The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-11-27

Il rose impatiently from my seat on
the bridge, giving the little feet in the
coarse shoes an angry stamp as l did
so. Going down the road l grew
croSSer and naughtier until I reached
the one long street where the stores
were. Here I stopped to look in the
windows to see the things that 1 had
seen hundred years. l said to my
self, GROSSLY. Suddenly, my gaze fell
upon a little china tea-set on exhibit
ton. Now 1 had looked at this same
little tea-set with it's 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
Roberts, wanted the tea-set; they
had longed for it ever since the design
ing store-keeper had put it in his win
dow.
"I wonder who will get it?' said to
myself, with a sigh.
Nowadays, that tea-set costing a
dollar would seem a small thing. But
a dollar in those days was a great deal
to spend for a childs plaything.
stood here some time looking and think
ing. 1 wondered if the tea-set would
be sold before I was grown up and
could buy it myself. Finally walked
down the street forgetting about the
fine shoes in the desire for the tea-set.
Suddenly l stopped with cry of as
tonishment. l had reached the shoe
store, and glancing up what did l see
hnntG with
their long leather tops, and the boys
shoes, with their thick soles and cop
per toes? Could l believe my eyes?
There like dainty little princess was
a pair Of red shoes, yes, and further
on a pair Of purple shoes, too, colored
shoes! Red, purple and brown! such
beauties. A long time / stood there,
looking at them, then hurried into the
shop.
"'How dye do, Missy cried the old
shoemaker, who had known me since
had worn my first pair of shoes.
Want pair of shoes, do We? Well, let
me see what kind does mother wantY
"Under my downcast eyes on the
counter was a pair of shoes like the
ones wore. They seemed to read my
thoughts, and look at me with re-
proach. l turned my eyes resolutely
toward the window as replied:
ga pair of red ones, please AS the
words left my lips, my heart gave a
great bound, my boldness almost took
away my breath.
Ibid you say red ones, dearie? l am
getting little hard of hearing in these
days. putting his hand to his ear.
eyes, sir, red ones,' 1 answered,
loudly.
"'U-m-yes,' doubtfully; did your
mother say you should get red ones?
These are only for show, just a few
pairs-still, they are for sale too he
added, quickly, as he saw the look of
disappointment on my face.
"'But Pm afraid 1 haven't the size,'
looking down at my old shoes, have
only a couple of pair, but the purple
ones, guess they are about your size
'Going to the window he took out
the purple shoes, placing them in my
hands. AS my fingers pressed the del
icate leather, and looked at the bright.
pretty things. my last good thought
fed-I would have the shoes! Sit
ting on the old bench, Mr.. Stout tried
them on, and rather reluctantly said:
"'They are all right and added As
he wrapped them up, don't get the
soles soiled or I can't take them back,
and it may be your mother won't want
to keep them
"'No, SIR said; father will be in to-
night to pay for Them
"'That's all right, child, that's all
right. Mind now, that you do not get
those shoes dirty
81 hurried down the street, only
stopping once to look at the tea-set.
Down the path 1 flew with the pre-
cious shoes in my hands. When 1
reached the old willow 1 sat down,
and wiped my hot little face and
smiled. Those beautiful shoes! |
would just take a little bit of look
at them. Breaking tiny hole in the
paper, l looked in. What a beautiful |
color they were! Slowly I united the |
end, and took out first one, then the |
other. 1 turned them over, and won |
dered how would look walking about
in them. l unlaced one of my old shoes, |
took it off, and thrust my foot into the !
new one. Then I stood up on the pa
per with both feet close together How |
ugly the foot in the old shoe looked! |
Sitting down again, l removed the OBJ
noxious shoe, and put on the other !
purple one. How fine and handsome !
they were. 1t did not matter to me |
that my dress was an old and faded |
print; had no eyes for anything but |
the purple shoes. What was it Mr.. |
Stout had said about getting the soles
soiled? He could not take them back.
I would have to keep them. Softly l |
lifted one foot from the paper, and !
put it on the ground, then the other
In alarm at my naughtiness, quickly |
stepped back on to the paper. Here I |
stood for a moment undecided, then
with firm step walked back and forth
several times to the bridge. The soles
were soiled enough now! A naughty |
spirit within me said, Wear them
home, then your mother can't possibly
take them back
Putting on my sunbonnet, which
had taken off that 1 might better see
my feet, l started once more for home
with my old shoes in my hand and my
eyes fixed on the bright colored ones
upon my feet. AS I neared home I
wondered what my mother would say,
and if she would be very angry; then
walked very slowly, and by the time
had reached the gate, had almost
stopped. But must go in some time,
so plucking up my courage, / entered
the kitchen. My mother was still busy
with her baking; she did not look up
as entered, but said: