The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-01-01
NEW.YEAR'S CALLS.

Lucy LdrcOn,, in st. Nicholas.
NEw.YEAR's CALLS.
SAY, Phil, are you going to make
calls with your father tomorrow? I'm
not; think it is real stupid to sit bolt
upright in a chair, be on your best be-
havior, be told hoU you've grown
and hear all the girls giggling at you."
do with my hands and feet, and get
awfully red in the face, worse than
wanted q piece of cake at Mrs. Sea-
mans house, jolly kind with frosting.
you know, and just because saw that
youngest Seaman girl giggling and
whispering to her sister, was ashamed
to take it, and I didn't. l say, don't
let's 60 with them tomorrow.
"All right, Phil, we'll take walk
by ourselves and get through the day
somehow. My father gave me fifty
cents this morning for tomorrow. He
always gives me some money for New
Year, you know, beside five dollars for
the bank Christmas.
"Tve got about that, too," said Phil,
and we can have treat for ourselves
while we are walking tomorrow, l
s'pose. III meet you at your house by
ten Clock
"All right. Good-by, old chap"
and the boys separated, whistling and
Fastening each toward his own home.
Philip Howard and Charlie Grey we're
manly, bright little fellows of thirteen.
Both truthful, obedient, full of fun and
frolic as any boys of their age, and they
were inseparab1e companions.
Phil was near home when he met a
little beggar girl bitterly crying, and
wiping her eyes on the corner Of the
ragged shawl which served also as
covering for her head.
In answer to Pills inquiries she
sobbed out, "a man give me some
flowers he was goin' to fling out of
vase, and sassy boy who lives in our
alley grabbed 'em right out of my
hands, and now l amt got none for
New Year's-boo hoo!r'
Phil was sorry for the poor little
thing, and gave her a penny which was
in his vest pocket, while he asked,
"Do you like flowers, little girl?"
course I do was the reply. "Poor
folks likes pretty things same as rich
people, only sce amt got EN-"
She turned away with a lighter heart,
because of the penny Phil gave her,
and the little boy, who had suddenly
caught at new idea, hurried back to-
ward Charles house again.
The little fellows held private con-
fab in the vestibule of the front door,
and when they parted a second time,
Charlie called out, "We won't say any
thing about it, Phil, because fellow
hates to be laughed at, you know, and
we can get the flowers easy enough.
I'll do my part, you'll see!' and the
answer came back, "All right! won't
it be jolly lark, though?''
Twenty minutes later, Philip walked
into the shop of Mr.. Brown. "Seeds-
man and Florist" on Broadway, and
inquired, care you short of errand
boys, Mr.. Brown, this busy season."
"Yes, I've got lot of orders, and
not half enough hands to carry them"
"That's jolly" said Phil, gleefully.
"See here Mr.. Brown, don't you tell,
but want a few flowers tomorrow for
myself. Not your choicest kind, but
just the common sort that smell sweet
and will make pretty little punches, you
know. And-and-yOu see, can't buy
as many as / want, SO I'll give you fifty
cents down, and carry some of your
orders, if you'll give me the rest to pay
for my trouble. l only want enough
for a small basketful. you know"
THAT'S fair and square. But what
under the sun do you want with flow
ers, when your mother ordered SO
manyP''
"That's ny secret" laughed the boy;
land now, as there's lots of time be-
fore dark, let me begin my work. Who
shall take this basket TOP" lifting one
handsomely filled near him.
The direction was given, and Phil
started off.
At ten o'clock the next morning the
boys met at gate of a small park near
Charles home, and gayly exhibited
their baskets wherein, nestled among
green leaves, were blossoms pretty and
fragrant enough to please and gladden.
any heart.
Each described how he had managed
to get his treasures, and agreed it a
much better way of parting with their
pocket money than if it had gone in
exchange for nuts and candies.
Thus it happened that while the more
fashionable streets of the city were gay
with callers, and carriages, and gor-
geous dress, our two little boys started
on a round of calls which might be
called a "flower MISSION" and in and
out of humble dwellings, and the homes
of poverty, their bright healthy faces
were seen, while shyly and bashfully, to
be sure, but with always kind word,
they dealt out generously their fragrant
gifts, with wishes for "a Happy New
Year." and unconsciously 1ightened
their own young hearts and eyes in
their efforts to make sunshine for
others.
Poor folks likes pretty things."
The words of the little beggar girl kept
ringing in Pills heart aud ears, and he
and Charlie were two very happy little
fellows, as, after they had emptied their
baskets. they came out upon the broad,
pleasant street fronting the park again.
Such new, sweet lessons of charity
and the blessedness of doing good
they had learned on this glad New
Years morning!
II say, Phi" said Charlie, his blue
eyes sparkling, and his face rosy with
excitement, II never knew before what
jolly fun it is to give things; it makes
you have nice feeling. specially when
you know you don't stand any chance
of getting anything back, you know"
"That's So" said Phil; "its forty
times nicer than when we get things,
;sn,t itp I sav- Charlie. let's do this