The Iola register., 1881-09-30

x
Fred, an I've never forgot you. never
Why, Janey. you've allus thought 80
much Of it, you couldn't surely part wi
it now"
Janey's lip ttembled.
81 could for You, mother"
Mrs. Dixon caught her in her arms.
"No, no, my little lass, I can't do
that. Please God. yer father will get
work to-day"
But day after day began in hope to
end only in disappointment. The city
seemed full of men wanting work, and
if there was any hope in the future for
poor John Dixon he never seemed able
to catch up to it, and the present, with
its poverty and sorrow, seemed to shut
him in like q black cloud.
The few articles that could be spared
found theft way to the pawnbroker's,
and Mrs. Dixon, who had got some
washing given her to do had to give it
up, for the baby was taken sick and
moaned and walled dismally whenever.
she put it out of her arms.
"No bread' the house an no money
to buy any. We've come to that, LASS"
groaned John Dixon one day, covering
his face with his hands, while his wife
tried to quiet little Jimmie, who was
begging for something to eat. Janey
slipped out of her chair and crossed the
room slowly to where her father was
sitting, gazing gloomily at the floor.
''Fatherr' she whispered, leaning on
her crutch, and putting the other arm
softly round his neck" Father, will
you take me out awhile' See how
bright the sun shines.''
"Out, Janey?" he said, gently.
Well, lass, get yer bonnet; draggin'
your little cart isn't hard work, but it's
doin' somethin'."
Mrs. Dixon gave Janey grateful
look. Janey, who could always win q
smile from her father, no matter how
vexed and gloomy he was. And he had
been so unlike himself for days now.
that his wife welcomed the thought of
his going out with his little lame
daughter, knowing he would come back
more cheerful.
Father" said Janey, as they left
the door, "do you know why I wanted
to come out?"
"No, lass, mebby cause you wanted
to see the shops, eh?'' and he smiled
kindly at her.
Janey shook her head.
I want to 60 into shop though, for,
father, isten." and the tears started to
her eyes: T" I'm going to buy somethin'
wi my lucky sixpence.'"
John Dixon stopped short.
To buy somethin' wi your lucky
sixpence,' Janey?"
'Ay, father" Janey answered.
bravely. 81 wanted mother to take it
an she wouldn't. so 1 am goin' to do
it myself. It'll get a big loaf, an
mebbe drop O. milk for baby"
John Dixon drew his hand across his
eyes. "Janey, little lass" he began,
huskily, but Janey stopped him. with a
tremulous smile.
can you'll take me to the big shop,
father. what we saw one day, wi all the
little cakes piled up in the winder? I've
alters been wantin' ever so to 90 into it,
an now you see with dreary
at "'cos I've got
somethin' to buy. You'll take me,
father?''
John Dixon nodded, and then they
went on silently, Janey holding her
treasure clasped tightly in one little
thin hand, and furtively wiping away
the fast-falling tears with her faded red
shawl.
Happy children, who have everything
they can desire, may think the loss of
an old sixpence with hole in it, very
little to cry over, but it was Janey's all.
1t had been her plaything from baby
hood, and she was never tired of hear
ing about ''Master Fred" who had
given it to her "jest afore he went to
Meriky." And now she was going to
part with her one treasure! She put
her lips to it softly, and now the tears
came so fast, there was really no use in
wiping them away.
When they reached the "big shop"
of Janey's admiration, however, she
had dried her eyes, and was ready with
a wistful little smile when her father
turned to her.
"Are you sure. Janey, bout this?'
he asked, gravely.
Janey gave decided nod.
"Then 90 in, lass, by YOURSELF" he
said, hoarsely, ''Pll wait outside. l
couldn't abear to see you givin' it for
the victuals amt able to get for ye."
Then he set Janey softly inside and
closed the door.
There was quite crowd of people
round the counters, and Janey
grew very tired standing and leaning
on her crutch awaiting her turn. A
gentleman near noticed the pallor
on the little thin face, and quietly
bring ging a stool, lifted her up on it.
He smiled at her shy, half-frightened
Thank ye. sur" as she gave him a
grateful look.
''What are you waiting for, little
he asked, pleasantly.
"Some bread sur" Janey half whis-
pered. opening her hand and showing
the tightly-he1d coin.
"a 'lucky sixpence!' exclaimed
the stranger, looking curiously at her;
''why, would't spend that if I were
you"
Tears rushed to Janey's eyes.
Il wouldn't neither, sur, only father
can't get any work. I've had it, oh.
ever so long!" she went on, encouraged
by the sympathy she saw in his face,
sever since Master Fred went to 'Mer-