Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1910-01-27
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BY Margaret Johnson


The shades were scarcely drawn up
from the windows of the little shop,
which, glittering in the morning sun
shine, courted attention to the rows
upon rows of toys and goodies spread
within, when the shop bell tinkled
briskly, and little fat urchin entered
with 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-
ceived it, 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
satisfaction even from the rear view
of it's round head and chubby Shout
ders, had. disappeared between the
whfte-curtained door, Mss Hatty
dipped her slender fingers in the bowl
and withdrew the pennies delicately,
drying them on a soft napkin which
lay folded beside it, Every coin re-
ceived from the grimy fingers of her
small customers 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 op-
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.
I 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 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, worse'n ever,
when l came in last night, and l just
made up my mind it shouldn't go on
SO any longer!"
But l don't want wallpaper, SAM"
protested Miss Hatty, her rose-leaf
color deepening to a most lovely Grim
son. 'You know l don't I never
could bear anything glarey to the
eyes. And it won't wash 1t isn't near
SO clean as paint Susy Pillow and
! went to school together. like Susy.
And l don't grudge her the wallpaper
i: she wants it, but l. don't want it,"
"Susy Pillow, indeed!" cried Sam,
waxing warm, and spreading his
bread all too generously with jam in
the excitement of his feelings. "And
she only Purdy, and you a Bascom!
1t would be a pity if you couldn't be
as fine as she is! If she only knew
1t, she'll be bidding good-by to the
roses and tulips before she has much
more time to look at 'em. I've waited
long enough for her and Pillow to pay
that interest money" He stopped
rather suddenly.
SAM" said his sister, laying down
her fork, you aren't going to fore
close?"
Mr.. ,Bascom cleared his throat and
looked grave. 49,. /
Eyes," he said, II am. Patience has
had her perfect work long ago-with
Pillow. He needs a lesson, and I'm
going to give him one by settling that
thing up this week The moneys due
Friday, and If he doesn't come down
with it by three o'clock that day, the
deeds done, and out they go!"
Miss Hatty looked at her brother
distressfully. her soft eyes softer with
their springing tears. 49, r.. 81 @r
II didn't think you'd do 1t, Sam"
she said, indeed didn't. used to
10 to school with Susy Pillow, and I
Just can't bear to see her turned out
that way!" L. tE4...sz
well, WE'LL" said Mr.. Bascom,
hastily, disturbed by her tears. don't
you worry about it, Hatty. You know
I've yielded to you half dozen times
already I'm too easy-going by half.
I'm going back to the city to-day. and
I'll tell you. what it is. I'm going to
send you that paper-pick it out my
self. the very prettiest there is in all
Boston-Make you present of it,"
A spark of fire dried the dew in
hE;ee Iottv'c ovoc s&s E,. HI A5 Es#3 - No. .