Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-09-17


it was all Strengthened out; but 1t need
ed good deal of Strengthening, for it
was partly printed, partly written, and
very couriously spelled. But the two
children looked at it with great admira-
ton when it was placed in an envelope
and directed to the Governor of I'LL
noise"
"What if it should get lost somewhere
and never get to him?" questioned Bob,
in burst of anxiety.
Maggie's face clOuded for a moment,
then Frightened.
"GOd can take care Of it. He knows
how much grandma needs shawl and
you some Shoes"
Sand how you haven't any warm stock
ings," added Bob, glancing down at the
little bare ankles.
"Yes, He knows, I'm just sure he cares,
and we can ask him every night to make
the letter go straight"
1t was stamped and dropped into the
pOstOffice when no one saw. And then
how long the time seemed before an an
swer could possibly come to them
"NOt for four days." said Bob. The
four days ended at last, and then they be-
gan to visit the pOst-Office and inquire
anXiOusly for letter; but five, six, days
and whole week besides went by be-
fore any answer came. 1t would take too
long to tell all that happened to their
letter-hOw one saw it and smiled, and
another read it and laughed, and il really
reached the governor himself; and how
some of his friends laughed at him for
the effect his great speech had wrought.
But there were kind hearts among them
all. and one after another contributed
something; so when Bob and Maggie
really got letter they found in It a
crisp new twenty-dOllar bill.
"0h! it's the splendidest, splendidest,
splendidest thing that ever happenedp'
cried Maggie. with her hands clasped for
thankfulness, while she jumped up and
down for joy. And Bob only Rugged the
money speechlessly. They could not
read the letter very well, but they carried
that and their treasure to Aunt Prissy;
and how she did laugh and cry as they
told her the whole story. | think the
one who wrote the letter must have had
little boy and girl of his own, it was so
very kind.
"Dear Children,-The one who told you alb
out the paper-rag' money could not have I'M
derstOOd you, or else you did not understand
him, for you have made a mistake. But 1
think your aunt can explain that to you when
you show her this. However, the governor is
very glad that you wanted to hear his speech,
and he thinks that two little children who are
so kind and industrious now will make good
citizens by and by. So he and one or two of
his friends send you $40, hoping it may buy
the shawl and shoes and that you will greatly
enjoy them"
"But l don't see any mistake about it.
What did Mr.. Jerry mean?" asked Bob,
when Aunt Prissy stopped reading.
81 can hardly tell, dear. l suppose he
must have thought that you had some
torn bills that were useless, or some
thing of that kind. The treasury depart
ment gives new ones in place of such
when they are sent back-nOt more
money, but new bills. He called it rag
money and odd paper money because he
likes gold and silver better, fancy" she
answered.. "Then we can't make any
more that way" said Bob. "But, any
way, 500 is more than ever thought we'd
get. Won't it buy us nice things,
thought"
1t did buy shoes, shawl, warm stock
ings, and more comfortable articles be-
sides; and Bob and Maggie sent back
letter of thanks, just as nicely written as
they could do it, Aunt Prissy to help
them.
"We asked God to take care of our rag
money; and 50, if we did make mistake,
he didn't let it hurt" said Maggie, trust
fully.