Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-02

Denning's that l had fondly hoped some
one would give me for present but dis
appointment is our daily portion, and
thought | had become resigned to my fate
until, just as | was going out this morning
l saw it in the window and stopped to give
it one last lingering look. The clerk
asked me if | didn't want it and said that
they had marked their furs down and
could have it for twelve dollars-the price
was fifteen-and pay six now and six next
month and so-so-here it is. Just feel
it, isn't it soft? You can carry it some
times if you like"
Well, spendthrift, you are generous
surely, both TO yourself and every one
else" was all Ruth said, and something
similar said Mrs. Randall; for she knew
from experience that it was useless to say
more, for Gerrie took a lecture much the
same as a duck does water.
The evening came in due time, and the
sleighing party was an acknowledged sue
cess. No one came home with frozen ears !;
no one was tipped over into the ice
encrusted snow-drifts. Even the orthodox
breakdown was omitted, and Gerrie Ran
dali thought, with her hands warmly re-
posing in her new muff and her ewes shin
ing brightly from feathery cloud of soft
white zephyr-which, as she was con-
sclous, vas becoming-that she had never
spent more enjoyable evening in her
| life.
1t was late when they returned, and
proportionately late when they arose next
morning. As Gerrie was hastily tumbling
over the things on her dressing-case in
search of missing -buttoner, her
hand brushed against porcelain PLAGUE
that she had been painting and had care
lessly placed in the first convenient place
to dry. Down it went and was smashed
| into atoms on the floor
ooh, Gerrier ' cried Ruth, and 81 should
| think 1t was oh, Gerrie,'" replied the I'M
fortunate parsonage. ~ declare, it's a
downright crime for anyone to be as awk-
ward as l am. There, Pll have to go and
| buy another plaque, not to mention the
paint and the whole day | spent on the
thing" And with the degree of wealth
represented by SIS per month consider
| ably diminished in her estimation, Gerrie
set herself to pick up the fragments of por-
celain.
We will pass over the unimportant
events of the next two or three weeks, and
the list of February, in which Sc of Ger
| RES allowance went as second payment on
her muff and 81 more for shoes, one of her
best ones having been cremated in conse-
quence of being placed in front of the fire
to dry a coat of polish and forgotten.
| 1t was late one afternoon in the latter
part of February, when Ruth, entering
the library, saw her sister sitting, with
her hands clasped on her knees, gazing
into the fire with an expression of serious
meditation on her face
DO you know, Gerrie, that next Thurs
day is mammals birthday? What are YOU
going to give herr?
-" Yes, | know. had forgotten about it
till this morning, but | have thought
about it enough since, dear knows, and
desperately. l haven't enough money
left to get her decent thing"
Dreadful, dreadful, was the comforting
response. Did you have hole in your
| pocketw
" Now, Ruth, just hush. You know if
had three times as much I'd manage to
spend it some way. | never realized what
drain | was on papa till the last two
months, and intend to try and do some
thing for myself. But" as her counten-
ance fell, that won't get mammals present
| by next week"
Well" said Ruth, she has been want
ing nice fire screen for some time, and if
you will get the plush and paint it in lus-
ira, L will get one of those handsome
ebony frames, and it will be nice enough
for US to give to her in partnership. /
have most of my SIS vet, besides So of last
months, and Pll trust you with the price
Of the plush till next month"
Gerrie was effiIsively grateful, and at
last to change the subject, Ruth asked:
"And what is this plan of yours that is
to increase your revenues so much ?"
why l have determined to try to Sc
cure class in painting. Surely, after all
the instructions have had / ought to be
competent to teach oil and water-colors,
anyhow"
'Well, think it is a good idea, and ii
you succeed, believe l will see what |
can do with my music"
And they did succeed; and although
| people wondered at first that banker Ran
dalfs daughters should want to earn their
own living, they respected them for it ;
and when, on next New Years day, Mr..
Randall received handsome easy chair
and Mrs Randall an exquisite tea-set
| delicately Ornamented by Gerrie's deft fin
gers, Mr.. Randall was forced to agree with
his wife, that the allowance scheme was a
good one, US it had taught the girls not
only economy but Independence The
Hoasekeeper.