River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-12-22
A CHRISTMAS
BARGAIN " x

as soon 2S we knew Lndb IHS DdAh III
which we had deposited our little all
had failed, Ethel went to work in the
straw factory and Hetty is learning
dressmaking. / am sorry to say that
Judy is still little fighty-very fond
of pretty clothes, and not so sensible
as the others. Judy must help, but |
don't know what she can do"
Judy! Fudge! | suppose she means
Susan Jane" said Miss Pringle to her
self. well, 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: l have been
thinking that it would be handy to
have a spry young girl 70 help me in
the store. But she must be sensible
and have good judgment, besides being
spry, because | 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,
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 / 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
Pringle instantly recognized as i'm
provements
Christm s. was coming-an anxious
time in shOpkeeping-an Aunt Jane
was educating her niece up to 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 to
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.
az am going to give you 500 extra and
leave the purchases to your discretion"
What would they say at home? Judy
felt several inches taller as she walked
to the station.
The list first. It was long and unin-
teresting. Experience had taught Aunt
and candy baskets would sell best
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 piece
of red cashmere that she caught sight
of a brilliant parasol A salesman re-
moved it from it's casing and suspended
it conspicuously above the counter; it
was of red silk with elaborate floun-
cings of chiffon like loveliest gossamer.
Judy gazed upon 1t in breathless admit
ration.
Another parasol was suspended be-
side the first; this was of palest blue
with white founcings. There was one
all of chiffon-"old rose the clerk
called the color Git was unknown to
Crow HID. Its handle was of twisted
wood that gave out faint, delicious
perfume.
Selling at retail for a song. Don't
want to keep them over because white
is going to be the rage next year." ex-
planned the clerk to some one who re-
marked that it was unusual to see para
soils at Christmas. six and seven-dol-
lar parasols-all for a dollar and a
half"
Judy tried to be practical-not to let
her esthetic sense run away with her
business bump" She knew her weak
ness for a parasol and fan; they had
laughed about it at home. But other
people liked beautiful parasols. They
would add the touch of color and grace
that it was always impossible to obtain
with Miss Pringles sternly useful COM
modities. She believed. too, that they
would stand her aunt's crucial test of
values, that they would SELL
A crowd of women was collecting
round the parasols, which the clerk
was still hanging up.
81 will take 49, said Judy, firmly,
and her heart beat like a trip-hammer.
The crowd gazed at her; even the clerk
looked astonished.
"Parasols! Thirteen parasols in the
dead of winter! Susan Jane Follans-
bee are you crazy?" cried Aunt Jane.
shrilly. 81 couldn't sell parasol any
way unless it was a good, stout black