The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-16


"It wouldn't hurt us one mite. DO
let us go, Imogen.''
well, I'll tell you what you can do"
said Imogen. "You can walk over
there; / guess it won't hurt you to
walk one way, and then you can ride
over about half past 4. I'll give you
some money"
"Oh! that's beautiful. Thank you,
Imogen," cried Matilda, gratefully.
"Well, run along. and don't say an
other word to me-" said Imogen, scowl-
ing over the crimson thibet; wrap up
warm"
When they started Matilda insisted
upon dragging Comfort first In the
sled. "rll drag you as far as DR..
Hutchins," said she; then you get or
and drag me as far as the meeting
house. l guess that's about even
1t was arduous, and it is probable the
little girls We're much longer reaching
Bolton than they would have been had
they travelled on their two sets OF leet
all the way. but they persuaded them
selves otherwise.
1--WE can't be--a mite-tired,' painted
the last stretch; ''for we each of us rode
half the, way, and mile ana a hair
amt anything. You walk that every
day to school and back
"Yes, ! do" assented Comfort. she
could not believe that she was tired,
either, although every muscle In her
body ached.
Bolton was large town, and the peo-
pie from all the neighboring villages
went there to do their trading ana Shop-
ping. There was a wide main street,
with stores on each side, and that day
it was full of sleighs and pungs and
wood sleds, and there were 50 many
people that Comfort felt frightened.
She had never been to Bolton without
her father or mother. Just look at
all the folksv' said she, and she had an
uncomfortable feeling that they all
stared at her suspciously, although she
did not see how they could Know
about the ring. But Matilda was
bolder. It's such pleasant uay
they're all out trading SAID she.
Guess it'll storm tomorrow. NOW we
want to go to Gerrish's. | went there
once with mother and Imogen to buy
silver spoon for Cousin Hannah Green,
when she got married.
Comfort, trailing the sled behind her,
started timidly after Matilda.
Gerrish's was a small store, but there
was a large window full of watches,
and chains, and clocks, and man with
spectacles, sat behind it, mending
watches.
The two little girls went in and stood
at the counter, and a thin man with
gray whiskers, who was Mr.. Gerrlsh
himself. came forward to wait upon
them. Matilda nudggd Comfort. you
ask him, it's your ring" she whispered
But Comfort shook her head. she
was almost ready to cry. you
ought to when I'm giving you the dol
lar" whispered Matilda, with another
nudge. Mr.. Gerrish stood waiting ana
he frowned a little; he was nervous
man. ASK him." whispered Matilda
fiercely.
Suddenly Comfort Pease turned her
self about and ran out of Gerrlsh
with a great wall of inarticuiate words
about not wanting any ring. The door
banged violently after her. Matilda
Stebbins looked after her In a be-
wildered way, then she looked up al
Mr.. Gerrish, who was frowning harder
"If YOU girls don't want anything,
you'd better stay out of doors with your
sled" said he. And Matilda trembleu
and gathered up the sled rope, ana the
door banged after her. Then Mr.. Ger
rish said something to the man mend
ing watches in the window, and went
hack to his desk in the rear of the store
Matilda could just see Comfort run
ming down the street toward nome ana
she ran after her. She could run faster
than Comfort. AS she got nearer she
could see people turning and looking
curiously after Comfort, and when she
came up to her she saw she was cry
ing.
"Why, you great baby, Comfort
Pease," said she, going along the road
crying"
Comfort sobbed harder, and people
stared more and more curiously. Fin
ally one stout woman in black VeiNe'
bonnet stopped. II hope you haven,
done anything to hurt this other little
glr?" she said suspiciously to Matilda
mo, ma'am, amt" replied Matilda
whats the matter, child?' said the
woman In the black velvet bonnet tt
Comfort, and Comfort choked ou
something about losing her ring
Where did you lose it?' asked the
woman
II don't know" sobbed Comfort.
"Well, you'd better go right home