Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-11-13
RITyING A HAT FOR JIMMIE.

,,mmie. on the drop seat of the
..onybam. leaned forward and asked
=. amt where they were going. She
Sampd a big department store and his
sacp lighted up. "They have ice cream
..do in the basement" said he.
"0b. I'm sure it can't be goodw
aNo-o-o-o." Jimmie always agrees
Nth lady. at isn't so bad, though.
wben we bought the kitchen coal-hod
courtney treated me. We had chocolate
and strawberry mixed-oh, fine! Don't
-ou think I might treat him to-day?
! / could carry glass out to the car
,,see without spilling a drop" He
suddenly thrust his head out Of the
cariage. Courtney, what kind"
His aunt dragged him inside. Some
other time" she said.
"What can 1 do?' he asked, after o
gloomy pause.
"We're going to buy a hat, dear"
II don't want any old hat"
"A nice new hat"
This feebly jocose correction fell fiat.
Jimmie grasped the hat on his head
with both painfully gloved hands and
dragged it down to his ears. ITS just
got comforblew he moaned. "She''-
he meant no disrespect to his mother
-"wants to send this one to the In
dlans or the Florida children. s'pose."
gleam of hope illuminated his face.
II wish they might have the new one.
| wouldn't mind having it fitted on me.
Don't you think they'd be pleased %
Jimmie's aunt ignored this artful ap-
peal. "You know your mother wishes
you to be spick and span when grand
ma comes Thursday"
"Oh, my grandma won't mind" con-
ldently. "And I'd brush up great!'
His aunt shook her head.
Perhaps boots would do? They'd
be all right. New ones kick fine"
This easy sacrifice to the home god
dess was promptly rejected, and jim
nile knew then that it was to be a
hat.
when I buy them myself they'll be
old and big, and everything new will
60 into the barrel-and maybe there
won't be any barrel" he threatened.
darkly.
Jimmie helped his aunt to alight at
Cut & Cash's store, and followed her
to the hat counter, the sullen tread of
his feet speaking volumes of disgust.
The counter was surrounded by wo-
men, mostly mothers, but Jimmie's
turn came at last.
"Well, lady," said the perspiring
clerk, "what can l show you for your
little boy?"
shes not my mother" said Jimmie.
She's my aunt. She isn't even mar
ried. My father says"
"Show me something in white
straw, please" Jimmies aunt said,
hastily. Something suitable for a
boy of nine"
Nearly ten," corrected Jimmie. My
father says"
Something a little wider in the
brim, and l prefer a navy-blue band,'
said Jimmie's aunt.
My father" began Jimmie. But
his aunt promptly clapped a hat on
his head, and his tune changed. III
don't feel good! It's too small. And
don't want an elastic under my chin;
only small kids wear them. Oh, II
hurts my headw
When the clerk was on his knees
opening boxes, trying to find another
hat, Jimmie again became amiably
sOciable.
THE last time the New London man
was there, he said"
Something similar to his old hat
VIII be right" said Jimmies aunt, in
an agltated falsetto.
The New London man said, "A kiss
Is as good as a smile,'" continued jim
mie. II was under the sofa, and
heard"
This will do. You need not look
any further" said Jimmie's aunt, seiz
ing hat and placing it on Jlmmie's
mead with determined hand. The
clerk rose, but not before he was mast
er OF his countenance, and began to
turn over the slips in his book.
You must be awfully ratified
aunty," said Jimmie. 'This is my old
hat."-Youth's Companion.