Page:Stories told to a child.djvu/204

 of them, previously rubbing the penny with sandpaper, to make it bright and clean.

Visions and dreams floated through my brain as to the good I was to do with this property. They were vainglorious but not selfish; but they were none of them fulfilled, and need not be recorded. The next day, just as my lessons were finished, papa came in with his hat and stick in his hand; he was going to walk to the town, and offered to take me with him.

It was always a treat to walk out with my father, especially when he went to the town. I liked to look in at the shop windows, and admire their various contents.

To the town therefore we went. My father was going to the Mechanics' Institute, and could not take me in with him, but there was a certain basket-maker, with whose wife I was often left on these occasions. To this good woman he brought me, and went away, promising not to be long.

And now, dear reader, whoever you may be, I beseech you judge not too harshly of me; remember I was but a child, and it is certain that if you are not a child yourself, there was a time when you were one. Next door to the basket-maker's there was a toy-shop, and in its window I espied several new and very handsome toys.

'Mr. Miller's window looks uncommon gay,' said the old basket-maker, observing the direction of my eyes.

'Uncommon,' repeated his wife; 'those new gimcracks from London is handsome sure-ly.'

Rh