Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-08-23
EDIFH'S BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT.

Harry, | wish YOU would give me d
dollar or two" Mrs. Harris said to heI
husband. as she stood in the hallway
helping him on with his overcoat.
"What for?" he asked, in a tone which
was not encouraging.
TO get a doll for Edith. To day is
her birthday, and L would like to SUI
prise her"
"A dollar for doll. What extrava
gance! besides Edith is too o.d for d
doll"
"Why, Henry. she is only ten, and she
Is So fcnd OF her old one
Can't help it, cant afford it; you're
enough to ruin any man"
Henry" the wife said, Indignantly,
d, GU conld afford it, and great many
other things, if you would let Jones
liquor saloon alone"
The man WINGED. You're always
harping on that" he returned. going cut
and shutting the door violently. But he
knew what she said was true
Papa, papa!" d achildish voice called,
and Edith flew across the lawn.
You naughty papa, going away with
out kiss for me, and on my birthday"
The frown OH his face faded He
stopped and kissed her.
Here" he said, putting his hand into
his pocket and drawing out a silver
half dollar" give this to your mother,
t"li her it is all the change l have. She
may get what she likes with it."
What did he mean - the child asked
later, as she handed the money to her
mother
Il wanted to get wax doll for your
birthday present. but"
''Oh. mamma" Edith interrupted, de-
lighted
Papa can't afford it. He has given
this to buy present instead. What
shall we get with it?
Il don't know, mamma. | do want
the dolly So much.
Yes. dear, but you cannot have it
now. l will tell you Santa Claus to
bring you one Christmas.
"Well,' with "A sigh, 81 guess I'll take
a book"
Fifty cents will not buy much of a
book"
What will it buy?"
You might get a game, or set of tin
dishes, or pocket-boOk, or box OF can
die, or some new hair ribbons, or a
scrap-alb1ni."
"Oh, mammal I'll take the scrap-al-
bum"
Very well. when you return from
school this afternoon, L will go with
you. and you may choose one"
But when Edith returned home from
schosl, her mother said: Little girl,
youI papa sent me home more money,
SO | bought your birthday present for
you"
"ls it doll mammal
Ask me no questions. and I'll tell you
no lies" MIs Harris answered, laughing
When will you give it to ne?"
when your father returns"
You can easily guess Edith was i'm
patient for the return of her father
While she WAS waiting shall L tell you
how her father came to send the extra
money home to his wife,"
With his wifs's rsproschss still in his
memory. and his child's kisses yet warm
on his lips. he did not enter a saloon on
tie way to his store, but about ten
o'clock. being thirsty, he went out to
Jones liquor store, and called for his
hsIal dram.
While the bartender was preparing
it, the liquor dealers wife came in, and
slepping up to Mr.. Jones, said, in a loud
voice: Sam, want twenty dollars to
buy a doll for Katie"
Twenty dollarsp be answered good
humoredly, isn't that good deal to
give for toy ?"
"Yes, but the child has set her heart
upon one with real hair and kid body.
and l want to get one all dressed. Ii
is too much trouble to bother dressing
it,"
Without another word, Mr.. Jones
opened bis pockst-book, took from it
roll OF bills, couHted out the twenty
dollars and handed them to his wife,
saying, carslessly:
Il forgot to order the ducks to roast
for dinner; haze Jim stop at Blander's
and order them, and tell him to be sure
and Send nice celery, and some apples
for sauce"
Yes, l will. By-byT and she turned
and went to her carriage.
Mr.. Harris looked after this richly
dressed woman, not half so sweet-loOk-
ing nor 30 lady-llke as his own wife
She gave some order to the driver and
entered the carriage, and the handsome
vehicle. with its prancing horses and
gold-mOunfed harness and livsried
coachman, drove out of sight.
Then Mr.. Harris came to himself He
placed his glass of liquor upon the coun-
ter nntasted, laid beside it the price
which WAS due for it, and went out of
the dram-shop saying to himself:
Il have tasted my last drop of intoxi-
eating drink"
Thus the man who had resisted the
tsaIs and sntreaties of his little daugh-
Ter. came to himself at the sight Of
tk- richness and luxury which his mon
e vas helping this liquor dealer to en-
joy.
Mr.. Jones INDUCED in carriage rides
he must walk
and apple-sauee; they were glad to get
corned beef ard cabbage.
Mr.. Jones wife dressed in silk and
velvet; his wife had to be eontented
with the plainsst apparel.
Mr.. Jones daughter played with twen-
ty dollar dolls; he had refused to spend
one dollar that his darling Edith might
have birthday gift. Henceforth his
money should be given TO his wife and
children. He went to his store, and
wrltIngn note to his wife, inclosed in it
a five-dOllar bill, and calling a boy, bade
him deliver it Immediately. And at
night, when he returned, Edith's moth
er handed her "A beautiful wax-doll, with
golden hair, and blue eyes that would
open and shut, and all dressed in white,
with pale blue sash.
"Oh, mamma, it's perfectly lovely.
Heres my birthday present, daug