The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-12-16

mics gift. The gift was one that
would have done his father credit. 1t
was q sewing machine. A superlative
sewing machine, be 1t said for jim
mis. One that could do all sorts Of
fancy tricks.
Jane looked at it, long and ear
nestly.
Don't you like it?" Jimmie asked.
"Like it1" she turned on him furi-
ously. alike It? or course I don't
like It. You never heard me even
mention a sewing machine. did your"
swell. guess maybe didn't" and
there was distress In Jimmie's voice
But l thought you'd really like It,
You are fond Of pretty things, and you
have so much time. / wondered and
wondered what to get you, and decided
this would be the very thing-it would
pretty things you like"
"You wondered what to get me-
when you knew / wanted that string
of rose quartz worse than anything
in the world?"
"But that's so foolish, Jane. It's
just fad. While this"
But Jane had burst into stormy
weeping. Christmas was not q success
in the household. The days that fol
lowed were not cheerful.
The sewing machine was put out of
sight In the back of the guest room
closet. Jane did not think of IL. One
day toward spring, she was rummag
ing in the closet for a pair of silver
pumps, when she noticed her Christ
mas gift standing there, lonely and
neglected.
She wheeied IL into the light and
busted 1t. She raised the top and
looked It over.
"Hilda," she called to the girl who
presided in the kitchen
Hilda entered. She gurgled 4, che
s,ght of the machine. She ran for the
oil can. She fumbled with attach
ulents. She brought IN length OF
white cotton and soon was hemming
merrily.
"Yust now l need new dish towels"
she murmured. Maybe you let me
make me new petticoat on it?"
"Of course, Hilda," Jane answered.
"Show me how 1t goes. will you?"
Hilda showed. That night when
Jimmie came home to dinner there
were three new tea towels in the kitch-
en-. Their hens looked like the waves
in an amateur oil painting. But jim
mie did not see them. nor hear Of his
wife's accomplishment.
One evening, Jane appeared at the
dinner table In new frock. 1t was a
simple thing, of soft rose, but vastly
becoming.
pretty Dress" Jimmie commented.
"You really like it?'
"You bet. You know how l am
about pink"
"Jim, I've been a nut-a mean one,
too. made this dress myself-on
that sewing machine you gave me.
I've had more fun with the old thing
I'm making new curtains for the bed
room right now"
Really You did like 1t, then7"
"Yes. I've been waiting till could
make something to wear before I told
you"
But one day she was surprised and
obliged to show her handwork. Her
mother, an aunt and three cousins
dropped in, unannounced, for tea.
my dear, how pretty you look" they
chimed.
"And where did you get that dress
1t II perfectly adorable. I've never
seen one at all like It."
This was from James mother, q
shopper whose proud boast was that
she never needed to see label or q
price mark.
"Guess where got it,"
Three Of the exclusive dress shops
were named.
Success I" Jane shouted. Success
is mine at last. I'm going to start q
shop Of my own. I made this dress
myself, alone and unaided."
And she wheeled the Christmas sew
ing machine from the sunroom and
gave 1t a place of honor In the cen
ter Of the room.