The age-herald., 1899-10-22
MARBLES EARRING MONEY

Mrs Clay lived in Birmingham. near the Paul Hayne public school, and her little daughter Mabel, with a great many other children, went there each day to school Mabel was in the primary grade where she learned great many things that she had never thought of before. She not only learned from her teacher, how to read and write, a great deal about numbers, lan- guage, the world we live in and how to draw pictures, but she learned many things from fine children with whom she played.
 Every day Mabel surprised her mother with some new idea. and her mother did not always think them good ideas And then eaeh day MG5el Was sure to want to buy something that all the other girls had as she would tell her mother. Mother would tell Mabel that Was no reason at all for her to have it, and tried to show her that her actions should not be governed by the others but Mabel could not see that way. One day all the boys and girls had bicycles and she must have ona. too Her father was very able to gratifv every reasonable request, and so she had a bicycle. Another time it was dolls and the numboe of pen nies used that way would surprise you. Again it would be marbles or tissue paper dolls or buttons Sometimes one thing and sometimes another. Nearly every time her parents would allow her to have that which ''al the other girls nad but sometimes mother had to say no.
 Mabel came running in one afternoon, earnest and eager with a new request. She knew her father Was rich and that he very seldom refused his little pet anything she had set her heart on, so she expected that ''ali the other girls would envy her tomor- rom. She began telling her mother that she had never wanted anything so much in all her life and 'all the other girls have them" and if mother would just let her have them she would be, oh such good girl.
 And what do you suppose she wanted so much? Why, she wanted a pair of ear rings.
 Now. Mabel" said mother CT have often told you you wanted too many things, and l am sure you have no use for ear-rinss."
 "Oh, mother, many of the girls are going to have them, and Clara Day had on such a beautiful pair today. Her grandma gave them to her. Please, mother, let me have some"
 Mother saw that Mabel was inclined to tease so she quietly but empha tically said "That will do Mabel, I do not approve of earrings; it is foolish, silly fashion, and l shall not buy any for you"
 Mabel knew 1t would be useless to ask again. and then expected that to do so would insure some punishment. but she wanted them so much that she dared go a little further.
 After several minutes she said, "Mother if I ask father and he says he will buy them, may I wear them?'
 She was uneasy for having said this and grew more so during the few minutes Mrs Clay allowed to pass before she answered, and was dreading her mothers reply. so sine was surprised and relieved when Mrs. Clay said, "Mabel. l am sorry you are so per sstent. but for this once I shall not say word more, but will allow you to ask your ia ther for a thing that l have refused you. and if he consents you may have them
 Mabel looked at her mother to see if she seemed to think her father would say no. but she gathered nothing from Mrs. Clay's face, and so with this faint hope she waited impatiently for MT. Clay to come from the office.
 The dinner hour soon arrived and Mabel ran out to meet papa with kiss. as usual, and bring him to dinner. MT. Clay saw at once that Mabel was full of something to tell him or ask him. and mothers peculiar smile made him curious to know what 1t was, so he called his little daughter to him and asked: "What is 1t this time?'
 "Oh, papa. Clara Day and some of the /othel- girls have gotten some earrings and all the other girls are going to have holes put in their ears, and l want to nave them' Can't l. dear papa?"
 Mabel swas prepared to hear him say mo- but how glad she was whcu he said. Why yes, my pet, I'll give you the money 10 buy the ear-rings if you want it. and buy you two other rings besides, if you will do what I tell you"
 Oh I am so glad! You darling papa!' and Mabel danced about in her -iee. 'Whst is it you want me to do: of course HI do just anything you say-if I can do it, papa" she added
 ."Oh. yes; it's harder to do than to have holes in your ears. and is just as sen- sble Finish your dinner and we shall go right down to the jewelry store and find the prettiest rings in it"
 Mabel could scarcely eat ~ anxious was she to get the rings which she supposed would be for her fingers. She thought sine never saw her papa eat so much and take so long to eat it. Finally, however. he did get through. Mother brushed her hair, put on her cloak and hat and Mabel ran on by L1.. ..i oufl ln.a,.- G u