Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-04-21

shaken up, and you should have heard
what merry tingle we sent forth,
each tiny piece trying to see which
could outring the others. remem beI
we'll the first time | was carried to be
exchanged for something, and how
proud felt as little chubby hand
closed over me, and child's sweet
voice said, THANK you, papa" Of
we went to a store near by, as happy
as dime could well be, because knew
was in innocent hands. My owner
seemed very proud of me by the way
she peeped into her hands at me every
little way and said, "What beauti-
ful new coin; you will buy me such a
nice story book, and l can read the lit.
tie stories to brother when we are tired
OF play, or mamma wants us to be
quiet" | was a little sad to part with
my little friend, but thought of course
have been the means of making some
one happy, should not wish to stop
now and never be useful again. So
when | was put into drawer where
there we're other pieces, looking
80 worn and. tired, l thought l would
ring again and show them all how
happy l was in doing good in the world
but they all looked sullen and as if
they were tired of living. We all were
exchanged for piece of green paper
and carelessIy put into pocket where
there were nails, keys, a knife, comb
and worse than all, pieces of tobacco.
could hardly breathe in that horrid,
crowded place, and began to wish for
ny freedom again. We were carried
about in this way all day, and at night
thought surely we will be put in a
clean place to rest and sleep. But not
so: instead We were taken to q place
where there were rough looking men,
and plenty of something in bottles this at
was worse yet than that horrid tobacco.
We were all stacked up, and as as
on the top, | could see as well as smell
my surroun dings, | noticed they all
held something in their hands, and
put down and took up until l thought
their actions as well as their faces real
ugly. shut my eyes and tried to think
OF my first starting out to be the means
of happiness instead of misery. was
not destined to dwell long in sweet
revery, for rough hand was laid on
me and heard curses that made me
tremble. There was loud report,
something fell heavily to the floor. We
were knocked helter skelter in eyery
direction. There were broken bottles,
and the scent of what were in them,
together with the curses, all mingling
together, was enough to chill my warm
enthusiasm for the time. was picked
up hastily aud although l was separ
ated from my companions, was glad
to get into a pocket again. A beautiful
lady with soft white hands next be.
came my owner, and l thought now
my hard trials of life are over, for
suppose all people with soft hands are
like my little friend. l watched her
put on her gloves and when she was
all ready to go out she let me fall and
lrolled under the dressing case; could
not ring very loud on such soft car.
pet, but hoped she would see me and
not be put to so much trouble. She
could not, although she shook her dress
aud moved things about; could hardly
believe myself as anything when l
heard her swearing was everything
hateful and ugly, that l was blood
money and that she was going to get
rid of me, l changed my mind about
white hands that moment. She found
me at last and took me to her dress
maker. Poor, tired. sad woman, she
looked at me and said, what nice,
new dime. shall now have part of
the rent for the landlord, but these few
pieces are not enough yet" l wished
then / was of more value for the sake
OF that poor woman. The landlord
next owned me, and one day became
so tired of being carried about and
never seeing the light that l sought
for means of escape, and finding a
broken stitch in the pocket fell down
in the soft snow and lay there. Two
ladies came along, their skirts brushed
over me and l lay shining in the sun.
One said: Look at that poor child,
barefoot in the snow, how pity him. +"
The other said: why, Jennie, how
silly of you to go along plying all
the beggars you see; they could do bet
ter II they tried. Nonsense of you,
girl" just then someone slipped and
fell on me; l heard cry of pain. Af-
ter moment they got up, and 10, l
was picked up by the barefoot boy. He
wiped away his tears and limped on to
a place where he gave me for a warm
loaf of bread. / felt glad and happy
again. Again I was put into drawer
to rest and wait until could be made
useful. That evening was taken out
and heard the man say, This is for
little Pet" felt somehow that was
going to fall into gentle hands again.
Sure enough the next morning a very
thin hand held me tight aud fast; we
were going somewhere, l could not
tell until heard pennies dropping into
box, and myself was numbered with