The Columbus weekly dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1902-1905, 1904-11-10
A CHRISTMAS
BARGAIN " ~

Judy is my chief anxiety" wrote
Judy's mother, Mrs. Phoebe Follansbee,
to her sister, Miss Jane Pringle. Just
as soon as we knew that the bank in
which we had deposited our little all
had failed Ethel went to work in the
straw factory and Hetty is learning
dressmaking. I am sorry to say that
Judy is still a little fighty-very fond
of pretty clothes. and not SO sensible
as the others. Judy must help, but l
don't know what she can do"
Judy! Fudge. l suppose she means
Susan Jane" said Miss Pringle to her
self. We'll, l can't have her here. and
that settles it"
Nevertheless. this is the letter that
made its way by the next days mail to
the small gray house. under the shadow
of a great bald-pate mountain, where
poverty had flown in at the door:
Dear Sister Phoebe I have been
thinking that it would be handy to
have a spry young girl to help me in
the store. But she must be sensible
and have good judgment. besides being
spry. because l may want to send her
to the city to buy goods. If you think
your youngest. Susan Jane, can learn
to do as l want her to, send her along"
Sense and good judgment! Why.
Judy won't do" exclaimed Hetty. with
sisterly frankness. when she read the
letter. This seemed the general opin-
ion of the family, but nevertheless it
was decided that Judy should go.
They don't think l am good for any
thing" said judy to herself. But they
shall see"
She looked back through the blind
ing tears at the little gray house. There
were handkerchiefs waved from it as
long as the stage was in sight. Hosy,
the only boy. who was lame. waved his
cap on the end of his crutch.
You're not pretty, and that looks
as if you might have some sense" said
Aunt Jane, by way OF greeting. But
the parrot was polite and entertaining.
and the little dry goods shop fascinat-
ing, and Poppleton's main street was
gay. Slowly, but surely, Judy's spirits
rose.
OF course the new assistant made
some mistakes But she rearranged the
shop windows to the great satisfaction
of her aunt, who was inwardly con-
scious that she herself was not tasty"
and lacked an eye for color. And she
advanced several rev ideas which Miss
, Pringle instantly recognized as i'm
| provements.
| Christmas was coming-an anxious
time in shOpkeeping- Aunt Jane
was educating her niece up to a great
undertaking She had long dreaded the
necessary trip to the city for goods, on
account of the faintness that was apt
| to come upon her when she was in
/ crowds. and now she was beginning 10
| think that she might trust Judy to go
| in her stead.
Judy's taste could certainly be trust
ed and she was self-reliant and a ready
reckoner With a definite and exact
list of the articles wanted Miss Pringle
decided that her niece could go to the
city and buy the Christmas goods
There are always Christmas novel
ties and attractive bargains" she said
Il am going to give you $40 extra and
leave the purchases to your discretion"
What would they say at home? Judy
F., felt several inches taller as she walked
to the station.
The list first II was long and unin-
teresting Experience had taught Aunt
Jane just what kinds Of fancy soaps
and those articles were all set down in
rigid detail.
But while she was making these I'M
exciting purchases, Judy's heart and
eyes were all the time wandering in
search OF the fascinating Christmas nov
city. by which she meant to convince
Aunt Jane of her business talent
1t was when she was buying a piece
OF red cashmere that she caught sight
of a brilliant parasol. A salesman re-
moved 1T from it's casing and suspended
it conspicuously above the counter; il
was of red silk with elaborate fioun-
cings of chiffon like loveliest gossamer.
Judy gazed upon it in breathless admi-
ration.
Another parasol was suspended be-
side the first; this was of palest blue
With white founcings. There was one