The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-05-26
MAMMALS CHRISTMAS PRESENT..
A Holiday Story by Twelve-Year-Old
Girl.

A little incident connected with buy
ing Christmas presents happened in an
Eighth avenue store that made quite
little romance. The store was packed
with people hunting for Christmas gifts.
Two little girls, the eldest barely 9,
standing outside, were noticed by lady
who left her carriage to enter the store.
The little girls We're poorly dressed. The
little ones wanted to go into the store,
but seemed afraid to enter. 4 rush came
and they were caught in the crowd and
whirled into the store. There they ap-
peared enraptured with the beautiful
things they saw.
The lady had entirely forgotten her
own errand and kept near the little girls.
Finally they began q whispered conver-
sation and kept pointing to ali article on
a counter; then the oldest reached the
counter and timidly asked the sales
woman the price of q red worsted hood.
The answer was, Two dollars and twen-
ty-fve cents The little girls counte-
nance fell, and opening her hand she
began to count some pennies she held
The open hand showed the lady just nine
cents.
Thelittle 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 way
to the counter, and, making a confidant
of the saleswoman, 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
that it was not their own money that
bought the hood.
The saleswoman became interested at
once, and leaning forward she beckoned
| to the girls and said, How much money
can you pay for this beautiful red hood?"
/ 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.
"Give it to mamma for her Christ
| mas, exclaimed both at once.
The lady turned away and placed her
handkerchief to her face to hide the
| tears that filed her eyes. Another ques-
| ton made her turn toward the children
f! again.
did you save all this money for
Christmas"
| eyes, answered both.
''How long have you been saving this
money"
This answer was Il long time coming
and finally the oldest one replied that
she did not know, but part was Bessie 3
and part h>r own.
| WELL said the saleswoman. who re-
| c2ivCi a knowing nod from the lady.
"since yol have been saving so Ion. II,
let You have this hood for the nine
| cents.
The money was haI,Gcd over. the pack
! age done up. and the little ones Went
away happy, both Wanting to carry the
| precious h"n,lle. and both laughing and
| crying with delight about the present
| for mamma.
The following morning just as the
store was opened Il poor wonan entered
with small bundle and two little girls
| After looking around the older girl
pointed to til" hood counter and was at
ons.a recognized by the friendly sales
woman The I'artv walked toward the
counter and tie older girl, pointing 10
| the saleswo,nan, said. ''That's her
The little ones were trembling; the
| mc1i.er looked anxious. and could hard
" ask Did this hood come from here,
| miss"
The saleswoman noticed the bundle
ard answered. Yes
We'll" said the mother. "that hood
is marked 1926. and my little girls tell
NE they bought it for nine cents. l have
never known them to lie to me, but
;.;n sorry to say [ could not believe then,
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-I was afraid
the tears now stopped the mothers
words.
The saleswoman could stand it nc
ionner and leaning over the counter she
Uilis pered the whole story to the mother
The oldest girl could not understand
why her mother took her in her arm
~. kissed !.c1.. Then all three Wen
h, ne.-Sadie Lorraine Handy. II year
uII. in New York Telegram.