Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-09-17
FAITH IN PAPER MONE Y,
BY KATE W. HAMILTON.

From the n. Y. Independent of 1878.
Snow there's another pebble in my
shoe, said Bob, disconsolately. stop,
Maggie, till get it out"
Maggie put down the basket they had
been carrying, carefully righted its con-
tents-few small parcels in brown paper
and then, seating herself upon the dry
grass by the roadside, she leaned her
elbows upon her lap and settled her
round chin between pair OF small brown
hands, resting and watching while her
brother removed the offending stone. 1t
was no wonder the pebbles got in when
there was such a wide door left open for
them in the poor worn shoe, and whole
row of little bare toes looking out, as If
to give an invitation.
'And when get this one out there'll
another get in pretty sOOn-ever so many
others and I'll just have to take 'em
out all the time," pursued Bob, growing
still more responding at the prospect.
IL wish had whole new shoes. faint
nice to be so poor"
"No," said Maggie, relectively; "not so
drefful poor. It'll be worse when winter
comes, Cause then the cold can get in
your shoes, as well as the stones. DO you
'S'pOse SO-mebby; but then some
thing else will be worn out. 1t always
is"
81 WISH" said Maggie, slowly, shat
we could find some money right while
we're walking along enough to buy you
some shoes and nice warm shawl for
grandma to wear while she sits by the
window and sews. Aunt Prissy has to
take the gray one when she goes out to
carry home the work; and the other old
one is so thin. just d0 wish we could
find some"
"We'd better be careful we don't lose
sOme," said Bob, growing practical.
"Have you got it, Maggiep"
damned clear down in my pocket,
tight as it can be-" exclaimed Maggie,
after moments examination.
1t was a very small sum that the little
pocket held, part payment for the basket
of eggs Aunt Prlssy had sent to the
store. The remainder of the price was
in the paper parcels. The children took
up the basket again, carrying it between
them, and trudged on down the sandy
road. Aunt Prissy had particularly
charged them to look carefully up and
down the track before they ventured to
cross the railroad; so the bright eyes
under the cid hat and under the faded
sunbOnnet discovered, at the same in
slant, something unusual at The station.
A crowd had collected, and as they drew
nearer, barred their way. Just then a
train of cars came up and stopped, amid
a great burst of cheering.
ooh! I know what it isp' exclaimed
Bob. "The governor! Some man in the
store said he would pass through here
to-day"
A peasant-faced gentleman came out
on the platform, and acknowledging the
greeting he had received, began to speak.
whats he talking so long fOr?"
questioned Maggie, presently. Is he
making speech?"
"Hushv responded Bob. "He just said
he could tell them the cause of the hard
times; and want to hear, cause ours
are awful hard. Let's listen"
So the two children pressed to the edge
of the crowd and stood sOlemnly still,
catching an occasional glimpse of the
great man through the swaying figures
before them. but hearing only few dis
connected words, and those not very in
telligible--sOmethi about specie"
treasury" currency" and redeem
able" Then the engine whistled, the
governor withdrew, and as the cars sped
away the crowd dispersed.
81 couldn't tell anything about 1t, after
ALL" said Bob, in disappointment. "Only
the folks seemed to like 1t, by the fuss
they made. wish we could have heard"
"There's Mr.. jerry" suggested Maggie,
pointing to figure little in advance of
them. 81 'spect he could tell us all about
it,"
"Mr. jerry" as Maggie politely called
him, was "Old Jerry Parker" to every
body elsa man who sold vegetables.
and delighted in displaying his opinions
along with his potatoes and cabbages;
not particularly sensible, but greatly adj
miring his own wisdom. He was climb
ing into his wagon when the children
reached him.
"Mr. Jerry, please, what's currency!