The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1896-12-19

/ = NY AAG pANhtJ uehNy AOE 6uAlAueEt DuG
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 ! walked slowly along till came
to the little footbridge across a tiny
stream, This was a resting place
we children invariably stopped. Here
the branches Of big willow tree over
hung the little brook, making II
pleasant, shady place. Sitting on the
bridge with my feet dangling over the
side. my glance fell upon the shoes I
wore. Coarse and ugly, but substan-
tial shoes they were; bought for SER
vice, not for looks Heretofore the
prospect of 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 have
dainty shoes like Mary Testers? Why
had my mother said should get more
just like these hateful old things?
81 rose impatiently from my seat on
the bridge, giving the little feet in the
coarse shoes an angry stamp as did
so. Going down the road grew
| crosser and naughtier until I reached
the one long street where the stores
were. Here ] stopped to look in the
windows to see the things that / had
seen hundred years. ] said to my
self, GROSSLY. Suddenly, my gaze fell
upon a little china tea-set on exhibit
ton. Now / 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
| Roberts, wanted the tea-set; they
had longed for 1t ever since the design
ing store-keeper had put it in his win
! dow.
i wonder who viii get it?' said to
myself, with a sigh.
| Nowadays, that tea-set costing a |
! dollar would seem small thing. But |
dollar in those days was great deal |
to spend for a child's plaything. |
stood here some time looking and think |
ing. wondered If the tea-set would |
be sold before / 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 / stopped with cry of as
constituent had reached the shoe !
store, and glancing up what did see
among the same old mems boots, with
their long leather tops, and the boys
shoes, with their thick soles and cop
per toes? Could believe my eyes?
There like a dainty little princess was
pair of red shoes, yes, and further
on 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 OH the
counter was pair of shoes like the
ones wore. They seemed TO read my
thoughts, and look at me with re-
pronch, turned my eyes resolutely
"A pair of red ones, please AS the
words left my lips, my heart gave
great bound, my holiness almost took
away my breath.
Did you say red ones, dearle? am
getting little hard of hearing in these
days, putting his hand to his ear.
Yes, sir, red ones, answered.
loudly.
U-m-yes,' doubtfully; did your
mother say you should get red ones?
These are only for show, Just few
pairs-st!ll, they are for sale too he
added, quickly. as he saw the look of
disappointment ON my face. /
" But I'm afraid l haven't the size,
looking down at my old shoes. have
only a couple of pair, but the purple I
ones. guess they are about your size
Going to the window he took ont
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
hed--l would have the shoes! Sit
ting on the old bench, Mr. Stout tried
them on and rather reluctantly said: {
IVY dlS All right, anu uuueU as l
he wrapped them up, don't get the
soles sOiled or 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 1
That's all right. child. that's all
right. Mind now, that you Ito not get c
those shoes dirty
Il hurried down the street. only +
stopping once to look at the tea-set. d
Down the path flew with the pre- |
cious shoes in my hands. When | a
reached the old willow sat down,
and wiped my hot little face AMI '
smiled Those beautiful shoes! IL b
would just take a little bit of look t
Mt them. Breaking n tiny hole in the /
paper | looked In. What a beautiful C
color they Werel SLOWLY I untiad tha