Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-03
SCISSORS TO GRIND?
BY Z. W. IVES.


Jessie stood over the kitchen sink busily
washing the breakfast dishes and signing
as she did SO, for it was monotonous work.
oh dear" she grumbled, Il just wish 1
had all my time to myself during vacation
the way the other .rls do. Dishes are fear
fully tlreSome!'
Just then a scissors grinder coming along
the street called scissors TO grind, scissors
to grind, in a very peasant voice. Jessie
went to the door as he knocked and sad
politely, NO. thank you. We haven't any
dull scissors today
The grinder was young Italian boy and
he looked SO tired and forlorn that Jessie
stood by the door moment, and looked at
him pltyingy.
Are you tnirsty?' She asked, pleasantly i;
Its such hot day. perhaps you would
like a glass OF ice water.
TanNa,' said the boy. showing his white
teeth, as Jesse handed 1t to him. Vera
sorra you got no SCISSOR to grind" con-
tinued he; not one pair dis week. Vera
discouraged" and he picked up his machine
and started down the steps.
Poor thing" thought the little girl to
herself. Il am awfuiiy sorry for him. I'd
give him the money in a moment If L had
it. Then the thought flashed over her
that she did have it--a nee new ten-cent
piece up in her top bureau drawer that
Uncle Frank had given her only the day
before oh, dear 1 Simply can't give that
up. It's all 1 have" Then, as she caught
glimpse of the poor. down-hearted Italian
boy walking slowly down the walk, all her
sympathy was aroused and her decision
was made.
Boy she called out, come back mo-
ment. l have pair, after ALL and chari-
table little Jessie ran upstairs and came
down with her mothers shears and her one
and only ten-cent piece.
The boy had come back. His face was
all smiles as he set to work. and in a few
moments the shears were beautifully
sharpened
Goodbye" he called as he started down
the walk the second time. You vera kind
lady .-.. ----
About two months after this every fence
in the village announced the fact by faring
posters that the circus was coming to town.
This instantly created wild excitement
among all the children. Everybody but
poor Jessie seemed to be going. and so she
tried not to- the enchanting bill boards.
and pretended that lions and tigers weren't
bit interesting to her. Mother had said
from the first that 1t would be Impossible
for her to spare the necessary quarter for
admission, for little Harry needed shoes.
and baby Josie's hat was worn out. But
mother promised that next time 1t came
they should all go; 50 Jessie was trying to
look forward to that, and not think Of what
she was missing. 1t was hard work,
though. and the prospect of pleasure year
ahead was not much comfort.
And then finally the circus came! There
Iarade anyway: so seizing little Harry's
hand she started for the village. and stood
In open-mouthed wonder as the charfots
and clowns and elephants marched grand
ly and Enthusiastically along. And the
horses! Jessie had never seen such beau
tlful creatures In all her life. 'Oh dear,
OIL dear, just to think can't see them per-
form at ALL" she almost sobbed.
Suddenly the procession stopped. a
freight train was slowly pulling into the
station, and the gates went down and pre-
vented anything passing. This pleased Jes-
sic immensely, for she had all the more
time to look at the wonderful creatures be-
fore her. And whom do you think she saw
standing directly in front of her, leading a
tiny trick poodle? The little Italian scis-
sors grinder himself.
why, there's my scissors grinder cried
Jessie aloud.
At the sound of her voice the boy turned
and instantly recognized his small friend.
"Hully," he called, and then stepped over
to where she stood; y never forget you.
Do you go circus today
mo" said Jessie mournfully, we are
just watching the parade"
Nicer to see show said the boy. Bet
ter come. l Join month ago. Have good
luck ever since. Scissors business nd
"That's nice" said Jessie. 81 wish i
could come. but We c-can't afford it, she
ended. turning red.
The boy smiled broadly. Il give back
your kindness. lady" he said. You and
little boy come to circus, ask for Tony and
I come let you in free" Just then with an
extra blast of trumpets the parade started.
and Jessie had only time to gasp out thank
YOU before he was gone.
1t seemed just too good to be true. ITO
think, mother, I am really going to the
circus after all. and Harry. too! Oh. I
can't believe 1t, I can't believe IT..
But 1t was true, and that afternoon Jes-
sic and Harry presented themselves at the
wonderful circus tent. and falteringly asked
for Tony In about two minutes he came
out, and escorted the two happiest ldren
in town to their seats right In front Of the
middle ring. / never could pretend to tell
you all the things they saw, for it would
be impossible, but oh. they had such a
good time.
And just to think" said Jessie that night
at tea as they both were trying TO de-
scribe the performance at the same time.
IF l hadn't been nice to that roor little
Italian scissors grinder. We never would
have seen the circus at all.