The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-04-08
TINS SUNDAY DINNER.

gszed at them admringly.
The only other occupant OF the dingy
shoe shop, a slckly looking boy Of Is,
glanced up from his work.
"Who be they for, Mr.. Brown?" he
asked. "There amt many folks around
here as wears shoes like them"
"Them be for the squire's darter up on
the hill. They're for birthday present,
and was to be done Saturday night
prompt. Well, there they he now, and
up they 60 onto the shelf till sent for. I"
As he spoke he wrapped the dainty
little shoes in fine paper, packed them in
neat box and set them on shelf.
"She'll feel fine in them, said the boy.
THE squire he always must hev the
hest of everything for Nellie. Bout the
size Of Sissy, she be. Them shoes'd look
nice on Siss She's purity girl"
The boy nodded in response to this
show Of parental pride.
They'd pay lot fer such a pair down
TO the store at the crossin', wouldn't
they?" lie asked, still thinking Of the
bronze shoes.
They don't have that kind there, all
hand-sewed and little gilt buttons. Wish
1 could sell 'em to 'em. and have the
money. Mother and med have a good
dinner one day in the year."
The boy was only an apprentice. He
lived i'll tumble-down cottage at the end
of the village with his widowed mother.
Duncan Brown had made shoes for the
village folk for many day. The new
shoe store at the crossing had somewhat
lessened his patronage, but lie scorned to
consider it as a rival.
There be plenty as will stand by the
old man till he quits work, F" he used to
say.
Duncan had married late in life, and
was old enough to be the grandfather Of
the blue-eyed, golden-haired fairy who
called him papa, and had frightened his
home for eight years.
Skinner is most ready, papa; come and
get ready. Come, Tim"
She came dancing into the room like
ray Of sunlight.
Old Duncan Brown caught her in his
arms and tossed her until she shrieked
with laughter.
docs Sissy want to see something
purity"
He took down the box from the shelf
and let her open it.
"O-o-h! for me, papa
mo, pet, them's fer little girl Jest
about your size, Nellie Barclay. You'll
have some like 'em some day"
Sissy gave happy laugh.
Next Christmas. papa? Let's go to
dinner, it's getting all cold"
Dinner over, Mr.. Brown got out over
coat, muffler and mittens.
II be going down to the crossin', Mary,
and won't be back till supper. You kin
60 right home, Tim, and tell your mother
you've been such good boy / thought
you needed q half holiday. Sure We be
here bright aud early Monday morning"
When Duncan and Tim had both gone,
Mrs. Brown lay down in her darkened
room to sleep off a Troublesome head
ache.
Sissy with no one but the cat to talk 10.
She was glad when abou, four o'clock a
little playmate called on her.
Nellie Murray, come right in TN all
alone. Did you bring your doll:"
Il can't stay but a minute, Sissy.
Mamma sent me TO get my shoes Mr..
Brown said they would be done to day. :"
Yes, they are" said Sissy. I'll ge.
them for you. Papa showed them to me,
and he said they were for Nellie some
body; of course that's you. They're so
cunning, Nellie, all brown with little gilt
buttons.
Nellie's brown eyes sparkled. Her
clothes were always OF the plainest. and
her shoes stout leather. made to wear,
for her father had hard work to feed and
clothe his six children.
With the aid of q chair, the box Mr..
Brown had packed so carefully was
dragged from the shelf, and Nellie's
plump little arms closed about il.
"Oh, Sissy, they're for a surprise.
Mamma didu't tell me but what they
were old black ones. l never had any
other kind. l mustn't open them. III
get so interested couldn't put them up
again, and laughing merrily the little
maid kissed her friend goodby and ran
quickly home.
Sissy was sound asleep in her bed when
Mr. Brown came home in the evening.
He was seated at the table. about to At.
tack his smoking supper, when . sharp
rap came at the door.
Squire Barclays boy for q pair Of
shoes that were to bs ready this evening,
came voice out Of the darkness.
"They be all ready. Come in, sonny,
and take q seat while ! 60 get 'sm for
ye, said Duncan. cordially, as he went
hastily out into his shop.
He was gone several moments. and
came back ut last sDpty-handed.
MARY" hs said slowly, "hev 20 seen
them shocs?"