The Van Buren press., 1904-12-24
A CHRISTMAS
BARGAIN " "

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
1ressmaking. | am sorry to say that
Judy is still little fighty-very fond
IF pretty clothes, and not 50 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. We'll, | 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: have been
thinking that 1t 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 | may want 10 send her
to the city to buy goods. II you think
your youngest Susan Jane, can learn
to do as | want her to, send her along y
Sense and good judgment! Why,
Judy won't dol" exclaimed Hetty, with
sisterly frankness, when she read the
letter This seemed the general opin-
ion Of the family, but nevertheless 1t
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 fascinG,-
ing and Poppeyns 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-
sciouB that she herself was not tasty"
and lacked an eye Cor color And she
advanced several new ideas which Miss
Pringle instantly recognized as i'm
provements
Christn s. was coming-an anxious
time in shopkeeping-and 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 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
reckoncr. 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.
81 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. 1t was long and unin-
teresting Experience had taught Aunt
Jane Just what kinds Of fancy soaps
and candy baskets would sell best
and those articles were all set down in
rigid detail
But while she was making these un.
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.
It was when she was buying a 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 Houn-
cIngs Of chiffon like loveliest gossamer.
Judy gazed upon 1t In breathless admi.
| ration
Another parasol was suspended be.
side the frst; this was Of paest blue
with white ilounclngs. There was one
all Of chiffon--"old rose" the clerk
| called the color Ot was unknown to
| Crow HID. Its handle was OF twisted
wood that gave out faint, delicious
perfume.
selling at retail for song. Don't
want 10 keep them over because white
is going TO be the rage next year" ex.
planned the clerk 10 some one who ro.
| marked that II was unusual TO see para,
soils at Christmas. six and seyen.dol
lar parasols-all for q dollar and a
half"
Judy tried to be practlcal-not to let
her esthetic sense run away with her
business bump" She knew her weak.
ness for parasol and fan; they had
laughed about II at home, But other
people liked beautiful parasos Thoy
would add the touch OF color and grace
that It was always impossible to obtain
with Miss pringles sternly useful com.
modties She believed, too, that they
would stand her aunts crucial test OF
values, that they would sell
A crowd OF women was collecting
round the parasols, which the clerk
was stll hanging up.
"i will take 49," said Judy, nrmly
and her heart beat like a trIp.hammer
The crowd gazod at hor; oven the clerk
looked 0stonirhed
"Parasos' Thirteen parasols In the
] saal 80 uipi,pi guann lana Eniinna,