Idaho semi-weekly world., 1891-03-03
MAMMALS CHRISTMAS PResENT
a Holiday Story by Twelve-yoar-o,,
Girl.


A little incident connected with bnv.
ing CHRISTMAS presents happened in an
Eighth avenue store that made onite
nttie romance. The store was nacl,ad
with people hunting for Christmas o;fts
Two little girls, the eldest hara7,, q
Standing outside, were noticed Inv n iodv
VINO lett her carriage to enter the store
Inc little girls were poorly dressed Tho
,ietie ones wanted to go into the store
put seemed afraid to enter. A rush caroe
ana they were caught in the crowd and
"hlrleo INTO the store. There tbev an
peared enraptured with the beantif,,l
things they saw. N'ii III
Inc lady had entirely forgotten her
own errand and kept near the little oirls
flnally they began whispered convar.
sation and kept pointing to an article -,
counter; then the oldest reached the
counter and timidly asked the sales.
wv woman the price of red worsted hood
Inc answer was, ''Two dollars and twen.
ty-hve cents" The little girls connie.
nance fell, and opening her hand she
De9ah 10 count some pennies she held
lhe open hand showed the lady lust nine
cents. ) o'0 niiie
The little one joined her sister. She
was disappointed, and the two girls
counted their money over and over
then took another look at the hood and
walked away. The lady made her vav
70 the counter, and, making a confidant
ol the saieswoman, told her she wanted
the little ones to have the hood for
which she would pay herself. but did
not intend that the girls should know
.hat 1t was not their own money that
bought the hood.
Inc saleswoman became interested at
once, and leaning forward she beckoned
10 the girls and said, "How much money
can you pay for this beautiful red hood?n
The eyes of both frightened. and with.
out answering the child put forward all
she had in the world-her nine pennies
What are you going to do with this
hood?' the saleswoman asked
"Glve it to mamma for her Christ
mas, exclaimed both at Cnce.
The lady turned away and placed her
handkerchief to her face to hide the
tears that filled her eyes. Another uues-
tlon made her turn toward the children
again.
"Did you save all this money for
Christmas?'
"Yes," answered both.
"How long have you been saving this
money!"
Ihls answer was long time coming
and finally the oldest one replied that
she did not know, but part was Bessie's
and part her own.
"Well," said the saleswoman, who re-
celved knowing nod from the lady.
''since you have been saving so long III
let you have this hood for the nine
cents"
The money was handed over, the pack
age done up, and the little ones went
away happy, both wanting to carry the
precious bundle, and both laughing and
crying with delight about the present
for mamma.
The following morning just as the
store was opened poor woman entered
with small bundle and two little girls.
After looking around the older girl
pointed to the hood counter and was at
once recognized by the friendly sales
woman. The party walked toward the
counter and the older girl, pointing to
the saleswoman, said, That's her."
The little ones were trembling; the
mother looked anxious, and could hard
ly ask, did this hood come from here,
miss"
The saleswoman noticed the bundle,
and answered, YES"
"Well,' said the mother, "that hood
is marked 81 %, and my little girls tell
me they bought it for nine cents. I have
never known them to lie to me, but
am sorry to say could not believe them
this time. | was so afraid to come into
the store and ask, but must know the
truth; please tell me about it, for
haven't slept a wink all night, though
the little girls said it was Christmas
present, and | was afraid was afraid
the tears now stopped the mothers
words.
/ The saleswoman could stand it nc
longer and leaning over the counter she
whispered the whole story to the mother
The Oldest girl could not understand
why her mother took her in her arm
and kissed her. Then all three Wen
home.-Sadie Lorraine Handy, 10 year
old, in New York Telegram.