The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-04-13
CHILDREN'S CORNER.
DAIsY's JEWEL FOX.
And How She FILLED IL.
By LOUISA NJ. ALCOTT.
CONTINUED From Last Issue }

of gold.
81 wonder fit would be very ex-
travagant to give her all Of it. !
shall do some silly thing if / keep
it. Her boots were very thin, and
she coughs, and if she is sick it will
be dreadful. Suppose | give her
five for herself, and five for her
mother. I'd love to feel rich and
generous for once in my life, and
give real help"
The house was very still, and
Daisy paused at the head of the
stairs to settle the point, little
dreaming that Mrs. Vaughn had
heard the talk in the sewing-rOom,
and saw her as she stood thought
fully staring at the two bits ofpa-
per in her hand.
Il shouldn't feel ashamed if Mrs.
Vaughn found me out in this, but !
should never dare to let her see my
bangles and pins, if | should buy
them. / know she thinks them
silly, especially so for me. She said
she hoped I'd set good example TO
Laura, in the way of simplicity and
industry. | liked that, and Motherll
like it, too. But then, my jewel-box.
All empty, and such pretty thing.
oh. dear, | wish / could be wise
and silly at the same time"
Daisy sighed, and took a few more
steps, then smiled, pulled out her
purse, and taking the ten-cent piece,
tossed it up, saying, "IIeads, Mary;
tails myself"
Up flew the bright little coin, and
down it came with the goddess of
liberty uppermost.
"That settles it; she shall have
the ten, and I'll be content with the
old chain for all my jewelry," said
Daisy aloud; and looking much re-
lieved, she danced away, leaving the
unsupported observer to smile at her
girlish mode of deciding the question,
and to rejoice over the generous nat
ure unspoiled as yet.
Mrs. Vaughn watched her young
guest with new interest during the
next few days; for certain fine plans
were in her mind, and every trifle
helped the decision for or against.
Mary White went smiling home
that night to rejoice with her feeble
mother over the help that came so
opportunely and SO kindly.
Daisy looked as if her shopping
had prospered wonderfully, though
the old necklace was the only orna-
ment she wore; and those who saw
her happy face at the merry-making
thought that she needed no other.
She danced as if her feet were as
light as her heart, and enjoyed that
party more than the first; for no
envy spoiled her pleasure, and Il Sc
cret content frightened all the world
to her.
But the next day she discovered
that temptation still had power over
her, and she nearly spoiled her first
self-conquest by the fall which is
very apt to come after triumph, as
if to show us how hard it is to stand
fast, even when small allurements
get in our way.
She broke the clasp of the neck
lace, and Mrs. Vaughn directed her
to a person who mended such things.
The man examined it with interest,
and asked its history. Daisy very
willingly told all she knew, lnquir-
ing if it was really valuable.
"Pd give twenty-five dollars for
it any time. Eve been trying to get
one to go with a pair of earrings |
picked up, and this is just what l
want. Of course, you don't care to
sell it, miss?" he asked, glancing at
Daisy's simple dress and rather ex-
cited face, for his offer had fairly
startled her.
She was not sufficiently worldly
wise to see that the jeweler wanted it
enough to give more for it, nor to
make good bargain for herself.
Twenty-Five dollars seemed a vast
sum, and she only paused to collect
her wits before she answered eagerly:
ayes, l should like to sell it; Pve
had it so long, that Pm tired of it,
and it's all out of fashion. Mrs.
Vaughn told me some people would
be glad to get 1t, because it is genu-
inc. Do you really think it is worth
twenty-five dollars?''
"It's old, and | shall have to
tinker it up; but it matches the ear
rings so well, l am willing to pay
we'll for it. Will you take the
money now, Miss, or think it over
and call again?" asked the man,
more respectfully, after hearing Mrs.
Vaughn's name.
"1'll take it now, if you please.
shall leave town in day or two, and
may not have time to call again.
said Daisy, taking a half-regretful
look at the chain, as the man counted
out the money.
Holding it fast, she went away.
feeling that this unexpected fortune
was a reward for the good use she
had made of her gold piece.
"Now / can buy some really valu-
able ornament, and wear it without
being ashamed. What shall it be?
No tinsel for me this times" and she
walked by the attractive shop-win-
dow with an air of lofty indifference,
for she really was getting over her
first craze for that sort of thing.
Feeling as if she possessed the
power to buy real diamonds, Daisy
turned toward the great jewelers.,
pausing now and then to look for
some pretty gift for Janey, to be
bought with her own money.
"What can l get for Mother? She
never owns that she needs anything,
and goes shabby SO l can be fine. l