delighted ia room over
the wagon-house the walls papered from
ceiling to floor with prints cut from the
illustrated papers an old cooking stove
at one end, which, though not used in
July, figured largely in any fun during
the winter, a work bench, a lot of tools,
which might have been in better order,
a couple of dolls, and shelf full of
books, with few Old chairs, made up
the furniture-all but one article, which
L.-b1xv cd NV 10th hove
and girls in the Hayward family that it
must have sentence by itself.
This was a very queer-looking old
book case or cabinet. 1t had shelves
above, while underneath were drawers
of different sizes, and above all secret
drawer, which the children took week
about to hide their special treasures in.
But we must hear what Ned has to say
as to Toms grand Centennial celebra-
ton:
"That might do for you alone, Tom,
but I'm no child to spend q dollar that
way. Besides, you know, father hopes
we will not have fireworks, and l am
sure we'd please him by doing some.
thing this Fourth that would keep.
Now let's think :" and dear, sober, ear
EcSU NtQ Sal Hlu1Stn uOWH Ou tHt ellRt
of a rickety chair, determined 10 find
something good, yet grand, to do. But,
after all, it was happy go-lucky Tom that
hit upon the thing that was to bring
glory to their Fourth.
While his brother sat thinking, Tom
went to the old book case, and as it was
his "week," opened the secret drawer,
took out the two bright silver 50-cent
pieces he had put there the night before,
and, at sudden thought, exclaimed,
81 say, old fellow, let's polish and
clean up the dear old bookcase, and
give it to father aud mother for Cen
tennial present"
1t was Just like impulsive, generous
Tom, but Ned had to think while !;
and though he could not help feeling it
would give his mother great pleasure, as
he had heard her say that "she wished
now she hadn't given that old cabinet to
the children, or she would have it pol
ished and put in the sitting room," yet
still he could not bear to give it up.
Why, it was the only perfect piece of
furniture in their room and Ned felt
the deplorable state of their chairs as
never before. Besides-and the thought
brought relief-the girls had share in
the book case, and they wouldn't do it.
Tom stood impatient for his answer, and
at last Ned said. slowly,
"Yes, it's a good idea but, you see,
we really need the bookcase. And
there are the girls; why, Minnie has the
lowest shelf for her baby-house, and
Anna keeps all her letters, scraps of
,,nnfYxy o1n1 xrhot in, hos. I,o
"Oh, 50 long as you're willing, I'll
bet on the girls. III run right in, and
We'll have meeting about our Cen
tennial."
In about five minutes, during which
Ned has been finding more reasons why
he can't bear to give up the bookcase,
and yet feels bothered by secret feel
ing that he ought to do what he can to
give the dear mother pleasure, Tom
brings Minnie in, and says Anna will
come in moment. Minnie is impressed
by Tom with the great need there is of
doing something grand for the Fourth,
and Tom has just worked her up to the
necessary pitch of enthusiasm, when
Anna chambers up the ladder steps into
the "shop."
NOW, AuDd, see mere, we boys are
willing to give father and mother the
bookcase on the Fourth, If you and Min
ME will give up your share in it. You
won't have to spend any money-why,
come to think of it, we can have the ice
cream still. You girls have money for
the Fourth, too"
Anna looked stunned, while Ned could
not help smiling at Minnie's frightening
face as Tom proposed giving away her
beloved dolls house SO he tried to ex.
plain:
"Now, see here, let me tell you all
about it. You see, girls, we ought to do
something nice for this Fourth-some
thing that will be pleasure to remem-
Der, as father said last night ; and sup
pose if we give up what we really care
for, to father and mother" Ned is get
ting into the spirit of the thing as he
speechifes), we will be showing some.
thing like the self-denial that father SAYS
was such fine trait in the men, women,
and even children of 1776. About the
expense, If you girls will give us rs
cents between you, we can get
shellac, varnish, and oil and 1 guess,
with Jacks help" "a carpenter near nj