Middletown transcript., 1894-12-15
K athie'S Xmas
...Shopping
presents for Everybody From q
Pile not so big.

she did not try to change the decision.
"A dollar" sounded like goodly sum
to little girl ten years old, who never
had many dollars. But when you
come to count it up in small amounts
it isn't so big.
"There's ten cents for horn for
Harry, and Mable's bottle of cologne
is fifteen-its got beautiful blue bow
on the handel And I'll keep twenty
five cents for mamma; cause l can buy
her a pretty handkerchief with that.
And twenty cents for the ribbon to
make a bag for Auntie. And ten
cents for toy for the baby. And
twenty-five cents for one Of those
pretty paper knives for papa. And of
course l must find something pretty
for uncle some little thing for Bridget.
And l must get something pretty for
Annette Hoyt. l only see her school
times. but we havs sworn to be fast
friends, and perhaps she'll be mad at
me if I don't give her Chris! mas
present. And-ob, dear, how much is
all that?'
Kathie pondere every day over the
problem, frowning prodigiously be-
tween her pretty eyebrows and pursuing
her red lips. 1t never seemed to come
out right, until at the end of week
the dollar which had looked so big at
the beginning presented very small
and miserable appearance whenever
Kathie took it out to look at it.
"Have you bought all your Christ
mas presents yetP' asked father,
smiling, one morning, at the break
fast table, at Kathie's serious face,
"No," said Kathie, still intent on
trying to cut her coat according to her
CLOTH" There are so many of en-"
'tNevcr mind, Kathie. leave me out
this Christmas" said father, giving a
pull to the ffaxen braid hanging near
est him. Father had been i'll. Kathie
had heard them talk Of Doctors bills
and of other bills 10 be met. She
knew it in her heart that it was very
good of mother to allow her whole
dollar to spend. Dollars were not so
plenty nowadays. Mabel, making up
her mind not to ask for the money she
knew was hard to obtain, had been do
ing some sewing for a friend and
neighbor Miss Mansfield, just for the
sake of making enough money to pay
for the Christmas presents she wanted
to get. Kathie knew that, because
she had gone home with the work two
or three times. She wished herself big
enough to earn money, but a good
many school years must come before
that, Kathie knew. Besides, she had
dim hopes Of painting pictures some,
day. when she had learned how, and
that glittering prospect consoled her
for many present privations. She fin
ished her breakfast in sober silence,
hurrying because Mabel reminded her
of the package she was to carry home
that morning.
"It,s for Miss Mansfield, Kathie, and
Won must come directly home II she
pays you the money" was MabePs
parting charge.
II was not an errand Kathie specially
liked. Miss Manifold was grave, yet
rather quick In her manner and not
encouraging to little girls. Kathie
always got out of the house in hurry.
Still she went. The bundle WASH Z
very heavy, it was some fine ana
dainty stitching; and Miss Mansfield
vas at home and invited Kathie go sit
down while she looked for her purse.
"The work is very well done indeed"
she said, coming back. "Your sister
q a beautiful sewer, my dear. Here
are two dollars for this work, and LII
he glad to pay her for the other pieces
,o.morrow if she'll send them"
She handed Kathie the doubled-up
hill and although her manner was
somewhat kinder than usual katnie
felt in a hurry 10 leave and made her
,rav home. She walked up the street,
Wishing as she had wished many times
before. that she could earn such large
sums of money herself. She spread
mi the bill to look at it. There was 2
tuo.doIlar bill and behind i 2 one
folded with it.
ssThere," said kaInie' no : 's
me three-by mistake"
Was it a mistake3 Perhaps M'ss