The Monte Vista journal., 1900-05-12


little sharp spike for nutpick.'
"'For Phillis Buddington, said the
mother.
And Phillis' eyes spnrkied at the
sight of pretty little clock, about
the size of n silver dollar, which she
had many time admired on Uncle
Eric's study table.
"And / think this must havs been
given to you to teach you to be a
more punctual little girl"
"Oh, oh-how beautirul." cried
Phillis. trembling all over with de-
light "Is it really mine? And can
wind it with this lovely little brass
key?"
And be very sure you don't lose
he key" said her mother. For care
essncss is one of your faults, as well
Is unpunctuality."
"l'll be very careful" promised Phil
is retrea,ing with her little clock in
onc hand and its key in the other.
For Patty, the scholar of the fam.
Iy. there was fine new diary book.
with gilt edges and tiny socket To
Keep its accompanying pencil from
'traying away.
"Oh. how nice." said Patty III
write down in the pages at night
everything that has happened during
the day. and when Uncle Eric comes
back. III read it all aloud to him"
Poor Uncle Eric." said Nathan.
Perhaps he'll think he had better
have been shipwrecked first, or eaten
up by the cannibals"
For sam, last Of all there was lit
tie brown-leather pocketbook. some.
what worn, lined with cherry silk.
with an especial space for postage
stamps.
He looked at it with rather n disap-
pointed expression of countenancc
Only this," said he. Goodness
me. Uncle Eric must surely have
meant to play "A joke upon me. be-
cause | never have any money to put
into pocketbook!" He turned away
on his heel. III Unclc Erie had meant
to remember me-" he grimbled. ''wby
couldn't he have given me that pretty
little ship of his that the old French
sailor made for him? or the magnet
or the music-box inside the paper.
weight? l don't think much of an
old leather pocketbook."
The more he thought about it. tln
less he was pleased with Uncle Eric's
remembrance of him: and nj last he
wrought himself up to such cundi-
tion of mind that he pulled the pock-
etbook out of his pocket and flung il
out into the row of lcnficss currant-
bushes that skirted the garden fence
And then he went about his business
and studies feeling relieved
This was in the morning. When the
long afternoon shadows began TO lie
ON the snowy ground. sam drove TO
the railway depot with the horse and
cutter. TO meet his father, who went
daily TO the city.
Father, said he, 81 wish YOU would
give me n dollar"
Mr.. Buddington looked grave.
"A dollar said he. What do YOU
want of a dollar? Don't you know
that dollars are not picked up. like
bntternuis, under the trces?"
Il want n new sled awful bad" said
Sam. I've tinkercd mine up. aud
tinkcrcd IL up. until it won't hold To-
gcthcr another day. And Lew Peek
is going to have n new one. and hc'll
sell me his old Eagle for n dollar and
half, and take out the half-dollar in
my pockctknifc with the corksercw
blade"
That is the arrangement. is it?''
in ,E faVt
Yes, sir" sam answered. And the
Eagles an ou'-and-ou, beauty. All
she needs is "A set of new steel run.
ncrs"
We'll, said Mr.. Buidingion I'm
think Of IL. and il there's u dollar 10
b" spared, I'll try TO help you through
with this bargain"
Father" said Sam. IL wish we wcr.
rich. wish | had all the money that
wanted to spend"
And how much would that bc?''
asked Mr.. Buddington, amused al the
lads carnestncss.
'oh, | don't know" replied sam.
Five dollars, think-or perhaps ten.
Ten, l guess, father. Oh | could get
whatever | wanted for ten dollars!"
We'll, You are about Us likely 20
get ten as five for all | can see" OBJ
served his father. There's Jake You
had better 90 around 10 the barn with
him. and see that Sorrel is quickly un-
hitched and well blankctcd."
Jake, the little colorcd boy who
helped around the barn and poultry
yard, was in great excitement.
81 done found you. pockctbook.
Mr.. Sam" he whispered, mys,eriously.
as they were unbucklIng the traces.
"out.n in d,. curruu' bushes Her. IL