Middletown transcript., 1894-12-15

GnrlStmaS present. hdUulo SHOOK n6l
head OF that absurd thought. But
Miss Mansfield, if she did not know it
would never miss it, and-it would
buy all the other Christmas presents
she had wanted to getl Katnie gasped.
The thought took away her breath.
The money was Miss Mansfield's, not
hers. But, Miss Mansfield had so
many more dollars, and it would buy
SO many, many things-that extra
dollar. 1t would be enough to buy
Christmas presents for everybody, and
even one for Annette Hoy t, who would
think her so mean if she didn't get it'll
But Kathis's stout little conscience
stood firm. 1t would be wrong. 1t
was a mistake of Miss Mansfield's.
She would not take advantage Of it,
even though the lady had great deal
of money, and could have given her
the dollar without missing it. But
again-the dollar was not for herself.
1t would buy pleasure for ten-twelve
other people, this dollar, which Miss
Mansfield would hever miss, or even
know about.
Kathie carried the dollar home. She
delivered the two dollars to Mabel,
and, with shaking little fingers, put
the extra bill away in her drawer.
Then she counted out her Christ mas
presents afre sh. Everybody could have
one now. But, somehow, the pleasure
which the calculating and planning
with her rightful property had given
her had all died out. Kathie made
out her list and wrote all the names in
her round, childish hand. Two dollars
would buy all the presents she wanted
to give-for everybody. Her generous
little heart swelled. Then pang shot
through it. After all she couldn't do
it, because the money was not hers to
give! Then Kathie broke down and
laid her head on the list and cried.
The tears ran down and blotted out all
the names and all the presents she
wanted to buy for everybody. 1t did
not matter. The list would not be
wanted.
81 shall have to carry the dollsr back
and tell her," was Kathie's next refec-
tion. Somehow that wasn't SO hard.
The battle was fought and won when
she decided that she must do right, no
matter what came of it. Even her
terror of Miss Mansfield died out after
that. Miss Mansfield looked surprised
to see her little neighbor back so soon.
sit was mistake, ma'am," said
Kathie, abruptly, handing that lady the
bill. "You gave me three dollars in
stead of two."
"And why didn't you hand it back
to mel began Miss Mansfield |
sharply.
81 didn't know it until [ was palt |
way home," answered Kathie, bravely |
looking with clear eyes into her
face.
"But why"- began the censor,
again.
Kathie squirmed in her chair. Then
with sudden impulse, size told why
she had carried the extra dollar home
and how, when she got it there, she
found out that there was no way for it
but to bring it back again. Miss Mans
field listened, holding the dollar in her
hand. Then she half extended it to
the little girl. But she put it back in
her purse, swapping the catch, and any
faint hope which Kathie may have had
on the subject of Christmas present
died out. Kathie finished her report Of
the matter. Then she got up to leave
with the old feeling of getting out of
the house strong upon her.
"Kathie," said Miss Mansfield, sud-
denly, 81 need little girl sometimes
to dust and put in order china and Or
in this room. will he glad
to pay you something fer the work-if
you can do it without breaking them,
mind!" with a touch of the old sharp
ness.
But Kathie looked up into her face
then and smiled, feeling only glad be-
cause of the blessing which was COM
ing to her because she had not been
afraid to do right.
"It's ten dogs to Christmas yeti" she
her joy bubbling up into
her voice. "Can begin tomorrow?
Perhaps l could earn dollar by Christ
masp
And then the stern Miss Mansfield
laughed too.
"I am sure you could, Kathie," said
she; 'and you shall begin tc-morroww
EVA TOvETT