Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-02-03

upon rows of toys and goodies spread
within. when the shop bell tinkled
briskly, and little fat urchin entered
with a grave and business-like air, to
make his early purchase.
This was no raw new customer, un.
familiar with the traditions of the
place, respected and observed by all
those privileged to trade therein. He
knew exactly in which corner of the
sparkling showcase to look for his
hearts chosen dainties He had a
pleasing intimacy with the color of
the paper and string which hid their
lusciousness temporarily from his
view. He took his package from Miss
Hatty's own fair hands with a MUIR
INJURED thank you; and having re-
celved 1t, deposited the three pennies
which constituted the whole of his i'm
mediate fortune. without hesitation or
question, in the china bowl of clear
water which stood at one end of the
spotless counter. Then he took his
departure, gravely, though with joy.
When his small figure, radiating
of its round head and chubby Shout
ders, had disappeared between the
white-curtained door, Mss Hatty
dipped her slender fingers in the bowl
and withdrew the pennies delicately,
drying them on soft napkin which
lay folded beside it, Every coin re-
ceiyed from the grimy fingers of her
small customers-and from older ones,
too, for that. matter-must undergo
this process of publication before it
was fit for its immaculate surround
ings.
Little Milly Davis, her assistant.
and as faithful copy of her mistress
as neatness and comeliness could !
make her. observed this cloud with
both wonder and distress. 1t did not
vanish when Miss Hatty went into
the little room back of the shop and
sat down to finish her breakfast. She
sighed as she lifted her coffee to her
lips. and her brother Sam, sitting OPP
posite, looked up and went on with
what he had been saying before the
interruption of the customer.
Sam was large and ruddy. He had
a big heart and great voice.
/ tell you what it is, Hatty," he |
said, bringing down his hand with en-
phasis on the snowy table, ''wallpa- |
per you ought to have, and wallpaper
you shall have before you're a week
older! Here's Pillows side OF the
house as gay as posy bed with blue
and yellow stripes, and roses and
tulips and birds of paradise and what
not, and yours as bare as the desert
Of SALARY. 1t struck me, worsen ever,
when came in last night, and / just
made up my mind it shouldn't go on
30 any longer!"
But l don't want wallpaper, SAM"
protested Miss Hatty, her rose-leaf
'olor deepening to most lovely Grim
ION. you know l don't. I never
could bear anything glarey to the
yes. And it won't wash. 1t isn't near
is clean as paint Susy Pillow and
went to school together like Susy.
md don't grudge her the wallpaper
[ she wants it, but don't want it,"
Susy Pillow, indeedl" cried Sam,
waxing warm, and spreading his
read all too generously with jam in
he excitement of his feelings. And
he only Purdy, and you Bascom!
would be pity if you couldn't be ,
s fine as she is! If she only knew I
:, she'll be bidding good-by to the {
oses and tulips before she has much {
lore time to look at EN-. I've waited 6
'ng enough for her and Pillow to pay |
hat interest money He stopped
ather suddenly. 4
Sam" said his sister, laying down G
err fork, you aren't going to fore c
ose?" a
Mr.. Bascom cleared his throat and Il
'oked grave. e
Yes" he said, II am Patience has f
Id her perfect work long ago-with C
HOW. He needs a lesson, and I'm [
ping to give him one by settling that a
ing up this week. The moneys due Ii
riday, and IL he doesn't come down Il
it'll It by three o'clock that day, the II
eds done, and out they go!" u
Miss Hatty looked at her brother s;
stressIuliy, her soft eyes softer with d.
cir springing tears.
Il didn't think you'd do II. Sam" a
e said. indeed / didn't. used to al
to school with Susy Pillow, and te
st can't bear to see her turned out W
at way" b,
Well. Well" said Mr.. Bascom. al
Silly. disturbed by her tears. don't al
u worry about it, Hatty. You know FIR
Q yielded to you half a dozen times d,
'eady. I'm too easy-going by half. D,
going back to the city to-day. and th
tell you what it is, I'm going to 70
nd you that paper-pick II out my. W,
=, the very prettiest there is IN all SD
ston-Make you present of It," m
\ spark OF fire dried the dew in gl
IS Hatty's eyes TO
i don't want 1t, thank you. Sam" tn
said, with firmness as absolute tn
Il was gentle. And | sha'nt hang lu,
4 you do send 1t to me" SD
Tut. tut! Sha'n't? I say shalll" tn,
Orted Mr. Bascom emflipo u,ith .ha fa