The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-12-24

an presents! Fancy If could give
mother a present! know what Ia
like to give er-one of them cases to
odd needles and thiWbe an q bOdkin
which saw at 'Amjlton's bazaar. Bnt
IT. amt much good wishing" And
here her reflections came 10 IN end. for
she found herself at the warehouse.
She had soon delivered her parcel TO
the fat manageress and received the
poor payment due and. threading her
way cleverly hack through dusty COT
ridors and down winding stairs. soon
found herself in the jostling street
again. She turned her footsteps home.
when CLEAN Of something bright on
the dirty pavement caught her eye
She bent down. 1t wasD't-no-yes. It
was-a silver sixpence! She picked it
up Could such luck be true? A silver
sixpence found on the ground and
therefore her very own. to do what she
liked with!
"Why. now III be able to git mother
real Christmas present. It's Jest like
fairy tale" she thought her blue
eyes shining with excitement. IAN I
know what I'll buy. an III git it. too.
before J go ome. cause it won't take
me 0 mint"
Hamilton's bazaar was not very far
away, and, sure enough, In five minutes
Flip was gazing steadily in at the bril-
liantly decked and lit window at
needlecase in red velvet and gold, IN
article which for all its gorgeousness
vas marked bnt 6vepence three far.
things
II want a needlecase with thimbie
an a bodkin an a reel Of cotton. ike
them up there said Flip. with all the
dignity of a possessor of wealth.
We'll. you must wait bit!' snapped
the assistant, turning to another ems
toner, stout. CHEEKY looking man.
accompanied by two rosy. well dressed
children.
?. II bin waitin' long time. Why
can't you git me one down 2" replied
Flip. with the perseverance Of the
east end child.
The girl impatiently detached one Of
the needlecases
Where is your money!" she asked.
FIRE. of course Wot dyer think p
said Flip. banding her the coin
The saleswoman took it, looked at
1t once carelessly. again narrowly.
why" she exclaimed. ''this Is not
sixpence at all-it is only an imitation
one!" And. turning quickly. she beck.
'Oned the tall. imposing looking shop.
walker, who stood near. This child Is
trying to pass false money" she said
as she gave him poor Flip's treasure
trove.
He examined it and then. taking hold
Of the child's thin arm. said:
"Come. come: where did you get
this money from? Tell the truth
now"
Flip's face went red and then very
white She did not realize or Under.
stand her Offense. She only knew that
II the sixpence was bad she could not
buy the dearly coveted gift. Her heart
seemed ready to break. and she burst
into a foot Of tears as she sobbed out:
II found It in the street-it's true, 1t
is. Brit Ican't buy the present now"
The shopwalker hesitated, and then
the CHEEKY looking customer who had
been waiting his turn to be served
broke IN by saying in voice that
had strong country twang in it:
Don't you cry. lassie. You don't
mean any harm, guarantee. Let me
see that COIN" he continued. turning
to the shopwalker. who did az be was
desired. for he was being addressed
by an old and valued customer.
"Well. don't know" said the
CHEEKY man. ''1t Is not a sixpence, |
agree. but 1t is half sovereign and a
very good one too" And in the twin.
king Of an eye be had deity exchang-
ed the imitation sixpence for gold
coin from his waistcoat pocket.
There. my lass. take yonr money
and run home''
Was It q dream? Flip pinched her
self when she was In the chill streets
again. No. 1t was all true--a happy
reality to 6nd q bad sixpence and then
zee It transformed into a, golden half
sovereign She had forgotten the vel
vet needlecase: she had hut one thought
Ito get home and home she soon va.
where her anxi0ns mother heard al
Tier wonderful ad venturea
81. after ~: 4 49, 4 real tshftstz q =
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