The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-12-18

an presents! Fancy If could give
mother present! ! know what Id
like to give 'er-one of them cases to
'old needles and thimble an bodkfn
which | saw at 'Amilton's bazaar. Bnt
it aims much good wishing" And
here her reflections came to an 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 back through dusty cor
ridors and down winding stairs. soon
found herself in the jostling street
again. She turned her footsteps home.
when gleam of something bright on
the dirty pavement caught her eve
She bent down. 1t asn't-no-yes. il
was-a silver siypence! She picked il
up. Could such luck be true? \ silver
sfXpence found on the ground and
therefore her very own. to do what she
liked with!
why, now III be able to git mother
a real Christmas present Its jest like
fairy tale she thought her blue
eyes shining with excitement. Ian |
know what I'll buy, an I'll git it, too.
before so 'ome. cause it won't take
me mint"
HdmHton'S bazaar was not very far
away, and, sure enough, in five miputes
Flip was gazing steadily in Mt the bril-
ltantly decked and lit window at a
needlecase in red velvet and gold nm
article which for all its righteousness
was marked but fivepence three far
things.
i want a needlecase with thimhle
an a bodkin an reel of cotton, like
them up there" said Flip. with all the
dignity of pOssessor of wealth.
We'll. you must wait bitr' snapped
the assistant, turning to another Gus
toner, stout, CHEEKY looking man,
accompanied by two rosy. well dressed
children
/ bin waitin' long time Why
can't you git me one DOWN." replied
Flip. with the perseverance of the
east end child.
The girl impatiently detached one of
the needlecases.
Where is your money!" she asked.
Ere, of course. Wot dyer think 2"
said Flip. handing her the coin.
The saleswoman took it. looked at
1t once carelessly, again narrowly.
Why" she exclaimed, this Is not a
siGpence at all-it is only an imitation
oner' 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.
lie examined it and then. taking bold
OF the child's thin arm, said:
Come. come: where did you get
this money from? Tell the truth
now"
FllD's face went red and then very
white. She did not realize or under
stand her offenSe. She only knew that
If the sixpence was bad she could not
buy the dearly coveted gift Her heart
seemed ready to break, and she burst
INTO dooH Of tears as she sobbed out:
j found It in the street-it's true, IL
is. But l can't buy the present now"
- 9''S PN oihtl hcSiluIe0is dlu IDen
the CHEEKY looking customer who had
been waiting his turn to be served
broke in by saying in a voice that
had n 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 as he was
desired. for he was being addressed
by an old and valued customer.
Well. | don't know said the
CHEEKY man. at is not a sixpence. |
agree, but it is a half sovereign and a
very good one too" And in the twin
king Of an eye he had deity exchang-
eel the imitation sixpence for a gold
COIN from his waistcoat pocket.
There, my lass. take your money
and run home"
Was 1t a dream? Flip pinched her
self when she was in the chill streets
again. No, it was all trne-a happy
reality to find bad sixpence and then
see 1t transformed into a golden half
sovereign. She had forgotten the vel.
vet needlecase: she had but one thought
to get home-and home she soon was
where her anxious mother heard all
her wonderful adventures
50. after all. it was a real Christmas
In the top room.