Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-11-24
THE BIG COLLECTION IN OUR
TlLNN

4t1G BIZ COl/lAECIlON in OOh
TOWN.
''Why, here's Toots." exclaimed
May. looking In surprise at the tiny
figure walking so sedately all alone.
Where are you going. little one?"
China man." said Toots, and smil-
ed like the sunshine that was max
ing gold Of his curls.
Dear mel" laughed Belle. she
means the missionary" and her
laugh was echoed gayly by group
Of young folks who had gathered un.
der the elm near the old church gate.
There never were young people more
ready for laugh than Ourtown
young folks.
who told you about him?" asked
Ted. looking down on the mite with
kindly amusement.
My muvver," said Toots. He was
getting bit anxious under so many
merry eyes, but he faced them brave.
~.
"And isn't she coming asked
Mabel.
NO" shaking the curls; had to
finish Miss fuckers dwess"
$50 you coaxed to come" contin-
ued Josie. tenderly patting his head:
"and you're going to tell her about
it?"
'Ess." with dignified little bow.
Aren't you afraid" Belle laughed
again, that some frog may catch
you?"
"Or a robin?" added Ted, "or a
butterfly"
Toots put up his lip at this; but a
tall shadow came over him and be-
hind it was Jack. He knew Jack. 1t
was Jack who had found him once
when he was lost. The smile came
back to his blue eyes with new radi
ance.
"Ess," Toots answered, but he
grasped one OF Jacks, too. making
sure OF the matter.
I'VE all are going to hear the
China man," Rene told him. but we
are early; so we are waiting to chat
and watch the people go in.'
"Ess" repeated Toots.
1--WE didn't mean." Belle murmured
contritely, ito brighten him."
Ted had redeemed.
'rrhis is my little sister," said
Jack. beckoning Rene will you feel
quite safe II you hold her by the
hand?"
Whats this?" smiling down on the
chubby little fist in her hand;
what's this that you are holding so
tight?"
''My penny" said Toots. proudly
showing 1t; .'ith's my own"
"And you're going to give It," cried
Ted. ito the China mann Don't you.
honey" with friendly pat. He'll
have plenty of pennies. Get taffy with
It."
Get a big stick of peppermint with
It." suggested May. and looked down
tenderly on the small treasure in
such a mite of hand. We'll all
give him enough pennies. You see
this pretty girl in the beautiful new
dress?" with mischievous glance at
Olga. who had Just come up. ''She
will give at least twenty-five pen.
niles. Think OF twenty-five pennies!"
Toots looked in awed admiration;
but Olga was passing on with only a
toss of her handsome head, as she
remarked coldly: 81 never give less
than two dollars to China missions"
1.-TWO dollars, honey" whispered
Ted, in the ear OF little Toots. as
two hundred pennies! The old China
man will be rich. rich. You get
taffy." Toots looked doubtfully at his
treasure. Was 1t no great treasure.
after all?
st is beautiful, bright penny.
dear" said Jack. reading the down.
cast face. Listen to what the China
man says, and give 1t II you want
to-"
"We'll go up near the 'front.'" sug.
gested Rene as they entered the lee.
ture room. 80 that Toots can stand
on the seat and see the queer shoes
and-things."
So they went far front, and Toots
listened and watched He could not
understand all; but he gathere that
some people. far away, who wore
strange clothes. were in danger, aw,
full danger. danger that Jesus alone
could help When a hymn came, he
whispered to Jack anxiously, but ever
SO softly, to disturb no one. "Will
Jesus help 'em?"
Eyes. DEAR" Jack whispered back !;
''but they don't know it. That's what
the China man wants with pennies
he wants to go and tell them"
'Oh!" He understood all now. and
looking down on the penny. moisl
with the pressure of his clasp all this
time. he wished with all his little
heart that 1t was two hundred pen
MES.
AS the plate passed along the rows
in front, he watched eagerly One
man put in a beautiful little gold
piece, and another a bill, then came
the shining dimes and quarters
There would surely be enough. he
thought. breathing little breath Of
thankfulness, to carry the China
man anywhere in the world. But
such riches made his treasure seem