The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-03-28

d penny! AND IL so, why was it not put to
good use-given to me to buy cakes with, for in
stance?
These questions had often puzzled my small
praln Now here was chance to solve them.
Here was chance to find out if that half penny
would buy anything, and if so, how much. In the
same way that half loaf is better than no bread
L thought to myself, that one of my favorite deli
cious cakes would be better than at ALL I
would take that half-penny and ask my friend, the
German baker woman, to give me one of the cakes
for it, explaining to her that, as the price of the
cakes was two for penny, haf-penny should
purchase one"
Probably you mother was out" suggested the
browne little girl, gravely.
You mean because didn't ask her if 1 might
have the half-penny? Perhaps she was. You may
hope so, my dear, if it comforts you. Still don't
believe the fact that took it out her drawer
without permission troubled me at all. And dom.
think she spoke Of that part of the matter
My mother was sensible woman she did not
make occasions for little Sins when we did not in
tend wrong.
1T was fortunate started early to school that
morning, for the discussion had with the German
baker woman was long and animated, L might say
heated was very uncertain of the result of my
experiment. I recollect we'll how my heart
quaked horribly inside, although walked into the
bakery shop with bold air. and stood firmly in
front the counter
When the German saw me- she smiled
wide, genial smile, and took out her pan of fresh
cakes. How good they looked Warm and crisp
and sugaly
'Nisch day!' she remarked pleasantly
Yes. very nice, answered. But I was too in
tent upon my business to continue further the sub
Ject of the weather I touched the little cakes
with my finger.
1.-Two for penny? I asked looking the woman
in the face
Yesh, she replied, in an astonished tone
Il don't wonder she astonished. had been
buying those cakes every day for three weeks
Il felt myself getting very hot but spoke as
quietly 1 could Then, if they are two for q
penny suppose you will sell them one for a half
penny%
"The looked at me suspiciously
'Dey are two vor penneen she said stolidly
Two vor Won pennee! How mannee you want?
Il knew was very red in the face opened
my hot moist little hand and showed the coin I
held.
"'Will you sell me cake for half-penny? .
began, slowly. One half-penny is half a penny
you know; and If the cakes are two for one penny,
they mus be for a haIf-penny!'
Nein!' said the baker woman, angrly. Dev
are two vor pennee-two! no more-nein!' She
shook her head at she said it.
But don't you see, I said again, that half a
penny rs half as much as one penny, and one cake
Is haIf as much as two cakes; and if you sell two
cakes Cor one penny, one-half of one penny would
buy one half of two cakes? 1 looked at her tri-
umphantly. 1t seemed to me it was very plain
THE woman stared back at me a few seconds
Nen Dey are two Won pennee' she said
again; and she put the pan of cakes back into the
showcase and shut the lid.
Ferhaps you don't understand I began I'M
willing to forego either my argument or the cake
mat one for half-penny is the same
Nein-not same!' she cried, defantly, spread
ing her broad fat hands the counter. Nein!
o-vor-von-pennee Neinl Bahr
Looking back at this very unpleasant exneri-
ence and remembering how hot and uncomfortable
felt under the German baker woman's fierce little
blue eyes, can't blame her particularly for being
angry ] suppose she thought I was trying to
cheat her with some kind of bogus coin, and that