The Ordway new era., 1905-04-28
Micky's Leap

she onlyll give us a quarter, hve
cents apiece" grumbled Charley.
The five boys on the curbstone look
ed down the street at a little fellow
who had Just come from the house.
"Oh. let him help. itll make only a
cents difference for each OF u.s." said
Dan. n big good.natured boy in red
sweater.
Il tell you, let's play leap-frog and
every fellow that misses going over
can't work. Micky can't play leap
frog. he missed every time the other
day." said Charley.
That's kind. OF mean" protested
Dan. but the other boys wanted to
keep Micky from working SO he
agreed.
We've got job, Micky." said John
as Micky came up to the group.
May help?" asked Micky.
There won't be money enough to
go round" replied Charley. 81 tell
you, we're going TO play leap-frog un-
Ill Mrs. Phelps is ready and the fellow
that misses first don't get any OF the
money"
All the boys agreed to this Just as
II they hadn't planned It all before
hand. Micky's face fell. He wasn't
as big or as strong as the other boys.
He couldn't play leap-frog. but he did
want a share of the money. In fact,
he wanted 1t more than the other boys
did. SO he made up his mind TO try
hard for chance to earn 1t.
Come on. then" said Charley. Get
in line. III be down"
He bent over and clasped his hands
around his ankles. Over the boys
went-Dan. Walter. John. Harry. and
then it was Micky's turn.
You cant do it, said Harry who
stood little distance away from the
group with his hands thrust In his
pockets.
Jump high" said Dan with n smile
on his face. for he felt sure Micky
would do It.
Micky pulled his stocking cap down
on his head and put his hands on
Charley's back. Charley made his
back as high as he could for he didn I
want Micky TO get over. Micky gave
one or two little springs and then
jumped. Over he went without even
touching Charley with his legs. In
deed, he pushed SO hard that Charley
tumbled over backward into the dirt.
How the boys laughed. They liked
Micky better now that he could do
what they had done.
You did that ine." said Dan de-
lighted at his little friends success.
"Try 1t again."
'All right" said Micky who was as
surprised as the rest to find that he
had succeeded. But Just then Mrs.
Phelps called them to begin work on
the yard.
Away they went and were soon busy
raking up the rubbish and carrying II
away. Even Charley, the grumbler,
had a pleasant word for Micky as he
tugged away at big basket. Many
hands made quick work and the quar-.
ter was soon earned.
How'll we divide it," asked Char.
ley.
I'VE ought to give Walter fve cents,
apiece cause Walter heard about the
Job first" said Dan.
The boys agreed to this and then
began planning what they would do
with their money. Most Of them said
they would buy candy. Walter said he
would buy top with his nickel.
What you going to do. Micky?"
asked Charley.
Coin to buy doll" replied Micky
in low tone as II half ashamed to tell
what he was going to buy.
How the boys shouted and laughed
when they heard this! What do you
want of a doll?" they asked.
Don't want It; I'm going to give it
to Baby Nell. She's SICK"
The boys had reached the store by
this time, and were gazing at the
things in the window.
Guess I'll buy something for the
baby, too." said Dan who was very
fond Of Micky's wee dot Of sister.
The boys were silent for several
minutes, then Walter said: Maybe
Nell would like that Jack-in-the-box.
could get 1t with my Nickel"
This set the other boys planning
what they could get for the little girl.
The toy department of the candy store
was very busy for the next few min.
utes. When the boys came out Of the
store and started for Micky's house,
each had something for the baby. Dan
had brave looking blue and red tin
soldier, and Walter had the Jack-in-
the-box. In bag Charley carried .
ferocious candy tiger and . candy pug
dog. Harry had chocolate rat with a
long rubber tail. John had = little tin
beetle with funny legs and two little
horns, while Micky carried tiny
china doll carefully wrapped up in pa
per. L