Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-03-24
TINS SUNDAY DINNER.

~Ain't them beauties, now ?" Old
Duncan Brown held up pair of bron ze
shoes in his rough. toiistained hand. and
gazed at them admiringly.
The only other occupant of the dingy
shoe shop. sickly looking boy OF 10.
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 squires darter UP on
the Hill. They're for birthday present.
and was TO be done Saturday night
prompt. Well, there they be now, and
up they go onto the shelf till sent for. :"
AS he spoke he wrapped the dainty
little shoes in fine paper, packed them in
a neat box aud set them on a shelf.
"She'll feel fine in them, said the boy.
"The squire he always must hev the
best of everything for Nellie. Bout the
size Of Sissy, she be. Them shoesd look
uice on Siss. She's purity girl
The boy nodded in response to this
show of parental pride.
They'd pay lot fer such pair down
to the store at the crossin', wouldn't
they 2" he asked, still thinking of the
bronze shoes.
"They don't have that kind there, all
hand-sewed and little gilt buttons Wish
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 in 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 he scorned to-
consider it as rival.
"There be plenty as will stand by the
old man till he quits work, he used To
say.
Duncan had married late in life, and
was old enough to be the grandfather OF
the blne-eyed, golden-haired fairy who
called him papa, and had frightened his
home for eight years.
Dinner 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 sllrieked
with laughter.
Does Sissy want to see something
purty9"
He took down the box from the shelf
and let her open it.
"O-o-h! for me, papa?"
"No, pet, them's fer q little girl jest
about your size, Nellie Barclay. You'll
have some like 'em some day
Sissy gave happy laugh.
Next Christmas, papas Let's 60 to-
dinner, it's getting all cold. "
Dinner over, Mr.. Brown got out over
coat, muffier, and mittens.
81 be going down to the crossin', Mary,
and won't be back till supper. You kin
go right home, Tim, and tell your mother
you've been such good boy / thought
you needed half holiday. Sure We be
here bright and early Monday morning
When Duncan and Tim had both gone,
Mrs. Brown lay down in her darkened
room to sleep off troublesome head
ache.
The afternoon was a little dull for
Sissy with no one but the cat to talk to.
She was glad when about four O'Clock
little playmate called on her.
Nellie Murray, come right in. I'm ali
alone. Did you bring your dolI?"
II 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 get
them for you. Papa showed them to me,
and he said they were for Nellie some
body; Of course that's you. They're 50
cunning. Nellie, all brown with little gilt
buttons.
Nellie's brown eyes sparSled. 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 chair, the box Mr.
Brown had packed SO carefully was
dragged from the shelf, and NeIlie's
plump little arms closed about it.
~Oh. Sissy, they're for a surprise
Mamma didn't tel me but what they
were old black ones. never had any
other kind. / nusn't open them. I'd
get so interested couldn't put them up
again, and laughing nerrily the little.
maid kissed her friend goodby aud ran.
quickly home.
Sissy was sound asleep inher bed when
Mr.. Brown came home ia 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 Tor a pair Of,
shoes that were to be ready this evening,
eame voice ont Of the darkness.
They be all ready. Come in, sonny.
and take seat while 60 get EN- for
ye. said Duncan. cordially. as lie went
f,..t;f~- .,,s s,,fs, h;a el,f.s,