The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1904-12-23
a CHRISTMAS
!. BARGAIN Y -

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Judy Is my chief anxiety" wrote
Judy's mother, Mrs. Phoebe Follansbee.
Il to her sister. Miss Jane Pringle. Just
% 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 ia learning
sdressmaking. I am sorry to say that
Judy is still little dighty-very fond
of pretty clothes, and not so sensible
10 the others. Judy must help. but I
don tsknow what she can do"
Judy! Fudge! suppose she means
Susan Jane" said Miss Pringle to her
?; self. "Well, I 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 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 spry young girl to help me In
the store. But she must be sensible
and have good judgment, besides being
spry. because I may want to send her
to the city to buy goods. II you think
your youngest, Susan Jane. can learn
to do as I want her to, send her along"
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 it
was decided that Judy should 60.
"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
% II 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 new ideas which Miss
ppino1o fncfonf1v N0n10ni1od I'm
provements.
Christmas 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
I'd and she was self-reliant and ready
reckoner. With a definite and exact
list Of the articles wanted, Miss Prfngle
decided that her niece could 60 to the
city and buy the Christmas goods.
There are always Christmas novel;
ties and attractive bargains" she said.
II am going to give you $50 extra and
leave the purchases to your discretion"
What would they say at home? Judy
telt several inches taller as she walked
to the station.
The list first. It 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
ryes were all the time wandering in
search Of the fascinating Christmas nov
slty, 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
IF brilliant parasol. A salesman re-
moved it from its 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 first; this was Of palest blue
with white flouncings. There was one
Y i'll of Hchiffon-"old rose," the clerk
called the color ut was unknown to
Crow Hill). 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 rzge next year." ex-
planned the clerk to some one who re-
marked that 1t was unusual to see para
soils at Christmas. "Six and seven-dol-
lar parasols-all for q dollar and
half"
Judy tried to be practical-not to lei