Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-13
The Penny Plants.


BY Sophie Hotovec, Age 70 Yeara VIII
DER Neb. Blue Side.
There was once a little. old man who
lived In house at the edge Of The
woods. His farm was small and II was
herT foF him TO get other work. His
crops were poor and he became ragged
hungry and thin.
AT last he grew lSneiy and he dreamed
strange dreams at night, but stiu his
son did not come to cheer him Finally
ne opened his leather bag and out rolled
rlve pennies-that was all he had. good
IDEA came to him. He said, 1T will plant
these pennies and perhaps they will
grow"
lie went out into the shed and took
his hoe and took Off his new hat ana
put on his old one. He put the PEN
MES into the bag and the bag INFO his
ragged coat and started off. He did not
plant the pennies into his own farm land
because the crops were poor. He went
down the road looking for a place TO
plant the pennies. where Il was not too
dry or too met and where the cows could
not bite the penny plants off when they
started 70 grow.
Down the road little ways he found
suitable place He heard the shoe
maker say that the king had ordered fifty
pairs OF shoes and he had them ali cut
except the waxing. His trade was spoiled
because he had not penny to buy some
wax to wax the shoes. The little, old
man said, II was just going TO plant a
penny here. I will give 1t to you and
buy what you need and finish the shoes"
Now the little, old man trudged on and
found place where It was Just suitable.
Just then he heard the tailor mourning
and the old man asked him why he was
mourning on such bright day The
tailor told him that the king had or
dered a hundred hunting coats and he
had them all cut out. but hadn't enough
thread to finish them and not a penny
TO buy 1t. The little. old man said. Il
was just going to plant a penny here.
but would rather give Il TO you" He
told the tailor to take II and stop crying
After travelling some distance he found
a place that was suitable, so he started
to dig. Just then he heard the halter
mourning and asked him what was the
matter and he said. 1.-THE king has or
dered hundred hats and / have them
almost all finished, but my needle broke
and I haven't a penny to buy another
one" So the little, old man gave his
third penny 20 the halter IN distress
Then he went on and found place as
suitable as that by the baker First OF
all he went to see the baker. and he
had a face as long as a shovel. '"rhe
king has ordered a hundred loaves OF
bread and have all the dough; II only
had a penny TO buy a match TO light the
over TO bake the bread said the baker
The little, old man gave the baker a
penny and told him TO buy a match TO
light the oven to bake the bread.
Taking his last penny with much pride
he found a suitable place and planted H.
on his way home he met a carpenter
whose face looked like a withered apple
and a worm at its core. He asked him
what was the matter and he said, The
king has ordered a building lodge and I
have all the men. except that have not
a penny to buy some chalk TO mark the
places to cut" The little. old man gave
his last penny 10 the carpenter.
Then the little, old man started for
home. He was very tired and he rested
by the brook. The songs Of the birds
put him to sleep. After waking he re-
membered that he had a piece OF cheese
in the cupboard. 90 he started home once
again very empty. His stomach was
empty and he could hardly walt until he
came to the bakers. The baker cried
out, Come in! Come In! Yesterday you
gave me a penny Now I must give you
something 10 eat" and the baker gave
him a dozen loaves OF bread 20 take
home.
He went along merriiy. and he met the
halter. who greeted him and said. Come
in! Come I'M Yesterday you gave me a
penny 70 buy a needle. Now I must not
let you 80 with such a torn hat" 80 he
picked him out q hat
So the old man went on merrily TN
he came to the tailoFs door. and the
tailor said. Yesterday you gave me .
penny. / must give you a new coat "'
So he fitted him out a coat. The little.
old man walked on merriiy TIL he came
to the shoemaker. who also said. Yes
terday you gave me a penny. can't
let you 20 with such torn shoes" So he
gave the old man a new pair OF shoes.
Iie was well dressed now. but his old