The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-12-19

snowappies with polished, glossy skins.
They might buy a whistle or marbles.
All Of these things and more might
the pennies buy. even il spent singly.
II put together they might buy almost
anything. the little boy thought
Then. ia fun. ne turned his bank
upside down to zee IL either of the
pennies would come out-and what
do you think happened? Why. the dull
bent penny somehow slipped through
the narrow slit Ia the bank and rolled
right OF to the carpet on the floor.
The little boy felt very rich as he
carried 1t about IN his pocket, and
when he went to walk with his nurse
he wanted to spend it at the first store
they passed. That was a candy store.
and In twinkling the dull bent penny
was exchanged for a. peppermint stick.
Almost before the liJTle boy reached
the door the candy was half eaten
all bns very sticky end that chung
to his mitten. When that wac gone
there was nothing at all &c show for
the penny. rhe little boy was no
happier for having spent his penny;
10 fact he was sorry because he re-
membcred how many other things he
iniget have used il for.
On his way home he looked IN at
the toy-shop window. There was a
ragged little lame boy looking at tho
toys sner2. X was a l,sy soldier that
seemed to interest him most.
'Hello," said our little boy when
| had my two pennies could have
bad most anything in this window.
! Now I've spent one, but I can buy
amy OF the things that don't cost
quite so much"
eff had a penny I'd buy that SOL
der" said the lame boy. Hes such
splendid ono and 50 brave. Every
unorning l tn % walk up here 10
look at him"
/ I'D like best to have the horss
and the cart, and the bUil." our HsEe
boy suggested. he did not have time
to say more, for his nurse called him
10 come But he waved his hand to
( the lame boy. 'J'n be back tomor-
row morning when go to walk, and
we'll play pretend that we can have
everything we choose" he called.
When the little boy shook his oank
that night the bright penny did not
make as much noise as the two pen
MES had together.
suddenly he thought OF the lsstle
lame boy.
'Twould be really ~ Christ
MS surn-sse present II j gave It to
him" he unused. Il 'spect he'd be ever
an ever so happy. just believe I'll
I give It % him for his Christmas"
In the morning, as soon as he was
/ dressed, the little boy climbed on to
a chair beside the mantelsheH and
tried 10 shake the bright new penny
out OF his bank. Finally. after much
eoaxing, Il slipped out and lay-a
shiny disk-on the little boys lap.
He could hardly wait to eat his
breakfast, and he hoped and danced
all the way to the store.
When he turned the corner, sure
enough, the little lame boy was there
at the toy-shop window playing that
the soldier was his.
1T is truly yours. cried the little
boy. You can buy II with the bright
penny It's s'prise present. It ISL"
and tog sther they went into the store
to buy the soldier
When the little boy went to bed
that night. before the Hight was nut
out he glanced up at the mantelshelf to
where he china bank stiaI stood. The
dull bent penny and the bright new
penny were gone, but as the little
boy looked at the bank he smiled
happily 20 himself