Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-12-09


have time: you have been alone before,
and know what 80 cJ. Get the shoes a
size larger and like those you have on,
They are pretty heavy for summer, but
they wear well,' she added, more to her.
self than to me.
Taking from Its peg my little pink
sunbonnet. started down the path to-
ward that part of the village where the
few stores stood. 1t was a warm day
and I walked slowly along till came
to the little footbridge across q tiny
stream. This was resting place
we children invariabl, stopped. Here
the branches of big willow tree over
hung the little brook, making II a
pleasant, shady place. Sitting on the
bridge with my feet dangling over the
side. my glance fell upon tie shoes
wore. Coarse and ugly. but substan-
tial shoes they were; bough. Tor SER
vice. not for looks. Heretofore the
prospect of a pair Of new shoes had
been quite enough to make me happy,
but to-day the spirit Of envy had taken
hold Of me. Why couldn't 1 have
dainty shoes like Mary Lesters? Why
had my mother said I should get more
just like these hateful old things?
Il. rose impatiently from my seat on
the bridge, giving the little feet In the
coarse shoes an angry stamp as l did
80. Going down the road grew
crOsser and naughtier until reached
the one long street where the stores
were. Here 1 stopped to look in the
windows to see the things that / had
seen hundred years. 1 said to my
self. GROSSLY. Suddenly, my gaze fell
upon 4 little china tea-set on exhibi-
ton. Now l had looked at this same
little tea-set with its wild roses and
pretty vines a great many times, but
the mark, 81, had always made 1t seem
far away. All the girls, from Jennie
Todd. four years old, up to big Mary
wanted the tea-set: they
had longed for it ever since the design
Ing store-keeper had put it in his win
dow.
Il wonder who will get it?' said to
with sigh.
Nowadays, that tea-set costing
1Ollar would seem a small thing. But
4 dollar in those days was a great deal
10 spend for a child's plaything. l
stood here some time looking and think
ng. l wondered II the tea-set would
be sold before l was grown up and
,ould buy it myself. Finally walked
iown the street forgetting about the
inc shoes In the desire for the tea-set.
Suddenly l stopped with a cry of as
l had reached the shoe
store, and glancing up what did l see
tmong the same old mems boots, with
heir long leather tops. and the boys
;hoes. with their thick soles and COP
,er toes: Could 1 believe my eyes?
There like a dainty little princess was
! pair Of red shoes, yes. and further
IN a pair Of purple shoes, too. colored
hoes! Red, purple and brown! such
,ea auties. A long time / stood there,
ooking at them, then hurried into the
hop.
How dye do, Missy cried the old
hoemaker, who had known me since
had worn my first pair Of shoes. |
Want pair of shoes, do We? Well. let |
ne see what kind does mother want?
Under my downcast eyes on the !
ounter was pair Of shoes like the |
nes wore. They seemed to read my |
hOughts. and look at me with re-
roach. / turned my eyes resolutely |
oward the window as l replied:
"A pair Of red ones. please AS the
lords left my lips. my heart gave a
reat bound, my boldness almost took
way my breath.
Ibid you say red ones. dearie? am
citing little hard of hearing in these
ays,' putting his hand to his ear
Yes, sir, red ones l answered.
,udiy.
"'U-m-yes,' doubtfully; did your
lother say you should get red ones:
hese are only for show, just few
airs-still, they are for sale too he |
dded, quickly, as he saw the look of
isappOintment on my face.
But I'm afraid l haven't the size,
ooking down at my old shoes. have
My a couple of pair. but the purple
mes. guess they are about your size
Going to the window he took out
be purple shoes. placing them in my
lands. AS my fingers pressed the del
cate leather, and looked at the bright |
pretty things, my last good thought
led would have the shoes! Sit
ing On the old bench, Mr.. Stout tried |
hem on. and rather reluctantly said:
They are all right and added as
lie wrapped them up, don't get the |
,oles soiled or 1 can't take them back, |
md 1t may be your mother won't want |
20 keep them
No, SIR said; father will be In to |
night to pay for them
THAT'S all right, child, that's all
light. Mind now, that you do not get
hose shoes dirty
II hurried down the street, Only
stopping once to look at the tea-set. |
Down the path I few with the pre-
.ious shoes in my hands. When !
reached the old willow l sat down |
md wiped my hot little face and
smiled. Those beautiful shoes!
would just take a little bit of a look
It them. Breaking tiny hole in the
paper, 1 looked in. What a beautiful
'olor they were! Slowly l united the
end, and took out first one, then the
thor turuod them over and won