The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-29

grave. and mamma had explained 10 her
afterward that his business was trou-
bling him. and that II made him i'ti
81. ~ not to give his children as liberal
Gum as usual 10 spend In holiday gifts.
n must make the two cents do. some
way" she said firmly. Il can't ask Tor
more money. and hurt papa's feelings
SO she skipped downstairs. put on her
fur jacket and Tam-o'-shanter and start
cd OF once more fer Miss Crinkle's at
tractivc shop whore she had made nearly
all her purchases. II was a small town
in which Daisy lived. and few moments
walk brought her TO Main street She
walked about some time among the fas-
cinating things at Miss Crinkics. trying
10 find sine little thing that cost only
ono cent Finally. she saw some hand
some penholders In a case. They were
black. and ornamented with gold. with
gold pens I'm them.
ooh. a pen would be Just the thing
for Mr. Bradford 10 write his sermons
with" she said 10 herself. But when she
found that they were a dollar and a half
her heart sank A happy thought came.
however. Immediately after.
How much would a steel pen cost;
just the pen, without the penholder2'
she asked bravely.
"Oh. steel pens are ten cents a dozen,
or a cent apiece" replied thet clerk.
Every well / will take one" said Daisy.
While she was picking out nice bright
one she suddenly remembered that the
long pins with black heads. such as her
mamma wore 10 fasten on her hat, also
cost but one cent. She had bought some
there for her only a short time before.
II would be a very suitable present for
Mrs Bradford. she thought. so she asked
for one and when both her small pur-
chases were rolled up IN tissue-paper she
ran homo with a light heart
II won't tell mamma what I've got,
TIM afterward" she said. because she
may feel badly that ! coildn't get some
thing nicer for them Anyway. they are
very useful presents. and beside mamma
said that any gift no matter how small.
was valuable n only real heart love went
with H.. and $50 Daisy dismissed the sub
jeci from her thoughts.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bradford We're just get
ting mp from the breakfast table on
Christmas when Daisy Edmonds appear
ed in the doorway looking like little
picture. with bunch of holly berries I'm
her hand.
I've como 20 wish you a merry Christ
mas" she said. "and 20 bring you each
a very little gift ] hope you viii find
thom useful n they aren't much of a
present. but n great deal of love goes
with them. and mamma says IT'S the
love that makes the present valuable.
Perhaps YOU will write one of your SER
mons with this. Mr. Bradford. some
time" and she looked shyly into his
face as she handed him the bright new
pen.
.'Why. Daisy brand new pen" the
minister exclaimed why thats exactly
what / was needing. how could You
cuesii" and the little girl was suddenly
taken MP into his strong arms. II shall
write my very best sermons with 10, yes
Indeed. dear child and let me tell YOU
that the text of one Of them shall be your
own sweet self" and as he bent 10 kiss
her Daisy thought she saw tears shin
ing in his eyes. which seemed 10 her
very funny thing 10 happen.
and I shall tie a ribbon on my Christi
mas hat-pin so that ~ will not get
mixed with the others IN my pin-cush-
ION" said dear, kind Mrs Bradford, and
/ shall boz very choice OF 10 and only wear
10 with my very best bonnet"
So they po'fcd and praised and thanked
her and made her feel so happy
When she got home and told her papa
and mamma the whole story. 10 her sur
prise. they both Rugged and kissed and
praised her. too. and for just "a moment
She thought she saw tears shining In
their ewes also. But as thtcy were smil-
Ing all the time. and laughing and look
ing az each other I'm happy way. Daisy
felt sure that they must De what she
called happiness tears" and was glad
der than ever that she had managed 20
make the two cents DO. without troubling
dear papa and mamma about II In any
way-Fannie Louise Weaver I'm Dec.
youths Companion