Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-12-25
SEVEN PENNIES.

C1lQa formed descending scale In
years and size.
For this reason they were called
"The Stairs"
Marian was 10 years old She was
the 'Top Stair" Matilda was 4, and
she formed the Lowest Stair" May
belle and Marietta were the Middle
Stairs
These little girls were just as dear
and sweet as others. l doubt if their
mother had ever seen dearer or sweet
er. Still, they had some little ways
that might be improved.
They belonged to the Loyal Legion,
and other such things, and there were
many demands for pennies for the
various "gift" boxes
Nickles and pennies were not too
plentiful When there are four little
girls as well as two 'grown-ups" to
put into the gift boxes it counts up.
One day mother had picked up
dresses, put away shoes, rolled rib
bons smoothly over her fingers and
placed them neatly, and gathered up
toys; and all these had been used by
"The Stairs" Such untidy "Stairs!''
Mother conceived the idea of teach
ing neatness and also the use of
money at the same time. She told
"The Stairs" that each day they kept
their belongings neat they would re-
ceive penny, but if they failed on
any day in the week they would for
felt not only the penny for that one
day, but the others.
There were four pairs of very wide,
bright eyes, four pairs of willing
hands, four pairs Of swift feet. In a
very short time the house was so tidy
one would hardly know that four I'M
tidy little girls had ever lived there.
The first few days it was wonder
full the way dresses, aprons, hats,
shoes, toys, were all put neatly away.
1t seemed to mother that some things
were taken down just for the fun of
putting them away.
Mother had thought ''The Stairs
were too young to be tidy. She
| changed her mind. There would be
no lack of pennies for the gift"
boxes.
1t was Saturday afternoon. 'The
Stairs" were eager to play Marian,
the Highest Stair of all, forgot and
left her soiled gown on the floor.
She ran away to play, but after a
time she remembered. She went soft
ly into the house. She hoped mother
had been too busy to notice There
lay the dress just as she had left it.
She thought mother did not know.
She thought she would not tell, and so
she would get her penny.
The rule was to forfeit all if there
was one failure. 1t was a bitter rule.
But it helped them remember
| They did so want to earn their
money for the gift" boxes. She could
not get along without the pennies for
that. Marian made up her mind
Mother did not know, and she had re-
ally hung up the dress.
Still Marian was not happy. She
knew, though mother didn't. Just for
this once she would take the money
1t might do some little heather girl a
lot of good
| 1t was Saturday night.
Papa was home. He was looking
into the box which held the pennies
such lot of pennies.
Marian counted them. Mother had
put one in for he: that day. Suddenly
her lips quivered.
Bravely she picked out the seven
| pennies that were for her.
81 left my dress this afternoon" she
said
"You didn't leave it long, said
mother.
81 left it." said Marion, "and 1 must
be an example,
ut isn't half as bad for the Top
Stair as for one of the middle ones,
said Maybelle. ''Just think what
would happen if one of the Middle
Stairs should be out of place!"
Somebody would tumble, sure,
said father. ut is better, though to
have "the Stairs complete"
And he kissed Marian and gave her
seven bright new pennies.