The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1914-12-24

IKE 10 give eT-ONe OF tnem cd1e3 10
old needles and thtmble an bodkin
which saw at 'Amiltcn's bazaar. Bnt
II amt much good wishing" And
here her reflections came to an end. f0r
she found herself at the warehouse.
She had soon delivered her parcel to
the fat manageress and received the
Door payment due and, threading her
way cleverly hack through dusty cor.
ridOrs and down winding stairs. soon
found herself TN the jostlins street
again- She turned Der footsteps home.
when a CLEAN Of something bright on
the dirty pavement caught her eye.
She bent down. 1t wasD't-nO-yex. II
was-s silver sixpence! She picked 1t
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 TIL be able to git mother
real Christmas present It's Jest like
fairy tale." she thought her blue
eyes shining with excitement. "an' I
know what I'll buy. an I'll git 1t. too.
before ] SO 'ome. cause 1t won't take
me mint"
Hamtlton's bazaar was not verv far
away. and, sure enough. IN tive minutes
Flip was gazing steadily In at the bill.
Dantly decked and lit window 1t q
needlecase in red velvet and gold an
article which for all its eorEsousnsss
was marked but 6vepsncs three far.
things.
Il want a needlecase with . thlmble
an bodkin an reel OF cotton. like
them up there" said Flip. with all the
dignity Of possessor Of wealth.
"Well. you must wait bit!' sDa pped
the assistant, turning to another Gus.
toner. stout. CHEEKY looking man,
accompanied by two rosy, we'll dressed
children.
II bin waitin' a long time. Why
can't you git me one downY' 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? ~
said Flip, handing her the coin.
The saleswOman took it. looked at
It once carelessly, again narrowly.
Why" she exclaimed, this is not
sixpence at all-it Is only an imita ton
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.
He 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"
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 hurst
into 6oo,: Of tears as she sobbed out:
Il found Il IN the street-it's true, 1,
h. But l can't buy the present now"
The shopwalker hesitated. and then
the CHEEKY looking customer who bad
been waiting his turn to be served
broke in By saying in voice that
had a strong country twang in it:
Don't you cry. 'assie. You don't
mean any harm. l guarantee. Let mt
| 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.
"Weli. don't know" said the
CHEEKY man. ut Is not a sixpence,
agree. but it is a half sovereign and 8
I very good one too" And in the twin
| king Of an eye he had deftiy exchang
ed the imitation sixpence for a gold
coin from his waistcoat pocket.
There. my lass. take your money
and run home"
Was it a dream7 Flip pinched her
self when she was In the cniii street:
again. No. 1t was all trne-a happ,
reality to find bad sixpence and ther
see 1t transformed into golden hall
sovereign. She had forgotten the vel
vet needlccase: she had tut ose though
to get home-and home she soon was
where her anxious mother heard al
her wonderful adventures.
So. after all. 1t was . real Christmas
in the top room.