The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-12
IPrinted By Special Arrangement Copyrighted, 1885,
THU BLUB SATIN DOLL.
A Christmas Story.
BY JULIAN MAGNUs.


out which | should not on the morrow, have
dared to face my numerous family. The invent
i've powers of toy-makers seem to grow greater
each year. and the almost endless array made
choice embarrassing. Before me on the show
case moved, with much whirring and clicking,
procession of mechanical figures set in motion
by an indefatigable but evidently very tired
salesman, whose face seemed to express wish
that his machinery could be allowed to run down
for the night While l was debating between
the merits of a>black bear that snapped, and
snarled, and clawed at the inoffending air in
way calculated to delight any boy and brighten
any girl of tender years, and those of minia-
ture Jumbo" whose slow movements were
ludicrous reproduction of those of the deeply
lamented original, my attention was diverted by
voice at the doll department, asking:
What is the price of the large doll in blue
satinY"
l had glanced with rather longing eyes at that
doll as I passed it few moments before; but
feeling sure that the possession of her faxen
ladyship would be too costly luxury, had not
inquired the figure at which she was held.
had, however, some curiosity to know it, and
listened for the reply.
Thirty dolars But I can show you dressed
dolls all the way from $40.
Something in the unusually abrupt almost
contentious tone of the sales-woman caused me
to turn and look to whom she was speaking.
The figure of a man, twisted and distorted in the
most terrible manner by some accident or i'll
ness, stood or rather was propped up against the
counter. Clutches helped to hold him, but even
been visible to the sales woman. His clothes
shiny and almost threadbare and were
evidently rapidly reaching the stage where gen.
teel poverty loses itself in rags His face was
turned from me, but recognized the man as
one who had frequently come into my Office
selling pens and pencils. l had from time
to time made small purchases of him, and
had been impressed with the fact that
he always refused any offers OF charity though
welcoming eagerly the chance to dispose of his
small wares. The extreme incongruity between
his apparent position and the blue satin doll was
as striking to me as it had evidently been to the
girl behind the counter, and | waited with some
anxiety to see what. if anything, he would buy.
81 do not want cheap DOLL he said, without
trace of resentment "but $50 is more than |
can pay. Can you not make some reduction9'
II will ask the manager" answered the girl,
and she passed across store in search of him.
By this time had become so much interested
that hastily decided between the bear and the
elephant, and sitting feeling Of deicacy which
for a moment or two made me hesitate. I walked
to the doll counter, ostensibly to look at its con-
tents. but really to see the end of this strange
negotiation The man, somewhat to my
prise and chagrin recognized me, as he moved
with difficulty little to one side to give me
more room.
Good evening, Mr.. Roberts," he said; ''you
are buying Christmas presents, | see."
Eyes. have several little claimants who will
not be ignored And YOU are you buying
dol?" / felt that was unwarrautably seeking
not resist the temptation
81 am trying to, sir. This one but they ask
more money than I've got"
l was about to make some remark. which I
hoped would draw something more from him,
when the sales woman returned.
Our manager says that as it is getting so late
he will make the price $25 That is very cheap.
1t is the handsomest doll in the store"
II know it is" observed my singular acouant-
ance, that is why wanted it. / will take 1t at
$25 Please have it packed in box without any
mark or name on. The receiver must have no
means of tracing where IL came from"
Here was more mystery to pque my curiosity
still further
The now obsequious attendant remarked that
she would attend to the packing herself While
he was thus occupied the strange purchaser
with difficulty disinterred from well-concealed
pocket a small bag.
she said to me, withga smile in which sweetness
and sadness were quantity mixed Gust 500 rs.
So the quickest way for me is to take out 81. rs
He craned up till he managed to empty his lit
tie bag on the glasstopped case. The assortment
of money that fell out was very varied. There
we're some neatly folded bills, few silver dol
lars some smaller silver; several fvecent nickels,
and even few coppers. He counted out 81 Is
from the smaller denominations, and the put 81
back in his bag, and the rs cents in his waist
coat pocket
II shall need some of that" he said, "for
messenger boy" Then, looking up at me and
noting the look of amazement, that know per-
vaGed my face, though | strove to repress it, he
added, "you are surprised to see such man as
buy such dol2"
~ am indeed" replied, 'T can't understand
it at ALL
II would like to tell you, Mr.. Roberts, because
you have often bought of me when l didn't know
which way to turn for something to eat, and I
wouldn't like you to think me an impoetor"
you shall tell me-" answered IF you will;
but not here The girl is coming back with
thing warm will do you good. We will go and
get one. Then you can sit down and tell me
what you will"
~ do not drink anything sir, except very oc-
casonally, when my pains get too great for me
to bear. will be glad to go with you where
can get cup of coffee. Tonight, Of all nights
l must not drink, for 1 am to see her tomorrow
AS he uttered the last words look of almost
ectasy illumined his worn features
Here is your parcel, sir!"
"And there, l think, you will find the right
amount"
1t took the girla few seconds to count the
money.
"Quite correct, sir; much Obliged" she said,
when she had finished
Let me carry the box +" suggested as we left
the store together, evidently to the astonishment
of all therein.
mo, thank you, sir; can manage it very we'll,
and its pleasure to me TO feel It."
''Very we'll Where shall we go?"
II know nice. quiet, little place 1t isn't
where you would go by yourself, sir, but It'll be
better for you to GO there than to draw notice by
taking such an object as am into better one
And then I'll ask you to put an address on this
I can't write very easily now, and besides, bad
as my writing is, it might be recognized"
few minutes later we were seated in res
taurant, the existence of which had been urevi-
ously unknown to me. l found, however, that