Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-12-18
The Spending of a Dime.

Next to fishing, boating, wading and
picnicking, the twins enjoyed visiting
the japanese store up at the park.
Upon the particular morning of which
we speak they had a special pleasure
in store-the spending of ten-cent
piece which Aunt Clara had given
them for taking care of baby Marie
for one whole afternoon.
The japanese store was pleasant
place 1t had a spicy, cedary smell
from the fans, boxes and paper cut
tiers of sandalwood- 1t was gay with
parasols of bright colors- Here and
there were screens of soft olive, buff
and delicate gray, upon which were
painted sprays of pink and white
plumb and cherry blossoms, and birds
with outstretched wings of brown and
purple and crimson and blue flying
over the heads of maidens with slant
ing eyes and flowing gowns of gor-
geous colors. Then there were tables
loaded with delicate china, some with
bamboo baskets and workstands
others with quaint and ingenious toys,
while in the background hung drap-
cries shining with rich ornamental
hueS.
Lets spend the dime for that par
rot up in the corner" said Posy,
pointing to a wonderful creation of
gay feathers and beak. 1T would be
fun to take him home and hear grand
mas parrot say: 'Hullo!' to him.
81 think we might spend the money
fnp nil for. n
she's SO fond of china" said Rosy,
thoughtfully.
PoSy had boys Indifference to fine
china, but he was not Indifferent to
grandma's desires. However, it was
found that neither parrot nor china
was sold for dime. The parrots
price was twenty-five cents, and there
wasn't a cup and saucer in the store
for less than thirty cents.
Lets buy some frogs" said Posy,
pointing to some made OF emerald
green paper, gilt spotted and stuffed
with cotton. There's one fastened
to "a hoop, and if you bend the ends
he'll jump over-real leap frog
fashion,"
Posy Ashton. you've got two frogs
home now!''
$50 L have. Well, waut to get a
mouse?"
mo. They make me feel like
jumping up on a CHAIR" Rosy rejoin-
ed, looking s:skance at dozen or so
of sleek gray and white creatures
fastened by their twisted paper tails
| upon sheet OF cardboard. "i5eSides.
Jenie Graham told me that their red
bead eyes come out real easy"
ION, there are some bows and ar
| rowS-JapaneSe instead of the Indian
kind" said Posy.
| 'IWenty-nve cents, SIR said the
clerk, with a low bow and d flourish
OF his hands. He was real Japanese:
and you know they are real polite to
everybody. even little children.
A scarlet and gilt mustard pot, a
pepper box, a feather fan, and a china
pin tray in the shape of ivy leaf-each
in turn claimed the children'S atten-
tion; but neither Posy nor Rosy could
decide what to choose
| Suddenly Rosy, who stood by the
window, gazing, aS her brother thought
at little ugly, squatty idol, eXclaim-
ed eXcitediy. Look, Posy, do you see
that little girl on the sidewalk?"
Where? What? Why, yesl She's
the one who came with the woman
who brought home Aunt Eva's wash
! ing. Randy Farnell's her name isn't
it, and she lives off on some Island -
Just think how lonesome it must
| be for her in the winter,'
Posy nodded. He knew and loved
the st. Lawrence in summer, with its
crystal waters rejecting the blue sky
and all aglint with sunshine and alive
with big white steamers Haunting
their gay flags and loaded with merry
passengers. but what must it be in
winter, when the frost king comes
galloping down upon his Steed, the
north wind, when the sunlight grew
| pinched and pallid, and the air thick
ened with whirling snowfiakeS, and
the great river curdled with gray ice?