The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-22


thinking OF something that will cause
you as much pain to give up as your
mother has had in losing her cream-1ug
and Maria her wages. If you have
something satisfactory ready when L re-
turn al IL, l will write an excuse for you
to take to school this afternoon"
Tom seated himself silently at the ta-
bic.
"As you have deprived us all OF cream
for the oatmeal, you may also do with
out sugar. 1t, is time you learned not
TO SANDER good Scotch grain with that
Yankee habit of sweetening"
IF Tom had been a girl, tears would
have fallen from his eyes. and his
breakfast would have been sailed If not
sugared. AS such weakness could not
be permitted in a future man. he choked
over a few spoonfuls of the good Scotch
grain. and rushed upstairs to count over
his treasures.
A pair Of rubber boots. an umbrella
that fitted in fat cane, pocket drink
ing cup that folded up suddenly when
emptied, real sailors nor easter with
the crown full of fsh-hooks. Certainly
none of these could take the place OF a
cream-jug.
A postage stamp snake, a red lizard in
a bottle of alcohol, a bird-lite that open
ed and shuts its mouth and cawed In the
wind. mouse that wriggled when you
pulled its tail, jumped when yon touched
it's body, and squeaked when you patted
ii on the head. None of those were at
all likely to comfort Mrs. Nichols or
soothe Maria.
Tom sighed and leaned his head against
the cool pug dog that served for a bank.
. That reliable animal opened It's mouth
Tom fed 1t with cent, and taking II
affectionately under his arm, went out
of doors to look fol- ideas about the pitch
er.
The pug jingled delightfully."- going down
stairs and reminded Tom he had al
most enough money for new gymna-
sium suit. At that thought he went down
the trent stoop in three Of his best SOM
ersauts and landed at the feet of a
policeman of comfortable shape.
whats the timer asked Tom. as the
most suitable thing to say TO police
man.
Time" exclaimed the servant OF law
and order. Thine you were in school two
hours ago. Time | handed you over to
the teacher that sees out of spectlcles
all over his head. and eats boy FOR
breakfast every morning..
1t was very unpleasant to have a po-
liceman's heavy hand shoving one along
by the shoulder as IL one were not
member OF polite society. Tom escaped
round the corner in time 10 peep through
the fence of cheerful playground where
his schOolmates were enjoying a recess.
They had invented the most charming
game Tom thought he had ever seen. of
an Indian pursued by all enemy on stills.
He took sides ut once with the enemy
though the stills were couple of chairs;
| because the Indian was adorned with
feather duster whose long pole slip
ping down through his jacket interfered
considerably with the use of his legs
| Tom felt he must strain every nerve 10
| be back at the afternoon session he
| turned away and begged his bank dog to
tell him how TO please his father. the
beast replied by rafting all the penny
bones in its body as Tom set 1t down
| on the ledge of great store window
| full OF strange and wonderful goods.
Tom stared with all his eyes at kings
rugs. princes shawls. gold storks. bronze
| dragons, strings Of dolls, lines OF hites.
| pyramids OF fans, porcelain Tod OF
| Long Life with forehead like tall
| sugar-loaf, an imitation Japanese woman
| pulling the rope Of a gong In Shrine
| to call Heavens attention 10 her prayers,
| an imitation Chinese gentleman in
| lady-like dress and hat like the roof
| Of a summer-house
| If Toms eyes almost jumped out ~ MS
| head, there were eyes inside the store
| that were popped half out of their SOCK
| cts all the time. AS Tom caught
| glimpse of them. his heart leaped. ihe
| color rushed to his face, and he buttohed
| his bank inside his jacket; but he couia
| not get away from them Suddenly ne
| started In the door of the store. On MS
| right hand, swarm OF spring-Jonted
| butter and cotton vegetables with ther
| leaves twisted into hats and their roots
into arms and legs, seemed to can 10
| him.
please buy US, we're so funny, Just tne
thing to amuse your family and flehds'
and only five cents apiece
On his left hand. delightful tops ana
| little swords and daggers seemed 10 say
Here we are, buyers that sing
| tune and spin longer than any one else
| top all for ten cents. Look at Us ana
pass us IL you can-apple-cutters "nit
tiers, ready for q game OF Columbus Kill
ling Indians, easily hidden in xnicker-
booker leg, made to hold pins, facks'
small marbles, and cracked nuts IN hoi-
low handles. and all for same rfice as
tops"
Tom gave his dog dime and nickel
| the last of his money, and passed man.
| fully On to the row of popping eyes re-
| longing TO china frogs that had peeh
followed out for cream-Jugs. He counted
the shiny spots on their green bodies,
examined the holes In their heads. end
| fingered the pofnted toes crossed sadly