Village Squire, 1975-01, Page 12and that he wanted to buy a present for
Momma.
"Ah so, a Christmas present no doubt."
"No, it's her birthday. I want to get her a
Christmas present too but not right now. I
want to get the birthday gift today. I can
spend a dollar and a half."
"Ah yes, a dollar and a half let us see, let
us see, we have many beautiful things here, a
dollar and a half, a dollar and a half."
Mr. Schantz spoke in a curious sing song
way. It was almost a lullaby. Customers were
sometimes lulled into an euphoric state in
which Mr. Schantz's jewelry became
beautiful and desirable and they even parted
with good money and bought some.
He went now to a shelf in a dark corner and
brought forth a tray of pins and brooches. He
picked from it a brooch from the centre of
which shone a most astounding, flashing
ruby.
Charlie was amazed. Here no doubt was a
jewel from the crown of some rich and long
dead Maharajah. How it got from distant
India to Mr. Schantz's dusty store would be a
tale of mystery and coincidence and even
murder perhaps, in which it would be better
not to enquire.
He had read in Argosy magazine of such
things happening. Here before his eyes was a
jewel perhaps stolen from some Eastern
harem.
Mr. Schantz rubbed the mysterious jewel
on his sleeve.
"Here Tcharlie is a bargain for you. I will
sell very cheap. You Momma she should like
it very much. I will make a special price to you
who are my friend, even though I lose out on
it some money. To you it is a dollar, forty
nine.
Charlie was surprised at how well he was
received in the business world. Both Mr.
Brown and Mr. Schantz like him and were
anxious to please.
"I'll take it," he said hastily before Mr.
Schantz could change his mind.
On the morning of the birthday he wrapped
the brooch carefully. Wrote Happy Birthday
Mom, on it and put it on her plate at the
breakfast table.
"Why Charlie, you remembered my
birthday, I never expected anything."
Ed and Henry looked startled and
concience striken.
Mom unwrapped the gift, gulped and
recovered quickly.
"Isn't it lovely, look Dad, see what Charlie
gave me."
"How could I help seeing?" said Dad and
shaded his eyes.
Charlie looked around proud and smug. His
mother reached out thinking to hug him then
changed her mind and pushed his head down
in the porridge dish.
"Stinker."
He looked up beaming over the porridge
on his nose.
"You put up with a lot, Mom, but it sure
pays off, doesn't it?"
� • •• •• •• •• •• •,•
STARTS DEC. 30
AT
aontett
LUCKNOW, ONT.
Phone 528-2126
EVERYTHING
Yes -
Everything in store
is on sale
PARIS STAR CHILDREN'S WEAR
JANTZEN - STYLES FOR BOTH
MEN & WOMEN
ALL WINTER COATS MUST GO
Be sure to visit basement
as all fabrics will be on sale also.
Jim and Syke Sutherland
ASHTON'S
LADIES' & MEN'S WEAR
VILLAGE SQUIRE/JANUARY-19,5, 11