The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-09-05
FIFTY CENTS.

lily were at supper. Aunt Catherine, !"
he began, when the dining-room door
was half open
Take of your cap, Frank" broke
in his sister Ada, who was her impetu-
GUS brothers mentor in points of ETH
quette.
''Oh, dear!'' cried Frank, jerking the
cap Off "Aunt Catherine
"You miist wash your hands before
you sit down to the table" said his
mother
Mother" said Frank. pitifully, az
never shall get chance to tell you. "
The others laughed. "'Twon't take
but a minute. Frank" said Ada, con-
solingly.
At last his cap of and his hands
washed, and seated at the table, he
went on with his story,
AUNT Catherine" said be, ''has
promised to give me fifty cents. Amt
Il splendid! I've been splitting up lit
tie kindling wood for her, and she's GO
ing to pay me just as much as she
would a man.
Hasn't she paid you yetp" asked
Ada.
mo, she didn't have the change; but
she's going to just as soon as she gets
1t. l think l shall buy ball with the
money, real tip-top hard one. I've
been wanting one ever since can re-
member"
Fifty cents was a large sum to the
two Willis children. Their father was
not poor; he was able to give them the
comforts of life, but there was very
little to spare for extras. Frank and
Ada had very little spending money of
their own. The most they had was
given them by their Aunt Catherine,
who had no children and was well-to-
do.
So Franks prospective fifty cents
doomed up to his fancy like a little
mountain of silver.
His Aunt Catherine lived two miles
away, so while he wefit 90 school through
the week he could not very well go to
see her. He generally paid his visits to
,asion of the kindling wood and the
promise Of the fifty cents.
All the week following he was in
state of excitement and Impotence. He
leased his mother to let him go up TO see
his aunt after school, but She said he
must wait till Saturday.
So all he had to console himself with
was anticipation. and he made the most
of that. The famous dairymaid with her
basket Of eggs was nothing to Frank
with his fifty cents before the week was
out. Monday night he came home from
school with change in his plans.
1--WE been thinking it over, mother. "
said he, land instead of getting q ball
with that fifty cents Aunt Catherine
promised me, / gness | shall buy
knife. can get splendid one for
fifty cents; Eddie Perkins has just got
beauty"
Frank talked knife all the evening,
till the rest of the family we're rather
tired of it, Next day, however, they
had respite, if change of subject
could be considered one. Frank rushed
in at noon all alive with a new scheme
- .'Say. mother" cried he, 1--WE
changed my mind, amt going to buy
a knife with that fifty cents. I'm going
to buy bicycle"
"Why Frank Lee Willis" cried Ada.
"You can't buy bicycle for fifty cents;
the idear'
"Of course can't; don't you suppose
l know that This fifty cents is just
going toward it, that's all. I'm going
to save up money for one, and L m GO
ing to put this into my tin bank for
beginning"
you'll never do it" cried Ada, In
credulously.
I'm a-going to try" said Frank,
with determined air.
In the course of day, Ada came to
her mother in dismay. Mother" said
She what do you think Franks going
to buy with that fifty cents nova
little yellow puppy! He is; one of the
boys has one to sell, Frank says, and
he Il let him have 1t for fifty cents. 1t
will worry my cat, and don't like a
little yelping dog, any way. Isn't it
too bad?''
II wouldn't fret if were you, DEAR"
said Mrs. Willis, Il don think it's very
probable that Frank will buy it.
Soft proved; for the next day Frank
purchasing six white
mice; and the next, he was undecided
between Robinson Crusoe, top and
drum. When he finally had set out for
his Aunt GATHERINGS on Saturday even
ing, Ada produced paper which she
opened to her mother. .'See here"
she said, her little round face twinkling
all over with fun, i've set down all the
things Frank was going to get with
that fifty cents; and which do you sup
pose he will? Look at the long list.
This morning he told me he didn't
know but he might buy a rat-trap; and
last night he said, after all, he didn't
know but he might as well buy fifty
cents, worth of marbles, and have real
good stock. / set them all down, so as
to remember, for don't believe Frank
will buy one of them. He'll get some
thing else he's never thought Of"
Frank came home rather earlier than
usual from Aunt GATHERINGS. and he
walked into the house rather soberly
for him, too. His father had just come
home. and his mother was putting tea
on the table.
Ibid you get the fifty centsP" asked
Ada. curiously.
Yes"
Where is it? Let's see it.
"I-haven't got it,
"Why, you haven spent it. so soonP"
YES. l have. Supper most ready.
YES" said his mother. What did
you buy with it, Frankp"
Frank colored up to his closely croppcd
hair. Il wish you wouldn't ask me.
didn't spend it for anything bad"
why, tell me at once what you
spent it for" said his mother. What
are you acting so for, Frankp"
At that the little boy put his hands
up to his red face and began to cry.
why, Frank Lee Willis, what is the
asked Ada
Prank said his father, 'stell us at |
,nce what you have bought with the
"Oh." said Frank, sobbing. you'll
augh at me. You've been making SO
much fun-about my buying SO many |
Kings with that fifty cents.
mo, we won t, dear, said his moth |
v, pityingly; 'go ON"