The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-30

That is better far than wealth.
Her eyes are clear and her skin is fair,
Though her crimps do get out OF curl.
And she is the hope OF the world to-day,
Hurrah for the outdoors girl!
THE TOY INTELLIGENCE OFFICE.
For some unexplained (and unexplaina'
able) reason Mollie had grown weary OF
her toys, and. as she expressed il, had dis
charged them every one As far as any CD,
could see they had been very faithful toys
but Mollie insisted that they should ~
nevertheless, and they went.
After the toys had oone. Mollie tried
hard to appear satisfied and happy, but she
could not. A tremendous feeling of lone
illness swept over her as she walked about
the nursery and saw the vacant places where
Patterini, the musical doll, md the rubbe,
cat and dear old Flaxylocks used to sit. and
after she had gone to bed that night ]
don't know how many tears orept out OF
her eyes onto her pillow. Nor was she any
happier the next day. And SO she went
to her mamma. and told her that she
must 90 to town and engage a new lot OF
TOYS. because she could not possibly live
comfortably without them. but her mamma
was too busy and Mollie went off disconso-
late. She went dow stairs to her old
friend the cook. and 10 and behold. the
cook said that when she got through max
ing the gingerbread she'd tell Mollie some
thing she would like to know. which was. in
rerbread was done, that among the loaves
Was q little gingerbread doll for her-and
indeed there was, for when the pans were
taken ont Of the baking ovens there was the
gingerbread doll, a funny little brown man
With a shiny face and great scallops on his
trousers.
The funniest thing about the man,
though. was that he winked at Mollie and
Told her that il was a fine day. To this
Mollie agreed. whereupon the gingerbread
man added that it was a great day to go to
the Toy Intelligence Office. if there should
happen to be anybody about who stood in
need of toys.
Mollie's face wreathed with smiles when
she heard the gingerbread man say this.
and she told him that she was the very per-
ron who was toylsss and forlorn.
'tThen come with me-" said the ginger
bread man, holding out his hand to lead
the way, and Mollie went. Out of the front
door went she and her new-found friend,
and down a little back street she had never
seen before, until they came TO a queer
little house with a window full of toys, and
back of them stood q man with a queer
pinched-up face, but a kindly twinkle in
his eye.
.'Ihis is the place." said the gingerbread
man. "This is Mr.. Hockey Pokey's Toy In
telligence office, where you can get reliable
toys at a moments notice."
The gingerbread man ran the bell, and
Mr.. Hockey Pokey himself came to the door.
'Howdy do. Ginger" he said, with q
smile at Moliie's friend. got a place at
last, ehY"
Eyes" said Ginger. "a friend of mine
was cook in this young lady's family. aud
she got me my position" "
And to what am I to ascribe the honor
OF this visit?" asked Mr.. Hockey Pokey.
''This young lady has had trouble with
her toys, and has discharged them all with
out References said Ginger. ''and she is
very anxious to get some new Ones"
French, German. English. or 1rish?"
asked Mr.. Hockey Pokey.
her in English said Ginger,
you, Miss Mollie?"
Mollie said that Ginger was right. Az
long as she could understand them when
played she didn't care what their
wac.
"Norah O'Dowdr cried MIR. Hockey
"Klndly step this way a minute.''
A very handsomely dressed wax doll came
of the window.
How do You do, Noreh." said the gin
gerbread man. acting in Mollie's behalf.
you want q place!'
That depends on the place." said Miss
proudly, land the wages, and the
afternoons off, and the quality of CLOTHES /
am to be provided with, not to mention
various other things"
"Are you an accomplished eye shutter?"
asked the gingerbread man, not very much
pleased at the reply. Miss O'Dowd seemed
too proud.
"Indeed I am not" said Miss O'Dowd.
with q soornfui glance at Mollis. pm
Gan you say mamma and papa when
you are punched on the chest?' asked the
gingerbread man.
II can but I WON'T" snapped Miss
O'Dowd.
"she'll never do" said the gingerbread
man, turning impatientiy to Mr.. Hickey
Pokey. I'VE do not wish to employ any
toy that is likely to " the house within a
week. lave you anything else?"
"Send down that celluloid ball with the
bells inside of it, please" said Mr.. Hockey
Pokey to his assistant, n in a minute the
celluloid ball came bouncing noisily in. and
Miss O'Dowd flounced out.
"You want a placer" said Ginger:
''Ihat's what l am here for" said the
ball.
"You can make good rolls?" asked Gin
NtEs
Just watch me and see." said tho ball,
rolling gracefully about the room.
"And bounce?' asked Mollie.
mo, young lady. l can't bounce. You
might just rs well ask an elephant to sing
comic songs as ask a celluloid ball to
bounce. Idon't wish for n place where I
am expected to do a rubber balls work."
Pm afraid he won't d." said Mollis.
"Unless he wants very little wages"
How much do you expect to receive for
your ssrvioes?" asked Ginger.
Forty dollars a minute and seven davs
n week off whenever / choose to ask for
them said the ball.
Dear men' circulated Ginger. 'How
dreadfully stuck up the toys arc getting.
You'll have to let US sec something else, MIR.
Hockey Pokey."
This time the manager summoned a rag
baby.
why did you leave you last placer"
asked Ginger.
II didn't the rag-baby replied. my
last place lett me-"
How was that. pray?"
"Ihe PEOPLE who owned the place moved
baby, wiping a tear from her eyes.
u like her," whispered Mollie.
DO you consider yourself an expert rag
baby!" asked the gingerbread man.
Yes, SIR" said the baby. II can Sit
longer IN a chair staring at the ceiling than
any rag baby ] ever saw am never noisy
and rarely lose myself"
Have you good references?"
"Ses. sir. Very good. / wrote them al
myself, sir. and Eve given myself a splen-
did character"
II don't think You should write your OWL
references, though" said Ginger. with