The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1895-12-27

r1ed the Toys, III my hohoo, " ="
ON nv back, but they were all done up
in parcels and tied, so did not see. 1
was more hopeful then, for would re.
ceive INV wages at the end of the month,
they would add little gift, and could
buy my girls, if not the large doll which
they desired, at least smaller one.
ION the 31st of December they told me
at the store that they could not pay un-
til the first days of January. The firm
was too busy with receiving money to
give any.
How could / live until pay day?
And the New Years giftsp To wake
ND on the list of January with no
money in the house and nothing, moth
ing for the children l did not have
courage to wait for them. for dreaded
their New Years greetings and their
kisses would make me sick on that day
for the first time. went very early in
the morning before they walked up.
with a sort of feverish despair,
and for long time walked the streets.
At eight o'clock l went to the store
where thought they might have some
presents for me to carry to other chill
dren. Yes. they gave me very heavy
load of them. had taken several bum
dies and there were still three to be
taken-two in my quarter. and one far
Their off here in this street. where was
to deliver the largest package. which
was an enormous one. | had had no
breakfast, and / thought l would go
home to get little to eat, without let
ting the children see me. | entered to
find that the two little rooms which
occupied in basement at the foot of Q
court, were empty. A neighbor had
taken my children out to amuse them.
So, as the large bundle was very heavy,
| put it down in a corner, to tal<e ii
again soon, when should have carried
the other two in the neighborhood.
Half an hour afterward on my return, l
heard cries of joy. l entered and my
children rushed to me and kissed me.
The older one exclaimed in the midst of
her kisses: Thank you, dear papa.
thank you'll! And the little one: Thank
you, papa, thank you'll Thank you?
For what? And while was wondering
for what they could thank meme, who
had given them nothing, they ran into
the next room and came back with a
magnificent doll-an indestructible
doll! Oh! heavensl / understood thenl
They had come in during my Absence
and seen in the corner the bundle |
had laid down. 1t was the shape of the
large doll of their dreams, and they
thought it was my New Years gift.
They had undone the parcel and were
soon in possession of the doll. l ought
to have snatched it from their hands
crying: That is not for you-it is not
for you. 1t does not belong'to us. 1t is
for some other little girls But they
were SO happy! Oh! If you had seen
their joy! With what big eyes they
looked at their baby and devcured her
with caresses. did not have the cour-
age to take her away from them. |
went out, was saved. WANTED to run
to the store and say: You owe me
money, give Inc a large doll instead
Then | would have carried it to you,
madame, for had read your name on
the package. But could neither speak
TO the owner nor to the cashier, they
were SO busy just at that moment, and
then, was afraid. was really afraid.
This morning decided to come and tell
you all about it-confess everything.
Madame, | beg of you not to complain
of me at the store. They know nothing
about it and think you have received it.
have the reputation always of being
an honest man. shall get my pay in a
few days, and / will swear to you that
will bring you doll exactly like the
one which my children kept-in per-
feet innocence, assure YOU"
The door bell rang. 1t was the good
friend back again. They say positive
ly," said he, that the doll was sent yes
terday morning"
THAT is true" said the mother.
well, where is she then?"
In the hands of some little girls not
quite SO fortunate as these. Isn't that
it, Martha, Jeanne, Yvonne?"
The eldest answered.: "Yes, we have
given 1t away" and the two little ones
echoed: I'VE have given it away"
And all together they rushed from the
room, to return few moments later
with the dinner set, which they thrust
upon the father, saying: "Give this
to your little girls from u.s.
The good friend understood nothing
OF all this. Afterward, when they told
him the story, he looked up the mans
references, and finding them excellent
he gave him work.
And he gave to his little friends an
other indestructible doll. For, al
though 1t is well to teach children to do
good, they ought not to regret having