The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-11

Grandma, what does taxing STOCK
mean?"
Taking stock" echoed grandma
Eyes. taking stock. Every store I
went in today-they were taking
stock"
Harry's big blue eyes grew larger.
He drew his chair close to his grand
mothers and looked up at her won
deringly. Mrs. Scott gazed tenderly
down at him. little six-year-old or
phan, and the light of her saddened
life. Holding his little outstretched
hand she replied:
well, son, those merchants want to
know what they are worth. what and
how much they ave to begin the new
year with"
We'll, grandma, can't they Just look
and see and take stock that way?
mo, they forget: they have to write
1t down and count up"
Seems like they could just look in
their money drawer and see
Grandma was puzzled. She did not
know how to explain Harry did not
seem to understand. His boyish brow
became thoughtful He gazed into the
dying embers and settled into sober
study The old clock on the mantle
was tlCk1nE tne oiu year out dHo pthAs
ing in the new. Mrs Scott did not
disturb her grandson. In a few min
utes he turned his face to hers and
said:
Grandma, les us take stock. You
take stock for me, so when / get to
be a man will know how"
"All right. Get me n paper and
pencil" chuckled grandma
Harry bounded to the rude writing
desk in the other corner of the room
and found the pencil and paper. and
laid them in his grandmother's lap.
He then took his seat and said:
Now, what do you say frst?"
A smile spread over Mrs. Scott
face. She really wondered herself
what to say first. Taking her pencil,
however, she wrote on the first two
lines.
Harry and What He Has. jan
uary /. 1913"
Now, Harry, what must I begin
the new year WITH"
But / don't know, granny. You
must show me how"
Grandma laughed softly--then
spoke:
well, I'll head the list with a lit
tie round face. bright and cheerful"
She raised her eyes to his and he
nodded.
Two big blue eyes, that shine Hike
ray of light on rainy day, and a
rather large mouth that smiles at
everybody. Two large ears that hear
grandmother every time she calls; two
strong arms, two chubby hands. ten
fat fingers that help Harry eat, bring
in granny's stove wood. feed her chick
ems. gather berries, and Irvine so low
ngly around her neck and make her
happy. Two fat legs and two reason
ably large feet that trot errands go
to Sunday school and scamper about
the house. A little mind eager and
apt to learn, full of sweet and pure
thoughts; a heart tender and free to
ALL
Grandma wrote the last word, and
looked up charmingly and asked IL
that was all.
Harry leaned closer and added:
"A billy-goat to drive to sell papers:
"a mouth full Of teeth TO chew with;
a tongue to help me talk: a throat to
swallow down; fifteen cents to start
me off buying and selling papers: Sam,
my dog, that catches rabbits for us to
eat
Grandmother was busily writing
Harry stopped for a moment. His
chin rested between his hands and
with a smile, bright and radiant, he
glanced toward his grandmother, and
"A nice little cottage to live in: a
snow white bed: rocker, and, best
of ala dear. sweet, darling grand
mother, who helps me say my prayers
and remember God,
Mrs. SCOTS eyes filled with tears.
Her hand trembled. How like her
own boy was this earthly angel Har-
ry jumped up and Rugged her neck
hard and tight. whispering sweetly:
And my Bible. Put that down.
Best of all---is my Bible and you.
I'm SO glad you taught me how to take
stock. Maybe next year I'll have
enough mt ney to start to school Kiss
me, granny, and add down there on
the hast line: Lips that love to kiss
granny"
tall, stalwart father sat before an
open CRATE. The lovely mother drew
her chair next to him. Two beauti-
full children bounded into the room.
The oldest, boy of eight years, was
the exact counterpart Of his father
The girl, a sweet, fragile flower of five
summers, was her mother made over.
The boys deep blue eyes rivaled in
beauty his sisters soft brown ones.
They took their seats near mother
and father, and together clamored for
story.
The Rev. Harry Scott,s face became
thoughtful just as 1t had twenty-four
years ago. His eyes twinkled. He
arose and left the room. In a few
minutes he returned. In his hands he
age. The children and glrlish wife
looked at him questioningly Then In
An E.oci;rt ..y.-- -...>- A. -