The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-15
GRACIE DE LEON
A Christmas Story for Girls.

A II. IT'S perfectly discouraging
 not to have what money one
 wants at Christmas time!" So W grumbled pretty Minna Collins as she walked down the street. arm in arm, with Oracle DeLeon. The two girls had been looking in at the beau tiful shop window displays of holiday goods and the longing for a lot of money to spend on gifts for family and friends came to Minna. Now, wouldn't it be perfectly splendid if l could go into any of these gorgeous shops and just buy-without even pricing things-all that I wanted? l just love buying things. Don't you, Oracle 2"
 Oracle DeLeon's face wore seri ous expression. No, dearie, l can't say that I love to spend money reek- lessly," she replied. T do enjoy buy ing nice presents for those I love presents which will be useful, you know. I don't believe in buying just any old thing. because 1t looks pret- ty."
 .I don't like to give useful gifts" returned Minna pettishly. "I love to buy beautiful things, whether or not they are of any service to the per sons whom I give them. And l just |love to spend money. Now. haven't bought single gift yet-and it wants only a few days till Christmas. Nam ma gave me three dollars to get my supply of holiday presents, and l just ecan't make it go round. So I've not even tried to find ,nything. I'm dis gusted, that's the truth" And Minna puckered her pretty brow. Oracle whirled her about and start ed up town. A look of determination had come into her blue eyes. I'm going to take you to a shop where there are a great many useful and attractive gifts at very reasonable prices she said. Have you your three dollars with you?"
 "Yes dearie, I have 1t in my purse. But-you know as well as I do, Oracle DeLeon, that three dollars won't buy three gifts worth mentioning. and have at least seven or eight gifts to get--or none at all"
 "We'll see, Minna" quietly returned Oracle. And she took Minna along the street at a rapid rate, and soon turned into side street where a great many little shops were. You see, dearie," | observed Oracle, that the rents in these side streets are not half as great as on the main thoroughfares, there fore, the goods sold in the shops here are not half so high-priced. A dollar will buy twice as much here as on Main Street or Broad Avenue. I'll prove it to you"
 Soon ,Gracie led Minna into a large Lxhop which was filled with holiday goods at greatly reduced prices. as the buying season was almost over. Things must be got rid of at a sacri- flee" so said the manager of the biz shop, and from the prices of things displayed, the two girls realized that . sure enough slaughter sale" was in progress.
 Now, you want something service able for your father. don't you?" ask cd Oracle, turning to Minna, who was looking admiringly at some handker- chiefs displayed at centre table.
 "Oh, yes, something Papa can use. otherwise. he'd not want it. You know Papa, is practical-lilke you. Oracle, and wants things which he needs. Mamma gave him some tricks last year which he found no place for. and he was not backward in telling her she had not given him the right things. oh. Papa is outspoken. but awfully sweet about it."
 What about 'bath-room slippcrs?"
 asked Oracle. picking up a very sub
 stantial as well as attractive pair from
 a counter of odds and ends," which
 were on gale.
 k"He hasn't any" replied Minra.
 .IXnd he really does need some. l ? Av lovely pair in Brands window the other day marked only one dol
 lar. and [ thought I'd get them for him."
 Brands shoe house Is the most
 expensive pi:.ce in this city, remark