Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-04-27
POlly's First Half-DOlIar.

81 never had a whole half-dolar in my
life suppose 1t is because grandma is so
dreGm poor, and hain't got any father and
mother only Just her."
Polly, the six-years old miss who made
this remark, was quite Mortified at seeing
Agnes Bond toss up four-bit piece on her
way to the store.
al know your grandma is poor, but like
you all the same" and the affectionate girl
put her arms lovingly around the forsaken-
looking girl.
"What be you going to do with all that
money, Aggie2"
"Oh, l don't know vet. Buy walnuts,
perhaps. or oranges. What would you do
with it Polly, If it was yours ?"
I'D buy grandma new dress, and some
new shoes, and some flour, and some butter,
and some candy, and some"
"Stop, Polly, you could not buy SO many
things You might get some butter, or the
candy, but dresses cost lots of money. You
sit right still on the grass until get back"
Aggie ran home as fast as she could 60,
and soon returned in happy state of ex-
citement, and all out of breath.
"Here, Polly ma says you may have my
half-dollar, and buy what you please"
ooh myl" cried Polly, in great glee. "Let
me kiss you, and I'll go and buy my things
before grandma comes. She's up to Miss
Holley's cleaning up the house, and guess
she'll be surprised"
The little friends parted very happy, Ag-
gle for home without walnuts, and the young
financier to the store, her head filed with
shoes, dresses and groceries. She tip-toed
to look over the counter in Mr.. Jones' store,
and found that gentleman sitting at his
desk.
"What will my little girl have to-day 2"
he asked, tenderly thinking Of his own dar-
ling, who but a month ago had closed her
blue eyes, never to awaken.
81 want grandma a dress, because she is
so awful ragged, and some shoes, so she can
go to church, and some molasses"
GLOW much money have you, my dear :"
'Tve got whole haf.dollar that Aggie
Bond gave me-"
"Aggie Bond is precious child" said
Mr.. Jones, recalling the sweet flowers she
had so often sent to his sick Maggie.
"When will you get my things ?" said
Polly, tired of standing so long on her tip
toes.
Mr.. Jones thought the matter over. "a
dress and shoes-the original cost could be
but three dollars and half. He that Civ.
eth to the poor lendeth to the Lord I'm
afraid haven't lent to the Lord as much as
ought"
IN wait on you in Just one minute, Polly.
Come right around here and pick out
grandma dress yourself Anything in this
pile" said he, touching lot of ginghams
| as he passed.
"I'll buy this" and she laid her hand on
the only piece she could reach.
After tying up bundle of gingham and
shoes, and making strong loop of Irvine to
carry it by, he put the half.dollar in his
pocket and Polly laughed with Joy as she
turned to go.
The trader thought of his own little
daughter again.
Look here, Polly, I've made a mistake ;
forgot to give you the change"
81 forgot too" said Polly and she turned
back to receive from Mr.. Jones two half
dollars. Are We all square now?" asked
Polly.
al think we are. Why didn't you buy
something for yourself with your money p"
"Why, just forgot myself. And don't
know as | want anything"
Polly's grandmother could not under
stand what it all meant, as she examined
her nice presents and the two half-dollars.
"Aggie gave me the half-dollar and bought
the dress and shoes, and had this left"
But this is more than you had at first"
~ iooheu NUS mysterious 10 ROXY, out
she concluded it was because he did not give
her the flour, and butter, and moasses.
1t was made clear to the grateful woman
when Mr.. and Mrs Jones called that even
ing with dresses, aprons and shoes that their
little girl had worn, and gave them to Polly.
She clapped her hands for joy.
Everybody is dre6a good to me, and III
trade with Mr. Jones every time go to buy
things. He never cheats one bit."-Selected.