The Minneapolis journal., 1902-02-15
The,
story
The DandeliOn Bank

me DQnQeLEOn BQnF ;
T HE Junior Society of the Bonnybor-
ough church was Wide-awake, go
ahead, ready for work band of boyss.and
girls who attended their weekly meetings
with enthusiasm and tried to bring in all
their friends and persuade then--no, they
did not have sto:persuade them very much,
for when The friend found how thoroughly
delightful the meetings were and how
manly and womanly the members became,
they We're quite sure to ask the privilege
Of joining.
One of the members had visited a So
ciety in an adjoining town, where the
singing was led by the music of a beauti-
ful parlor organ, and his account so fired
the hearts of the ~Bonnyborough young
folks that they decided that an organ was
the one thing their society lacked.
The juniors felt that they could not
wait for the regular business meeting and
Miss Lyons, their president, had a con
viction that it was well to strike while the
iron was hot. Therefore, special meet
ing was called. The committees were all
there, and as every member of the society
was on committee the society was out in
almost full force. Only one was missing
little Daily Denison, who had recently
Joined <-
y They were sure that Miss Lyons would
think of some way to get an organ, and
when they saw her face as she stepped
upon the platform, they knew that she
had something mice" on her mind.
''WelI, children" said she II have the
promise of an organ for just half price,
$40, on one condition, that you earn it,
Then some faces fell, while others
frightened, but in moment all bright
ened when Miss Lyons said resolutely,
II know you can do it. I have seen your
parents, and they all think you can. You
are twenty strong, and have three months
in which to do it. Berry time. is coming
there are also other ways in which to earn
money. All in favor of earning an organ
manifest it by rising"
Every one rose enthusiastically, and the
meeting was dismissed.
Daffy Denison was standing at her win
dow when Lou and Alice Newell went by.
why" they exclaimed, "Daffy wasn't
there. We n1ust tell her. Daffy listened
wistfully.
It'll be lovely" she said, ''but-but
we haven't been here long, so you prob
xbly do not know that mama is an invalid
and cannot walk. and her hands are all
stiff. Papa is dead now. He was a
soldier and mama has his pension, and
that's enough to support us, but-there's
never anything left. And-and mama has
had bad spells. SO I have to stay where
meetings, Auntie Gray stays with her,
BUT she cannot come very often, so I will
not be allowed to go Or :-.%5s.
The tender-hearted girls stopped her.
you shall not pay a cent. We can do
H.
Miss Lyons said the, same, but Daffy
was not satisfied. She longed to do her
part, but how? It was the first Of May,
the three months were all before her, but
what could she do when the dear mother
needed her little daughter continually
within CALL She had been thinking harder
Than ever one bright morning as she gath
cred dandelion green's on the sunny bank
that sloped away from the back of the
cottage.
ri think I'll go around the front way,
20 as to see my crocuses,' she said to
herself. AS she opened the gate she stood
face to face with bright-eyed, bent old
lady.
"Them's master nice dandelion green's,
little miss. They look tiful."
Daffy blushed and hesitated a moment
between polite generosity and an aching
back. Picking green's was not easy work.
But generosity triumphed
would you like 'em, MAJ amp she
Why, now, 1 would, reilly Thank
re kindly e IT, -
And the woman opened a satehel that
held them all. -. .,..s.L -r-
Next morning big market wagon
stopped in front OF, the cottage and
eheery voice shouted: 80 80 -. ,..s=-
'tHello!'' ,,~..s - I:
Daffy ran to the door.
'Are you the little girl who gave an old
2ady some green's yesterday?' ~
Daffy blushed and nodded:
..fWell, that is my mother She likes
long walks. l keep q. grocery store and
TIL pay you 10 cents basket for all ye
pick for two weeks. I'll come for EN-
mornings"
He drove away and Dafy ran into the
house. 49,
..-oh, mamsey,'' she cried, "I'll pick and
Daek, an let's put the money in my bank
and not open Il till dandelion season, is
0ver."
When at last the little bank was emp
Ted, guess how much it contained-three
collars and ten cents.
THAT dandelion bank is real gold
1ine," said Daily. But / think the real
gold mine was the generous, unselhsh
heart that prompted the earning Of the
money. Lillian Spain,
ughth Grade. Two Harbors, Nina.