The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1914-12-17

mother n present! KNOW Wua' '"
like to give er-one Of them eases to
old needles and thimble an a bodkip
which saw mt. 'Amilton's bazaar. 8nt
II aln't much good wishing" And
here her reflections came 80 aD end. Tor
she found herself at the warehouse.
She had soon delivered her parcel to
the fat manageress and received III"
poor payment due and. threading her
way cleverly back through dusty cor
rldors and down winding stairs. so"n
found herself In the JostliDg street
again. She turned her Footsteps bone.
when q CLEAN OF something bright on
the dirty pavement caught her aye-
She bent down. II wnsD't-no-yes. Il
was--a silver sixpepce! She picked II
up Could such luck be true? silver
sIxpence found on the ground nnd
therefore her very own. to do what she
liked with!
"why, now I'll be able 10 git mother
y real Christmas present It's lest like
fairy tale" she thought her blue
eyes shining with excitement. "an' l
know what I'll buy. IN III git II. too.
before ! 20 'ome. cause u won't take
me o mint"
Hamilton's bazaar was not verv far
away. and. sure enough. IN ave minutes
Flip was gazing steadily In at the bril-
iiantly decked and III window at
needlecnse In red velvet and gold. mn
article which for Nil Its gorgeousness
was marked but hvepence three far.
things.
II want needlecase with q thimble
an a bodlSin an reel OF cotton. like
them up there" said FLIP. with all the
dignity OF n possessor OF wealth.
well. you must wait bit!' snapped
the assistant. turning 70 another Gus
toner. stout. CHEEKY looking inan.
accompanied by two rosy, we'll 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 IL your money! she asked.
"'Ere. OF course. wot dyer think 7"
said Flip. handing her the coin.
The saleswoman took Il. looked at
II once carelessly. again narrowly.
why" she exclaimed. "this is not
sixpence at all-it Ia only an imitation
oner' And. turning quickly, she beck
oned the tall. imposing looking shop
walker, who stood near. "This child In
trying to pass false money" she said
as she gave him poor Flip's treasure
trove.
He examined II and then. taking hold
OF the child's thin arm. said:
"Come. come: where did you get
this money fromf Tell the truth
now"
Fllp's face went red and then very
white She did not realize or under
stand her onense. 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 hurst
into a fioo,; OF tears as she sobbed out:
II found Il In the street-it's true, II
is. But can'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 a voice that
had a strong country twang In It:
Don't you cry. lassie. You don't
mean any harm. l 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.
swell. don't know" said the
CHEEKY man. lit is not a sixpence.
agree. hut II Is a half sovereign and
very good one too" And In the twin
king OF nm eye he had deftly exchang
, ed the imitation sixpence for a gold
coin from his waistcoat pocket.
There my lass. take your money
and run home"
. Was n dream? Flip pinched her
self when she was In the chill street
, again. No. II was all true-a happ!
reality 10 find bad sixpence and theI
, see II transformed into golden hal
, sovereign. She had forgotten the vel
vet npedlecnse: she had but one though
: to get hoine-and home she soon was
where her anxions mother heard al
. her wonderful adventures.
4 So. after all. II was real Christina
, in the top room